Updated August 1, 2024
Ok, here we go!
Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Lightning Lane Single Pass and Lightning Lane Premier Pass are here. is here and we’re putting it to use at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Just as I do for Disneyland, I’ve created strategies to help you maximize the use of these tools Disney provides.
And, if you don’t want to use it, I have strategies for you, too.
Let’s get busy.
Who to Book Your Trip With
I recommend booking with Get Away Today for so many reasons. After 10 years in the industry and working with other agencies, I assure you these are the best people in the business. They offer amazing discounts and even better service.
I return to Get Away Today again and again because of the service. Book your trip here or call 855.GET.AWAY for someone to walk you through everything.
Basic Scoop
Let’s discuss how and when to use Lighting Lanss at Walt Disney World. This post details what you need to know.
If you don’t want to use it each day, no problem. Scroll down to the section marked, “Don’t Want to Pay for Lightning Lanes” for strategies using standby lines only.
Before You Arrive
Before you even arrive at the park, I recommend having the following done:
- Buy tickets and make park reservations (if required for your ticket or pass).
- Eat breakfast. Don’t wait to eat at the park. Bring muffins, fruit, etc for your hotel room and make sure everyone has plenty to eat before heading to the parks.
- Apply sunscreen.
When to Arrive
I feel like I say this constantly, but it is that important. To get the most out of your day, arrive a full hour prior to official park opening time.
The parks often open to guests (staying onsite and offsite) approximately 20ish minutes early (sometimes more) each day. This is never guaranteed, but it’s worth showing up early for the chance. If you get in early, sometimes you can start on attractions immediately. Sometimes you’ll be held at “rope drop”. If you’re held at rope drop, you’re still way ahead of the crowd behind you. Arrive early every time.
If you’re staying at a WDW Resort Hotel, you are allowed in the park a full 30 minutes prior to official park opening. This happens every day at each of the 4 parks. You’ll be able to enter and start on everything immediately. Love this!
The Basic Structure of your Day
The simplest way to design your day is with these tips:
- Arrive early.
- Focus on attractions for the first several hours (with a snack break at some point).
- Break for a late lunch and then nap/rest at your hotel.
- Return to the parks for entertainment, character meets, princesses, etc.
- Resume attractions.
- Enjoy nighttime entertainment.
- Attractions again!
Below, I share details on which order of attractions you should go in for each park. These are suggestions on what to do first and then how to proceed after. My suggestions are based on popularity of the attraction, where it is in the park, how quickly the lines move, etc, etc.
Please take what I suggest and make changes as needed. Just like snowflakes, no two days in the park are the same. Pivot when things come up. But, keep in mind the overall structure for your park day.
Lightning Lanes
Take a few minutes to read over this post that explains everything you need to know about all of the options for Lightning Lanes.
Magic Kingdom with Big Kids and Genie+
This is the one of three parks in Walt Disney World that I recommend paying for the ‘a la carte’ Lightning Lane.
If you are staying at a Disney Resort, select the Individual Lightning Lane for TRON Lightcycle/Run asap after you’re allowed to begin using Genie+ at 7:00am.
If you are not staying on site, purchase this as soon as you are eligible (when you enter the park).
- Purchase the Individual Lightning Lanes for each of your guests to TRON Lightcycle/Run
- Grab a Genie+ for Peter Pan at 7 am
- Ride Jungle Cruise standby
- Ride Pirates of the Caribbean standby
- Ride Big Thunder Mountain standby
- Grab Genie+ for Haunted Mansion
- Ride “it’s a small world” standby
- Ride Peter Pan’s Flight with Genie+
- Ride Haunted Mansion with Genie+
- Grab Genie+ for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Ride the Barnstormer standby
- Ride Under the Sea- Journey of the Little Mermaid standby
- Ride Dumbo the Flying Elephant standby
- Ride Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin with Genie+
- Ride Mad Tea Party (teacups) standby
- Ride Tomorrowland Speedway standby
- Ride Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin with Genie+
- Grab Genie+ for Space Mountain
- Ride Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover standby
- Ride Carousel of Progress standby
- Ride Space Mountain with Genie+
- Ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train standby, lowest crowds will be during fireworks or closest to closing time.
Notes:
- Don’t forget to ride TRON- Lightcycle/Run when your return window arrives!
