Lightning Lane Strategy

[TinkBink]

We have purchased an 8 day ticket where we are staying onsite part of the time and offsite part of the time. I know that we have a 12 day window we had to select when we purchased our ticket. Since we are staying offsite for the first part of our trip, should I make the "start date" as early as possible even if we aren't using the ticket until a few days later in order for our 3 day lightning lane window to open as soon as possible? Once we start using the ticket, we plan to use for 8 consecutive days. Does this make sense or am I missing something? Thank you!

 

[Dave006]

Since we are staying offsite for the first part of our trip, should I make the "start date" as early as possible even if we aren't using the ticket until a few days later in order for our 3 day lightning lane window to open as soon as possible?

Yes it is possible but only you can decide the timing of your ticket start date. Since you are off-site you have the 3 day advanced purchase window and then you are able to purchase for your lenght of ticket which would include both you off-site, and on-site stays.

Once we start using the ticket, we plan to use for 8 consecutive days. Does this make sense or am I missing something?

Yes it makes sense and you are not missing anything. The only thing you give up is some flexibility in when you use your 8 days of actual usage. It is a good plan.

Dave

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

That's my plan for dealing with a combined on and off-site family vacation. Everyone who is staying off site is getting the earliest ticket date that still overlaps all of our park days to give us the most time on the front of their stay. For us, it helps that earlier dates are cheaper, so there's a little cost savings there, too.

In your case, if the earlier ticket is more expensive than the later ticket, then you have to decide if you want to spend the extra money for the advanced LL window.

 

[lanejudy]

should I make the "start date" as early as possible even if we aren't using the ticket until a few days later in order for our 3 day lightning lane window to open as soon as possible?

Check the calendar -- it's likely that starting your ticket 4 days early will simply bounce your 3-day offsite early booking to the same date as the 7-day onsite early booking.

If there is cost savings to start the ticket earlier, go ahead. But if it costs more make sure you are truly getting an advantage with the dates.

 

[TinkBink]

Thanks so much everyone!! I'm going to try it out and see what happens. This is our first time having to stay offsite for a bit so I'm so nervous about those first few days in the parks. But hopefully this will help, really appreciate it!