Plan Ahead with Lightning Lane Entry at Walt Disney World Starting July 24

[Eastern]

I'm glad they took away stacking. Stacking made standby times impossible. The only way there will still be longer standby times is if they sell more of the new passes, but then at least more people will get some quicker waits during their stay.

I have never bought G+ and I have waited in many lines while dozens and dozens and dozens of LL's went through. I'm guessing they took that aggravation factor into consideration as well.

 

[Eastern]

As a fan of afternoon arrivals and stacking, I am not a fan of the end of the 120 minute rule. Since the rule to book a new LL in any tier is to use one or after the LL window expires, I could see the use of "throwaway" LLs becoming popular for afternoon arrivers. In other words, book Remy for 3pm and book two tier 2 rides for as early as possible that you don't plan on riding or don't really need a LL (i.e. Figment & Nemo). Then from the comfort of the hotel pool or water park, etc at 10-10:30, book Frozen and Soarin when these 2 "throwaways" expire. Then you can enter EPCOT at 3pm with 3 tier one LLs stacked. Same for MK or HS.

I can't see Disney letting people hoard Tier 1s.

 

[Pyxie]

I get the impression, at least right now, that only someone logged into that person's MDE account in the states can make those selections. Typically, even with a TA, you aren't giving them your password to log in directly.

I think, until Disney gets the IT portion of this right, international guests need to make friends with someone in the continently US that they trust with the Disney password and selections if they want the early booking.

A lot of people actually do give TA's their password for things like dining reservations already. It's the only way they can really book for their clients. Well, you can call dining in but you run the risk of the reservations you want being booked by the time they answer.

 

[Pyxie]

It appears there won't be a multi-park option. From the Disneyworld.com website: "Pricing for Lightning Lane passes varies by date and theme park or attraction, and purchase is subject to limited availability. Prices will be displayed in the My Disney Experience app."

I read "by . . . theme park" as meaning the park you make your first three selections in.

The website also says:

"When you purchase a Lightning Lane Multi Pass for a theme park, you’ll be prompted to choose up to 3 multi pass experiences and arrival windows in the same theme park.

Once you redeem a selection on the day of your park visit, you can use the My Disney Experience app to choose another multi pass experience in any Walt Disney World theme park (subject to availability), as long as you have a valid ticket with the Park Hopper option or an Annual Pass."

So, if there is no multi-park option and the prices depend on which park you are booking in, I could theoretically pay less money by starting with Animal Kingdom and still use it in other parks that day once I use the AK selections. I guess the trade-off is if you start with a lower demand park, you have less of a chance to get tier 1 rides at other parks that day.

 

[Tom_E_D]

So, if there is no multi-park option and the prices depend on which park you are booking in, I could theoretically pay less money by starting with Animal Kingdom and still use it in other parks that day once I use the AK selections. I guess the trade-off is if you start with a lower demand park, you have less of a chance to get tier 1 rides at other parks that day.

Yep

 

[traveler9]

I'm glad they took away stacking. Stacking made standby times impossible. The only way there will still be longer standby times is if they sell more of the new passes, but then at least more people will get some quicker waits during their stay.

I have never bought G+ and I have waited in many lines while dozens and dozens and dozens of LL's went through. I'm guessing they took that aggravation factor into consideration as well.

Probably half of those were DAS users. It’s a good thing they’ve severely limited it now.

 

[Tom_E_D]

As a fan of afternoon arrivals and stacking, I am not a fan of the end of the 120 minute rule. Since the rule to book a new LL in any tier is to use one or after the LL window expires, I could see the use of "throwaway" LLs becoming popular for afternoon arrivers. In other words, book Remy for 3pm and book two tier 2 rides for as early as possible that you don't plan on riding or don't really need a LL (i.e. Figment & Nemo). Then from the comfort of the hotel pool or water park, etc at 10-10:30, book Frozen and Soarin when these 2 "throwaways" expire. Then you can enter EPCOT at 3pm with 3 tier one LLs stacked. Same for MK or HS.

You're assuming you'll be able to book another LL in either tier when one of your pre-booked Tier 2's expires. That isn't what the Disneyworld website says and isn't how I remember FP+ working. Of course, FP+ was different in that you needed to use all three of your pre-booked FPs before booking your fourth. I seem to remember one day when my third pre-booked FP was Turtle Talk, a Tier 2. I didn't get there during the return window. I had intended to tap in and then just leave, but got there late. The app wouldn't let me book another attraction. The expired Turtle Talk still showed up, and when I canceled it the app would only let me book another Tier 2. I had to use the other Tier 2 before I could book a Tier 1 as my fourth FP. Perhaps other people remember how FP+ worked differently. Please feel free to chip in based on your FP+ experiences. But based on how I remember FP+ working, your first three FPs were one Tier 1 and two Tier 2s. It was your fourth and subsequent FPs that could be either tier. I don't think there is any language in the Disneyworld website description for LLMP that says they couldn't require the same for LLMPs. We may not find out until July 24 whether expirations and/or cancellations and/or modifications of the first three booked LLs allow rebooking in either tier.