- Genie+ return slots are estimates- be sure to set an alarm and return when yours are ready! Make your next selection as soon as you scan into the queue.
- If you are staying at a Disney resort and have access to Early Entry, see the note below on how to start your day.
Magic Kingdom with Little Kids and Genie+
- Grab Genie+ for Peter Pan at 7 am.
- Ride Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh standby
- Ride Dumbo standby
- Ride Under the Sea- Journey of the Little Mermaid standby
- Ride “it’s a small world” standby
- Grab Genie+ for Jungle Cruise
- Watch Mickey’s Philharmagic standby
- Ride Prince Charming Regal Carrousel standby
- Ride the Mad Hatter Teaparty (teacups) standby
- Ride Peter Pan with Genie+
- Grab Genie+ for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Ride Carousel of Progress standby
- Ride Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin with Genie+
- Grab Genie+ for Pirates of the Caribbean
- Ride Jungle Cruise with Genie+
- Ride the Magic Carpets of Aladdin standby
- Ride Pirates of the Caribbean with Genie+
- Ride Walt Disney World Railway standby
Notes:
-Genie+ return slots are estimates- be sure to set an alarm and return when yours are ready! Make your next selection as soon as you scan into the queue.
-If you are staying at a Disney resort and have access to Early Entry, see the note below on how to start your day.
Epcot with Big Kids and Lightning Lanes
This is the one of three parks in Walt Disney World that I recommend paying for the ‘a la carte’ Individual Lightning Lane.
If you are staying at a Disney Resort, select the Individual Lightning Lane for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ASAP after you’re allowed to begin using Genie+ at 7:00am.
If you are not staying on site, purchase this as soon as you are eligible (when you enter the park).
- Purchase the Individual Lightning Lanes for each of your guests to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
- Grab a Genie+ for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at 7 am
- Ride Test Track standby
- Ride Mission: SPACE standby
- Ride Spaceship Earth standby
- Ride The Seas with Nemo and Friends standby
- Grab Genie+ for Frozen Ever After
- Ride Soarin’ standby (if the wait time is 40 minutes or under)
- Ride Living with the Land standby
- Ride Journey to Imagination with Figment standby
- Ride Remy’s Ratatouille with Genie+
- Ride Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros standby
- Ride Frozen Ever After with Genie+
Notes:
***Don’t forget! Ride Guardians when your return window arrives.
***Genie+ return slots are estimates- be sure to set an alarm for your actual return time, and make the next Genie+ selection as soon as you scan into the queue.
***If unable to ride Soarin’ earlier, make a Genie+ selection after Frozen Ever After and ride when your return window arrives.
***This strategy is ideal for guests arriving via monorail, bus, or parking lot and entering Epcot through the front main entrance.
Disney Hollywood Studios with Big Kids and Lightning Lanes
This is the one of three parks in Walt Disney World that I recommend paying for an ‘a la carte’ Individual Lightning Lane.
If you are staying at a Disney Resort, select the Individual Lightning Lane for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance asap after you’re allowed to begin using Genie+ at 7:00am.
If you are not staying on site, purchase this as soon as you are eligible (when you enter the park).
- Purchase for each of your guests the Individual Lightning Lane to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- Grab a Genie+ for Slinky Dog Dash at 7 am
- Ride Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway standby
- Ride Toy Story Mania! standby
- Ride Slinky Dog Dash with Genie+
- Grab a Genie+ for Alien Swirling Saucers
- Watch Muppet*Vision 3D
- Ride Alien Swirling Saucers with Genie+
- Grab Genie+ for Millennium Falcon
- Ride Star Tours Standby
- Ride Millennium Falcon with Genie+
- Grab a Genie+ for Tower of Terror
- Ride Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster standby (If the wait is 40 minutes or less)*******
- Ride Tower of Terror with Genie+
Notes:
***Don’t forget! Ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance when your return window arrives.
***Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster is currently closed for an extensive refurbishment until “Summer 2024” according to the Disney website. Because of this closure, wait times on the other rides will likely be longer than average. Until it reopens, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the tips in the next note:
***Lines for this particular park fill up very quickly. Be sure to arrive early and make the most of the first two hours of the day. Use the middle of the day for dining, the Indiana Jones, Frozen, and Beauty and the Beast shows, meet characters, or to go back to your hotel for a break. Continue to add Genie+ selections during that time as you become eligible, and use them in the evening at their return times.
