Waiting in long lines at Disney attractions can really take away from the magic of the experience. Disney’s Lightning Lane Multi Pass is a great add-on to your Disneyland or Disney World ticket that can help you avoid those long waits.
The Multi Pass is similar to a fast pass system at other theme parks. With this add-on, you get access to Lightning Lanes, which are shorter lines than the regular standby lines. While the Lightning Lane Multi Pass includes many rides at Disneyland and Disney World, it doesn’t cover some of the most popular attractions.
The pricing of the Lightning Lane Multi Pass is dynamic, so it can be a bit tricky to decide whether it’s worth it. Here’s everything you need to know about this feature and how to determine if the Multi Pass is a good investment for your Disney trip.
How Does Lightning Lane Multi Pass Work?
Using Lightning Lanes with the Multi Pass isn’t as simple as just skipping lines. Pass holders need to reserve a time slot for using a Lightning Lane at a specific attraction.
You can select up to three time slots before your visit with the Lightning Lane Multi Pass. If you have a Park Hopper ticket, you can even choose experiences across multiple theme parks. This is a significant improvement over the previous fast pass system, where guests could only reserve one time slot at a time.
After checking in at the Lightning Lane for your first selected experience, you can make another selection through the app, depending on availability. With the new Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you can have up to three Lightning Lane selections at any given time during the day.
In addition to bypassing long standby lines, other benefits of the Lightning Lane Multi Pass include photo perks like unlimited PhotoPass downloads and Disney PhotoPass lenses with overlays for your photos.
Which Rides Are Not Included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass?
Some of the most popular attractions at Disneyland and Disney World are not part of the Lightning Lane Multi Pass program. Ineligible rides include:
Disneyland
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Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Disney California Adventure
Magic Kingdom
Epcot
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Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
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Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
For these attractions, you’ll need to purchase a separate Lightning Lane Single Pass if you want to skip the lines. The pricing for Single Passes varies depending on the attraction and the date of your visit.
How Much Does a Lightning Lane Multi Pass Cost?
A Lightning Lane Multi Pass starts at $32 per person per day, but the price can vary based on factors like demand and time of year. Each person in your group who wants access to the front of the line needs to purchase their own Multi Pass add-on.
When Can You Purchase a Lightning Lane Multi Pass?
At Disneyland, you can buy your Multi Pass add-on when purchasing your park admission on the Disneyland website or through authorized travel providers. You can also buy the pass on the day of your visit via the Disneyland app, if available.
For Disney World visitors not staying at an eligible resort hotel, you can purchase a Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass up to three days before your visit. This applies to annual passholders and non-date-based ticket holders as well. Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels can purchase the pass up to seven days in advance.
When Is a Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass Worth It?
Deciding whether the Lightning Lane Multi Pass is worth it can be a personal choice, considering it’s an additional expense for each person. Here are some scenarios where the Multi Pass might be a good investment:
You Want to Maximize Your Ride Time
If you aim to ride as many attractions as possible, the Multi Pass could be worth it. While it won’t help with the busiest rides, it can save time on several other attractions, potentially allowing you to experience more throughout the day.
You’re Visiting a Park with Many Attractions
If you’re going to a Disney park with a lot of attractions, the Lightning Lane Multi Pass can be beneficial. For example, it might be worth it at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, which has 18 eligible attractions.
Make sure to check the list of eligible rides before purchasing the Multi Pass. If you don’t usually go on included attractions or find the wait times reasonable, you might want to save your money for a Single Lane Lightning Pass instead.
Additionally, if you have reservations for a park with fewer attractions but high-traffic rides, the Multi Pass could still be worth it.
You Want to Plan Your Day Efficiently
One of the benefits of the Lightning Lane Multi Pass is the ability to choose your preferred time window for Lightning Lane access. If you have various reservations throughout the day, the pass can help you make the most of your time by planning around your other experiences.
By being able to skip lines and plan ahead, you can ensure you get to enjoy the attractions you want without wasting time waiting in long queues.
You’re Willing to Pay Extra for Line-Skipping
The Lightning Lane Multi Pass is a mid-tier option among Disney’s fast pass offerings. While the Single Pass is cheaper, it only allows one-time access to a single ride. On the other hand, the Premier Pass is the most expensive but grants access to Lightning Lanes at all eligible rides for a higher price.
If your budget for line-skipping is less than $100 per person, the Multi Pass is the best value compared to other options. It strikes a balance between cost and convenience for those who want to skip the lines without breaking the bank.
Recap of Disney’s Lightning Lane Multi Pass
The Lightning Lane Multi Pass is an improved version of Disney’s previous Genie+ service, offering more flexibility and benefits. However, it doesn’t cover the most popular attractions, and the cost can add up for larger groups. Ultimately, whether the Multi Pass is worth it depends on your priorities and budget.
If saving time and maximizing your ride experiences is important to you, and you’re willing to pay extra for that convenience, then the Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass could enhance your next Disney park visit.
(Top photo courtesy of Walt Disney World)