Getting the most out of your visit to Disney World is a must. There’s so much to do in each park and we all want to enjoy a visit with minimal waits. So how do you skip the line at Disney? Essentially you can think of the former FastPass entrance as the Lightning Lane now. The different titles given to the skip the line programs over the years have changed along with how it works. With these changes come lots of questions. What is FastPass now called at Disney World? What rides at Magic Kingdom have Lightning Lane? Can you park hop with Lightning Lane MultiPass? Let’s go over how the new Disney World Lightning Lane passes work in 2024, changes to the FastPass style system and what you may actually like about this update.
A Complete Guide: How does the Disney World Lightning Lane work in 2024?
First, you should know that the Disney World Lightning Lane operates differently than the Disneyland version does.
There may be some similarities but the following information is written for planning visits at Disney World.
FastPass History: How to Skip the Line at Disney
Here’s a little timeline of the skip the line offering at Disney World. FastPass was first introduced in paper form with kiosks at each attraction. It later switched to a digital version that allowed you to plan in advance using the My Disney Experience app with FastPass+. After a break during the pandemic, a paid version debuted called Disney Genie+ where selections were made digitally on the day of your visit. At this time, Individual Lightning Lanes were introduced where certain attractions had an additional cost to skip the line. This is the current version in play until July 23rd of this year. On July 24th, 2024 another version of the skip the line program debuts called Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass. With these, guests can purchase a skip the line pass and book selections in advance.
| When it debuted at Disney World | What the Disney World skip the line program was called | The basics of how it works |
| 1999-2013 | FastPass | The original paper version had kiosks outside each attraction. |
| 2013-2020 | FastPass+ | The first digital version used advance planning in the app. |
| 2021-July 23, 2024 | Disney Genie+, Individual Lightning Lanes | The first paid version with selections made day of in the app. |
| Begins July 24, 2024 | Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Lightning Lane Single Pass | These paid offerings can be purchased in app, in advance or on the day of visit. |
What is Fast Pass called now at Disney World? Lightning Lane
The proper name of what people knew as the FastPass line is now called the Lightning Lane. To access the Lightning Lanes, and skip the line, guests currently purchase and use Disney Genie+ on the day of their visit. Some attractions require an Individual Lightning Lane purchase. This terminology, and how it works, changes soon.
With the system debuting in July of 2024, there are two new names to know: Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass.
Guests with a park ticket can purchase these in advance or on the day of their visit.
Lightning Lane Multi Pass vs Lightning Lane Single Pass
The difference between Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass is that one grants you access many attractions and one grants you access to a single attraction.
When you purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you are able to book a return time to skip the line using the Lightning Lane at multiple attractions.
This list might include attractions like it’s a small world and Pirates of the Caribbean at Magic Kingdom.
When you purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass, you are able to book a return time to skip the line using the Lightning Lane at a single attraction.
Each park’s top few attractions require a Lightning Lane Single Pass.
At Magic Kingdom, Tron Lightcycle/Run requires the purchase of a Lightning Lane Single Pass if you want to skip the line.
A Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Lightning Lane Single Pass must be purchased for everyone in the party who wants to ride.
The Multi and Single part of the Lightning Lane passes do not refer to how many riders but the number of attractions included.
What is Lightning Lane Premier Pass?
There is a third way to access the Lightning Lanes at Disney World. This is a pricier option but it gives you access to all of the Lightning Lanes and on your own time. Lightning Lane Premier Pass is good for one park per day. The price varies by date and park. The premier option lets you access every experience with a Lightning Lane once. You can purchase a combination of the Multi, Single and Premier pass for re-rides at the same park. Lightning Lane Premier Pass is only available for deluxe resort guests, including Disney Vacation Club properties, upon its debut.
Genie+ vs Lightning Lane Differences
The biggest difference between the new Lightning Lane passes and Disney Genie+ is that you’re able to book in advance.
Also, that character meet and greets are no longer included in the skip the line programs.
Another difference is the ability to book another return time after using one again instead of having to wait.
With Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you don’t have to purchase a special option to book return times at different parks.
Disney Genie+ estimates guests will experience 2 to 3 offerings overall while Lightning Lane lets you start with three and book more.
Lightning Lane Multi Pass Strategy: How does Lightning Lane Multi Pass work?
An example scenario using Lightning Lanes might look something like this.
Here’s what you should do before booking day:
I download the My Disney Experience app, log in with My Disney Account and get familiar with the app.
As soon as I can, I make sure everyone in my travel party is connected to me in the My Disney Experience app.
Everyone on the room reservation should also have their tickets purchased and connected.
I make sure that anyone who needs a park reservation based on their ticket type has that booked.
I need to get familiar with the Disney World Lightning Lane attractions and tiers. These are listed below.
I also need to figure out which attractions to prioritize for my group based on our preferences.
On booking day, which is 7 days prior for resort guests and 3 days out for everyone else:
Let’s say I’m staying at The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.
