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

[Upcharge]

We do split stays a lot, and right now I'm hopeful that it'll be like the FP+ days where we could book for the whole trip spanning both resorts (or all three resorts in our case). My theory (sorta, this actually came from a CM but it makes sense) is they don't let you book ADRs for both stays because people were booking throwaway reservations in order to get a head start on booking ADRs. I'm thinking that since in 2025 they're pushing the cancelation for room only to 8 days prior to trips, and LLMP can't be booked until 7 days out, that they're basically preventing people from booking those throwaway reservations and we'll be able to book LLMP for the entire trip. At least I'm hoping that'll be what happens!

That makes sense, and I hope it's the case. I've been thinking that the whole reason for the switch to 8 days definitely has something to do with getting the resort cancellations out of the way before the Lightning Lane booking can begin. This just adds another layer.

 

[DisFanDad]

Why not? As soon as you've used your 9:00 a.m. pass, you can book a new one. Why would you need to wait until 11:00?

You can't book another for a time slot until 11am ... because of the 1 hour blocking. So the next time you can schedule a FP for would be 11am

 

[DisFanDad]

Ah I see, you are thinking that you need to use the Tier 2 in order "convert" it to the Tier 1 (as some others have speculated), so then you want the Tier 2s earlier, that makes sense. Well we'll see I guess.


You can definitely modify your LLs, though the question is as you and others have brought up as to whether it is possible to modify a Tier 2 into a Tier 1 on the day of, which is not yet known I think.

I think after reading your posts - and a couple other here, looks like the best strat will be - pre booking 1 tier 1 for later in the day (basically when you think you'd be doing your last ride)

Then book your others for say 9am and 9:45 am. Soon as park opens modify your 9:45am to a Tier 1 45 mins before your last FP.

Then use and start to cycle your 9am FP as quickly as possible. This would maximize the number of FPs you could use as you'd have 2 pocketed, and 1 that you'd be cycling from the start of park open.

 

[Mamabun]

There is zero chance that their intent is to allow you to modify a tier 2 preselection into a tier 1. Might their software be awful enough that it ends up working for people? Sure, Disney IT is crap. But there is no way it is supposed to be allowed. FP+ was tiered and I don’t remember it being allowed then. I feel certain if it was I would have heard about that “hack”, because I know everyone would have wanted to do it. I’m guessing those LL’s will be treated like a MEP, where it can only used on a tiered set of rides, which is something their current software can already do.

 

[DisFanDad]

There is zero chance that their intent is to allow you to modify a tier 2 preselection into a tier 1. Might their software be awful enough that it ends up working for people? Sure, Disney IT is crap. But there is no way it is supposed to be allowed. FP+ was tiered and I don’t remember it being allowed then. I feel certain if it was I would have heard about that “hack”, because I know everyone would have wanted to do it. I’m guessing those LL’s will be treated like a MEP, where it can only used on a tiered set of rides, which is something their current software can already do.

I thought I had seen someone confirm that on day of - there is no difference for MLL reservations, so if you are able to hold 3 - you'd be able to modify one to a tier 1. Maybe not. But the strat would still be to book one tier 1 for later, book the others as early as possible, exchange (by use or modify) into a second tier 1 asap, then cycle through your MLLs as fast as possible. Ever something like Modifying your 2nd preselected LL to as early as possible after you've used the first.

 

[irlandaise]

You ride Tiana's then go and book Space at 2pm,
9am Haunted
10am Pirates

Your ride your 9am - but now you can't book anything until 11am ...

Why not

You can't book another for a time slot until 11am ... because of the 1 hour blocking. So the next time you can schedule a FP for would be 11am

What "1 hour blocking" are you referring to? I don't see anything on the new LL page on the WDW website that mentions any waiting time to rebook after you've use a pass.

Even if there is information in that regard somewhere, then by your calculation you'd be able to book a new ride at 10:00, not 11:00. You couldn't do the ride until 11:00, but you could book it earlier. But again, where are you seeing mention of a waiting time to rebook LL Multi Passes?

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

I thought I had seen someone confirm that on day of - there is no difference for MLL reservations, so if you are able to hold 3 - you'd be able to modify one to a tier 1. Maybe not. But the strat would still be to book one tier 1 for later, book the others as early as possible, exchange (by use or modify) into a second tier 1 asap, then cycle through your MLLs as fast as possible. Ever something like Modifying your 2nd preselected LL to as early as possible after you've used the first.

It was definitely confirmed that once you use a tier 2 LL and book a new one, there are no restrictions on the new booking.

It’s not yet know what happens if you try to modify one of your prebooked tier 2 LLs.

