So, I had the perfect Magic Kingdom plan – until I didn’t.
Magic Kingdom
If you’ve ever stared at your phone in horror, realizing you’re about to miss your Lightning Lane return time, you know the sinking feeling I had. I thought my day was doomed, but I quickly learned there’s a way to turn things around. If you’re in the same boat, don’t panic! Here’s how I salvaged my day with a few strategic moves that you can use, too.
The Moment I Realized I Messed Up
My morning started strong with a well-planned Lightning Lane lineup, but life (and a long Starbucks line) had other plans.
©Disney
By the time I realized I wasn’t going to make it to The Barnstormer for my 9:00 AM return time, I was dangerously close to being locked out of modifying it. That’s when I learned one of the most important rules of the Lightning Lane system: if you’re going to miss your return time, you need to modify it ASAP.
The Barnstormer is a lower tiered attraction
I scrambled to adjust my plans, but I quickly ran into another rule I hadn’t fully grasped – because I never scanned into The Barnstormer, I couldn’t switch my Lightning Lane to a Tier 1 ride like Peter Pan’s Flight. I could only swap it for another ride in the same tier. Rookie mistake.
How I Fixed My Mess-Up
Thankfully, I didn’t have to completely abandon my plans. I just had to rethink them. Here’s what I did:
- I modified my missed Lightning Lane: Since I hadn’t tapped into The Barnstormer, my only option was to switch it to another Tier 2 attraction. Luckily, I found a later return time for Mad Tea Party, which kept my schedule moving without losing a reservation slot.
- I scanned into my next ride on time: I made sure to be at Space Mountain exactly when my return window opened, so I could scan in and unlock the ability to book any available Lightning Lane – including Tier 1 rides – once I was eligible again. This was a game-changer because it meant I wasn’t stuck with lower-tier options all day.
- I refreshed like a pro: Since I had to shuffle things around, I kept refreshing the app to find better return times. I managed to snag a last-minute slot for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which made my afternoon way better than I expected after my rocky morning.
©Disney
What You Should Do If You’re About to Miss Your Lightning Lane
If you ever find yourself in my shoes, here’s what you need to do:
- Modify your Lightning Lane before your return window expires. If you wait too long, you’ll lose the chance to adjust it, and you’ll be stuck.
- If you don’t scan in, you can only modify to another ride in the same tier. This is key – your ability to book any ride (including Tier 1) depends on tapping into your first Lightning Lane of the day.
- Be strategic with your next reservation. If you’re forced to switch to another Tier 2 ride, make sure it’s something you actually want to do and that it won’t mess up the rest of your plans.
- Use your next Lightning Lane wisely. Once you’ve scanned in, you’ll regain flexibility, so pick a ride that will set you up for a better lineup later in the day.
Scanning into a Lightning Lane at Disney World
The Silver Lining
Even though I fumbled my morning, my day wasn’t ruined. By making quick decisions and being flexible with my schedule, I still managed to hit my favorite rides and have a blast. If you ever find yourself about to miss a Lightning Lane, just remember: modify fast, scan into your next ride, and refresh like a pro.
In the meantime, be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney World tips and tricks!
Everything You Need to Know About Lightning Lanes in Disney World!
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Are you saying you missed your Lightning Lane because of a long Starbucks line?? Get out of line! Get coffee later. I make mine in the hotel room. If you want a good Park visit, keep up in time, eat a quick breakfast, take into account how much time it will take to get to the Park. I’m almost 75 years old and sometimes I think I can out pace younger people.