How fast are the Disneyland Lightning Lanes at getting you through the queue? And is it worth the price for Disney Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lanes? I’ve used this product a few times, and he’s what I learned: Lightning Lanes save you in impressive amount of time—if Disney is being accurate about its wait times.
Similar to the previous FastPass system, some rides use the product better than others. That is to say, not all Lightning Lanes are created equal. Most Lightning Lanes are covered under the $20 per person cost of Disney Genie+ but a few charge individually. You do not need to purchase Disney Genie+ to purchase Individual Lightning Lanes. Here’s how much time I saved with both type:
The Fastest Disneyland Resort Lightning Lanes
INCREDICOASTER
Posted Wait Time: 25 min
LL Time: No wait!
ROGER RABBIT’S CAR TOON SPIN
Posted Wait Time: 25 min
LL Time: No wait
HAUNTED MANSION
Posted Wait Time: 40 min
LL Time: No wait before the elevator scene
TOY STORY MANIA
Posted Wait Time: 40 min
LL Time: Under 5 min
BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN RAILROAD
Posted Wait Time: 40 min
LL Time: Under 5 min
SPACE MOUNTAIN
Posted Wait Time: 35 min
LL Time: 6 min (from entry to seated on the coaster)
STAR WARS: RISE OF THE RESISTANCE
Posted Wait Time: 90 min
LL Time: 6 min to the first pre-show scene
Individual Lightning Lane Cost: $20/person
Notes: I don’t recommend paying this much to skip the line for Rise unless it’s over 120 min long.
MORE READS: 6 Disneyland Lightning Lane Tips You’ve Gotta Read
Slower Lightning Lanes
INDIANA JONES ADVENTURE
Posted Wait Time: 60 min
LL Time: 24 min
Indiana Jones is my least favorite Lightning Lane. You only skip the outer part of the line and still wait for the indoor portion.
WEB SLINGERS: A SPIDER-MAN ADVENTURE
Posted Wait Time: 65 min
LL Time: No wait before the pre-show. However, we waited about 10 min after the pre-show.
Individual Lightning Lane Cost: $14/person
Notes: During the week, this ride is often $7/person, which is worth the price. But anything higher than that, you may want to skip the ride or just wait.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: MISSION—BREAKOUT!
Posted Wait Time: 105 min
LL Time: 15 min to pre-show scene
Notes: Guardians was running with limited capacity, so this time could change depending on the day you visit.
However, I want to note that ride wait times are often inflated. For the most part, I’ve seen posted wait times are around 30% higher than the actual wait. There are instances when the ride wait times are longer than posted. Over the recent months, about 4/5 of rides I’ve experienced have had inflated wait times.
But Genie+ is still very new, so it’ll take a few weeks (or longer) to get a real feel for how this product will impact the park. I also hope to see Disneyland adjust the posted wait times more accurately. But again, this is just my experience and not a true sample.
More Disneyland tips coming up!
David