Animal Kingdom with Big Kids and Lightning Lanes
- Grab a Genie+ for Kilimanjaro Safaris
- Ride Flight of Passage standby
- Ride Na’vi River Journey standby
- Ride Kilimanjaro Safaris with Genie+
- Grab a Genie+ for Expedition Everest
- Ride Kali River Rapids standby
- Ride Expedition Everest with Genie+
- Grab a Genie+ for DINOSAUR
- Ride TriceraTop Spin standby
- Ride DINOSAUR with Genie+
Notes:
-Consider purchasing the Individual Lightning Lane for Flight of Passage if you aren’t planning on arriving early for rope drop. WDW Resort guests can purchase ILL at 7 am, all other guests purchase after scanning into the park.
-Genie+ return slots are estimates- be sure to set an alarm for your actual return time, and make your next Genie+ selection as soon as you scan into the queue.
Early Entry Variations
If you’re staying at one of the Disney property resorts and taking advantage of Early Entry at the parks, I still recommend starting the above strategies for Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios. You’ll just be ahead of the game (and the crowds!).
At Magic Kingdom however, you have some options:
- Grab Genie+ for Peter Pan first thing, but rope drop Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Then proceed to Jungle Cruise and continue the strategy as listed. I only recommend this option if you’ve arrived AND are in line a full hour before park opening.
- Traveling with adults or big kids/teens? You could head to Tomorrowland and ride Space Mountain with little to no wait during Early Entry, then double back to Adventureland and pick up the strategy starting with Jungle Cruise at regular park opening time.
- Traveling with little kids or not interested in roller coasters? Start with Peter Pan and “it’s a small world” and consider them checked off your morning list. Head to the Adventureland rides afterwards.
Don’t Want to Pay for Lightning Lanes
No problem.
If you don’t want to pay for Disney Genie+ or the a la carte Lightning Lanes, I have strategies for you.
This post gives you the best strategies for all four parks at Walt Disney World using standby lines only.
Notes
- Your first Lightning Lane grab should be at 7 am, and your next selection will be available two hours after the official park opening time- set an alarm!
- The return times are estimates; during peak seasons your return window might be later in the day than is listed here. Set an alarm for your return window so you don’t miss it!
- As with my strategies for Disneyland, I’ll be editing these as needed throughout the year so they’re always updated for your visit.
- Questions? Leave me a comment. If I don’t have the information you’re looking for, I’ll find out who does.
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Hey Casey,
We follow your DL strategies all the time and they are great – thank you! This time we’ll be staying offsite at WDW at the Hilton BVP (by Disney Springs). For Magic Kingdom I noticed you recommend taking an Uber/Lyft. In order to fully take advantage of Early Entry, how early should we aim to arrive at TTC? Is there an option to take the Minnie Van to avoid TTC with us staying at the BVP? Do you have any tips to get to the Magic Kingdom entry gates for early entry? Thank you.
Hey Chris.
You’re welcome! I would check with the front desk to see what their recommendations are for getting there super early.
A dining recommendation might work, too. Here’s more on that:
https://disneylanddaily.com/wdw-park-strategies-for-days-without-fastpasses/#How_to_get_to_the_Parks_if_your_Bus_Wont_Arrive_an_Hour_Early
Maybe a Minnie Van! I would try that too. Is Magic Kingdom your first day? Could you check a day prior if not?
That’s a great hotel. Love the walk to Disney Springs!
Thanks Casey – Brilliant!
We are doing MK first (and last), the day after we arrive so I’ll check with the Hotel regards to arriving early.
If the Minnie Van doesn’t do pick ups from BVP, we’ll likely uber/lyft.
Thanks for the recomendations.
Have a great time!
Hey Casey, one more thing while I’m at it…We will be visiting between 10-18th Jan. You’re our go to for all Disney strategies
– Will you have any strategies for the parks for the new LLMP with the advanced selections in the next couple of months?
Hey, Chris.
I’ve been waiting to add them until I can visit and test everything, but I’ll include my selections asap – in time for your trip! I’m on it.
