Here Are the New Lightning Lane Rules
On Tuesday, Disney overhauled the former Disney Genie+/Lightning Lane system.
To Disney’s credit, the changes solve some of the program’s biggest issues.
However, many questions have arisen regarding the finer points of the new system.
So, let’s go over all the new Lightning Lane rules. Also, if you have additional questions, please feel free to ask them.
We’ll keep updating with information as we get it. Remember that this is all new to us as well. Okay, let’s get started.
How Does Advanced Booking Work?
As a reminder, Disney won’t implement the new system until July 24th.
On that date, I’m confident that MickeyBlog will publish articles and post on social media with visual examples of the new system.
Until then, I’ll simply detail what Disney has confirmed thus far.
The important part is that you should stay at an official Disney resort.
I say this because guests with existing Disney reservations at these hotels can book up to seven days in advance.
That’s a massive competitive advantage over everyone else, as most guests cannot book until three days prior to the visit.
So, guests staying onsite gain a four-day early booking window over everyone else.
Once your booking window opens, you may reserve up to three attractions in advance.
MickeyBlog has published the full list of MultiPass options here.
Later this week, I’ll publish an article suggesting ways to minimize time spent standing in line.
The gist is that some parks have multiple tiers of offerings. You’ll want to choose carefully with the top tier.
Those are the E-ticket attractions that generally require the longest waits.
Otherwise, the big deal about the new system is that you can book three attractions in advance.
So, you can once again build a reasonable itinerary based on knowns, something we’ve lacked at the parks since 2020.
That statement alone is reason enough to be excited about Disney’s system changes.
Has Disney Removed Any Attractions?
When Disney posted its list of participating Lightning Lane Multi Pass attractions, fans quickly noticed the obvious.
The various parks removed some attractions from the updated list.
So, the answer to the question is yes, but that’s for a good reason.
Under the current system, guests complain when they cannot book a satisfactory number of Disney Genie+ reservations.
Disney padded the list to provide people with more options and thereby make customers feel happy about their choices.
With the upcoming system, you can book three experiences in advance.
Thus, you’re assured of having a solid foundation of E-ticket attractions during your visit.
In fact, if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably knock out all three by lunchtime.
Most of the attractions that Disney subtracted from the list aren’t ones where you’ll stand in line for long.
At Magic Kingdom, we lost the character greetings at Town Square Theater and Princess Fairytale Hall.
Similarly, EPCOT took off the new Mickey & Friends gathering at CommuniCore Hall & Plaza.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Olaf encounter is no longer available for booking.
Finally, Disney’s Animal Kingdom removed the character experience at Adventurers Outpost.
None of this is a significant loss or will in any way impact your time spent in line, save for possibly Princess Fairytale Hall.
Of course, since those interactions aren’t bogged down by Disney Genie+ reservations, the lines may move quicker now.
To my knowledge, the only true attraction that Disney removed from the new system is Enchanted Tales with Belle.
Even in late June, you’ll rarely wait more than 30 minutes for this experience.
Can You Park Hop with Multi Pass?
To the people asking this question, I am one of you! It’s Park Hop or death for me!
So, I also held my breath as I researched this question. Fortunately, our reporters quickly uncovered the answer.
Disney’s upcoming system will work with Park Hopping, but you should be aware of a couple of hiccups.
For starters, you must book your first three Lightning Lanes at the park you’ll visit first.
Then – and this part is crucial – you MUST use the first Lightning Lane.
In other words, you must stand in line, scan your MagicBand or phone, and have the system confirm that you’ve checked that box.
Afterward, you can theoretically cancel your other Multi Pass reservations at the current park and attempt to make them at other parks.
I should warn you that scarcity could be an issue. After all, many savvy park guests will book in advance.
So, by the time you attempt to reserve your new Multi Pass, you may find limited options at your next park.
Also, while the question focused on Multi Pass, I’ll toss in one other note about Single Pass.
You CAN purchase up to two Single Passes ahead of time. What does that mean for you as a Park Hopper?
Let’s say that you’re starting your day at Magic Kingdom and then heading to EPCOT.
Seven days before your visit, you can purchase Single Passes for Tron Lightcycle / Run AND Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind!
Obviously, you should schedule Tron first and add a multi-hour gap for Cosmic Rewind, but it is possible under the new system.
Can You Purchase Lightning Lane Internationally?
Okay, here’s an excellent question. Many overseas Disney fans asked whether they can buy and book Lightning Lane in advance.
Alas, based on my understanding of the current system, that’s not possible.
Remember that Disney’s app employs geolocating software to identify where a user is.
For security reasons, Disney firewalls aspects of its programming.
Theoretically, you should only be able to purchase and book Lightning Lane options when you’re within the United States.
So, let’s say that you’re flying into America. You couldn’t book before you depart.
However, once your plane touches down in the United States, you could execute these transactions.
The geo-location software would no longer block you out.
I’m sure some of you are wondering about VPNs, and I’m just gonna leave that one hanging.
I certainly don’t encourage the use of such devices to skirt the system and have no idea whether it would work.
Thankfully, you do have a better option here. You can use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner to book your trip.
You should be doing that anyway, and the Diamond Earmarked agents at MickeyTravels won’t face geo-location concerns.
So, they can book when you cannot. Also, they’ll find you the best deals anyway.
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