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

[mickeyluv'r]

We've got 1 day to try to do new-to-us rides at MK and EP. I wouldn't say I had the best luck with MP/SP selections this morning. I think we're going to try to rope drop TBA (not sure how sound that is) and then the other issue is that my SP for Tron is later in the afternoon and pushing back our park hop time to EPCOT. I know that I can (and believe me I will) stalk the app for a better Tron time, but is there a chance that if we go to guest services, they may take pity on us and move our Tron SP earlier in the day?

TBA is supposed to open at 9am, if MK opens at 8:30 for Early entry. We recently attempted to do Jungle Cruise at 9am, but it wasn't open. We walked to Pirates to do that instead, wasn't open. So we walked to Tiana's, and THAT was also delayed. Not just delayed, but CM said it might not open for some time (somewhat vague).

I then looked on app, and HM was also delayed.

So then we were in a bit of a jam, since all the bigger rides that were actually open all had solid waits, and we missed out on the benefit of arriving for rope drop. HM opened a few minutes later, so we went there, but it was a less than ideal way to start the morning.

Tiana's and JC didn't open until late morning.

Guest Services might be able to help you, especially if you have a schedule conflict or some other compelling situation. The few times I've tried asking I have had mixed results. Sometimes it has been easy to request a time change, other times the CM's have been reluctant or unable to help with time changes.

I have not had a ton of luck modifying passes before our trip, but sometimes I have been able to change 1 or 2 passes to slightly better times.

With Tiana's, yes there are same-day drops, but when they occur the return times, IME, are often/usually for afternoon or evening.

 

[PurpleKomodo]

Can anyone that has been in mid-September give me any insight on LL availability for pre-booking? We are travelling with a large group. I don't know that everyone will purchase LL, but those of us that do will want to try to line up times as best we can. But, we are all on different reservations with different check-in dates, so we aren't even eligible to book on that same date. Is getting times close together a pipe dream that time of year? Or do you see more availability due to lower crowds?

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Can anyone that has been in mid-September give me any insight on LL availability for pre-booking? We are travelling with a large group. I don't know that everyone will purchase LL, but those of us that do will want to try to line up times as best we can. But, we are all on different reservations with different check-in dates, so we aren't even eligible to book on that same date. Is getting times close together a pipe dream that time of year? Or do you see more availability due to lower crowds?

I don't have mid-Sept experience (although it does seem like a lower crowd time), but I do have LL experience with different groups. You can either wait until all the reservations are within the booking window and book together - or - those booking earlier can take their best guestimate for times. Then when the last group has booked, you can look to modify the earlier selections to get close to matching the times. Modify is a really nice tool that helps most times (but not all!).

 

[scrappinginontario]

Can anyone that has been in mid-September give me any insight on LL availability for pre-booking? We are travelling with a large group. I don't know that everyone will purchase LL, but those of us that do will want to try to line up times as best we can. But, we are all on different reservations with different check-in dates, so we aren't even eligible to book on that same date. Is getting times close together a pipe dream that time of year? Or do you see more availability due to lower crowds?

Parties booking individually and trying to overlap times has proven to be extremely challenging at any point in time.

If booking overlapping times is most important it’s recommended you wait and book once everyone is eligible. Also, one person should book for all rather than each booking and coordinating. That’s a huge challenge and would take a lot of coordination. Not something I would ever choose to do personally.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Can you make LL purchases using an AP that hasn't been activated yet? I assumed you could but now I'm looking to double check and can't find a DP on this.

 

[marinejjh]

Just for clarity on a LL multi pass. If I book my 3 LL ( 1-tier1 and 2 tier 2) once i use one I can book more throughout the day similar to the old fast pass. The question is can I have more then 1 tier on pass at a time or would it be additional tier 2 passes?

 

[HeiHei2018]

Just for clarity on a LL multi pass. If I book my 3 LL ( 1-tier1 and 2 tier 2) once i use one I can book more throughout the day similar to the old fast pass. The question is can I have more then 1 tier on pass at a time or would it be additional tier 2 passes?

Once you use your first pass (both tap points if the ride has two), you can book any tier and any park (if you have PH).

 

[VAtink]

Can you make LL purchases using an AP that hasn't been activated yet? I assumed you could but now I'm looking to double check and can't find a DP on this.

It's been a while, but last September we were able to make LL purchases before activating our APs.

 

[CarolynFH]

Can you make LL purchases using an AP that hasn't been activated yet? I assumed you could but now I'm looking to double check and can't find a DP on this.

