The usage of Disneyland’s Lightning Lane Multi-Move line-skipping carrier, we used a mixture of experience reservations and standby to do 32 points of interest in someday. This put up walks you via our step by step day in each Disneyland and Disney California Journey with screenshots, go back instances, pointers & methods, and ideas on the finish about whether or not it’s definitely worth the cash. (Up to date June 18, 2025.)
It was once an extended day from rope drop till park final, so we’ll reduce to the chase and skip the fundamentals. You probably have questions concerning the fundamentals of the usage of Lightning Lanes at Disneyland or how this overly sophisticated machine works, see our Information to Lightning Lanes at Disneyland & DCA. There are two choices: Lightning Lane Multi Move (LLMP) and Lightning Lane Unmarried Move (LLSP). This covers the previous, because the latter handiest applies to two rides (Radiator Springs Racers and Superstar Wars: Upward thrust of the Resistance).
Something to notice is that the title modified from Genie+ to Lightning Lane Multi-Move at Disneyland. In contrast to at Walt Disney Global, there have been no substantive adjustments to the machine. It’s actually only a title alternate–that’s it. So in case you used Genie+ earlier than and are puzzled about how Lightning Lane Multi-Move may paintings otherwise, the solution is: it doesn’t. You already know the way to make use of the “new” line-skipping machine!
Whilst this put up covers our enjoy one particular Saturday at Disneyland and DCA with Lightning Lanes on 7/10 crowd stage day. We in reality tried this check on a number of earlier day, however crowd ranges have been just too low and we had a troublesome time stress-testing itineraries in consequence. Certainly one of our objectives with those Lightning Lane Multi-Move assets is replicability–it’s a laugh for us so as to accomplish so much, however pointless for making plans if you’ll’t reproduce our effects.
Disneyland crowds have a tendency to be extra laid again than Walt Disney Global, because of this the usage of Lightning Lane Multi-Move is likewise more straightforward within the California parks. It additionally is helping that Disneyland has a a lot more tough experience roster than Walt Disney Global, so there are extra points of interest to lend a hand soak up crowds, each with and with out Lightning Lanes.
Anyway, the purpose is that nowadays isn’t the byproduct of moderately opting for the most productive day to consult with, tweaking our technique to perfection, or racing round with no need a laugh–issues no standard individual would do on a a laugh holiday. On the contrary, you will have to be capable to reproduction nowadays as long as it’s now not a top season day for crowds. Actually, you’ll do higher than this with minor changes and omissions that we’ll counsel during the put up.
June 18, 2025 Replace: We first did this check a few years in the past, and feature used Lightning Lane Multi-Move a number of instances since with identical effects. We even attended on New Yr’s Eve and had shockingly just right effects with LLMP at Disneyland.
Alternatively, all of our checking out has been narrower and scope and albeit extra restricted in nature now that we have got a baby. We’re incessantly skipping points of interest with peak limits, or just now not traveling nonstop from rope drop till park final. I’ve carried out some extra competitive box checking out by myself that has concerned all headliners, however not anything as complete with this.
The only factor I’ve spotted not too long ago is that Disney California Journey is a lot more tricky to strategize. This has been true in all of my checking out, from Early Access to common itineraries to Lightning Lanes. The explanations for this are mentioned in Vehicles Closure, Stealth Refurbishments, Delays & Downtime at Disney California Journey. In a nutshell, a number of the park’s headliner points of interest are present process ‘stealth’ refurbishments that scale back their capability (and building up wait instances), and on most sensible of that, some are unreliable.
Because of the lowered capability and better wait instances, Lightning Lane Multi-Move availability could also be throttled. Which means go back instances are kicked hours into the longer term, or incessantly long gone completely. You’ll be able to see this in motion by way of the screenshots right here. Distinction the Lightning Lane Multi-Move go back instances at Disneyland (above) with the ones at DCA (under)–each at the identical summer season day.
As a sensible subject, this implies you just about want to start out your day in Disney California Journey if making an attempt to copy what we did. You additionally wish to nearly straight away get started redeeming Lightning Lane choices on the preferred rides–Guardians of the Galaxy Undertaking Breakout, Soarin’ Across the Global, Toy Tale Halfway Mania, Internet Slingers, and so on–so that you don’t have go back instances a ways into the longer term.
Principally, your greatest enemy is the clock on an afternoon like this, and having to take care of the 120 minute rule many times goes to kill your momentum and save you you from completing the whole lot in each parks. There are a half-dozen points of interest robotically topic to the 120 minute rule throughout the center of the day at DCA. In the event you guide all of the ones (or even that’s an “if” since they may well be utterly unavailable), that’s it–that’s your day!
Accordingly, the suitable means now’s essentially beginning at DCA and beginning to choose and redeem Lightning Lanes nearly straight away with a view to have previous go back instances, so you’ll transfer over to Disneyland the place near-instant returns are a lot more not unusual. The issue with that is that it roughly defeats the aim of Lightning Lanes, as you’ll incessantly be doing rides at DCA when the strains are shorter. So in reality, the optimum means is someplace in between, and spotting that you simply realistically gained’t get each and every unmarried Lightning Lane at DCA on maximum days.
In different phrases, the day under remains to be imaginable, however now not sensible. And most probably now not within the order we went about it. Regardless, if you wish to see how we approached doing each and every unmarried Lightning Lane Multi-Move experience in DCA and Disneyland throughout 1-day, right here’s our authentic run-through…
Our Day Doing Each Lightning Lane Multi-Move at Disneyland Lodge
At the day of our consult with, Disneyland operated from 8 am till 11 pm, which intended that the turnstiles would open round 7 am. That is important as a result of within the California parks, you’ll guide your first Lightning Lane Multi-Move variety now not at 7 am, however upon coming into the park…in order early as 7 am in this specific day. Other rule, identical consequence.
