The new Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass systems allow guests to purchase the systems and make Lighting Lane reservations in advance of their trips. For most guests, these bookings can be made either 7 days in advance of their check-in date (guests of Disney resorts and select partner resorts) or 3 days in advance (almost all other guests).
However, there’s a caveat. Disney has repeatedly used the language “upon arriving in the United States…” in their international websites as a qualifier for all advance Lightning Lane booking timelines. Compare this language from the DisneyWorld.eu site:
Upon arrival in the US, Guests of Disney Resort hotels and other select hotels can purchase passes up to 7 days in advance of their stay—and other Guests can purchase passes up to 3 days in advance of their park visit.
With this language from the .com version of the site:
Guests of Disney Resort hotels and other select hotels can purchase passes up to 7 days in advance of their stay—and other Guests can purchase passes up to 3 days in advance of their park visit.
This generally means that international guests will not be able to book Lightning Lanes until they’re in the United States, but there are a few caveats.
First, Canada is an exception to this. Guests in Canada can book alongside the guests in the United States.
Second, are there any ways around this? VPNs? GPS spoofs? Booking via a travel agent or advisor who can do these bookings for you? Some other third party service? And would any of these methods violate the terms of service?
Suffice to say this isn’t exactly a smooth start to the new system for international guests. Hopefully Disney finds a way to rectify this. In the meantime, I have two recommendations for international guests.
The first is to book through a travel advisor. If something can be done, an expert at booking trips for international guests is going to be the person to know what can be done. We always recommend booking with Travel With Character LLC.
My second recommendation is to not stress too much about this. Understand how the new system works, be prepared when you can make your bookings, and work with what you get. Your trip absolutely will not be ruined by this delay, even if it might become slightly more complicated to strategize (or you might have to spend more time refreshing / checking for available Lightning Lanes).
All Your Other Disney World Planning Questions Answered
Don't be overwhelmed by Disney World planning! Take a second to check out our most important content and you'll not only be an expert, but you'll save big $$$ along the way.
Just starting out? Check out our Walt Disney World planning guide! If you're still picking dates, we've got everything you need to know about Disney World crowd calendars. For picking your hotel, check out our Walt Disney World hotels guide.
When it comes time to book we’ll help you find discount Disney World tickets. Decide whether you need a dining plan in our Complete Guide to Disney World Dining Plans! And don't forget to book those Disney World Advance Dining Reservations!
Don't forget to master your Disney World Lightning Lane Guide and Strategy a few months in advance. We'll keep you out of long lines so you can maximize the magical time in the parks! We've got park-specific guides as well: Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane Strategy, Epcot Lightning Lane Strategy, Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane Strategy, and Hollywood Studios Lightning Lane Strategy.
Know what to ride with our guides to: Magic Kingdom rides, Hollywood Studios rides, Epcot rides, and Animal Kingdom rides! Plus learn about the water parks with our guide to Blizzard Beach and our guide to Typhoon Lagoon! And for some some fun prep, check out our Ranking of Every Ride at Walt Disney World.
Finally, before you head out, be sure to check out our to-the-point packing list, 10 essentials you forget to pack for every Disney trip. And if you're interested in saving, there's no better list than our 53 Ways to Save on your Disney trip from start to finish.