Over the years, Disneyland Resort has offered several programs to help you save time in line. The previous programs (FastPass, MaxPass, and Genie+) were replaced with the new Lightning Lane.
Lightning Lane, which lets you schedule attraction arrival times, can be a little confusing. In addition, this program comes with an extra fee, so you need to seriously consider whether it is worth it for your next Disneyland vacation.
If you are traveling to Disneyland, you may want to consider adding Lightning Lane to your trip. This post will help you learn how to use Lightning Lane, how it can help, and whether or not this paid service is worth it.
Any additional questions? Leave us a comment.
Disclosure: We've received complimentary tickets as part of our attendance at a conference, but have also paid our own way. This post contains affiliate links, and a purchase through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us. All opinions are my own.
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Guide to Lightning Lane at Disneyland
What Changed?
Genie+ was renamed Lightning Lane Multi-Pass, but at Disneyland it was pretty much just a name change.
What Is Lightning Lane?
There are several different versions of Lightning Lane at Disneyland, so it's important to understand the terminology.
Lightning Lane Multi-Pass is the name for what was previously known as Genie+. This allows you to book arrival times for participating attractions in advance. It's used with any attraction that offers a Lightning Lane and costs extra. It cannot be used with any attractions that use Lightning Lane Single Pass.
Lightning Lane Single Passes are purchased individually and are for the most popular rides.
Lightning Lane Premier Pass offers entry to every Lightning Lane attraction without scheduling. It can be used once per attraction.
Is Lightning Lane Worth It At Disneyland?
The biggest question most people have about Lightning Lane is whether or not it's worth it. A Disneyland vacation is expensive, even before you add on the Lightning Lane Multi Pass as an extra cost. So, you'll need to decide if it's worth the added expense.
For my family's Disneyland vacations, I purchase a Lightning Lane Multi-Pass for our tickets. It helps you save time and lets you experience more attractions in less time. Since I travel from the East Coast to Disneyland, I always want to make the most of my time in the parks, and Lightning Lane helps me do that.
If you are someone who frequently visits the Disneyland parks or who doesn't necessarily love rides, it may not be worth it to you. You'll want to ensure you take full advantage of it to get value out of the extra fee. If the parks are less crowded, or you are on a strict budget, you may also want to skip it.
Purchasing Lightning Lane
Unlike at Walt Disney World, Lightning Lane Multi-Pass can be purchased as a ticket add-on when you purchase your park tickets. In addition, it may be available for purchase on the day of your visit.
However, that is subject to availability, and it can sell out. If you want to guarantee you'll have Lightning Lane during your Disneyland vacation, you'll want to add it on when you buy your tickets.
Currently, Lightning Lane Multi Pass starts at $34 per person per day. The price can vary based on demand.
Individual Lightning Lane
When you make a Lightning Lane reservation, you will receive a time window when you can return to go through the Lightning Lane entrance. However, there are also Lightning Lane Single Passes, which are different.
Lightning Lane Single Passes are offered for the most popular rides. Currently, at Disneyland, this is Radiator Springs Racers at Disney's California Adventure and Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland Park.
You don't need to have a Lightning Lane Multi Pass to purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass, and these attractions are not included with a Lightning Lane Multi Pass purchase. You'll have to buy it separately if you want it.
Lightning Lane Single Passes can be purchased on the Disneyland app on the day of your visit.
Step by Step: How to Book Your Lightning Lanes
- Purchase Lightning Lane
- Download the Disneyland App and be sure to be logged in
- Make sure all of your tickets are linked so you can book together
- Select your first Lightning Lane attraction
- Check the return window and plan for your timing
- Select another one either when you ride the first one, or when 2 hours have passed
Using Lightning Lane Multi Pass
Before using Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you'll want to ensure you've linked all of the tickets for your party on the Disneyland app. You can make Lightning Lane reservations for your entire group if you are all linked. You will also need to have park reservations.
Once you scan into your first park of the day, you can make your first selection from the Tip Board section of the app. Keep in mind that you are limited to one Lightning Lane per attraction, per day.
Once you have a selection booked, you can't get another one until you've either used it, had it expire, or if more than 2 hours have passed since the time of booking. You can optimize your Lightning Lane strategy by arriving early in the day and getting times as close together as possible.
Have a park hopper? You'll be able to make Lightning Lane reservations at both parks, but only after 11 am.
What if you don't decide to purchase a Lightning Lane pass? In that case, you can go through the standby line at the attractions.
Just keep in mind that there may be long lines for the most popular attractions. The single rider line is also an option, but your party members will be split up.
Lightning Lane Strategy
Here are some of the tips I use when visiting Disneyland with Lightning Lane.
- Arrive at the park early
- Research the attractions in advance so you know what you want to experience for the day
- Make your first Lightning Lane reservation for something very popular
- Ride several nearby attractions by using the standby line, before the lines get too long
- Return for your Lightning Lane reservation
- Once you scan in, immediately make your next reservation
- Continue throughout the day. As the day goes on, you'll probably need to wait the full two hours because the arrival times will start to get later in the day
- Take breaks and eat during the times between arrival windows
Summary: How Lightning Lane Works
- It can be purchased in advance
- You can use it once per attraction per day
- You'll use the app to select your Lightning Lane reservations
- You can make a new reservation either after 2 hours have passed since you made your last one, or immediately upon use of the one you have
- You can use it for both parks if you have the park hopper on your tickets
- When you are within your selected time window, you can go through the separate lightning lane
Attractions at Disneyland That Use Lightning Lane
Wondering which attractions at Disneyland currently use Lightning Lane? This list may always change, but at publication time, here's the list:
Disneyland Park:
- The Matterhorn Bobsleds
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
- Space Mountain
- Autopia
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
- it's a small world
- Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway
- Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
- Tiana's Bayou Adventure
- The Haunted Mansion
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Indiana JonesTM Adventure
Disney's California Adventure Park
- Incredicoaster
- Toy Story Midway Mania!
- Goofy's Sky School
- The Little Mermaid - Ariel's Undersea Adventure
- Grizzly River Run
- Soarin'
- Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
- WEB Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure
- Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
In addition, two attractions utilize Lightning Lane Single Pass. These are Radiator Springs Racers at Disney's California Adventure and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland.
Have you used Lightning Lane at Disneyland?
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