We didn’t arrive till 7:45 am, because it was once beautiful transparent from previous enjoy that the clock was once now not advancing on Lightning Lane reservations throughout that first hour of access. Our arrival may’ve been even later, however we’re waking up at ~5 am each day anyway, and sought after to rope drop Fantasyland.
After coming into Disneyland, we briefly made our method up Primary Side road, bought Lightning Lane Multi-Move for either one of us (sorry, no face to face comparability right here), and booked our first Lightning Lane reservation of the day: Area Mountain. Our go back time was once 8:05 to 9:05 am. As can be defined under, this go back time is in reality too early for normal visitors in need of to make use of the savviest technique.
We have been shut sufficient to the entrance of the rope drop pack that beginning with Peter Pan’s Flight would’ve made probably the most sense. Alternatively, I dropped again a little bit to get pictures and at all times get skittish when seeing that line shape. Even if it’s now not that many of us and strikes beautiful fast, it’s nonetheless a tricky promote.
As an alternative, we known as an audible and have been the first actual visitors of the day on Snow White’s Enchanted Want. Following that, we knocked out Mr. Toad’s Wild Experience and Alice in Wonderland with minimum waits for each.
It could’ve been imaginable–and pragmatic, in hindsight–to proceed our rope drop run of standby points of interest with extra in Fantasyland.
Revel in from earlier days urged this may’ve been imaginable, however the noticeably greater crowd made us nervous. If we driven our good fortune, we wouldn’t be capable to accomplish the whole lot by way of Lightning Lane Multi-Move, which was once the entire level of the day.
With that during thoughts, bouncing over to Tomorrowland and Area Mountain was once subsequent at the schedule. In an instant upon scanning into Area Mountain, I booked the Matterhorn by way of Lightning Lane Multi-Move with every other prompt go back time.
You could understand that our Disneyland Lightning Lane Multi-Move Experience Scores have Indiana Jones Journey above Matterhorn. That’s objectively the suitable placement, however Matterhorn is nearer to Area Mountain. It incessantly finally ends up being extra environment friendly to attenuate strolling slightly than strictly sticking to these priorities.
That’s Sarah above, scanning into what can be her remaining thrill experience of the day at Disneyland.
Matterhorn has some way of bustin’ backs and scramblin’ skullz. That are supposed to be its new slogan. Nonetheless a vintage experience that I revel in, however the “depth” surely has extra to do with its rickety experience than precise thrills.
Subsequent up was once Indiana Jones Journey, which we booked straight away upon scanning into Matterhorn. Every other prompt go back.
This is without doubt one of the few reasonably intense points of interest that doesn’t give Sarah problems, however I believe a part of it’s that she simply in reality loves Indiana Jones Journey. Or perhaps Harrison Ford is her superstar weigh down. She does make a large number of “jokes” each time we spot antique plane flying overhead in Southern California. Hmmm.
After in reality flying via our first 3 Lightning Lane Multi-Move points of interest, we determined to knock out Jungle Cruise, which had round a 10-15 minute wait.
It gained a identical “Monkey Mania” reimagining to Florida’s, with minor tweaks right here and there. In my view, I really like the adjustments. “Prejudice in opposition to primates is distinctly unpatriotic.” ~Sam Eagle, most probably.
Pirates of the Caribbean by way of standby was once up subsequent after that, and also had minimum wait. Now not moderately a walk-on, however beautiful shut.
Those remaining couple of standby points of interest are the place are day begins to make sense from a balanced viewpoint, as wait instances have been beginning to construct during Disneyland.
After that, I used to be by myself for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run by way of the Lightning Lane.
In the event you’re in a similar fashion doing Smugglers Run or the Matterhorn on your own, there’s at all times the choice for Unmarried Rider. With the previous, you’re a ways much less prone to be pilot, however I let somebody else in our group do this anyway (it’s essential to say it’s as a result of I’m a pleasing man…or as a result of it could’ve been bizarre to make two {couples} who have been first timers break up up from their important others).
From there, I backtracked to Giant Thunder Mountain Railroad and did that subsequent.
Something I need to reiterate is that our means of knocking out headliners by way of Lightning Lane Multi-Move was once now not important the primary couple hours of the day. Strains have been nonetheless brief and have been this now not a “simulation,” we might’ve spent the primary 90 mins only on standby. The rationale we didn’t was once over fear that some Lightning Lanes at DCA can be unavailable later if we didn’t transfer rapid knocking issues out.
By the point we arrived at Haunted Mansion at round 10:15 am, that was once not the case.
We breezed via by way of the Lightning Lane, however there was once a line already forming out of doors the gates of the mansion.
At this level, we have been killing time till eating places lunch, so we opted for the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, which had a minimum wait by way of standby.
In all probability it’s time to offer the folk what they would like and convey again Nation Endure Jamboree–or the nextgen trackless darkish experience I’ve been armchair Imagineering, Giant Al’s Moonshine Maze. It’s like Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, however so much slower and with a “for mature audiences handiest” caution label.
Our subsequent Lightning Lane after lunch was once Roger Rabbit’s Automotive Toon Spin. As famous in our ratings, this has noticed a recognition spike of past due, probably as locals do their remaining rides earlier than it closes for a 12 months.
