Unlocking Disney World's New Lightning Lane System: Complete Guide to Ride Tiers and Attractions

The New Lightning Lane System: A Game-Changer for Disney World

First things first, let's talk about what the new Lightning Lane system actually is. Imagine it as your golden ticket to shorter wait times and a more streamlined Disney experience. Launched on July 24, 2024, this system replaces the old Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane options. It's Disney's way of helping you make the most of your magical day!The new system consists of two main components:

1. Lightning Lane Multi Pass

2. Lightning Lane Single Pass

But here's where it gets really interesting - Disney has introduced a tiered system for attractions in three of its four parks. Let's break it down, shall we?

Tiered Attractions: The Inside Scoop

Magic Kingdom: Where Dreams Come True (Faster!)

Magic Kingdom, the heart of Disney World, now has two tiers of attractions for the Lightning Lane Multi Pass. Here's how it shakes out:

Tier 1 (The Crème de la Crème):

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Yeehaw!)

• Jungle Cruise (Watch out for those hippos!)

• Peter Pan's Flight (Off to Neverland!)

• Space Mountain (To infinity and beyond... oh wait, wrong ride)

• Tiana's Bayou Adventure (The newest addition to the family)

Tier 2:

• The Barnstormer

• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin

• Dumbo the Flying Elephant

• Haunted Mansion

• "it's a small world"

• Mad Tea Party

• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

• Mickey's PhilharMagic

• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor

• Pirates of the Caribbean

• Tomorrowland Speedway

• Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid

Remember, you can choose one Tier 1 attraction and two Tier 2 attractions (or all three from Tier 2) for your advance selections.

EPCOT: Around the World in 80... Minutes?

EPCOT, our window to the world (and beyond), also sports a two-tier system:

Tier 1:

• Frozen Ever After (Let it go... to the front of the line!)

• Remy's Ratatouille Adventure (Bon appétit!)

• Soarin' Around the World (Fasten your seatbelts!)

Tier 2:

• Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival

• Journey into Imagination with Figment

• Living with the Land

• Mission: SPACE

• Spaceship Earth

• Test Track

• The Seas with Nemo & Friends

• Turtle Talk with Crush

Again, you can choose one from Tier 1 and two from Tier 2, or all three from Tier 2.

Hollywood Studios: Lights, Camera, Action!

At Hollywood Studios, where movie magic comes to life, the tiers look like this:

Tier 1:

• Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway (All aboard the cartoon world!)

• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (Punch it, Chewie!)

• Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (Walk this way... to the front!)

• Slinky Dog Dash (The stretchiest, springiest coaster in town)

Tier 2:

• Alien Swirling Saucers

• Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage

• Disney Junior Dance Party!

• For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!

• Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy

• Muppet*Vision 3D

• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

• Toy Story Mania!

Animal Kingdom: Where Every Animal is Equal

Interestingly, Animal Kingdom doesn't use the tier system. Here, all Lightning Lane Multi Pass attractions are created equal. You can choose any three from a list including:

• DINOSAUR

• Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

• Feathered Friends in Flight!

• Festival of the Lion King

• Finding Nemo: The Big Blue... and Beyond!

• It's Tough to Be a Bug!

• Kali River Rapids

• Kilimanjaro Safaris

• Na'vi River Journey

Lightning Lane Single Pass: The VIP Experience

Now, let's talk about the Lightning Lane Single Pass. This is for those must-do, ultra-popular attractions that aren't included in the Multi Pass. These are typically the newest or most in-demand rides in each park. While Disney hasn't officially confirmed the full list, based on the previous system, we can expect attractions like:

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (Magic Kingdom)

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (EPCOT)

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Hollywood Studios)

• Avatar Flight of Passage (Animal Kingdom)

Remember, you can purchase up to two Single Passes per day, so choose wisely!

Strategizing Your Disney Day

With the new Lightning Lane system, here are some tips to maximize your Disney experience:

1. Plan Ahead: If you're staying at a Disney resort, you can book your Lightning Lanes up to 7 days in advance. Other guests can book 3 days ahead. Use this to your advantage!

2. Mix and Match: When making your three advance selections with Multi Pass, try to choose one from Tier 1 and two from Tier 2. This way, you're guaranteed at least one high-demand attraction.

3. Keep Refreshing: After you use your first Lightning Lane of the day, keep checking the app. You might snag some great last-minute options!

4. Consider Single Pass: For those must-do attractions not included in Multi Pass, weigh the benefits of purchasing a Single Pass. It could save you hours of waiting!

5. Be Flexible: Remember, plans can change. The new system allows for modifications, so don't be afraid to switch things up if better options become available.

The new Lightning Lane system at Disney World is all about giving you more control over your day. It's a tool to help you experience more magic with less waiting. While it might seem complicated at first, once you get the hang of it, you'll be navigating the parks like a pro!So, are you excited to try out the new Lightning Lane system on your next Disney World adventure? Remember, a little planning goes a long way in making your Disney dreams come true. See you in the parks, and may your wait times be short and your Disney days long!

PS. If you need any help planning your next Disney vacation, we have Disney Certified Vacation Planners standing by ready to help for FREE!