Disney Imagination Campus Blog

How to Purchase Lightning Lane Passes for Your Youth Group

July 25, 2024

As educators and youth group leaders, planning a field trip to Walt Disney World Resort with a group of students is an exciting, but complex task. With Lightning Lane passes, the planning process has evolved, offering both exciting opportunities and unique considerations for group organizers. In this guide, we'll walk you through what you need to know if you are considering using Lightning Lane passes during your youth group visit.

What are Lightning Lane Passes?

With Lightning Lane passes, your group can skip the standby line and join a shorter line for select attractions and experiences instead. Guests can purchase a Lightning Lane Multi Pass and/or Lightning Lane Single Pass (up to 2 per day) for their theme park visit.

What is a Lightning Lane Multi Pass?

Lightning Lane Multi Pass lets Guests choose up to 3 multi pass experiences and arrival windows in a theme park, in advance of their visit. On the day of their visit, once they use a selection, they can check the My Disney Experience app for availability to make an additional selection.

What is Lightning Lane Single Pass?

Lightning Lane Single pass allows Guests to save time in line for one of our most in-demand attractions. Guests may purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass for specific attractions that aren’t offered through Lightning Lane Multi Pass. Guests can purchase Lightning Lane Single Passes for up to 2 attractions per day.

Here are some of the important things your group should keep in mind if you are interested in purchasing Lightning Lane entry during your visit:

1. Guests Must Be 18 or Older to Purchase and Make Selections Using Lightning Lane Passes

Make sure to keep in mind that there are legal age restrictions in place for your student’s safety. Guests must be 18 or older to purchase Lightning Lane passes using the My Disney Experience app. They must also be 18 years or older to make selections. Youth aged 13 and older may have their own My Disney Experience accounts, but only those 18 and above can purchase Lightning Lane passes.

2. Divide Your Larger Group into Pods – No More Than 10 Per Group

To maintain an organized and enjoyable experience, keep in mind that each My Disney Experience account should hold no more than about 10 persons or accounts per group when making Lightning Lane selections.

Consider dividing your larger student group into smaller pods or families. Then, assign one chaperone to manage 6-9 students, allowing for efficient communication and coordination. These smaller groups don't have to stay together throughout the park day, nor do they have to make the same Lightning Lane selections. However, the chaperone in charge of the group will need to choose any Lightning Lane selections for the students in their pod. If purchasing for multiple people at the same time, the Lightning Lane selections would all need to be the same for everyone to complete the purchase. After purchasing, you can go back and modify selection to make changes for an individual.

3. Prepare and Purchase in Advance

Maximize your experience by starting prework ahead of time. Students 13 years or older may create My Disney Experience accounts, connect their accounts to the purchasing adult’s My Disney Experience account, and link their tickets to their own account before the trip. If using Park Reservation Assistance, please do not link tickets until you receive your Park Reservation confirmation email.

Lightning Lane passes may be purchased ahead of your visit to Walt Disney World Resort. Student groups utilizing Disney Imagination Campus Student Tickets and who are Guests of Disney Resort hotels and other select hotels may purchase Lightning Lane passes up to 7 days in advance of their stay, starting at 7:00AM EST. Groups utilizing Disney Imagination Campus Student Tickets without a Disney Resort hotel reservation may purchase Lightning Lane passes up to 3 days before their park visit starting at 7:00AM EST.

Reminder: Guests must be 18 years of age or older to link a room reservation and purchase Lightning Lane passes using the My Disney Experience app.

4. Visit the Guest Experience Team for Assistance

In advance of your trip, please reach out to your Disney Imagination Campus Sales Representative or Travel Planner for additional steps and details. For any questions or concerns during your visit, the Guest Experience Team at the Disney theme parks is your go-to resource. Whether it's technical assistance or clarification on Lightning Lane passes, our Cast Members are here to help, ensuring a stress-free experience for both teachers and students.

Connect with us to learn more about specially priced Disney Student Tickets to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida or Disneyland Resort in California. Speak with a Cast Member and start planning today!