As a seasoned Disneyland enthusiast who’s traversed the magical realms of the resort multiple times, I must say that the Lightning Lane Multi-Pass is not just a ticket, but a lifesaver! My recent adventure, accompanied by my adorable toddler and my older daughter, saw us conquer more attractions than I care to count. It was like being on a rollercoaster of fun, minus the nausea!
Being a regular guest at amusement parks and an in-house theme park aficionado for TopMob, I find myself spending substantial time and resources within these entertainment hubs. Theme parks are undeniably pricey, yet I’m generally content to part with my funds as long as the experience offers something unique that can’t be replicated elsewhere. Delicacies exclusive to Disneyland, for instance, make the expense worthwhile. However, when it comes to theme parks charging additional fees for privileges like bypassing lines, I tend to have reservations.
In most amusement parks, there’s an option to bypass lines, but it comes at a cost. Disneyland and Walt Disney World were among the latter adopters of this paid service. While it’s frustrating to pay for something that was previously free, one must wonder if the extra expense is justified. Does the service deliver on its promise? Having just returned from a Disneyland trip where I used the Lightning Lane Multi-Pass for two adults and a child (accompanied by a toddler), I can now provide an answer.
The Short Answer
Opting for the Lightning Lane Multi-Pass at approximately $30 per person daily could mean the extra expense of another park ticket for a family. But remember, the essence of this product lies in its ability to deliver on its promises. If your aim is to enjoy an extensive lineup of top Disneyland rides within a single day, then the Lightning Lane is undeniably the optimal choice.
The Long Answer
Of course, there’s a bit more to it than that. Simply spending the money doesn’t automatically make all your problems regarding lines go away. Depending on how you approach attractions at all, Lightning Lane may not make all the sense in the world. Here’s how it all works.
As A Tool To Get On The Most Rides, Lightning Lane Multi-Pass Works
At Walt Disney World in Orlando, visitors can reserve up to three Lightning Lane Multi-Passes a few days prior to their arrival. Contrastingly, at Disneyland, all Lightning Lane arrangements are made on the day of your visit. You won’t be able to book anything until you physically enter the parks by passing through the turnstiles with your phone.
From 7:00 am, approximately one hour before the park officially begins operations, if you’re already within the entrance gate prior to ‘rope drop’, you can reserve your first Lightning Lane pass. During our two-day visit, we didn’t enter the parks exactly at 7:00 am, but we arrived early enough for rope drop and were able to secure a Lightning Lane pass for various attractions quite early. For instance, we snagged a Lightning Lane for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad shortly after the park opened, then rushed over to Rise of the Resistance when rope drop occurred. Since this attraction involves an extra fee to bypass the line, we opted not to spend money on it in our case.
As a seasoned Disney park-goer with years of experience under my belt, I must say that this plan would have been flawless, had it not been for the unfortunate incident where BTMRR malfunctioned right before our designated time. However, the magic of Disney never ceases to amaze me! They provided us with a Multiple Experiences Lightning Lane pass, which granted us expedited access to most Lightning Lane Multi-Pass attractions straight away. We seized the moment and hopped on Pirates of the Caribbean while booking another reservation for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway an hour later. The spontaneity and smooth transitions in the park are truly enchanting, making every Disney visit unforgettable!
Booking reservations for shorter waits is more convenient during the morning hours. Famous attractions might lead to the next available time slot for the Lightning Lane being several hours ahead, but you don’t need to spend that extra time waiting. You can reserve new Lightning Lanes once your previous one has been used or two hours after your last booking, whichever comes first.
Due to our strategic planning, we managed to enjoy over ten rides at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure daily, which also included a table service meal, watching all three nighttime shows, the Magic Happens parade, and various line-free activities like Deadpool’s Storytime. Our toddler required rider swap with my wife, allowing our older daughter to experience more than 30 attractions in two days, sometimes even twice – once with each parent. We didn’t extend our day until the park closed on either occasion.
For numerous individuals embarking on an unforgettable trip to Disneyland Resort, their aim is often to experience as much as they can. In this pursuit, the Multi-Pass Lightning Lane proved incredibly useful. On a bustling summer day, it allowed us to enjoy many more rides than we likely would have without it.
You Have To Be Vigilant On The App
As a dedicated gamer, I can’t stress enough the importance of being prepared. Carry an extra battery pack for your phone since you’ll undoubtedly be using it extensively throughout the day. Once you pass through the gates, make sure to swiftly claim a spot on the first Lightning Lane. After utilizing one, keep an eye out for the next one – the thrill of the game never stops!
If you reserve a Lightning Lane for a time slot more than two hours ahead, remember to recheck the app exactly two hours later to secure the next available entry. This could lead to periods where you’re not on many rides, which is fine if it means taking a break or having lunch, but keep in mind that you might need to use several Lightning Lanes throughout the day as a result.
It might be fun to occasionally open the app as well. If someone cancels their Lightning Lane reservation, it gets returned to the pool and becomes accessible to everyone again. So, if you’re checking at the right moment, you could grab an earlier time slot for a busy attraction that wasn’t available before.
If you’re just using the app for its main features and don’t explore other options, you might find what you’re looking for, but you may feel that your investment didn’t provide a complete experience.
Don’t Forget To Use The PhotoPass
Using Lightning Lane Multi-Pass isn’t just about bypassing queues; it offers additional perks as well. One such benefit is access to PhotoPass at Disneyland. This service allows any photographers stationed around the parks to capture memories of you and your family, including unique Magic Shots featuring Disney characters and other special effects. You can then download digital copies of these photos to keep forever.
For numerous individuals, the primary reason to invest in the Lightning Lane Multi-Pass could be its greatest advantage. If you or your loved ones prefer waiting in lines to take a photo with a character rather than enjoying a ride, then the Lightning Lane won’t eliminate the queue, but it will provide you with the photo at no extra charge instead.
Revisiting the magic of Disneyland Resort in person is truly unique, yet capturing moments with photographs to reminisce upon later adds immeasurable value to the experience. You can effortlessly accumulate around $30 worth of images throughout a single day if desired.
If you’ve explored Disneyland so much that every ride is familiar and photo-taking isn’t essential for you, then purchasing the Lightning Lane Multi-Pass might not be necessary due to its cost. On the other hand, if you desire an uninterrupted experience of numerous rides, you’ll likely need to invest in it. For the enjoyment of the rides and the memories captured through photos, this investment will enhance your Disneyland adventure, making your vacation more enjoyable and memorable overall.
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2024-08-22 01:07