So much has changed in the last 5 years at Disney World. There is one mistake people still make that you don’t want to get caught making!
Cinderella Castle
Since Disney World closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have experienced a lot of changes. There has been a BIG push towards more mobile technology through Mobile Ordering and Merchandise Checkout. There have been new attractions that have opened and some that have closed permanently. If you are heading back to Disney World soon, there is a BIG change you need to be aware of.
There are still people out there who are traveling to Disney World with a pre-COVID mentality. If it’s been a bit since you have traveled to Disney World, there are a lot of things that you should get caught up on before going. It’s okay for people not to be as hyper-focused on the Disney parks scene as some of us — that’s our job. But, when you are planning on spending A LOT of money on a Disney World vacation, you’re gonna want to be as informed.
EPCOT
Let’s travel back to 2020, before the closure of Disney World. FastPass+ was the reigning “skip-the-line” service that was FREE to guests. In August 2021, Disney announced that FastPass+ would NOT be returning to Disney World. But, don’t fret — there is a NEW system in its place!
FastPass+ Entrance at Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Disney has rolled out Lightning Lane as the latest “skip-the-line” service. There are two options you can now PURCHASE to save yourself time on your rides: Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass. That’s right — these services now come with a fee. It begins at $15, however, it will vary based on the park you purchase it for and the time of year you are visiting.
Everything You Need to Know About Lightning Lane Multi Pass in Disney World
Slinky Dog Dash Lightning Lane
When purchasing Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you can make up to 3 Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections in a park in advance of your visit. Additionally, you can choose available times as you make your attraction selections, and can continue to hold up to 3 Lighting Lane Multi Pass selections at a time. Guests who remember FastPass+ will probably see the similarities in the two systems. Disney World Resort guests can reserve these 7 days before their vacation, and non-resort guests can reserve 3 days before their park day.
Book These Rides FIRST With Disney World’s Lightning Lane Multi Pass System!
Lightning Lane
Lightning Lane Single Pass is a separate fee for the most popular attractions. Guests may hold a maximum of TWO Single Passes per day, they can both be purchased in advance if you prefer (pending availability), AND they can be located in TWO different parks (though, be aware that your Disney World theme park ticket must include the Park Hopper add-on option to be able to visit both attractions in two different parks in one day).
The full list of attractions that are currently available for Lightning Lane Single Pass in Walt Disney World is as follows:
Magic Kingdom:
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- TRON Lightcycle / Run
EPCOT:
Animal Kingdom:
Hollywood Studios:
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
While there are a lot of similarities in the two systems, one major difference is paying for Lightning Lanes. This can come as a surprise to some guests who aren’t aware of the switch, so plan ahead. These costs can also add up for a large traveling party. It’s not uncommon that we see Multi Pass for Magic Kingdom at $29 per person, per day, and if you have 5 people in your party, that’s a quick $145 per day — that’s not including any Single Passes you would like to purchase.
I’ve Tried Every Lightning Lane Hack in Disney World and These 2 Work
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Lightning Lane
If it has been a while since you visited the parks and you need help getting up to speed on how Disney World has changed, our friends over at Small World Vacations can help you! Contact them today for a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation.
We hope this helps you on your next Disney vacation. For more tips, follow us at DFB!
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It feels like the parks are more crowded than ever and, sadly, people seem more rude! We don’t go as often as this just stresses us and takes away all the fun! This year, we are most unhappy with all the construction and, in our opinion, the ruination of Walt’s vision in Magic Kingdom and Eisner’s wonderful Hollywood Studios which, frankly, was ruined by Iger years ago! Disney Springs has also seemed to have lost some if its focus….we miss fave stores and definitely miss Pleasure Island, especially the Adventurers Club! It seems that us baby boomers – who had a big hand in making Disney what it turned into – are being shoved to the curb in favor of trying to please younger generations who don’t remember Walt or Disney on tv or Disney animators who created iconic movies.
Not all “baby boomers” feel like we have been kicked to the curb. Pleasure Island Good-by. What we have now is a full family friendly area. Walt and Roy’s vision was that the parks should never stay the same till they fall down. Yes, Sometime I think renewal of a park is hard to take,but the new items create new memories. Maybe Disney could do one park or area at a time, instead of starting so many project at one time. Eisner’s Hollywood Studio was catering to only the older generation. Even if we brought GKids they had no idea who John Wayne was and the movies were not even show on live TV anymore.A change needed to come. The back lot was shutdown more than it was up and again the GKids didn’t even know the movies. Now we know the movie as we have continue to grow with Disney and GKids are all up for going to see their favorite character and shows. Isn’t that what us “Boomers” want to see the fun on their faces.
I agree with Norma. The connection to Walt and his old TV shows are lost on people today, as are all those old animated movies. Disney Studios keeps remaking live versions of those movies, and they keep losing money on them. What the heck?? Why do they keep making them? I haven’t watched any of them, and don’t plan to. Just give me the original animated movie! Before we know it, they will close the small Walt Disney museum in Hollywood Studios, which shows all the many inventions and innovations Walt developed himself in order to make his movies. He was brilliant! You can hear his voice talking about his ideas, movies and TV shows. Totally fascinating! The current people running The Disney Company (and that includes all of them, not just Iger) only care about making their own mark on an already well established, well known company.
Have they fixed the issue for overseas visitors who want to book Multi Pass or Single Passes? When I was there last year, I had to wait until I arrived in the US, which meant being unable to book anything until the night before my 1st day in the parks! As someone who is staying on property… this is unfair. I should be able to book 7 days out like US guests can do. Even those not staying on property, who are in the US, can book at 3 days out. We pay a lot of money in airfares, and travel for 36hrs or more (when coming from Australia)… we just want to be treated fairly.