I’ve been going to Disney World for decades, and the one thing I can promise you is that things change every year, and we are always finding new ways to maximize our time in the parks!

Disney World’s Lightning Lane system is constantly evolving, and with major ride closures and refurbishments on the horizon, 2026 will require a fresh approach. Strategies that worked in 2024 or 2025 may no longer guarantee smooth sailing. Tier lists are shifting, wait times are fluctuating, and some parks might not even make Multi Passes essential. Whether this is your first visit or you’re a Lightning Lane pro, it’s time to rethink your game plan for Lightning Lanes.

Animal Kingdom Isn’t Worth the Multi Pass

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will offer fewer Lightning Lane options in 2026 once DINOSAUR permanently closes on February 2nd. With one less major attraction in the lineup, the Multi Pass becomes much harder to justify here, as there are simply not enough rides to make the add-on worth the cost for most guests. However, Flight of Passage remains a standout, and waits can still soar well over an hour. That makes the Single Pass absolutely worth purchasing if this ride is on your must-do list.

The good news? You can still accomplish a LOT at this park without a Multi Pass. Early Entry gives you a huge advantage for tackling Expedition Everest or Na’vi River Journey with short waits, and Animal Kingdom tends to quiet down in the evenings, making nighttime visits another great way to breeze through the remaining attractions. If you really want to use Lightning Lane Multi Pass here, we suggest park hopping afterwards, that way you are able to maximize the use of Lightning Lane for your day!

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EPCOT Is Now Worth Lightning Lane

EPCOT will become a Multi Pass park in 2026. With three extremely popular Tier 1 attractions: Test Track, Frozen Ever After, and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, which are all drawing long waits, it’s now much harder to see everything without Lightning Lane help. Earlier in 2025, when Test Track was temporarily closed for refurbishment, Multi Pass wasn’t quite as essential. But now that it’s reopening and the full Tier 1 lineup is back in action, competition is fierce.

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If your goal is to experience more than one (or all!) of these headliners, the Multi Pass will save you hours of waiting and help you structure your EPCOT day more efficiently. You can still rope drop one attraction if you’re skipping Multi Pass. We recommend Remy’s if you’re entering from the International Gateway, and Test Track if you’re coming from the front.

One of the Toughest Lightning Lanes to Grab is Going to Be Even More Rare

If you thought Slinky Dog Dash was already difficult to book, get ready because it’s about to become one of the rarest Lightning Lanes at Disney World. Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a lot of construction on the horizon, and with Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster expected to close for its major re-theme before Summer 2026, guests will have one fewer Tier 1 attraction to choose from. Anytime that happens, the remaining Tier 1 options get overwhelmed, and Slinky Dog Dash becomes the top prize.

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This means competition will be tougher than ever. If Slinky Dog Dash is a must for your group, you’ll want to prioritize this when booking your advance Lightning Lanes. If you miss it, rope dropping the ride remains your best backup strategy.

Be Ready to Change Your Plans

With so many refurbishments, temporary closures, and reopenings happening throughout 2026, you’ll want to stay flexible when it comes to your Lightning Lane strategy. Anytime a major attraction closes, even briefly, Disney might reshuffle the Lightning Lane tiers. That can completely change which rides book up fastest, which are worth prioritizing, and how valuable certain Multi Pass selections are.

We can’t underestimate the reopening of attractions, too! Even if you’ve never had an issue with wait times for Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, once it reopens this spring with the new updates, it will likely be pretty popular! The same goes for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, also set to reopen in the spring with new updates. Both rides have been closed for months (Big Thunder was closed almost all of 2025), and everyone’s itching to get back on them. When they reopen, these can be great Lightning Lanes to grab!

Even if you’ve visited in the last year or two, the 2026 tier lineup may look very different from what you’re used to. The best way to stay ahead is to check refurbishment calendars regularly and keep an eye on reopening announcements. And of course, keep following DFB, we’ll track every tier update, ride closure, and strategy shift so you can adjust your game plan before you ever tap into the parks.

At DisneyFoodBlog, we’ll continue sharing tips, updates, and strategies to help you spend less time waiting and more time enjoying the magic. Follow us for the latest Disney news as we head into 2026, because it’s shaping up to be an exciting year!

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What is a Lightning Lane hack you use that more people should know about? Tell us in the comments below!