Disneyland Lightning Lanes: Everything You Need to Know

Updated November 24, 2025

Lightning Lanes can feel confusing at first, but once you understand how they work, they make your Disneyland day so much easier. This guide walks you through what Lightning Lanes are, how they work, what they cost and when to buy them, and the difference between Multi Pass, Single Pass, and the Premier Pass.

What Is a Lightning Lane?

A Lightning Lane is a separate entrance for an attraction. It is different from the regular standby line and usually has a much shorter wait. If you visited in the past, it is the same entrance that used to be the FASTPASS return line. Not every ride has a Lightning Lane, but for the ones that do, the shorter wait can save you a lot of time.

Lightning Lane Multi Pass Overview

Lightning Lane Multi Pass is a paid service that lets you enter the Lightning Lane at participating attractions once per ride per day. It is completely optional. Every ride still offers a regular standby queue and some offer a Single Rider line at no extra charge. When you buy Multi Pass for the day, all of your PhotoPass photos are included too.

The price starts at thirty four dollars per person per day. The cost will vary based on date, and can be higher if you wait to purchase until the day of your visit. Children under age three do not need Multi Pass to ride with their group.

New for 2026: Staying On-Property Guest Bonus

Beginning January 5, 2026, Disneyland Resort hotel guests receive one bonus Lightning Lane Multi Pass per person per stay. This is extra and does not replace the option to purchase Multi Pass for your length of stay.

Start by hitting Select Attraction on your home page.

Scroll through the available rides and select the attraction you want to book a Lightning Lane pass for.

Click Continue to Confirm

This green bar will tell you when you can book your next Lightning Lane.

Select the people who you are booking the pass for. You can also hit “select all”

Review your Lightning Lane plans under “My Day”

You can modify & cancel them from here!


How and When to Purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass

You can purchase Multi Pass ahead of your trip when you book your trip with Travel Grown. This guarantees the lowest price. Your Multi Pass will be active for every day of your visit.

If you want to use it only on certain days, you can add it one day at a time inside the Disneyland app after you have entered the park. Same day pricing varies.

You can buy Multi Pass in the Disneyland app under Lightning Lane Passes, the Tip Board, or the My Day section. Look for the green LL symbol and follow the prompts. Make sure your entire party is linked in the app.

Scan Into the Park Before Booking Rides

You must enter a theme park to activate Lightning Lane Multi Pass for the day. After that, you may leave and continue making Lightning Lane selections from your hotel, a restaurant or Downtown Disney. Everyone who wants to ride must have scanned into the park before they can be added to a selection.

How Lightning Lane Multi Pass Works

Once you are in the park, you can book your first Lightning Lane through the Tip Board in the Disneyland app. You can only book each ride once per day. If you have a Park Hopper ticket, you can book Lightning Lanes in either park. You will only be able to select an attraction in the second park once its return time is at or after eleven in the morning.

After you scan in at the Lightning Lane entrance, you can make your next selection immediately. I always recommend booking your next Lightning Lane while you are still in the line waiting for your ride!

Lightning Lane Single Pass

Single Pass attractions are not included in Multi Pass. These are pay per ride Lightning Lanes that you can purchase once per day for these high demand attractions.

Disneyland Park

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Disney California Adventure

Radiator Springs Racers

Prices vary depending on the day and expected crowds. Rise of the Resistance usually ranges from fifteen to thirty five dollars per person. Radiator Springs Racers usually ranges from seventeen to twenty five dollars per person. You will see the price before purchasing.

You do not need Multi Pass to buy a Single Pass attraction. You can choose one or the other, or both.

Lightning Lane Premier Pass

Lightning Lane Premier Pass includes all Multi Pass rides and all Single Pass attractions for both parks. You do not schedule return times with this option. You get one automatic entry per ride per day.

Prices range from three hundred to four hundred forty nine dollars per person depending on the day. Sales are limited and can be purchased up to seven days in advance at seven in the morning Pacific Time. Anyone can buy it. You will need a valid ticket and a Park Hopper if you want to use the Lightning Lanes in both parks.

Do Lightning Lanes Sell Out?

They can. The most popular rides may run out of Lightning Lane return times later in the day. For example, Indiana Jones Adventure, Space Mountain, Toy Story Midway Mania and Guardians of the Galaxy frequently run out of Lightning Lane availability. Keep checking and refreshing throughout the day. Sometimes more times appear because of cancellations.

Park Hopping with Lightning Lanes

If you plan to park hop, start watching the Tip Board for return times in the second park. Once a ride shows a return time of eleven or later, you can reserve it even though you are still in the first park. Booking before you park hop can save you a lot of time once you switch parks.

You can use your phone instead of a MagicBand to scan into your Lightning Lanes.

Just open up the lightning lane in your app and click redeem. Then, stick your phone in the scanner slot. You can keep swiping to scan for each person in your group.

FAQs

  • No. Every attraction offers a standby line at no extra cost. Lightning Lanes are optional.

  • Buy it in advance with your ticket (ask your Travel Grown planner) or purchase day by day once you enter the park.

  • Yes, they can tag along on the ride for free. Kids under 3 do not need to purchase Lightning Lane to ride with their party.

  • Only if you have scanned into a park first. After that, you can book from anywhere.

  • Multi Pass covers a group of attractions you can book return times for. Single Pass is a pay-per-ride option for the most popular attractions.

  • Premier Pass includes all Multi Pass and Single Pass attractions with no scheduling required. It is the highest tier option.

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