Lightning Lane MultiPass (LL) at Disneyland (DL) /Disney’s California Adventure (DCA) in Anaheim works a bit differently than at Walt Disney World theme parks.
Lightning Lane at Disneyland
The function is basically the same – you pay for the service to get a return time window to use the short line for those rides that offer it.
There is no tier system for LL rides at Disneyland. There is no limit on how many LL you can schedule, but you can only schedule each ride once/day.
If you have a hopper, you can schedule in the other park if the return time is after hopping starts (currently 11:00). Lightning Lane at Disneyland includes all park photos from photographers and rides.
Lightning Lane Tickets at Disneyland
For Disneyland, you can purchase Lightning with your ticket (includes LL for each day). If you choose not to purchase with your ticket, then you must wait until your ticket is scanned into the park and purchase for that day only.
Magic Key holders must purchase after scanning into the park for the day. I am a Magic Key holder, but if I buy tickets for someone going with me, I normally get LL with them. I find that Lightning Lane saves a lot of time, and avoids potential price increases.
You cannot schedule Lightning Lane rides until your ticket has been scanned into the park for the day. You can schedule another one when you check in for that ride, or 2 hours, whichever is first.
I have heard of people who reschedule their current LL on a regular basis (to current return time), but this doesn’t affect the original time you are allowed to make another selection. This sort of stacks them up so you can get all the rides in an area at times that are closer together. I don’t do this, so I cannot verify it actually works.
You can find which rides use Lightning Lane and their return times on the app. From the 3 bars on the lower right, tab on Today’s Plans, then Tip Board. Under Attractions and Shows, there is a button to show LL rides only. I generally watch this randomly a few weeks before a trip to see trends so I can make a plan.
Implications for Scooter or Wheelchair Users
If you use a scooter/wheelchair, you can benefit from Lightning Lane. For LL rides where the line is not ADA compliant, they normally give you a return time to use the alternate entrance (current wait time minus 10 minutes).
However, if you have LL for that ride, they bypass the return time and let you right in. This can save time since you can only have 1 return time at a time.
I believe this currently applies to Big Thunder, Pirates, Space Mountain, and Indiana Jones. For all you Walt Disney World folks, Indiana Jones at Disneyland is a ride, not a show. I am not sure about Tiana’s, as the ride was down last time I was there.
Individual Lightning Lane Attractions
In addition to LL, Disneyland currently has 2 rides which offer Individual Lightning Lane (ILL). Rise of the Resistance in Disneyland theme park and Radiator Springs Racers in Disney’s California Adventure theme park. Price varies by day.
Regardless of your choice on whether or not to get Lightning Lane, I hope you have a great time!
Editor’s Note: If you are currious what it is like over at Walt Disney World to use Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass , here are two options for you:
First, here is a link to the article titled Surprising Results for Seniors! Lightning Lane at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Second, here is the link to the video showing seniors’ experience with Lightning Lane at EPCOT!