Seven days before my first park day, I use the app to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Passes.
I can book Lightning Lanes for my whole trip, up to 14 days, at this time.
They go on sale at 7:00 a.m. and I’m in the app ready to go at that time.
I select Peter Pan’s Flight from the top tier.
I select Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin and Pirates of the Caribbean from the other tier.
I can select an attraction at another park if we have park hopper tickets but choose to do more in Magic Kingdom.
I opted for the earliest time for each. This is because once I use my first Lightning Lane, I can book another.
(In another scenario, you can purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass for everyone who wants to ride Tron or Mine Train when you purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass.)
Using Lightning Lanes in the park:
The morning of the visit, I join the virtual queue for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at 7:00 a.m.
You can also aim for the 1:00 p.m. in park virtual queue if you don’t get in or as another option.
Once I’m in the park and have enjoyed my first attraction using Lightning Lane Multi Pass, I’m able to book another experience in either tier based on what’s available. I can also book Lightning Lane return times at an attraction in another park if I have a park hopper ticket.
You can modify selections in the My Disney Experience app too.
Availability may open up on the day of your visit.
You might be able to choose times that work better for you or simply change your mind on which rides to go on.
How does Lightning Lane work for annual passholders?
Disney World Lightning Lanes work mostly the same for those using a Disney annual pass. The main difference in how Lightning Lanes work for passholders is that they will only be able to buy and book 3 days in advance instead of 7. It will cost the same. There is not a Lightning Lane discount or a multi day add on for passholders.
What rides have Lightning Lane?
Most attractions have a Lightning Lane except for character meet and greets.
These are no longer offered for skip the line services.
We have a full lineup of the Lightning Lanes attractions available by park below.
Lightning Lane Tiers
With the Lightning Lane Multi Pass, we are back to a tiered system at some parks. This means some of the more popular rides are more limited and you’ll have to choose just one. However, tiers only apply for advance selections. Once you use one, there aren’t tiers to choose from anymore and selections are just based on availability. If you’re buying and making selections the day of your visit, there won’t be tiers to choose from either. The Lightning Lane tiers are really for your first three selections on advance purchases.
Magic Kingdom Lightning Lanes Rides, Attractions and Experiences
What rides at Magic Kingdom have Lightning Lane?
| How it works | Magic Kingdom Lightning Lanes |
| Lightning Lane Multi Pass When booking in advance, you can choose one experience from this group of rides: | Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Jungle Cruise Peter Pan’s Flight Space Mountain Tiana’s Bayou Adventure |
| Lightning Lane Multi Pass You can choose your other 2 experiences from this group or all 3 from these if you wish: | The Barnstormer Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Dumbo the Flying Elephant Haunted Mansion “it’s a small world” Mad Tea Party The Magic Carpets of Aladdin The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Mickey’s PhilharMagic Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor Pirates of the Caribbean Tomorrowland Speedway Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid |
| Lightning Lane Single Pass These require a separate purchase to skip the line using the Lightning Lane: | Seven Dwarfs Mine Train TRON Lightcycle / Run |
Epcot Lightning Lanes Rides, Attractions and Experiences
What rides at Epcot have Lightning Lane?
| How it works | Epcot Lightning Lanes |
| Lightning Lane Multi Pass When booking in advance, you can choose one experience from this group of rides: | Frozen Ever After Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Soarin’ Around the World |
| Lightning Lane Multi Pass You can choose your other 2 experiences from this group or all 3 from these if you wish: | Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival Journey into Imagination with Figment Living with the Land Mission: SPACE The Seas with Nemo & Friends Spaceship Earth Turtle Talk with Crush |
| Lightning Lane Single Pass These require a separate purchase to skip the line using the Lightning Lane: | Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind |
Hollywood Studios Lightning Lanes Rides, Attractions and Experiences
What rides at Hollywood Studios have Lightning Lane?
| How it works | Hollywood Studios Lightning Lanes |
| Lightning Lane Multi Pass When booking in advance, you can choose one experience from this group of rides: | Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith Slinky Dog Dash |
| Lightning Lane Multi Pass You can choose your other 2 experiences from this group or all 3 from these if you wish: | Alien Swirling Saucers Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage Disney Junior Play & Dance! For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular Muppet*Vision 3D Star Tours – The Adventures Continue The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Toy Story Mania! |
| Lightning Lane Single Pass These require a separate purchase to skip the line using the Lightning Lane: | Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance |
Animal Kingdom Lightning Lanes Rides, Attractions and Experiences
What rides at Animal Kingdom have Lightning Lane?
| How it works | Animal Kingdom Lightning Lanes |
| Lightning Lane Multi Pass Choose up to 3 experiences from this group: | DINOSAUR Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain Feathered Friends in Flight! Festival of the Lion King Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! It’s Tough to Be a Bug! Kali River Rapids Kilimanjaro Safaris Naʻvi River Journey |
| Lightning Lane Single Pass These require a separate purchase to skip the line using the Lightning Lane: | Avatar Flight of Passage |
Disney World Lightning Lane Frequently Asked Questions
Lightning Lane Prices: How much does Lightning Lane cost?