I believe the system checks whether you’ll have (or could possibly have) a valid ticket on the day you’ll be using the LL, not the day you’re booking it.

 

[elvispursley]

Can you make LL purchases using an AP that hasn't been activated yet? I assumed you could but now I'm looking to double check and can't find a DP on this.

Yes! But you have to have park reservations IIRC.

 

[Dave006]

Yes! But you have to have park reservations IIRC.

Yes you are correct, if you want to book LLMP and/or LLSP return times before 2 PM.

If you don't have a park reservation for you AP park days then you will not see any return times before 2 PM unless Disney has marked that date as a Good-to-Day (No Park Pass required).

Dave

 

[MainMom]

Does anyone have a link to a good tutorial for booking your 7 day LL? I haven’t used the system since it switched over. I need a refresher since my 7 day window is tomorrow.

 

[Tom_E_D]

Does anyone have a link to a good tutorial for booking your 7 day LL? I haven’t used the system since it switched over. I need a refresher since my 7 day window is tomorrow.

Is this the kind of article you're looking for: https://touringplans.com/blog/how-to-use-lightning-lane-pass-disney-world-guide-faq-llmp-llsp/

If you prefer a video:

NOTE: I believe the video came out when there were a couple of virtual queues still in use. There are none now. Also, since Test Track reopened as a Tier 1 LLMP, Soarin' moved to Tier 2.

 

[Willows909]

September 14th-20th. First time doing LLMP at Animal Kingdom, then hopping over to Epcot (where we will have Premier pass). We will do a LLSP for FOP. What would you all suggest I choose for the 3 LLMPs at Animal Kingdom? No real "must haves", but would love to get as many I we can. Which are the toughest to get after getting the first done? Thank you all! Not looking to get to Animal Kingdom much before 9-9:30, so no early arrival for us!

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

September 14th-20th. First time doing LLMP at Animal Kingdom, then hopping over to Epcot (where we will have Premier pass). We will do a LLSP for FOP. What would you all suggest I choose for the 3 LLMPs at Animal Kingdom? No real "must haves", but would love to get as many I we can. Which are the toughest to get after getting the first done? Thank you all! Not looking to get to Animal Kingdom much before 9-9:30, so no early arrival for us!

We were at AK two weeks ago. We reserved LLMPs for River Journey, Safari and Kali. Each seemed to save a fair amount of time.

Dinosaur and Everest were both walk-ons or had a very short wait that day so we did each standby a couple of times. We also did standby for Nemo and Lion King.

After the first AK pass was used, I started booking afternoon and evening Lightening Lanes for DHS and revised those as needed when additional availability was released. It was nice to have three ready to use after we hopped.

 

[Willows909]

We were at AK two weeks ago. We reserved LLMPs for River Journey, Safari and Kali. Each seemed to save a fair amount of time.

Dinosaur and Everest were both walk-ons or had a very short wait that day so we did each standby a couple of times. We also did standby for Nemo and Lion King.

After the first AK pass was used, I started booking afternoon and evening Lightening Lanes for DHS and revised those as needed when additional availability was released. It was nice to have three ready to use after we hopped.

Since we have a Premier pass when we hop to Epcot, we would try to book more rides at AK before we head out to Epcot. So the 3 you listed sound great. Which remaining rides do you think we may get lucky and be able to book after the first? thanks!

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Since we have a Premier pass when we hop to Epcot, we would try to book more rides at AK before we head out to Epcot. So the 3 you listed sound great. Which remaining rides do you think we may get lucky and be able to book after the first? thanks!

Then you could add Dinosaur and Everest and any of the three shows. That’s about all they have available at AK.

 

[Willows909]

Then you could add Dinosaur and Everest and any of the three shows. That’s about all they have available at AK.

Thank you for your input!

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Since we have a Premier pass when we hop to Epcot, we would try to book more rides at AK before we head out to Epcot. So the 3 you listed sound great. Which remaining rides do you think we may get lucky and be able to book after the first? thanks!

We did AK on Sunday and picked up Kali around 10:30AM after using our first pass. I think Everest, Dinosaur and Navi all had at least some availability after noon…didn’t track the shows closely but I also don’t think they need LL. Everest can be over 30m, Kali gets long on hot days…Safari is often better in the AM as animals get lazier as the day gets hotter.

If you use your first LL early enough, I’d consider booking a LL for your favorite ride at Epcot so you can ride it twice, since FP at AK don’t really sell out as quickly and lines are often not that long even if you don’t have one.