EDIT: I overlooked some language on the Disneyworld website. See post 908 for language that supports the idea that you can book another when your LLs expire.

 

[DisneyFive]

So, after digesting all this, I basically see LLMP as FP+ with three significant differences...

1) They are now charging for it
2) The booking window was shortened to 7 or 3 days depending on your resort choice.
3) Individual LL's for the most in demand attractions at each park

There are other nuances, like the tiers but those existed at various stages with FP+ as well. I see those as the big 3.

Regarding point number 2, this is almost EXACTLY what I suggested years ago. (I think I suggested a 2 week advance window) The biggest complaint of FP+ (from what I remember) was that all the good time slots were taken by those booking 60 days out. For many, it required too much planning and not enough spontaneity. G+ helped with the spontaneity part, but at the cost of having to start booking at 7am every day you used it. For me personally (as the planner in the household) this was brutal. Gone was the ability to catch up on much needed sleep during parts of our stay. I think Disney did a great job with the new 3-7 day booking window and it really should take away the complaining. I mean, if you can't plan something as significant as a Disney stay 3-7 days out, I don't know what to tell you. That's on you, not Disney. (sorry if that sounds harsh). ...and Disney will ALWAYS (in my opinion) provide advantages to staying onsite, which in this case is being able to book LLMP's 4 days earlier than others.

Overall I'm very happy with the new system other than paying for it.

I'm sure Disney will get the International guest thing sorted out eventually which is why I'm not discussing it directly. (I feel for those who are impacted).

 

[thebigman65]

Regarding the international issue. I sent 2 email. One to general guest services and one to DVC member services. Both responses exactly the same….but….read below……my name is not Stephanie and in fact I am not even female!

Thank you for reaching out to us. We have received your email and appreciate your feedback.

While we appreciate your concern, Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass features will be available to Guests from other countries, they will be able to begin their pre-arrival planning on the My Disney Experience Mobile App after they reach the United States.

For future information about Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass services please keep an eye on our website and our official Disney Parks Blog.

If you have any other questions or challenges, please do not hesitate to contact us by calling us at 407-W-DISNEY (407-934-7639) or by chatting with us in the Help Center of the Walt Disney World® website (only available on the US site). Cast Members will be happy to assist you further.

We hope you have a magical day, Stephanie!

 

[neverlandsky]

Curious, How does it work in the reverse with US travelers to Disney Paris/Toyko/Shanghai? If it's the same where US travelers have to be in the area to book, it does make sense they are now holding the line on this.

 

[JenSop]

Except you will be up at 7am if you want a VQ slot and folks will need to rope drop to use the first ride slot in order to do more than 3 in a day! But if folks are happy with only 3 LLs, more power to them.

We don't do 7am virtual queues - the return time might be too early for us. We only do 1pm VQs.

This new system is also an improvement, in that you can book your 4th LL after using the 1st one! (You used to have to use all 3 before getting a 4th in the previous version of FP+)

But yes, I'm actually okay with 3 GUARANTEED LLs that are booked for the afternoon, between lunch and dinner. (Plus a single LL here and there for Tron or Guardians.)

So an MK day for me might look like going to the park at lunchtime after sleeping in (we do WDW in January, so no extreme heat issues) riding 3 regular LLs (I'm thinking Space Mountain, Pirates, and HM) and doing Tron via LL. Maybe walk around a little bit, too.
Then going to our resort to get ready for whatever signature dinner we have booked for that night, followed by late night adult beverages at a fun bar.

I also don't plan to buy this for every day. Epcot for us is drinking around the world and (in recent years) hitting up Guardians. Maybe jump on Soarin' if the line is short, but I've ridden it so many times that if I miss it on one trip, I can always do it on another trip OR another day of that same trip.

I hated Genie+ because you had to buy it with NO guarantee of getting anything, AND it favored morning-people. With the new system, you'll know exactly what you're getting before you finalize the purchase. And it won't be tricky to get more rides, since you can literally get your 4th one as soon as you swipe into the 1st. FP+ was the ideal, and I always got what I wanted, and then some. I think people are panicking for no reason. Maybe they are new to WDW and only know Genie+?

(edited for typo)

 

[spewey]

Regarding the international issue. I sent 2 email. One to general guest services and one to DVC member services. Both responses exactly the same….but….read below……my name is not Stephanie and in fact I am not even female!

Thank you for reaching out to us. We have received your email and appreciate your feedback.

While we appreciate your concern, Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass features will be available to Guests from other countries, they will be able to begin their pre-arrival planning on the My Disney Experience Mobile App after they reach the United States.

For future information about Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass services please keep an eye on our website and our official Disney Parks Blog.