Thanks Casey – you’re a legend!!!
Hey Chris! Ok I took a look at the strategies, but don’t feel confident even making recommendations at this point. I’m sorry! I need to do more research and get a visit in too. I would check with Touring Plans.
Thanks Casey – no problem at all ?
I appreciate you understanding. Just don’t want to steer you in the wrong direction.
Reading your August 8th reply about MK – We will be staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge in March. Would you recommend an Uber in lieu of Disney transportation for early entry to MK?
I always take an uber if I’m super serious about focusing on strategies. It really does make a difference. Resort transportation is awesome any other time. Have fun!
Hi Casey with the Epcot strategy now that Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is available via Genie+ where in the strategy do you recommend to grab a Genie+ for Remy’s?
Hi Penny.
Just updated my strategies for WDW! Check out Epcot (or others) and let me know if you have any questions.
Great thanks Cassie. We used your strategies for our trip to Disneyland in February 2020 and loved them! We are hitting WDW on 4 February for the first time and looking forward to using your strategies during our stay!
Have so much fun!
Awesome! Excited to try these strategies out when we get there this week. If our resort allows us in 30 min before park opening what time should we plan to leave the hotel (pop century) and be at magic kingdom etc? Still an hour before?
Will you be on the bus or Skyliner? Any chance you can uber? Magic Kingdom is a tricky park to get to early, but I have some suggestions if you can Uber.
I’ve used your tips for Disneyland and they are life changing! I’m now going to Disney World and hoping I can have the same success in a much bigger more intimidating park?. At Magic Kingdom I’d also like to add Under the Sea and the Winnie the Pooh ride. What is your advise on when to fit those in?
Hi, Caroline.
If you see any attractions that I have not included in my strategies as you walk through the park, feel free to add them in. I would look to ride them when you’re near Dumbo. Have fun!
Hi Casey! My family and I just got back from a week at WDW. We stayed off site but we did purchase Genie +. Your strategies were so helpful! There were a few factors I didn’t account for, like that most days we were only able to grab 3 LLs with Genie plus before everything was out. I didn’t realize that I couldn’t purchase ILL until park opening time, so we were not able to secure any of the ILL. I also did not think to account for severe weather! Our day at MK was filled with severe thunderstorm warnings, LOTS of soaking rain and all the outdoor rides were closed for long periods of time. Crowds were also really heavy due to spring break. However, because I had a strategy and we arrived early every day we were able to do (almost!!) every ride in every park! Thank you for your work and sharing it with all of us, you helped us have a great family vacation!
I’m so glad you had a good trip. Appreciate you sharing this with us!
Absolutely!! WDW is just so different from DLR! Both wonderful in different ways. Casey, again, thank you for helping us all navigate them both!
Hey Casey, Flight of Passage is not currently available as a part of Genie+ and can only be purchased as an Individual Lightning Lane. How would that affect your plan using Genie+ for Animal Kingdom? Would you recommend buying both Genie+ AND the ILL for FOP? Thanks for the strategies! Will be testing in a week and a half!
Well, this is embarrassing.
I proofed this post and had a friend proof it, too. She pointed out my error….and I failed to fix it!
It’s ready now. Rope Drop FOP, first Genie+ is for Na’vi, etc, etc.
No need to purchase the a la carte Lightning Lane if you arrive early and know what you’re doing.
If you have time, I would love to know how your testing goes. Please email me at Casey@DisneylandDaily.com with any info you would like to share. I feel super confident with my Disneyland plans because I test them constantly. I don’t have that same luxury at WDW, but I’m determined to master Genie+ there, too. So, these plans will evolve with testing, as I learn how to do better each time. And, I can learn from you!
Hope y’all have a great visit.
Thank you so much for the quick reply and update! We’ve benefited from your strategies at Disneyland for YEARS but have had to shift from our favorite Coast for our last two trips due to traveling during the pandemic (we can drive to WDW, but DLR pretty much requires a flight from Alabama- not that we’re opposed, but were concerned about canceled flights ruining our “magic”).
Hopefully we’ll get back to our “home” parks soon, but in the meantime, we’re making the best of our time in Florida! I’ll let you know if we come up with anything useful while we’re there. Thanks again for everything!
It takes a village! We’ll figure this out together. Appreciate you!