Or perhaps it’s an inflow of trenchcoat fanatics. (Sorry, all of my higher jokes have been rejected as “too risque” or prone to “rile up the hundreds.” Similar to a model of Jessica Rabbit in a get dressed, I assume!)
“It’s a small global” is close to Toontown, so we did that with every other prompt go back time by way of the Lightning Lane in spite of a 40 minute standby wait.
Now we have been beginning to see super time-savings with Lightning Lane Multi-Move at Disneyland. Had we caught to standby early, shall we’ve had a wonderful afternoon and night time of briefly bypassing lengthy strains.
Autopia was once subsequent up.
You already know, if there’s a model of the enduring car-driving appeal that’s definitely worth the stench and cognitive impairment of auto exhaust, it’s this one. The way in which the observe weaves round below the monorail and a thick cover of timber is gorgeous and method higher than Tomorrowland Speedway. Autopia might be one thing particular if Disney have been to take a position some cash into modernizing it.
Following that, we knocked out Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and Superstar Excursions in fast succession. Each had prompt go back instances, and for the reason that the points of interest are at once throughout from each and every different, it’s simple to do them as a 1-2 punch with in minimum time.
With that, we have been carried out with each and every (operational) Lightning Lane appeal at Disneyland. It was once 1:30 pm.
Be aware that this run-through does now not come with Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Tiana’s Bayou Journey or Pirates of the Caribbean, as the ones weren’t operational (operative phrases) Lightning Lanes on the time.
It’s nearly at all times going to be the case {that a} experience or two is down for refurbishment or unavailable.
Coming near Disney California Journey offered us with a quandary: whether or not to knock out points of interest with near-immediate go back instances by way of the Lightning Lanes to guide Soarin’ Across the Global, which had returns inching nearer to the top of the evening.
That is exactly why we rushed via Lightning Lanes at Disneyland–we knew Soarin’ would pose issues later within the day.
Hedging our bets with Guardians of the Galaxy – Undertaking Breakout gave the look of the savvy means.
Regardless of a prolonged posted wait time, it was once a near-immediate go back time. That is probably not the case later within the day, and having to attend 120 mins to guide a couple of headliners if we prioritized Soarin’ may purpose us to pass over one thing else.
With Undertaking Breakout off the desk, this left handiest two fashionable Lightning Lane points of interest at the desk. At that time, we felt at ease going for Soarin’ Across the Global and taking that 120 minute hit. This was once the suitable transfer, as a lot more of a extend would’ve made Soarin’ unavailable.
If we have been traveling Disneyland and DCA as “actual other folks” and now not with the purpose of writing a weblog put up titled “We Did Each Lightning Lane Experience at Disneyland & DCA In A Day,” our means would’ve been other.
Whilst ready that 120 mins, we did so much.
Radiator Springs Racers by way of Unmarried Rider, Little Mermaid darkish experience, Lunar New Yr processional, ceremonial flinging of that Spider-Guy dummy into the stratosphere, and a few personality stuff.
Once our 120 minute wait was once up, I used LLMP to guide Incredicoaster.
Even if the clock was once advancing on Toy Tale Halfway Mania, it felt pragmatic to knock out a couple of extra prompt returns first. It was once of venture both method, regardless that.
After that, Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
With a experience roster that tilts against adults arguably a little an excessive amount of, this darkish experience has turn out to be increasingly more well-liked by households–and it has a depressing outside standby queue. As such, doing it by way of the Lightning Lane or previous within the day is strangely essential. Simply citing that as a result of this unassuming darkish experience’s wait instances can sneak up on you if now not correctly accounted for to your itinerary.
After that, we used LLMP to do Goofy’s Sky Faculty for the primary time in a very long time.
Clearly, the above symbol isn’t from the appeal. I had deliberate on getting a photograph of Paradise Pier from the increased view, now not remembering simply how wild that little wild mouse will get. The primary flip threw my digicam into my face and that’s about all I bear in mind of it. Above is a distinct mouse, who we met upon getting off Goofy’s Sky Faculty.
With that, we used Lightning Lane Multi-Move to guide our remaining Lightning Lane of the day: Toy Tale Halfway Mania. We in reality driven our good fortune with this, nevertheless it labored out after all.
The above screenshot additionally illustrates that Lightning Lane Multi-Move gained’t save you you from making conflicting plans.
For the following couple of hours, we wandered round, ate, and loved extra of Lunar New Yr at DCA. We additionally noticed the Sh-Growth lighting fixtures in Vehicles Land, a mystical little second that we hadn’t noticed for some time.
Objectively, this may’ve been a good time to have some Lightning Lane reservations in our wallet, as wait instances have been at their peaks. We adore walking round DCA and Disneyland at sundown and nightfall, so it was once no factor for us.
Internet Slingers was once beautiful persistently posting a 90 to 120 minute wait time, in order that was once out of the query for us.
On the finish of the evening, it was once all the way down to 60 mins posed with a real wait most likely decrease. Rope drop or proper earlier than shut is surely the most suitable choice for the interactive Spider-Guy darkish experience.
In any case, our home windows opened for Soarin’ Across the Global and Toy Tale Halfway Mania inside 5 mins of each other.
Regardless of it having the sooner finish time, we did Toy Tale Halfway Mania first. Soarin’ is infamous for taking ceaselessly even with the Lightning Lane, in order that was once the pondering there. In reality, both method would’ve been wonderful.
We carried out with Soarin’ Across the Global, and by way of extension, each and every operational Lightning Lane appeal in each Disney California Journey and Disneyland, by way of round 7:45 pm.
