When can you book Lightning Lane Multi Pass at Disney World?

Who can book 7 days ahead?

Disney's page says registered guests at Disney Resort hotels can purchase starting 7 days before the first day of their Resort stay. The same window applies to guests at four listed hotels: Walt Disney World Dolphin, Swan, Swan Reserve and Shades of Green.

That window covers your length of stay, up to 14 days, according to Disney. In other words, hotel guests book for the stay rather than counting back separately from each park day.

Who books 3 days ahead?

Disney splits everyone else into two groups, and the difference matters.

• Date-based tickets: Disney says these guests can purchase 3 days before the first day of the ticket, for all valid admission days on that ticket.
• Other ticket types and Annual Passholders: Disney says these guests can purchase 3 days before their park visit. Annual Passholders and guests with non-date-based tickets may purchase for any day within that 3-day window.

So it is not accurate to say every non-hotel guest books 3 days before each park day. A date-based ticket holder gets the 3-day mark counted from the ticket's first day, and that purchase can cover every valid day on the ticket.

What time does booking open?

Disney's page says booking starts at 7:00 AM Eastern Time on the first day of eligibility. That is the day your window opens, whether it is 7 days before a Resort stay or 3 days before a ticket's first day or a park visit. If you are west of Eastern, convert the time before you set an alarm.

How do you buy Multi Pass once your window opens?

Disney says purchases are made in the My Disney Experience app. Based on the page, the sequence looks like this:

1. Confirm you have valid park admission. Disney says it is required.
2. Check whether a park reservation is also needed. Disney says that depends on admission type and visit date.
3. Work out your first eligible day from your hotel stay, ticket type or Annual Pass.
4. Open My Disney Experience at 7:00 AM Eastern Time on that day.
5. Choose your Multi Pass experiences and arrival windows. Disney says you can do this before completing the purchase.

Is there a separate tool for earlier return times?

Standby's Booking Assist is a separate iPhone and web feature, and is not Disney. According to Standby's own product page, it books eligible Walt Disney World Multi Pass return times after you buy Multi Pass and link My Disney Experience, and can move them earlier. It does not sell Multi Pass or make the initial 7:00 AM selections, and earlier times depend on Disney availability. Details are at https://joinstandby.com/booking-assist.

Quick answers

Does a hotel stay longer than 14 days get covered? Disney's page says the 7-day purchase covers length of stay up to 14 days. It does not say what happens beyond that.

Can Annual Passholders book any day in the window? Yes. Disney says Annual Passholders and guests with non-date-based tickets may purchase for any day within the 3-day window.

Do I need a park reservation too? Possibly. Disney says park reservations may be required depending on admission type and visit date, and valid park admission is required either way.

Does this apply to Disneyland? The page is specific to Walt Disney World Resort, and the sources here do not cover Disneyland.