Lightning LaneS
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THE LIGHTNING LANE
The Lightning Lane (or LL for short) is the physical expedited queue that let's you skip the regular standby line for some attractions.
Most "Lightning Lane" waits are only 5-10 minutes!
Genie
A free planning tool inside the Disneyland app that allows you to bookmark the attractions highest on your list. It will keep them on the app's home page with wait times and recommendations.
I like doing this in advance because it reminds me of our plan without having to go to a separate spot for notes.
LIghtning Lane Multi pass
A paid add-on that gives you access to the Lightning Lane. The price starts at $30/person, per day, but changes day-to-day.
Using the Disneyland app, choose (or "book") the next hourly return window available for an attraction. Ride and repeat!
You also get your PhotoPass downloads included with your Multi-pass add-on.
Since both PhotoPass locations (like in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle) and on-ride photos are included, this can be a big savings.
LIGHTNING LANE Single PAss
For attractions that aren't included in the Multi Pass service – like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance - you can purchase Lightning Lanes Single Pass (LLSP) à la carte.
These are limited to 2 per person, per day and can be used with or without Multi Pass!
TIP BOARD
Everything is done within your Disneyland app.
Under it's main menu, you'll find your "Tip Board".
This is the main hub to purchase Lightning Lanes, book return windows, and check wait times.
CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
Rides with lightning lanes
What's included?
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (40")
Autopia (32")
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (40")
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
Haunted Mansion
Indiana Jones Adventure (46")
“it's a small world”
Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway
Matterhorn Bobsleds (42")
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (38")
Pirates of the Caribbean
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
Space Mountain (40")
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue (40")
Tiana's Bayou Adventure (40")
INCLUDED WITH Multi-pass
LIghtning LAne Single PAss
Disneyland PARK
Radiator Springs Racers (40")
Adventures of the Little Mermaid
Goofy’s Sky School (42")
Grizzly River Run (42")
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout (40")
Incredicoaster (48")
Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
Soarin’ Around the World (40")
Toy Story Midway Mania!
Web Slinglers: A Spider-man Adventure
INCLUDED WITH Multi-pass
LIGHTNING LANE Single Pass
DISNEYLAND
CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
NEXT
Which Lightning Lanes have the most time-savings based on historical wait times?
Average StandBy Wait IN MINS
Compare this to a Lightning lane wait of 5-10 minutes (!!)
how to use
BUY
If you haven't already purchased Lightning Lane Multi-Pass with your ticket, purchase Multi-pass from the Disneyland app after scanning into Disneyland Park or California Adventure,
Whoever wants to use Lightning Lane Multi-pass will need it added to their ticket. If your child is under 3, you don't have to worry about them!
You can buy Lightning Lane passes for up to 12 people at once, as long as they are on your Family + Friends list.
01
PICK
To keep from scrolling through all day, set up your Tip Board with your Top Pick.
Under the My Day tab, select "start my day!" and follow the prompts for the date, park, and interests.
Only select 2-3 of of your top rides to save you time on your phone.
You can edit this as much as you want throughout the day!
02
BOOK
From your Tip Board, select the ride you want to book a Lightning Lane for.
Keep in mind that you can't choose your time, you can only book the next available window.
Hit "book", confirm your party, and you're set! You can now use the Lightning Lane during that time window. For example, if your return time is for Haunted Mansion at 11am, you have from 10:00-11:00am to scan into the Lightning Lane.
03
BOOKING LIGHTNING LANES
WAIT, WHAT ABOUT THOSE LIGHTNING LANE Single Pass?
Just like Multi Pass, you can purchase Single Passes as soon as you scan into the park.
You'll be shown the next available time window available on your Tip Board.
These are limited to 2 per person, per day.
The price for these are based on demand, meaning they change day to day. Here are the average costs per person:
$25 Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
$18 Radiator Springs Racers
HOW TO SCAN INTO A LIGHTNING LANE
- a MagicBand or MagicBand+
- using the barcode on your Disneyland app
the "rules" and tips
WHEN TO BOOK YOUR NEXT LIghtning Lane
Once you scan into your first Lightning Lane, you can immediately book another one
OR
after 2 hours have passed. Whichever comes first.
For example:
At 10am, you book a Multi-Pass Lightning Lane return time for Web Slingers from 4:00-5:00pm, you don't have to wait until 4:00pm to book another Lightning Lane.
Set an alarm for 2 hours later (12pm) to book another ride.
USING Multi-pass WITH A PARK HOPPER
Once you buy your Lightning Lane Passes, they follow you wherever you go.
When you're eligible to make another selection, just tap "change park" on your Tip Board and book any of return window for 11am or later. Easy Peasy.
CAN I BOOK MORE THAN ONE Lightning Lane?
Technically, no, you can only book one Lightning lane reservation at a time.