This left us with a number of extra hours earlier than the parks closed, which we most commonly spent at Disneyland wandering and doing laid again points of interest, just like the Grand Circle Excursion of the Disneyland Railroad. All of that’s past the scope of this already-lengthy put up and we nonetheless have some floor to hide, so we’ll skip that.
General, we’ve had very good stories the usage of Lightning Lanes to extra successfully excursion Disneyland and Disney California Journey. We achieved a complete of 32 points of interest, which is greater than we’ve carried out in one day at Disneyland Lodge in a long time.
That’s additionally with out in reality “pushing” ourselves, as we spent a large number of time playing leisure and walking across the parks. It’s most likely that shall we’ve hit 40 points of interest had we been fascinated about maximizing our experience depend–however we would have liked a extra balanced and a laugh day.
The secret’s that you’ll accomplish considerably extra in line with day at Disneyland and DCA by way of Lightning Lanes.
We’ll replace our complete information quickly, however listed here are a couple of fast pointers within the interim:
- Rope losing the parks remains to be advisable, particularly since there’s no method to skip the strains in Fantasyland.
- Specializing in standby to start out the day is perfect. Experience the wave of crowds, so as to talk, doing up to imaginable by way of standby earlier than the usage of your first Lightning Lane. (One more reason you could now not need to guide a Lightning Lane once you input the park within the morning.)
- You’ll be able to’t guide the similar appeal two times with Lightning Lane Multi-Move, however can do each standby and Lightning Lane for a similar experience.
- Except you do each and every unmarried to be had appeal in each parks by way of Lightning Lanes, it’s most likely you’ll run out of LLMP rides earlier than operating out of time, which is the reverse of what normally occurs at Walt Disney Global. (This plus no re-rides is why you need to concentrate on standby first.)
- You’ll be able to scan into Lightning Lanes 5 mins previous to their scheduled arrival time and quarter-hour after the window closes.
- E-book the following Lightning Lane reservation once you’ve scanned into the appeal checkpoint.
- In the event you pass over your Lightning Lane appeal window, you’ll’t rebook the appeal.
- Lightning Lane Multi-Move may be very thrill-ride heavy at Disneyland Lodge, and as such, will not be profitable for all events.
- If somebody to your birthday celebration can’t or doesn’t need to do a undeniable experience (e.g. Matterhorn), guide it by way of LLMP anyway and somebody else can use their redemption for a 2d experience!
- Lightning Lane Multi-Move at Disneyland comprises PhotoPass, so make sure to hyperlink and obtain the ones on-ride pictures on the go out of related points of interest.
Even if it’s wired a couple of instances on this put up, the significance of following common rope drop technique can’t be overstated. It’s not likely that almost all moderate vacationers will need to do each and every unmarried Lightning Lane Multi-Move experience at Disneyland Lodge in one day. For one, other points of interest enchantment to other demos–the similar birthday celebration won’t need to do each Autopia and Matterhorn, and with a bit of luck no person desires to do Goofy’s Sky Faculty.
For every other, such a lot of points of interest have prompt go back instances maximum days–even neatly into the afternoon–that there’s merely now not an enormous sense of urgency to start out reserving and doing Lightning Lane points of interest proper at park opening except you intend on doing each and every unmarried Lightning Lane Multi-Move experience in each parks.
Specializing in standby first is smart as a result of there’s a top chance you’ll run out of Lightning Lane rides earlier than operating out of time. As such, you’re doing standby previous within the day when the ones strains are shorter than they’re going to be later. That is very true if you wish to do the whole lot in Fantasyland or a couple of rides on any headliner–or each.
In the end, our affect of Lightning Lane Multi-Move at Disneyland and Disney California Journey is sure, a lot more so than at Walt Disney Global. We’ve spent a ways much less time on our telephones the usage of it within the California parks, and feature discovered the enjoy typically is much less nerve-racking as a result of the whole lot is decrease stakes.
Whilst it will not be obtrusive right here, once more, this doesn’t in reality mirror how a regular vacationer will use Lightning Lanes on a leisurely day of traveling. Reasonably, we have been seeking to strain check the machine and push it to its prohibit for “recreation,” or no matter you need to name this. It’s like the variation in playing scorching canine on a circle of relatives cookout as opposed to Nathan’s Scorching Canine Consuming Contest.
Our common days at Disneyland and DCA the usage of Lightning Lane Multi-Move had been a ways much less eventful and extra carefully resemble the way you’d use it. They’re only a lot much less attention-grabbing for put up functions, since they most commonly contain circling the park, doing an appeal, then reserving an instantaneous go back time for every other in shut proximity, and repeating that procedure.
Lightning Lane Multi-Move gives an important aggressive benefit at Disneyland since the parks’ California-centric visitor base is purchasing it in a ways decrease numbers than its Florida counterpart. Whilst issues will probably be other on top season days or if a Magic Key add-on is obtainable, we lately extremely counsel that every one vacationers acquire Lightning Lane Multi-Move for a minimum of someday in their Disneyland holidays.
Making plans a Southern California holiday? For park admission offers, learn Pointers for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Know about on-site and off-site resorts in our Anaheim Resort Opinions & Scores. For the place to consume, take a look at our Disneyland Eating place Opinions. For distinctive concepts of items that’ll give a boost to your go back and forth, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Holiday Making plans Information. In any case, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seashore, and lots of alternative puts!
Your Ideas
Ideas on our day in Disneyland and Disney California Journey the usage of the paid Lightning Lane Multi-Move carrier to do each and every eligible appeal? Are you making plans on purchasing LLMP or skipping it at DLR? Do you settle or disagree with my evaluate? Any questions we will assist you to solution? Listening to your comments–even whilst you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas under within the feedback!
