How to Navigate Lightning Lanes
By Tara Willis | Travel Advisor
Disney • Universal • Sandals / Beaches • Royal Caribbean • Celebrity • Hyatt
February 5, 2026
Does Lightning Lane feel intimidating? You’re not alone. It can absolutely feel overwhelming at first—but I promise, once you understand the flow, it becomes second nature. Below is the exact way I personally use Lightning Lane Multi Pass for my own trips and for my clients, broken down step by step so you can feel confident before your park days begin.
What Is Lightning Lane Multi Pass?
Lightning Lane Multi Pass allows you to skip the standby line for select attractions and some shows. While you may still wait briefly, it’s significantly shorter than standby.
Important timing details:
On-site Disney resort guests: Select your first three Lightning Lanes 7 days before arrival at 7:00 AM EST
Off-site guests with tickets/reservations: Select 3 days prior at 7:00 AM EST
All selections are made through the My Disney Experience app (MDE)—this cannot be done on a computer.
Lightning Lane Multi Pass is a paid service, with pricing visible in MDE up to 21 days in advance. When traveling with larger groups, I typically collect funds ahead of time (Venmo or PayPal) so everything can be booked promptly and smoothly.
One of my favorite features? MDE automatically schedules Lightning Lanes around dining reservations and pre-planned experiences, which removes a lot of stress.
Lightning Lane Tiers Explained
Lightning Lane attractions are grouped into tiers:
Tier 1: The most in-demand attractions
Tier 2: All other eligible attractions
You can initially book one Tier 1 and two Tier 2 attractions. Once you scan into your first ride, you’re able to book another Lightning Lane—so it’s not just three and done.
What Is a Single Lightning Lane (SLL)?
Single Lightning Lanes are separate, individually purchased selections for Disney’s most popular attractions.
Current SLL attractions include:
TRON Lightcycle / Run
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Avatar Flight of Passage
These are optional but often worth it, especially during busy seasons.
Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane Strategy
Magic Kingdom has the most attractions, which can make choices feel tricky—especially with young kids. While it’s tempting to use Lightning Lane for rides like Dumbo or Magic Carpets of Aladdin, those typically maintain 10–15 minute waits and aren’t the best use of your selections.
Recommended starting picks:
Tier 1: Peter Pan’s Flight
Tier 2: Haunted Mansion & Pirates of the Caribbean
Thrill-seekers may swap one for Space Mountain
Once you tap into your first ride, immediately book the next available attraction you didn’t initially choose. After tapping into that, book Jungle Cruise, then continue stacking from there.
About Tiana’s Bayou Adventure:
This ride is very weather-dependent. During winter months, Lightning Lanes often don’t sell out quickly. On hot summer days, you may want to prioritize it earlier. I do recommend experiencing the standby queue at least once—the storytelling is part of the magic.
Filler attractions:
Dumbo, Magic Carpets, Mad Tea Party, and shows are best used to fill gaps between Lightning Lane times.
My perfect Magic Kingdom lineup:
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (SLL)
Peter Pan’s Flight
Haunted Mansion
Jungle Cruise
Pirates of the Caribbean
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Note: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is expected to reopen Summer 2026.
Hollywood Studios Lightning Lane Strategy
This is hands-down the hardest park for Lightning Lane selections—every attraction is a hit.
As of January 2026, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster is closed for refurbishment into a Muppets attraction.
Recommended starting picks:
Tier 1: Slinky Dog Dash (sells out first and has brutal standby waits)
Tier 2: Toy Story Mania + Tower of Terror or Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage
After tapping into your first ride, prioritize:
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Hollywood Studios also shines with live shows, which are just as impressive as the rides. Don’t miss:
Villains: Unfairly Ever After
The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
Frozen Sing-Along
My perfect Hollywood Studios lineup:
Tower of Terror
Rise of the Resistance (SLL)
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Toy Story Mania
Slinky Dog Dash
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Shows sprinkled throughout the day
EPCOT Lightning Lane Strategy
EPCOT has fewer rides, but its Tier 1 attractions are excellent. Rope drop and transportation method matter here.
Rope Drop Tips
Arriving via Skyliner: Rope drop Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure; select Frozen Ever After
Arriving via bus: Rope drop Frozen Ever After; select Remy’s
Not a rope dropper? (Same.) I recommend prioritizing Remy’s, which stays consistently busy.
Tier 2 recommendations:
Spaceship Earth
Soarin’ Around the World (soon to become Soarin’ Around America for America’s 250th birthday)
After tapping in, book Test Track, then plan selections based on where you’re physically located in the park.
My perfect EPCOT lineup:
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (SLL)
Frozen Ever After
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Soarin’
Living with the Land
Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane Strategy
Animal Kingdom has only nine Lightning Lane attractions, and it’s often the park where Lightning Lane is least necessary.
Dinosaur is permanently closing February 2 and will be rethemed to Indiana Jones.
Since there are no tiers, my top initial selections are:
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
Zootopia: Better Together (Tree of Life)
After tapping in, head to Pandora and book Na’vi River Journey, then continue stacking.
Lightning Lane can feel intimidating, but once you do it once, you’ll feel confident every time after. Familiarize yourself with the My Disney Experience app—you’ll use it often—and remember: there is no wrong way to do Disney.
I walk my clients through Lightning Lane planning well before the 7-day mark, so they feel confident and prepared. If that level of support sounds helpful, I’d love to plan your trip.
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