But if you can’t modify tier 2 to tier1, it’s possible the best plan would be just to book a tier 1 only and nothing else

Edit: or maybe a tier 1, and then a tier 2 first thing in the morning, and then not book a third

 

[Tom_E_D]

What "1 hour blocking" are you referring to? I don't see anything on the new LL page on the WDW website that mentions any waiting time to rebook after you've use a pass.

Even if there is information in that regard somewhere, then by your calculation you'd be able to book a new ride at 10:00, not 11:00. You couldn't do the ride until 11:00, but you could book it earlier. But again, where are you seeing mention of a waiting time to rebook LL Multi Passes?

See Post 144 screenshot for a report that LL return times can overlap by only 15 minutes. Is it official? No, but the source, Scott Gustin, is pretty knowledgeable. He is however reporting it as "from what I understand." If he is right, it isn't one hour blocking. It is 45 minute blocking.

 

[irlandaise]

See Post 144 screenshot for a report that LL return times can overlap by only 15 minutes. Is it official? No, but the source, Scott Gustin, is pretty knowledgeable. He is however reporting it as "from what I understand." If he is right, it isn't one hour blocking. It is 45 minute blocking.

Thanks, I did see that, but he's talking about return time. I still maintain that if you scan into a ride at 9:00 a.m., you can book a new one right away. From the information in that posting, if you have already a 10:00 a.m. reservation, you could book another return time as early as 10:45. But in no way would you need to twiddle your thumbs until 11:00 before booking another LL.

 

[Tom_E_D]

Thanks, I did see that, but he's talking about return time. I still maintain that if you scan into a ride at 9:00 a.m., you can book a new one right away. From the information in that posting, if you have already a 10:00 a.m. reservation, you could book another return time as early as 10:45. But in no way would you need to twiddle your thumbs until 11:00 before booking another LL.

Sorry, I misunderstood what you meant by "blocking." I agree you can book another one right away. But if the Gustin quote is correct, the new one booked will need to not overlap its return time with an existing one by more than 15 minutes. Actually, I think DisFanDad meant your new one's return time couldn't be before 11:00, not that you couldn't book one until then, but I guess it is up to him to explain what he meant.

 

[DisFanDad]

Sorry, I misunderstood what you meant by "blocking." I agree you can book another one right away. But if the Gustin quote is correct, the new one booked will need to not overlap its return time with an existing one by more than 15 minutes. Actually, I think DisFanDad meant your new one's return time couldn't be before 11:00, not that you couldn't book one until then, but I guess it is up to him to explain what he meant.

I explained, this is exactly what I meant. We'd have to condense it now that Scott says 15 min overlap to every 45 mins, but the principle is the same.

 

[Figment1983]

I check in on 7/24, I'm assuming the morning of 7/24 I'll be able to book everything for my 5 days? At least that's what I'm hoping.

 

[AquaDame]

Is the assumption we'll be able to purchase ahead of time again..? Otherwise how can we choose when we have to wait until day of to buy?

 

[LaidBackDad]

I see at least the first week of the new system being a disaster for guest in the parks. Our trip starts 7/23 and the first park day being 7/24. I don’t see trying to get a lightening lane much different than the old system much worse than the old genie + on 7/24 unless the whole system crashes. But, trying to get lightning lanes for each day later in our stay will get harder as more and more guests will have the ability to book lightening lanes starting on 7/24.
Taking away the 7 day booking window for guests arriving next week is a huge disadvantage. I can see how things will level off after next week, but now they have created a two week backlog of guest who are all going to be fighting for lightening lanes all on 7/24.
Either this switch over wasn’t well thought out or they just don’t care. Either way, it’s a major fail.

 

[jelona]

I see at least the first week of the new system being a disaster for guest in the parks. Our trip starts 7/23 and the first park day being 7/24. I don’t see trying to get a lightening lane much different than the old system much worse than the old genie + on 7/24 unless the whole system crashes. But, trying to get lightning lanes for each day later in our stay will get harder as more and more guests will have the ability to book lightening lanes starting on 7/24.
Taking away the 7 day booking window for guests arriving next week is a huge disadvantage. I can see how things will level off after next week, but now they have created a two week backlog of guest who are all going to be fighting for lightening lanes all on 7/24.
Either this switch over wasn’t well thought out or they just don’t care. Either way, it’s a major fail.