The usage of Disneyland’s Lightning Lane Multi-Move line-skipping carrier, we used a mixture of experience reservations and standby to do 32 points of interest in someday. This put up walks you via our step by step day in each Disneyland and Disney California Journey with screenshots, go back instances, pointers & methods, and ideas on the finish about whether or not it’s definitely worth the cash. (Up to date June 18, 2025.)
It was once an extended day from rope drop till park final, so we’ll reduce to the chase and skip the fundamentals. You probably have questions concerning the fundamentals of the usage of Lightning Lanes at Disneyland or how this overly sophisticated machine works, see our Information to Lightning Lanes at Disneyland & DCA. There are two choices: Lightning Lane Multi Move (LLMP) and Lightning Lane Unmarried Move (LLSP). This covers the previous, because the latter handiest applies to two rides (Radiator Springs Racers and Superstar Wars: Upward thrust of the Resistance).
Something to notice is that the title modified from Genie+ to Lightning Lane Multi-Move at Disneyland. In contrast to at Walt Disney Global, there have been no substantive adjustments to the machine. It’s actually only a title alternate–that’s it. So in case you used Genie+ earlier than and are puzzled about how Lightning Lane Multi-Move may paintings otherwise, the solution is: it doesn’t. You already know the way to make use of the “new” line-skipping machine!
Whilst this put up covers our enjoy one particular Saturday at Disneyland and DCA with Lightning Lanes on 7/10 crowd stage day. We in reality tried this check on a number of earlier day, however crowd ranges have been just too low and we had a troublesome time stress-testing itineraries in consequence. Certainly one of our objectives with those Lightning Lane Multi-Move assets is replicability–it’s a laugh for us so as to accomplish so much, however pointless for making plans if you’ll’t reproduce our effects.
Disneyland crowds have a tendency to be extra laid again than Walt Disney Global, because of this the usage of Lightning Lane Multi-Move is likewise more straightforward within the California parks. It additionally is helping that Disneyland has a a lot more tough experience roster than Walt Disney Global, so there are extra points of interest to lend a hand soak up crowds, each with and with out Lightning Lanes.
Anyway, the purpose is that nowadays isn’t the byproduct of moderately opting for the most productive day to consult with, tweaking our technique to perfection, or racing round with no need a laugh–issues no standard individual would do on a a laugh holiday. On the contrary, you will have to be capable to reproduction nowadays as long as it’s now not a top season day for crowds. Actually, you’ll do higher than this with minor changes and omissions that we’ll counsel during the put up.
June 18, 2025 Replace: We first did this check a few years in the past, and feature used Lightning Lane Multi-Move a number of instances since with identical effects. We even attended on New Yr’s Eve and had shockingly just right effects with LLMP at Disneyland.
Alternatively, all of our checking out has been narrower and scope and albeit extra restricted in nature now that we have got a baby. We’re incessantly skipping points of interest with peak limits, or just now not traveling nonstop from rope drop till park final. I’ve carried out some extra competitive box checking out by myself that has concerned all headliners, however not anything as complete with this.
The only factor I’ve spotted not too long ago is that Disney California Journey is a lot more tricky to strategize. This has been true in all of my checking out, from Early Access to common itineraries to Lightning Lanes. The explanations for this are mentioned in Vehicles Closure, Stealth Refurbishments, Delays & Downtime at Disney California Journey. In a nutshell, a number of the park’s headliner points of interest are present process ‘stealth’ refurbishments that scale back their capability (and building up wait instances), and on most sensible of that, some are unreliable.
Because of the lowered capability and better wait instances, Lightning Lane Multi-Move availability could also be throttled. Which means go back instances are kicked hours into the longer term, or incessantly long gone completely. You’ll be able to see this in motion by way of the screenshots right here. Distinction the Lightning Lane Multi-Move go back instances at Disneyland (above) with the ones at DCA (under)–each at the identical summer season day.
As a sensible subject, this implies you just about want to start out your day in Disney California Journey if making an attempt to copy what we did. You additionally wish to nearly straight away get started redeeming Lightning Lane choices on the preferred rides–Guardians of the Galaxy Undertaking Breakout, Soarin’ Across the Global, Toy Tale Halfway Mania, Internet Slingers, and so on–so that you don’t have go back instances a ways into the longer term.
Principally, your greatest enemy is the clock on an afternoon like this, and having to take care of the 120 minute rule many times goes to kill your momentum and save you you from completing the whole lot in each parks. There are a half-dozen points of interest robotically topic to the 120 minute rule throughout the center of the day at DCA. In the event you guide all of the ones (or even that’s an “if” since they may well be utterly unavailable), that’s it–that’s your day!
Accordingly, the suitable means now’s essentially beginning at DCA and beginning to choose and redeem Lightning Lanes nearly straight away with a view to have previous go back instances, so you’ll transfer over to Disneyland the place near-instant returns are a lot more not unusual. The issue with that is that it roughly defeats the aim of Lightning Lanes, as you’ll incessantly be doing rides at DCA when the strains are shorter. So in reality, the optimum means is someplace in between, and spotting that you simply realistically gained’t get each and every unmarried Lightning Lane at DCA on maximum days.
In different phrases, the day under remains to be imaginable, however now not sensible. And most probably now not within the order we went about it. Regardless, if you wish to see how we approached doing each and every unmarried Lightning Lane Multi-Move experience in DCA and Disneyland throughout 1-day, right here’s our authentic run-through…
Our Day Doing Each Lightning Lane Multi-Move at Disneyland Lodge
At the day of our consult with, Disneyland operated from 8 am till 11 pm, which intended that the turnstiles would open round 7 am. That is important as a result of within the California parks, you’ll guide your first Lightning Lane Multi-Move variety now not at 7 am, however upon coming into the park…in order early as 7 am in this specific day. Other rule, identical consequence.