But, if your return time is more than 2 hours away, you can book another one. Gurus call this "stacking", and it's when you are holding more than 1 reservation at a time.
more tips
Whenever you're purchasing something (like a Single Pass) the Disneyland app wants you to sign in again.
Allow Face ID on your phone to speed the check out process!
BOOK FASTER
Sometimes Lightning Lanes sell out, especially during busy times of year.
If this happens, try pinning and keep refreshing your Tip Board. Some Lightning Lanes become available!
REFRESH, REFRESH, REFRESH
You can scan into a Lightning Lane 5 minutes before and up to 15 minutes after your return window,
So really an hour-long window is 80 minutes long!
A LONGER TIME WINDOW
If you're at your resort - turn off the wifi provided there.
You'll get a faster connection over your cell service.
GET OFF WI-FI
When you buy an Individual Lightning Lane, the MDE app asks you to sign in again.
Allow Face ID on your phone to speed the check out process and guarantee that return time!
BOOK FASTER WITH FACE ID
You can scan into a Lightning Lane 5 minutes before and up to 15 minutes after your return window,
So really an hour-long window is 80 minutes long!
BRING A PORTABLE BATTERY!
Your phone WILL drain while you're in the park between checking wait times, ordering food, and booking Genie+.
Make sure you bring a portable battery like this one.
BRING A PORTABLE BATTERY!
When you buy an Individual Lightning Lane, the MDE app asks you to sign in again.
Allow Face ID on your phone to speed the check out process and guarantee that return time!
BOOK FASTER WITH FACE ID
You can scan into a Lightning Lane 5 minutes before and up to 15 minutes after your return window,
So really an hour-long window is 80 minutes long!
BRING A PORTABLE BATTERY!
more tips
Sometimes Lightning Lanes sell out, especially during busy times of year.
If this happens, keep refreshing your Tip Board. Some Lightning Lanes become available!
REFRESH, refresh, refresh
Whenever you're purchasing something (like a Single Pass) the Disneyland app wants you to sign in again.
Allow Face ID on your phone to speed the check out process!
BOOK FASTER
Your phone WILL drain while you're in the park checking wait times, ordering food, and booking Lightning Lanes.
Make sure you bring a portable battery like this one.
BRING A PORTABLE BATTERY!
You can scan into a Lightning Lane 5 minutes before and up to 15 minutes after your return window,
So really an hour-long window is 80 minutes long!
A LONGER TIME WINDOW
Prioritizing your Lightning Lanes is a balance between what your family wants to ride, of course, but also the order that Lightning Lanes sell out. This can change depending on events, weather, and time of year -- that's why this section is updated!
Disneyland
1. Indiana Jones Adventure
2. Space Mountain
3. Matterhorn Bobsleds
4. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run
OUR PICK: Indiana Jones' Adventure
1. Web Slingers: A Spiderman Adventure
2. Toy Story Midway Mania
3. Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout
4. Grizzly River Run
OUR PICK: Guardians of the Galaxy
California Adventure
When CAN I BOOK MY FIRST Lightning Lane?
You can book your first ride after you've scanned into Disneyland Park or California Adventure.
What if im park hopping?
When you buy Genie+ for the day, it follows you wherever you go.
Just tap "change park" on your Tip Board and book any return window that's after 11am (this is when park hopping begins.)
CAN I MODIFY A GENIE+ I ALREADY MADE?
Yes! You can modify the attraction (within the same park), return time, and the people riding. Hit the three dots next to your booked Lightning Lane and tap "modify."
HOW DOES GENIE+ WORK WITH RIDER SWITCH?
It kind of works the same: everyone who wants to use the Lightning Lane in the first group would ALL need to have a Lightning Lane booked. Ie: you can't cheat the system and only book for 1 parent, and then switch.
CAN I HAVE A GENIE+ RETURN WINDOW AND AN ILL AT THE SAME TIME?
Yes, you can even have overlapping times between Genie+ return times and Individual Lightning Lanes. The app doesn't care!
How much do individual lightning lanes cost?
The price for Individual Lightning Lanes are based on demand, meaning they change day to day. These are the average costs per person:
$25 Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
$20 Mickey + Minnie's Runaway Railway
$18 Radiator Springs Racers
CAN I BOOK FOR MY ENTIRE FAMILY OR GROUP?
As long as every ticket in your party is linked to your Disneyland app, you will be able to book for every member in your group.
You can book up to 12 people for each Lightning Lane at once.
DOES MY CHILD NEED GENIE+ ADDED TOO?
Everyone with a ticket needs to have purchased Genie+ to use it.
This doesn't include children under 3 years old, since they don't need a park ticket!
Can I USE THE LIGHTNING LANE FOR A RIDE MORE THAN ONCE?
No, you can't. If you want to ride something again, you have to wait in the standby line. This rule applies per day, not per trip!
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Lightning Lanes
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