Planning a trip to the Walt Disney World Resort requires a strategy to maximize your time in the parks. With Lightning Lane passes, you can skip the traditional standby line and join a significantly shorter line for select attractions and experiences. This guide covers everything you need to know about the Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Single Pass, and the all-new Premier Pass.
What are the Different Types of Lightning Lane Passes?
Disney offers three distinct ways to access Lightning Lane entrances, each designed for different types of travelers:
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass: This pass allows you to choose up to 3 experiences and arrival windows in a single park before your visit. Once you redeem your first selection on the day of your visit, you can use the My Disney Experience app to check availability and add another experience.
- Lightning Lane Single Pass: This is for the most in-demand attractions that are not included in the Multi Pass. You can purchase up to two Single Passes per day, choosing your arrival window in advance.
- Lightning Lane Premier Pass: This premium option provides one-time entry to every available Lightning Lane experience in one park for one day. It includes both Single Pass and Multi Pass attractions, and the best part is there is no need to schedule arrival windows—you simply ride when you want.
Can You Use Lightning Lane Passes While Park Hopping?
If you have a ticket with Park Hopper benefits, it is vital to understand the restrictions for each pass:
- Multi Pass & Park Hopping: Yes, you can use this across multiple parks. After you redeem your first selection in your initial park, you can use the app to choose your next experience in a different theme park.
- Single Pass Restrictions: No, a Single Pass is only valid for one specific attraction and cannot be used for experiences in other parks.
- Premier Pass Restrictions: No, the Premier Pass is limited to one specific park per day.
Key Attractions: Which Rides Require Which Pass?
Each park has specific “must-do” attractions that require either a Single Pass or a Multi Pass.
- Magic Kingdom: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and TRON Lightcycle / Run require a Single Pass. Multi Pass selections are tiered; you can pick one “top-tier” ride (like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure or Space Mountain) and two from a larger group including Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean.
- EPCOT: The Single Pass attraction is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Popular Multi Pass options include Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Frozen Ever After.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: You’ll need a Single Pass for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Top Multi Pass choices include Slinky Dog Dash and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Single Pass is for Avatar Flight of Passage. The Multi Pass covers favorites like Kilimanjaro Safaris and Expedition Everest.
When to Buy: Booking Windows and Times
To get the best arrival windows, you need to book as soon as your window opens at 7:00 AM Eastern Time.
- Disney Resort Hotel Guests: If you are staying at a Disney Resort or other select hotels (like the Swan, Dolphin, or Shades of Green), you can purchase passes up to 7 days in advance for your entire stay (up to 14 days).
- Other Guests: Those with date-based tickets can purchase 3 days in advance for the length of their ticket. Annual Passholders can also purchase 3 days before their visit.
Pro Tips for Your Disney Vacation
- Download the App: All purchases and modifications must be done through the My Disney Experience app.
- Check the Limit: You are limited to one Lightning Lane entry per attraction, per day, per pass.
- Photo Perks: Both the Multi Pass and Premier Pass include digital downloads of select attraction photos and videos, plus special Disney PhotoPass Lenses.
- No Refunds: Remember that Lightning Lane passes are nonrefundable and nontransferable.
- Standby is Still Free: If you choose not to buy a pass, traditional standby lines remain available for all attractions.
- Keep Eyes on Wait Times: Continue to utilize WDW Wait Times as a way to monitor wait times for park attractions. You don’t want to use a Lightning Lane pass on an attraction that DOES NOT have a long wait.
By planning ahead and understanding these rules, you can spend less time in line and more time making memories at Walt Disney World!