We didn’t arrive till 7:45 am, because it was once beautiful transparent from previous enjoy that the clock was once now not advancing on Lightning Lane reservations throughout that first hour of access. Our arrival may’ve been even later, however we’re waking up at ~5 am each day anyway, and sought after to rope drop Fantasyland.
After coming into Disneyland, we briefly made our method up Primary Side road, bought Lightning Lane Multi-Move for either one of us (sorry, no face to face comparability right here), and booked our first Lightning Lane reservation of the day: Area Mountain. Our go back time was once 8:05 to 9:05 am. As can be defined under, this go back time is in reality too early for normal visitors in need of to make use of the savviest technique.
We have been shut sufficient to the entrance of the rope drop pack that beginning with Peter Pan’s Flight would’ve made probably the most sense. Alternatively, I dropped again a little bit to get pictures and at all times get skittish when seeing that line shape. Even if it’s now not that many of us and strikes beautiful fast, it’s nonetheless a tricky promote.
As an alternative, we known as an audible and have been the first actual visitors of the day on Snow White’s Enchanted Want. Following that, we knocked out Mr. Toad’s Wild Experience and Alice in Wonderland with minimum waits for each.
It could’ve been imaginable–and pragmatic, in hindsight–to proceed our rope drop run of standby points of interest with extra in Fantasyland.
Revel in from earlier days urged this may’ve been imaginable, however the noticeably greater crowd made us nervous. If we driven our good fortune, we wouldn’t be capable to accomplish the whole lot by way of Lightning Lane Multi-Move, which was once the entire level of the day.
With that during thoughts, bouncing over to Tomorrowland and Area Mountain was once subsequent at the schedule. In an instant upon scanning into Area Mountain, I booked the Matterhorn by way of Lightning Lane Multi-Move with every other prompt go back time.
You could understand that our Disneyland Lightning Lane Multi-Move Experience Scores have Indiana Jones Journey above Matterhorn. That’s objectively the suitable placement, however Matterhorn is nearer to Area Mountain. It incessantly finally ends up being extra environment friendly to attenuate strolling slightly than strictly sticking to these priorities.
That’s Sarah above, scanning into what can be her remaining thrill experience of the day at Disneyland.
Matterhorn has some way of bustin’ backs and scramblin’ skullz. That are supposed to be its new slogan. Nonetheless a vintage experience that I revel in, however the “depth” surely has extra to do with its rickety experience than precise thrills.
Subsequent up was once Indiana Jones Journey, which we booked straight away upon scanning into Matterhorn. Every other prompt go back.
This is without doubt one of the few reasonably intense points of interest that doesn’t give Sarah problems, however I believe a part of it’s that she simply in reality loves Indiana Jones Journey. Or perhaps Harrison Ford is her superstar weigh down. She does make a large number of “jokes” each time we spot antique plane flying overhead in Southern California. Hmmm.
After in reality flying via our first 3 Lightning Lane Multi-Move points of interest, we determined to knock out Jungle Cruise, which had round a 10-15 minute wait.
It gained a identical “Monkey Mania” reimagining to Florida’s, with minor tweaks right here and there. In my view, I really like the adjustments. “Prejudice in opposition to primates is distinctly unpatriotic.” ~Sam Eagle, most probably.
Pirates of the Caribbean by way of standby was once up subsequent after that, and also had minimum wait. Now not moderately a walk-on, however beautiful shut.
Those remaining couple of standby points of interest are the place are day begins to make sense from a balanced viewpoint, as wait instances have been beginning to construct during Disneyland.
After that, I used to be by myself for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run by way of the Lightning Lane.
In the event you’re in a similar fashion doing Smugglers Run or the Matterhorn on your own, there’s at all times the choice for Unmarried Rider. With the previous, you’re a ways much less prone to be pilot, however I let somebody else in our group do this anyway (it’s essential to say it’s as a result of I’m a pleasing man…or as a result of it could’ve been bizarre to make two {couples} who have been first timers break up up from their important others).
From there, I backtracked to Giant Thunder Mountain Railroad and did that subsequent.
Something I need to reiterate is that our means of knocking out headliners by way of Lightning Lane Multi-Move was once now not important the primary couple hours of the day. Strains have been nonetheless brief and have been this now not a “simulation,” we might’ve spent the primary 90 mins only on standby. The rationale we didn’t was once over fear that some Lightning Lanes at DCA can be unavailable later if we didn’t transfer rapid knocking issues out.
By the point we arrived at Haunted Mansion at round 10:15 am, that was once not the case.
We breezed via by way of the Lightning Lane, however there was once a line already forming out of doors the gates of the mansion.
At this level, we have been killing time till eating places lunch, so we opted for the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, which had a minimum wait by way of standby.
In all probability it’s time to offer the folk what they would like and convey again Nation Endure Jamboree–or the nextgen trackless darkish experience I’ve been armchair Imagineering, Giant Al’s Moonshine Maze. It’s like Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, however so much slower and with a “for mature audiences handiest” caution label.
Our subsequent Lightning Lane after lunch was once Roger Rabbit’s Automotive Toon Spin. As famous in our ratings, this has noticed a recognition spike of past due, probably as locals do their remaining rides earlier than it closes for a 12 months.
