I’ve been going to Disney World for decades, and now I’m a Disney mom making magic for my two kids.
Magic Kingdom
Let me tell you, I’ve learned a few things since stepping into this new role. If there’s one thing to know about me, it’s this: I will absolutely pay for convenience if it makes my vacation easier. Disney trips are meant to be magical, not exhausting, and anything that helps keep my family happy and meltdown-free is worth it in my book. Which is why I will never skip buying Lightning Lanes.
Here’s the reality: taking young kids to Disney World can be a lot. You’re managing emotions, hunger, hydration, overstimulation, and expectations all at once. It’s basically a full-time job… although the perk is doing it while eating a Mickey bar. So when something like Lightning Lane exists to make the day smoother, I’m all in.
Kilimanjaro Safaris Lightning Lane
For those who might not be as familiar, Lightning Lane is Disney’s paid system that allows you to skip the regular standby lines for select attractions. Instead of waiting 45 minutes, an hour, or sometimes longer, you can reserve a return time and enter through a much shorter line. And as a mom with two kids under the age of four, that is everything.
Even a 20-minute wait can feel like an eternity with little ones. Kids get bored quickly. They’re tired, they’re hot, they’re overstimulated, and suddenly that “short” line turns into a meltdown waiting to happen. Lightning Lane helps us avoid that spiral. It keeps the day moving, keeps the energy up, and honestly, keeps everyone happier.
Slinky Dog Dash Lightning Lane
It also gives me a sense of control in what can otherwise feel like a chaotic day. I can plan around our Lightning Lane return times, build in snack breaks, and make sure we’re not spending the majority of our trip just standing in lines. That alone makes it worth it for me. Now, I won’t pretend there aren’t downsides, because there absolutely are. The biggest one? Kids don’t care about your carefully planned schedule.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Lightning Lane
You might have the perfect Lightning Lane time booked, but when that window rolls around, your toddler might need a nap. Or it’s suddenly lunchtime. Or they’re just done. Completely overwhelmed. Not in the mood. Not interested in riding anything. And when that happens, it can feel frustrating to “waste” something you paid for. That’s why I’ve had to learn balance.
As much as I love the convenience of Lightning Lane, I also try to set realistic expectations for our days in the parks. I usually go in with a short list, maybe three must-do attractions, and anything beyond that is a bonus. Flexibility is key when you’re traveling with little kids, and no amount of planning can override their needs in the moment.
Lightning Lane
There’s also no denying that Lightning Lane can get expensive, especially for a family. It adds up quickly. But for us, it’s a priority, so we budget for it ahead of time. I’d rather allocate money toward making our days easier and more enjoyable than risk spending a big portion of our trip dealing with long lines and cranky kids.
Haunted Mansion Lightning Lane
At the end of the day, Lightning Lane isn’t about doing more; instead, it’s about enjoying what we do get to experience. It helps us stay present, avoid unnecessary stress, and actually soak in the magic with our kids instead of constantly managing the next meltdown. So no, you probably won’t catch me skipping Lightning Lane anytime soon. For this Disney mom, the convenience, flexibility, and sanity it brings are well worth the cost, even if it doesn’t always go perfectly.
If you’re planning your own Disney trip, be sure to follow us at Disney Food Blog for more tips and tricks to help you make the most of your time in the parks.
Everything You Need to Know About Lightning Lanes in Disney World
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Do you think Lightning Lane is worth it for your Disney trip? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
I am NOT a fan of paying extra for a shorter line. Makes no sense to me. Why not just go off season when the lines are short? Our parks of expertise are in California. My kids and grandkids grew up going to DL & CA, Legoland and the safari park but there was no youtube back then to share our tips and tricks. Plus part of the fun is waiting in lines – not long lines, we tried to keep it at 30 minutes or less, and meeting all those new people. The kids and grandkids didn’t complain because we made it fun. It was part of the experience to experience EVERYTHING. Plus, they knew if they did whine or complain, they would stay home the next tine we went. You’re not doing your kids any favors if you don’t teach them patience – it’s a virtue, I’ve heard. You have actually trained your kids to make a fuss because they know if they do, you will accommodate them by buying the shorter line. Who’s in charge now? Not the parent. Plus, you can’t just stroll around the parks and go to rides and shows as you come to them. You have to zig zag all over the place so you don’t miss your next appointment. How much time and energy is wasted by doing that? We had the fastpass era and it was great. Most of us would go get in line for a ride at early entry and one person would take all the tickets and go get fast passes for another ride – and it was free. If we played our cards right we could get fast passes for all the big rides and still not have to do any zig zagging cuz we were just getting it for the next ride in our loop. On a few trips we had magic fast passes – kinda like the premium lightning lane pass but still free. The magic fastpasses were good for any ride that had a fastpass lane at any time. And they didn’t have an expiration date. One trip it was just my husband and I so we did one of the tours at Disneyland – cuz why not? And we never had before. We actually had to wait in the standby line at PotC and I asked the guy why cuz at US you get to go thru the exit when you do rides on the tours. So he says that’s just how they do it and I said, not us, whipped out the magic fastpasses for our entire group told everyone to follow me up the fastpass lane and we got our own boat cuz – private tour. It was great! Also the tour guides at Disneyland, at least this one, didn’t know half the stuff about the park that we did. He was actually taking notes. One last thing, all of our Disneyland trips since 2001 were completely free except for transportation to the hotel. I got the Disney visa as soon as it came out and we used it for everything and paid it off every month. Those points racked up pretty fast.