The Lightning Lane prices are expected to be similar to Genie Plus in that they will be dynamic and based on demand. On a slow day, it will hypothetically cost less. During peak days, Lightning Lane prices will surge. Remember you can purchase both a Lightning Lane Multi Pass, for use at multiple attractions, and Lightning Lane Single Passes for attractions that require a standalone purchase, or one or the other.
How much is Lightning Lane Multi Pass?
We can expect Lightning Lane Multi Pass prices to differ by park and day. Prices should be similar to Disney Genie+ but they won’t be released until the product launches. On a Saturday in June, Genie+ cost $29 for multiple parks, $29 for Magic Kingdom, $21 for Epcot, $26 for Hollywood Studios and $18 for Animal Kingdom. Lightning Lane Multi Pass will not have a different price in order to park hop.
How much is Lightning Lane Single Pass?
The Lightning Lane Single Pass price varies by attraction and day. We can anticipate a price range similar to what we saw with Individual Lightning Lanes.
On a Saturday in June 0f 2024, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind costs $17, TRON Lightcycle/Run costs $20, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train costs $12 and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance costs $25. We will have to see how prices differ when Lightning Lane Single Pass debuts.
Does Lightning Lane sell out?
Yes, Lightning Lane will sell out on Disney’s busiest days just like Genie+ and FastPass. This includes peak times like during the holiday season in December or around Spring Break in March or April.
Rides that you have to purchase a Lightning Lane for on its own sell out more often. For example, it can be tough to buy a Lightning Lane for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Avatar Flight of Passage or other Individual Lightning Lane attractions depending on the day.
For the best outcome, buy Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass as early as you can if it’s important to you. That’s 7 days out for resort guests and 3 days out for everyone else.
Can you buy Disney World Lightning Lane the day of your visit?
Yes, you can buy Lightning Lane Single Pass and Lightning Lane Multi Pass on the day of your visit. Resort guests will have had access to booking attractions 7 days out and passholders 3 days out. We can expect a certain amount of return times to be kept for the morning of and for availability to open up as people change their selections or modify return times.
Can you ride with Lightning Lane more than once?
No, you can only use Lightning Lane once per attraction, per day.
For attractions with Lightning Lane Single Pass, you could get a virtual queue then purchase a LL or the other way around.
The third time is not a charm because there is no third time.
There is a rare exception like when Epcot offers Extended Evening Theme Park Hours for resort guests and opens a 6:00 p.m. Cosmic Rewind virtual queue just for them.
In this case for Cosmic Rewind you could get a virtual queue spot, purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass, then get another virtual queue spot for the extended hours offering.
There’s also a similar situation that happens at events like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. The virtual queue for the attraction will be different for day guests and event guests. If you’re there during the day and for the party you could ride twice. Using the Lightning Lane, you could ride a third time if it’s available for purchase.
Can you park hop with Disney World Lightning Lane?
You can park hop with Lightning Lane Multi Pass. Upon launch, those with a park hopper ticket can use LLMP at another park with no additional charge. This also makes it wiser to book earlier return times.
How will Disney World Lightning Lane work with dining reservations?
Essentially you’re in control of picking your times. If no times are presented that work around your dining reservation, that’s another story.
Remember that many restaurants have a grace period. Restaurants can often be accommodating at Disney world, knowing transportation, ride waits and crowds can cause unexpected delays. This depends on the restaurant and how exclusive, special and expensive it is. Don’t risk it all and be late for Cinderella’s Royal Table. However, The Plaza probably won’t mind if you’re 5-10 minutes late because of reasons out of your control.
Is Lightning Lane really faster? How long are Disney FastPass lines?
No matter the name, FastPass, Genie+, Lightning Lanes, they are always faster than the regular lines at Disney World. You will still have a short wait using the skip the line service. In many cases you may end up waiting around 5 minutes, sometimes up to 10. If there are delays it could be longer. Even if the Lightning Lane is backed up and looks longer than the standby queue it will still move faster. Cast Members prioritize getting those who have purchased Lightning Lane on to the attraction in less time than guests waiting in standby lines.
DVC Resale Experts Makes Magic
We’re wishing you the best as you use the new 2024 Disney World Lightning Lane system. If you love visiting Disney Parks, you may want to think about joining the Disney timeshare. Staying at Disney Resort hotels comes with special perks. You get free parking and opportunities to experience late or early entry at the park when it’s offered. Disney Vacation Club Resort guests are also able to take advantage of booking Disney World Lightning Lane times 7 days in advance. This can definitely help you get an advantage compared to other visitors who will be able to book 3 days out or those who choose to book same day.
See the amazing prices on current resale DVC listings.
The Experts have decades of experience selling DVC and would love to help you sell your DVC contract.
