The (wake up) times, they are a’ changin’ at Walt Disney World.
Magic Kingdom
Right now, there are few more important times at Walt Disney World than 7:00AM. As you likely know, that’s when you need to wake up on each day of your Disney World vacation to purchase Genie+ service and Individual Lightning Lanes. However, that all changes later this month.
Starting on July 24th, Disney is introducing a newly revamped skip-the-line ride reservation system, with Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes morphing into Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass respectively.
However, the names aren’t the biggest change. Lightning Lane Multi Pass (purchase of which allows you to book up to three ride reservations) and Lightning Lane Single Pass (purchases of which allow you to “secure a time to ride one of Disney’s most highly demanded attractions) will now allow you to make your ride reservations well in advance of your Walt Disney World visit.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom
If you’re staying at a Walt Disney World hotel, you can begin purchasing Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass reservations for an up to 14-day vacation 7 days before your reservation begins. If you’re not staying at a Walt Disney World hotel, you can begin doing so 3 days prior to each park day. Eligibility still opens at 7:00AM, but hey at least that’s not 7:00AM every day of your vacation.
A quick tip: Once you book your trip, calculate either 7 days out or 3 days out (depending on where you’re staying) and set a reminder to yourself to book your Lightning Lanes. While you’re at it, make sure you have every member of your party entered into the My Disney Experience app and know what rides you’re shooting for, so that everything goes as smoothly as possible once your eligibility window opens.
Flight of Passage (Yep, it’s in there)
Don’t rejoice quite yet, however. Despite these changes, there is still a chance that you’ll need to wake up at 7:00AM on certain days of your Disney trip for a virtual queue.
In case you’re not familiar with virtual queues, according to Disney, “From time to time, a virtual queue—accessible via the My Disney Experience app—may be used for a limited number of our most highly demanded attractions. When the virtual queue is in place, a standby queue will not be available, and Guests must use the My Disney Experience app to enter the attraction or experience.”
©Disney
There are usually two times a day when virtual queues can be accessed: the dreaded 7:00AM, and a second round at 1:00PM. So, for example, if you are unable or unwilling to purchase Lightning Lane Single Passes for an in-demand attraction like Tron Lightcycle/Run or Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, you’ll still need to wake up before 7:00AM to try and score a spot in the virtual queue.
Cosmic Rewind uses a Virtual Queue
While Disney’s new Lightning Lane systems will cut down considerably on the importance of waking up at 7:00AM during your Walt Disney World vacation, there’s still a chance you may need to if you’re planning on trying for a virtual queue. Stay tuned to DFB for more on the new system’s launch and effect on Walt Disney World’s rides and wait times.
Book These Rides FIRST With Disney World’s New Lightning Lane Multi Pass System!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Are you excited about the NEW Lightning Lane system? Let us know in the comments below.