Lightning Lane Guide
Master Disney's line-skipping service to maximize your park time.
Lightning Lane at Walt Disney World
Disney's system is powerful but has a learning curve. It's broken into three separate paid services.
Lightning Lane (Multi Pass)
The base service for most attractions, allowing you to pre-book up to 3 rides in advance.
How it Works
Pay a daily fee to pre-book a Tier 1 ride and two Tier 2 rides. After using them, book more one at a time.
When to Book
Resort guests can book up to 7 days in advance. Others can book 3 days in advance. Booking opens at 7:00 a.m. ET.
Variable Pricing
The price changes daily based on park and crowd levels, typically ranging from $15 to $35 per person.
Lightning Lane (Single Pass)
An à la carte purchase for the single most popular ride in each park (e.g., Rise of the Resistance).
How it Works
Purchase access for a specific ride and time window individually. You do not need Multi Pass to buy these. Limit 2 per day.
When to Buy
Resort guests can buy up to 7 days in advance. All other guests must wait until 3 days in advance. Booking opens at 7:00 a.m. ET.
Variable Pricing
Prices vary by ride and day, generally from $12 to $25 per ride.
Lightning Lane (Premier Pass)
A premium, all-inclusive option for same-day access to nearly every Lightning Lane in one park, with no scheduling required.
How it Works
Purchase for a specific park and tap into any Lightning Lane (Multi Pass or Single Pass rides) once per day without a return time.
When to Buy
Resort guests can buy up to 7 days in advance; others can buy 3 days in advance. Booking opens at 7:00 a.m. ET.
Variable Pricing
A high-end option, with prices ranging from ~$129 (Animal Kingdom) to ~$449 (Magic Kingdom) per person, per day.
Strategy & Advice
Pros
- Massively reduces wait times on the most popular attractions.
- Allows you to accomplish much more, especially on a short trip.
- Can make a hot, crowded day feel much more manageable and less stressful.
Cons
- Can be very expensive for a family, adding hundreds to your daily budget.
- Requires significant advance planning to secure top rides.
- Tier system for Multi Pass can be restrictive.
Pro Tips
- Book your top Multi Pass & Single Pass picks as early as possible—they sell out fast.
- Use your first 3 Multi Pass reservations early in the day so you can start booking more, one by one.
- Premier Pass is best for a stress-free day if you have a large budget and want to ride everything without checking your phone.