Disney World’s pay-to-skip-the-line service has changed, and if you are looking for the best tips, we have you covered!

Last summer, Genie+ transitioned into Lightning Lane Multi Pass, and Individual Lightning Lane turned into Lightning Lane Single Pass. While both Multi and Single Pass help you spend less time waiting in line, the new service takes inspiration from its predecessor, FastPass+. 

As a little refresher, Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass (along with Lightning Lane Premier Pass) can now be booked in advance. Those staying at a Disney World hotel can book seven days in advance, while all others can book three days prior. You can purchase and book your initial selections through the My Disney Experience app. If you choose Multi Pass, you will start off with three selections from the different tiers, and then once you start to redeem each Lighting Lane on the actual day you visit the park, you will be able to make additional selections. 

If you need some more help understanding the basics of this system, don’t stress! That is what we are here for! We have plenty of resources across our site as well as on our YouTube channel. 

Now on with our best secrets!

1. Update your My Disney Experience App

It may seem simple, but you are going to want to make sure your phone has the latest version of the My Disney Experience app downloaded. Technology can be finicky, and if you want to secure the best Lightning Lane selections, you will want your app to run as quickly as possible. 

2. Know Your Group’s Preferences 

Before your booking window rolls around, make sure to talk to your group to know what they want to do. While you may not be able to get everyone’s first selections for Lightning Lanes, it is a good idea to have a game plan of what rides you would like to try to snag instead of having everyone gather around during the day of booking. That way, you can breeze through the selection process since you already have an idea of which rides your group would like to prioritize. I personally like the make a list of three options for each selection that I know the group is good with. That way, if my first option is booked, I can move on down to the second option! 

3. Make Sure to Link Your Friends and Family 

When you purchase Lightning Lane Multi, Single, or Premier Pass, you must purchase it for each person in your party. It is super important that you check your Friends and Family list on your My Disney Experience app and make sure everyone is linked. When your booking window rolls around, you will have to choose each person you wish to purchase Lightning Lanes for, and they must already be linked on your account. If you aren’t linked, you could miss out on the lightning lane you want or you could miss someone in your party and they could be left in the dust without a Lightning Lane (It’s happened to me and it’s pretty sucky to deal with. Last thing you want to do on a Disney World trip is be stuck at Guest Relations.)

4. Mark Your Calendars and Set Your Alarms

As we mentioned above, unlike Genie+, Lightning Lane Multi, Single, and Premier Pass can all be bought before your trip. Disney World hotel guests gain a massive advantage for Lightning Lanes as they can book seven days in advance. All others can book three days in advance. 

Regardless, make sure you mark your calendars, be ready to purchase, and make your initial selections at 7 AM EST, either seven (If you’re a Disney World hotel guest) or three days before your arrival date.

5. Go Through the Pre-Selection Process

The My Disney Experience app will actually let you go through the selection process before your booking window rolls around; you just cannot complete your purchase. This can help you familiarize yourself with the steps when it comes time for you actually to book. You can even do this a few minutes before your booking window opens to get an idea of what attractions will be available to book and to practice the process so you are ready to go when it’s actually time to book!

6. Pay Attention to Ride Locations

Getting Lighting Lane return times that are close together may seem like a blessing because that means that you get to book more Lightning Lanes as you redeem your initial ones. As a warning, watch where which rides you are booking. Sometimes it can be hard to make it to close return times when attractions are on opposite sides of the park. 

For example, book close return times for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Spaceship Earth, and Journey Imagination with Figment. It may be hard to make it to all your return times as you will be running to different parts of the park. Running around from ride to ride when they are spread out also eats up at so much of your day without you even realizing it. If you want to book return times with close windows, we recommend choosing attractions that are closer together. 

7. Refresh, Refresh, Refresh

One of our biggest tips for anything on the My Disney Experience app is to REFRESH. While it is not always guaranteed, in our experience, if we are looking for a better return time, we will refresh the app a few times, and new return times will populate. 

Lightning Lane rules seem to be ever-changing, and we are always in the parks testing out new strategies to help bring you even more tips to make your vacations to Disney World even easier. To stay up to date on all the latest Disney news, make sure to continue to follow along with Disney Food Blog!

I’ve Tried Every Lightning Lane Option in Disney World, and I’m Sharing 5 Ways To Avoid Paying for Any of Them

Do you like to purchase Lightning Lane when you visit Disney World? Let us know in the comments!