Or perhaps it’s an inflow of trenchcoat fanatics. (Sorry, all of my higher jokes have been rejected as “too risque” or prone to “rile up the hundreds.” Similar to a model of Jessica Rabbit in a get dressed, I assume!)
“It’s a small global” is close to Toontown, so we did that with every other prompt go back time by way of the Lightning Lane in spite of a 40 minute standby wait.
Now we have been beginning to see super time-savings with Lightning Lane Multi-Move at Disneyland. Had we caught to standby early, shall we’ve had a wonderful afternoon and night time of briefly bypassing lengthy strains.
Autopia was once subsequent up.
You already know, if there’s a model of the enduring car-driving appeal that’s definitely worth the stench and cognitive impairment of auto exhaust, it’s this one. The way in which the observe weaves round below the monorail and a thick cover of timber is gorgeous and method higher than Tomorrowland Speedway. Autopia might be one thing particular if Disney have been to take a position some cash into modernizing it.
Following that, we knocked out Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and Superstar Excursions in fast succession. Each had prompt go back instances, and for the reason that the points of interest are at once throughout from each and every different, it’s simple to do them as a 1-2 punch with in minimum time.
With that, we have been carried out with each and every (operational) Lightning Lane appeal at Disneyland. It was once 1:30 pm.
Be aware that this run-through does now not come with Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Tiana’s Bayou Journey or Pirates of the Caribbean, as the ones weren’t operational (operative phrases) Lightning Lanes on the time.
It’s nearly at all times going to be the case {that a} experience or two is down for refurbishment or unavailable.
Coming near Disney California Journey offered us with a quandary: whether or not to knock out points of interest with near-immediate go back instances by way of the Lightning Lanes to guide Soarin’ Across the Global, which had returns inching nearer to the top of the evening.
That is exactly why we rushed via Lightning Lanes at Disneyland–we knew Soarin’ would pose issues later within the day.
Hedging our bets with Guardians of the Galaxy – Undertaking Breakout gave the look of the savvy means.
Regardless of a prolonged posted wait time, it was once a near-immediate go back time. That is probably not the case later within the day, and having to attend 120 mins to guide a couple of headliners if we prioritized Soarin’ may purpose us to pass over one thing else.
With Undertaking Breakout off the desk, this left handiest two fashionable Lightning Lane points of interest at the desk. At that time, we felt at ease going for Soarin’ Across the Global and taking that 120 minute hit. This was once the suitable transfer, as a lot more of a extend would’ve made Soarin’ unavailable.
If we have been traveling Disneyland and DCA as “actual other folks” and now not with the purpose of writing a weblog put up titled “We Did Each Lightning Lane Experience at Disneyland & DCA In A Day,” our means would’ve been other.
Whilst ready that 120 mins, we did so much.
Radiator Springs Racers by way of Unmarried Rider, Little Mermaid darkish experience, Lunar New Yr processional, ceremonial flinging of that Spider-Guy dummy into the stratosphere, and a few personality stuff.
Once our 120 minute wait was once up, I used LLMP to guide Incredicoaster.
Even if the clock was once advancing on Toy Tale Halfway Mania, it felt pragmatic to knock out a couple of extra prompt returns first. It was once of venture both method, regardless that.
After that, Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
With a experience roster that tilts against adults arguably a little an excessive amount of, this darkish experience has turn out to be increasingly more well-liked by households–and it has a depressing outside standby queue. As such, doing it by way of the Lightning Lane or previous within the day is strangely essential. Simply citing that as a result of this unassuming darkish experience’s wait instances can sneak up on you if now not correctly accounted for to your itinerary.
After that, we used LLMP to do Goofy’s Sky Faculty for the primary time in a very long time.
Clearly, the above symbol isn’t from the appeal. I had deliberate on getting a photograph of Paradise Pier from the increased view, now not remembering simply how wild that little wild mouse will get. The primary flip threw my digicam into my face and that’s about all I bear in mind of it. Above is a distinct mouse, who we met upon getting off Goofy’s Sky Faculty.
With that, we used Lightning Lane Multi-Move to guide our remaining Lightning Lane of the day: Toy Tale Halfway Mania. We in reality driven our good fortune with this, nevertheless it labored out after all.
The above screenshot additionally illustrates that Lightning Lane Multi-Move gained’t save you you from making conflicting plans.
For the following couple of hours, we wandered round, ate, and loved extra of Lunar New Yr at DCA. We additionally noticed the Sh-Growth lighting fixtures in Vehicles Land, a mystical little second that we hadn’t noticed for some time.
Objectively, this may’ve been a good time to have some Lightning Lane reservations in our wallet, as wait instances have been at their peaks. We adore walking round DCA and Disneyland at sundown and nightfall, so it was once no factor for us.
Internet Slingers was once beautiful persistently posting a 90 to 120 minute wait time, in order that was once out of the query for us.
On the finish of the evening, it was once all the way down to 60 mins posed with a real wait most likely decrease. Rope drop or proper earlier than shut is surely the most suitable choice for the interactive Spider-Guy darkish experience.
In any case, our home windows opened for Soarin’ Across the Global and Toy Tale Halfway Mania inside 5 mins of each other.
Regardless of it having the sooner finish time, we did Toy Tale Halfway Mania first. Soarin’ is infamous for taking ceaselessly even with the Lightning Lane, in order that was once the pondering there. In reality, both method would’ve been wonderful.
We carried out with Soarin’ Across the Global, and by way of extension, each and every operational Lightning Lane appeal in each Disney California Journey and Disneyland, by way of round 7:45 pm.
