Walt Disney World's new Lightning Lane options move quickly: Tips and timing as system debuts

Lightning Lane struck Walt Disney World this week – and it looks like park goers are off in a flash to skip the standby queue and jump in a faster line.

The Lightning Lane system, with paid Multi Pass and Single Pass options for select attractions and entertainment, debuted Wednesday at 7 a.m. and replaces the former Genie+ planner. If availability (or lack of) and the busy Lightning Lanes at Epcot and Magic Kingdom by mid-day are any indication, the concept is already popular.

For example, just after 7 a.m. the first day, Single Passes for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom were still up for grabs. By between noon and 1 p.m., the most sought-after attractions were long gone for those choosing Multi Pass and Single Pass options.

Here's what you need to know before you go, and a few tips on making the most of the system.

Where do I buy the Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass?

Before you can purchase a Lightning Lane pass, you'll need to download the latest version of the My Disney Experience app. It's a great day planner all around, with everything from Lightning Lane options to wait times across the parks to logging parking spot locations. You can also reserve dining and hotels and pay for merchandise in select stores on the app.

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How do I use Lightning Lane to choose parks and rides?

First, choose the Lightning Lane option on the app; then, your date and desired park.

After making selections, for either Multi Pass or Single Pass, you'll click on the names of everyone in your group who'll want to share that ride or experience and hit "Select All." (They'll all have to have eligible tickets or passes.). Then you'll look over selections, pay and get a confirmation.

Guests can make up to three advance Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections for each day of their trip. Once they arrive at the park and complete the first experience, additional experiences can be made on the Tip Board, pending availability. If you have Park Hopper, you can make those subsequent selections for a park other than your first stop. Lightning Lane Single Passes remain limited to two per day.

All your choices will be saved in the app's "My Day" feature. And modifying plans can easily be done in the app, too.

Know that the most in-demand attractions, like TRON Lightcycle/Run, aren't included as Multi Pass selections. The app details Lightning Lane options at each park.

Does the Lightning Lane mean I won't wait long in line?

Well, that's subjective: How long is long to you? You're not skipping the line completely; you're just skipping the longest lines. And the wait depends on the whims of others, too. At around 1 p.m. on the first day of the new system, for example, there was a 55-minute wait and hundreds in the snaking standby line at Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom. The Lightning Lane had a line, too, 75 to 100 people, but guests moved through it much more quickly.

When can I make my Lightning Lane reservations?

That depends on what type of ticket/trip you're talking about. Guests can start purchasing passes for days they have valid admission starting at 7 a.m. on their first day of eligibility.

But that eligibility varies.

Guests at Disney resorts and select hotels (the list is on the app): Seven days before first day of stay, up to 14 days.

Those with date-based tickets: Three days before the first day of the ticket, for all admission days of the ticket.

Annual passholders and guests with other ticket types: Three days before park visit.

And a word of advice: Even though you can book in advance, there'll still be those spur-of-the-moment trips for people like passholders who decide upon waking to head for the parks. If that's the case, get at Lightning Lane early.

How expensive is the new Lightning Lane experience?

For Multi Pass, it will vary according to theme park and date; for Single Pass, by attraction and date. Expect the cost to be higher during peak park season.

Here's pricing from the Lightning Lane system as of Wednesday. You'll always be able to find the cost for passes prior to purchase.

Magic Kingdom: Multi-Pass, $29 per person; single pass for TRON Lightcycle/Run, $20; for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, $12.

Epcot: Multi-Pass, $21; single pass for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, $17.

Hollywood Studios: $26 for Multi-Pass; single pass for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, $25.

Animal Kingdom: $18 for Multi-Pass; $16 for a single pass for Flight of Passage.

A sample plan: By just after noon on the first day, that $18 Multi Pass for two people, $36 total, at Animal Kingdom could snag rides on Dinosaur, Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safari, at, respectively, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.; 2:10 to 3:10 p.m.; and 4:25 to 5:25 p.m.

Good to remember: No refunds on Lightning Lane passes, and they can't be transferred to other guests.

Are Multi Pass and Single Pass worth the money?

If you can afford the added cost, definitely. It's nice not only for the time it saves, especially on icky, sticky days in the heart of summer, but also for the ability to optimize your visit, especially if you're going to just one park. During traditional family getaway times, like the holidays, summer vacations and school breaks, expect it to be packed and book early. Remember: It's Disney World, after all. There's always some kind of line.

Is Lightning Lane a good option for a 1-day visit?

Yes, but a warning again about jumping on what you want to reserve: If you know for sure which park you'll be going to, spring for those passes early. By noon on the first day of Lightning Lane, all the "big" wants were "currently unavailable": Tron at Magic Kingdom; Guardians of the Galaxy at Epcot; Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom; and Rise of the Resistance at Hollywood Studios. They were still unavailable hours later.

Why did Disney drop the Genie+ system for Lightning Lane?

The Genie system was introduced in 2021 as in-park planning tool and attraction reservation system. Then came Genie+, which, unlike the free FastPasses guests had used for years, allowed reservations for attractions at a cost.

Lightning Lane, officials announced in June, "features from our current services and the previously offered FastPass+ service, giving guests the choice to plan ahead and removing the hassle of planning during their vacation."

Britt Kennerly is education/breaking news editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Kennerly at 321-917-4744 or bkennerly@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @bybrittkennerly Facebook: /bybrittkennerly

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Disney World's new Lightning Lane: How Genie+ replacement worked