We are next week as well. Already mentally preparing myself for it to be a disaster (i know it sounds contradictory... but this will help me remain positive on the trip. lol). Waiting to see stich eat my page and not be able to book anything for my actual park day because the system will be more than tripled the number of users on that day. Some in park booking, some during that week, and then those 7 days out, all trying to log in at the same time. I think ride availability will be fine and plentiful, but getting on the app and actually booking will be the problem. Hopefully Disney IT has done their job and its prepared to handle the traffic, if not, I expect a lot of people wanting refunds the day of.

 

[Dbjr01]

We are next week as well. Already mentally preparing myself for it to be a disaster (i know it sounds contradictory... but this will help me remain positive on the trip. lol). Waiting to see stich eat my page and not be able to book anything for my actual park day because the system will be more than tripled the number of users on that day. Some in park booking, some during that week, and then those 7 days out, all trying to log in at the same time. I think ride availability will be fine and plentiful, but getting on the app and actually booking will be the problem. Hopefully Disney IT has done their job and its prepared to handle the traffic, if not, I expect a lot of people wanting refunds the day of.

What did you think of the multipass now that your trip is over?

I was staying at the Polynesian for the first 3 days they had it. I understand I didn’t get the 7 day advantage, but I still booked most of the rides I wanted for 3 of the parks. I didn’t use it for Epcot as all the rides I care about are tier one. Overall, I thought it worked out really smoothly. I liked the option to choose the times I wanted to go before purchasing. I even split my ride list to before lunch and after dinner one of the days, giving us some great pool time during the middle of the day.

 

[jelona]

What did you think of the multipass now that your trip is over?

I was staying at the Polynesian for the first 3 days they had it. I understand I didn’t get the 7 day advantage, but I still booked most of the rides I wanted for 3 of the parks. I didn’t use it for Epcot as all the rides I care about are tier one. Overall, I thought it worked out really smoothly. I liked the option to choose the times I wanted to go before purchasing. I even split my ride list to before lunch and after dinner one of the days, giving us some great pool time during the middle of the day.

There are two threads with similar names, so I forget where all I have posted. I've quoted my experience below. Hope it helps!! (After viewing my old comment.... the opposite of what i expected happened, haha)

Wanted to give some feedback on LLMP. Today is my last day at Disney world and my last park day was yesterday. We came in on 7/20 and the swap from genie + to LLMP happen in the middle of my stay.
I’ll start with genie +. I’ve used it before and done my research on the best approaches. I wasn’t really super strategic with it this time around because I didn’t need to be. We did MK on Sunday, HS on Monday and AK on Tuesday. All using genie +. Wait times and crowds were fairly low all week. I got every thing I wanted and there was constant availability throughout the day. I know the big complaint with genie + was it makes you zigzag through the park, but I didn’t find that the case. If we did SDMT I could instantly get a Winnie the pooh LL. There were plenty of opportunities at all of the parks to get LLs through the day. Even the heavy hitters. We would only wait in line for things that historically have low wait times like little mermaid & star tours.

7/24 was a rest day for me but I had park days on 7/25 & 7/26. I woke up that Wednesday expecting to have app crashes and bugs, but everything went smooth I was able to book what I wanted. The problem with LLMP wasn’t the prebooking… it was the actual in park experience. Having the ability to book after you scan into a LL is great in theory.. but only when you have ride availability! And we had hardly any!!!! I found that even though I had 2 or 3 LL available for use, I couldn’t use them because nothing was available. I did Epcot on that Thursday and could never get remy… I found the biggest complaints people had with genie+, i had with LLMP. i was constantly on my phone and refreshing to get remy. Once I saw a time slot open I jumped on it and hit select all for my party. When I hit continue it would never proceed to the next screen. I would keep hitting it and it would reload that same screen. Well i found out this meant “hey you’re too late! Someone snatched it” or it was just a fluke… I could never tell. I thought “okay maybe wait times will be low then…” but remy jumped up to 85 minutes multiple times that day. We finally waited 60 mins towards the end during the fireworks. Also people hated the fact of getting up at 7am on vacation, but if you want a virtual queue, you’re gonna be up at that time any ways. I’ve never had a problem getting virtual queues, but could not get them Thursday or Friday. The app kept crashing those mornings.

On my magic kingdom day I had more ride availability due to the parks having more rides… but I would scan into my 9:15 LL and the only availability for things like buzz light year or space mountain wasn’t till 8:30 that night. I felt like they didn’t refill ride availability as much as they did with genie +.

I feel like overall genie+ was the better deal. I found I rode more with it than I did with LLMP. Luckily crowds were still pretty low, so it wasn’t a total upset, but I could see in high crowd days how frustrating it would be. Hopefully Disney will adjust and do more ride drops through the day. I get that this week we were the learning curve for them.