This left us with a number of extra hours earlier than the parks closed, which we most commonly spent at Disneyland wandering and doing laid again points of interest, just like the Grand Circle Excursion of the Disneyland Railroad. All of that’s past the scope of this already-lengthy put up and we nonetheless have some floor to hide, so we’ll skip that.
General, we’ve had very good stories the usage of Lightning Lanes to extra successfully excursion Disneyland and Disney California Journey. We achieved a complete of 32 points of interest, which is greater than we’ve carried out in one day at Disneyland Lodge in a long time.
That’s additionally with out in reality “pushing” ourselves, as we spent a large number of time playing leisure and walking across the parks. It’s most likely that shall we’ve hit 40 points of interest had we been fascinated about maximizing our experience depend–however we would have liked a extra balanced and a laugh day.
The secret’s that you’ll accomplish considerably extra in line with day at Disneyland and DCA by way of Lightning Lanes.
We’ll replace our complete information quickly, however listed here are a couple of fast pointers within the interim:
- Rope losing the parks remains to be advisable, particularly since there’s no method to skip the strains in Fantasyland.
- Specializing in standby to start out the day is perfect. Experience the wave of crowds, so as to talk, doing up to imaginable by way of standby earlier than the usage of your first Lightning Lane. (One more reason you could now not need to guide a Lightning Lane once you input the park within the morning.)
- You’ll be able to’t guide the similar appeal two times with Lightning Lane Multi-Move, however can do each standby and Lightning Lane for a similar experience.
- Except you do each and every unmarried to be had appeal in each parks by way of Lightning Lanes, it’s most likely you’ll run out of LLMP rides earlier than operating out of time, which is the reverse of what normally occurs at Walt Disney Global. (This plus no re-rides is why you need to concentrate on standby first.)
- You’ll be able to scan into Lightning Lanes 5 mins previous to their scheduled arrival time and quarter-hour after the window closes.
- E-book the following Lightning Lane reservation once you’ve scanned into the appeal checkpoint.
- In the event you pass over your Lightning Lane appeal window, you’ll’t rebook the appeal.
- Lightning Lane Multi-Move may be very thrill-ride heavy at Disneyland Lodge, and as such, will not be profitable for all events.
- If somebody to your birthday celebration can’t or doesn’t need to do a undeniable experience (e.g. Matterhorn), guide it by way of LLMP anyway and somebody else can use their redemption for a 2d experience!
- Lightning Lane Multi-Move at Disneyland comprises PhotoPass, so make sure to hyperlink and obtain the ones on-ride pictures on the go out of related points of interest.
Even if it’s wired a couple of instances on this put up, the significance of following common rope drop technique can’t be overstated. It’s not likely that almost all moderate vacationers will need to do each and every unmarried Lightning Lane Multi-Move experience at Disneyland Lodge in one day. For one, other points of interest enchantment to other demos–the similar birthday celebration won’t need to do each Autopia and Matterhorn, and with a bit of luck no person desires to do Goofy’s Sky Faculty.
For every other, such a lot of points of interest have prompt go back instances maximum days–even neatly into the afternoon–that there’s merely now not an enormous sense of urgency to start out reserving and doing Lightning Lane points of interest proper at park opening except you intend on doing each and every unmarried Lightning Lane Multi-Move experience in each parks.
Specializing in standby first is smart as a result of there’s a top chance you’ll run out of Lightning Lane rides earlier than operating out of time. As such, you’re doing standby previous within the day when the ones strains are shorter than they’re going to be later. That is very true if you wish to do the whole lot in Fantasyland or a couple of rides on any headliner–or each.
In the end, our affect of Lightning Lane Multi-Move at Disneyland and Disney California Journey is sure, a lot more so than at Walt Disney Global. We’ve spent a ways much less time on our telephones the usage of it within the California parks, and feature discovered the enjoy typically is much less nerve-racking as a result of the whole lot is decrease stakes.
Whilst it will not be obtrusive right here, once more, this doesn’t in reality mirror how a regular vacationer will use Lightning Lanes on a leisurely day of traveling. Reasonably, we have been seeking to strain check the machine and push it to its prohibit for “recreation,” or no matter you need to name this. It’s like the variation in playing scorching canine on a circle of relatives cookout as opposed to Nathan’s Scorching Canine Consuming Contest.
Our common days at Disneyland and DCA the usage of Lightning Lane Multi-Move had been a ways much less eventful and extra carefully resemble the way you’d use it. They’re only a lot much less attention-grabbing for put up functions, since they most commonly contain circling the park, doing an appeal, then reserving an instantaneous go back time for every other in shut proximity, and repeating that procedure.
Lightning Lane Multi-Move gives an important aggressive benefit at Disneyland since the parks’ California-centric visitor base is purchasing it in a ways decrease numbers than its Florida counterpart. Whilst issues will probably be other on top season days or if a Magic Key add-on is obtainable, we lately extremely counsel that every one vacationers acquire Lightning Lane Multi-Move for a minimum of someday in their Disneyland holidays.
Making plans a Southern California holiday? For park admission offers, learn Pointers for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Know about on-site and off-site resorts in our Anaheim Resort Opinions & Scores. For the place to consume, take a look at our Disneyland Eating place Opinions. For distinctive concepts of items that’ll give a boost to your go back and forth, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Holiday Making plans Information. In any case, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seashore, and lots of alternative puts!
Your Ideas
Ideas on our day in Disneyland and Disney California Journey the usage of the paid Lightning Lane Multi-Move carrier to do each and every eligible appeal? Are you making plans on purchasing LLMP or skipping it at DLR? Do you settle or disagree with my evaluate? Any questions we will assist you to solution? Listening to your comments–even whilst you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas under within the feedback!