If you have any other questions or challenges, please do not hesitate to contact us by calling us at 407-W-DISNEY (407-934-7639) or by chatting with us in the Help Center of the Walt Disney World® website (only available on the US site). Cast Members will be happy to assist you further.

We hope you have a magical day, Stephanie!

I assume this means the CM’s name is Stephanie.

But ya never know.

 

[Tom_E_D]

I assume this means the CM’s name is Stephanie.

But ya never know.

If that wasn't a comma before Stephanie, and it didn't have an exclamation point after Stephanie, I would agree with you. But if the message is coming from Stephanie, it should read:

We hope you have a magical day! Stephanie

 

[Jrb1979]

So, after digesting all this, I basically see LLMP as FP+ with three significant differences...

1) They are now charging for it
2) The booking window was shortened to 7 or 3 days depending on your resort choice.
3) Individual LL's for the most in demand attractions at each park

There are other nuances, like the tiers but those existed at various stages with FP+ as well. I see those as the big 3.

Regarding point number 2, this is almost EXACTLY what I suggested years ago. (I think I suggested a 2 week advance window) The biggest complaint of FP+ (from what I remember) was that all the good time slots were taken by those booking 60 days out. For many, it required too much planning and not enough spontaneity. G+ helped with the spontaneity part, but at the cost of having to start booking at 7am every day you used it. For me personally (as the planner in the household) this was brutal. Gone was the ability to catch up on much needed sleep during parts of our stay. I think Disney did a great job with the new 3-7 day booking window and it really should take away the complaining. I mean, if you can't plan something as significant as a Disney stay 3-7 days out, I don't know what to tell you. That's on you, not Disney. (sorry if that sounds harsh). ...and Disney will ALWAYS (in my opinion) provide advantages to staying onsite, which in this case is being able to book LLMP's 4 days earlier than others.

Overall I'm very happy with the new system other than paying for it.

I'm sure Disney will get the International guest thing sorted out eventually which is why I'm not discussing it directly. (I feel for those who are impacted).

I hate it. Like I said earlier it's great for those that like to plan their days out or those that stroll in at the crack of noon. For my family who rope drop and like to be spontaneous this is a major step in the wrong direction. We don't go to the parks to relax or do 3 rides and leave. When we go to parks we like to go with the flow and not be tied down to a schedule. We have enough of a schedule at home in our day to day lives.

 

[DisneyFive]

I hate it. Like I said earlier it's great for those that like to plan their days out or those that stroll in at the crack of noon. For my family who rope drop and like to be spontaneous this is a major step in the wrong direction. We don't go to the parks to relax or do 3 rides and leave. When we go to parks we like to go with the flow and not be tied down to a schedule. We have enough of a schedule at home in our day to day lives.

I don’t remember your earlier post, sorry. Do you also hate G+?

 

[DizneyFamof4]

That's not how we do our Disney vacations, but to each their own. We like mixing up park and pool in the same day; we don't care about riding 10 rides. We relax on our Disney vacations as well. We enjoy the planning part and "set it and forget it" approach. I was on my phone nonstop with Genie+ so I think each person has a different experience and perception. No system will make everyone happy.

Agreed!!! Plus after reading their 1st post with stacking 5 (only if you roll into the park around 4PM. LOL) and the 15+ rides with G+ and then saying you will only get 3-4 with LLMP was so skewed that it made me laugh. I already have 3 stacked for every park day before even leaving my home. Then in the park once we use a LLMP, I load up another and so on (no different than G+ at this point. We have did over 20 trips with FP+ and we are night owls, so we do not arrive at a park until 10-11 (even when our DDs were infant age and up) and have always got in all our rides and this was with the old version where you could not get your 4th ride until you used up all 3 of your reserved rides, so this will even be better. We also used G+ for 4 trips and I was able to work it but did not like having to get up to set it up and get started. Also, I did spend a lot more time on my cell with G+. Like you said everyone does their own version of Disney, we went from commandos to a very more relaxed trip.

 

[Mouse Tracker]

I have never bought G+ and I have waited in many lines while dozens and dozens and dozens of LL's went through. I'm guessing they took that aggravation factor into consideration as well.

I doubt that, this is about revenue enhancement. They (Disney) are "tweaking" a popular option that was once free. Now knowing guests will pay to avoid standby, G+ was a temporary test to find the sweet spot for price. It will probably be more expensive so "Disney" added the ability to pre book 3 under the guise of "listening to park goers" and "help with planning".

 

[Mouse Tracker]

I'm glad they took away stacking.

Pre booking 3 LL's is somewhat stacking

 

[bwr827]

Past discussions about skip the line services make me believe that this would not be true. People would be VERY mad if Disney charged $200 to skip lines. It would be called a money grab and another way of pricing people out of the park experience.

Not to mention that Disney’s version would probably need to be $500 to manage capacity.

 

[bwr827]

Pre booking 3 LL's is somewhat stacking

Stacking definitely emphasized tier 1 rides.