Disney’s Lightning Lane Multi Pass vs. Single Pass

Disney's Lightning Lane Pass program offers two types of passes: the Lightning Lane Multi Pass and the Lightning Lane Single Pass. These passes help maximize your visit to Disneyland or Disney World.

Lightning Lanes are an expedited queue service available for most rides at Disney theme parks. The Multi Pass offers a longer list of attractions and experiences that you can select throughout your day, but the Single Pass unlocks each park’s most sought-after experiences one time.

Both passes allow guests to use shorter Lightning Lanes instead of an attraction’s conventional standby lines, which tend to have longer wait times. The biggest difference between the Lightning Lane Multi Pass versus the Lightning Lane Single Pass is the attractions and experiences each one grants access to. There are no overlapping attractions offered by both passes.

Instead, the Multi Pass unlocks Lightning Lanes to several theme park attractions at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, while the Single Pass applies to Lightning Lane access only to each park’s most coveted — and busiest — attractions, like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney “East” and “West” locations and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at the Magic Kingdom.

Guests with a Multi Pass also get the added benefit of digital downloads of Disney’s PhotoPass Service and PhotoPass Lenses throughout the parks.

Another major distinction is that the Lightning Lane Single Pass is a one-use pass for one top attraction at one theme park. Once you’ve redeemed your Lightning Lane Single Pass experience, you can’t re-ride the attraction or select a different attraction.

» Learn more: How to plan a trip to Walt Disney World

Lightning Lane Multi Pass replaces the former Genie+ program. It's a paid service that starts at $32, but the cost varies depending on the park you visit and when. Additionally, the cost applies per ticket, per day, so each guest in your party must have their own Multi Pass to join you in the Lightning Lane.

Unlike its predecessor, Genie+, a Lightning Lane Multi Pass can be purchased before you arrive at the park. However, you must have a valid admission ticket and park reservation for the same day as the Multi Pass.

Guests who are staying at an eligible resort hotel can purchase Lightning Passes as early as seven days before their stay. Everyone else, including annual passholders, can purchase their pass three days ahead of their visit.

You can also purchase a Lightning Lane Multi Pass via the My Disney Experience app after entering the park, but keep in mind that availability is limited.

Multi Pass Experience Selections

Once you've paid for the Multi Pass, the app will prompt you to select up to three Multi Pass attractions or experiences within the same park and to pick your desired arrival window.

After redeeming a Lightning Lane experience — or after two hours have passed since making your selection — you can choose another attraction or experience that’s Multi Pass eligible. Throughout the day, you can make one Lightning Lane Multi Pass selection at a time.

The Lightning Lane Multi Pass offers flexibility whether you or your party want to change plans for the day or have different tastes in experiences. If you change your mind after selecting an experience and arrival window, just modify your selection through the Tip Board using the app.

After making the first selection for the same Multi Pass experience with your group, different members of your party can enjoy different Lightning Lane Multi Pass experiences. For example, if only one parent wants to chaperone their child on Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway while the other parent rides on Star Tours, you can make those selections via the Tip Board.

» Learn more: The best Disney resort for adults

The Lightning Lane Single Pass replaces the former individual Lightning Lane access. With a Lightning Lane Single Pass, you can pick one of the popular attractions or experiences that aren’t included under the Multi Pass. For this reason, some guests choose to purchase access to Multi Pass and Single Pass Lightning Lanes.

Getting a Lightning Lane Single Pass

Pricing for a Single Pass varies based on the Lightning Lane experience and the date of your visit. To see how much it costs on the day of, view prices on the My Disney Experience app.

You can buy Lightning Lane Single Passes in advance of your arrival to the park, which follows the same purchase timelines as the Multi Pass. Passes can be purchased seven days in advance for guests staying at an eligible resort hotel and three days ahead for non-hotel visitors.

You also have the option of buying a pass upon entering the park, though passes are limited and can run out throughout the day, especially if a ride is very popular.

Additionally, each guest is limited to buying a maximum of two Single Passes for different attractions per day. This means that even if you love TRON Lightcycle/Run, you can’t access it more than once on the same day using Single Pass Lightning Lane access.

Note that you don't need to purchase a Lightning Lane Multi Pass to buy a Lightning Lane Single Pass. These two services are entirely separate.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

If your budget allows for the extra convenience, Lightning Lane passes let you plan for an efficient and magical day by skipping the standby line for some attractions. However, there are downsides to consider before spending the extra money on this convenience.

The cost can be prohibitive on top of the already high price associated with a park visit, and to access all Lightning Lane entrances you’ll need to purchase multiple passes.

Disney also doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get on your favorite attractions. For example, if Indiana Jones Adventure experiences an all-day closure during your visit, you’re out of luck.