Ha!
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We are going to DL and DCA and the end of the month and I’m trying to figure out how to get the most out of the Lightning Lanes. We go to Disney World a lot, 5 to 6 times a year, so I’m very familiar with how LL works there and all of the tip’s and tricks. For our DL/DCA trip we will purchase MP and SP and will have park hoppers. I have also built a personalized tour plans. Now for my question(s). How do you get the most out of your LL’s. Do you follow the recommendation from touring plans of when to get your next LL and for what ride? The TP recommendations don’t look right to me. Do you just follow the order listed above for what ride to get and grab the next one as quick as you can, and then start modifying it? Thanks or helping out the DL/DCA newbie.
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This is what I would recommend. If you can knock out Indiana Jones, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Space Mountain early in the day, you can usually get through all the LL attractions in one day. The me as you said is to always get a LL as soon as you are eligible to keep the clock ticking, and modify on the drops if your next one is far out.
Good luck!
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Thanks, we’ll see how it goes. At least BG1 is working and we already know how to use it. Thant should help.
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I was in DL two days ago. BG1 is working for watching Return Times and standby times. It was not working well for booking or modifying. I had to do that thru the Disney app, but between the two apps, it all worked out fine.
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I’m just a few weeks away. Do we all think this is still accurate for LL priorities? Or at least close enough. 
Thanks! (I know I’m going to have to monitor LL drops for Gotg.)
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Here’s what Disney Parks Blog says about Soarin’:
Soarin’ Over California Returns Feb. 6
The fan-favorite Soarin’ Over California – one of the park’s opening day attractions – will return for a limited run beginning February 6 and continuing through July 1, 2026. Set to a serene and dramatic musical score, take a virtual tour of the Golden Gate Bridge, Yosemite National Park, Palm Springs, downtown Los Angeles, and more.
On July 2, the all-new airborne adventure, Soarin’ Across America, will debut in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
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You’ll definitely want to use IC and SM earliest in DL, and GotG and Soarin in DCA. As for the others, just keep an eye on them and book them if they are booking later. PotC is no longer a LL ride, though it is available if you have an MEP.
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I meant IJ, not IC. 
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I will update this. Thanks for the tip!
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Agree with using IJ SM in DL and GotG and Soarin in DCA early on.
I would also add that Tiana right now is very bottom of the pile of everything because it’s been so cold so not a lot of people want to ride it, so if weather is still cold, you likely won’t even need one. At most we saw 15 min posted waits over Pres Day weekend even when the sun was out and it was peak midday crowds on some fairly busy days (DL seemed to be way less busy than DCA this weekend).
I would also move Monsters up ahead of WS because of it’s imminent closure the waits are long. You can also ask about doing the “Buddy Pass” line if they are offering it. It’s basically a line up the exit to fill in the back row when they can’t find parties of 2 down the line quick enough to fill the cars. So you can go as a single rider or a pair or as a larger party willing to split up into separate cars.
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When redeeming a LL at DL/DCA on your phone, is the LL scanned from your ticket bar code or is it found elsewhere? Sorry for the basic question. About to go on our first trip.
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It’s just like scanning into the park. Use either your phone or a MagicBand+.
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There are 2 ways to scan into a ride in addition to using a Magic Band: 1. Use the same bar code you used to scan into the park. Take a screenshot of it in case you need it. Or, 2. Tap the “redeem” button on your LL, which shows up as soon as your window opens. This pulls up a code for each person in your party. I find no. 2 to be easier than scanning the ticket.
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I like to do this so I can control what I am scanning into. That way I don’t inadvertently use an MEP.
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That’s a good call. So does MEP have it’s own scanning code?
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Yes, each issued LL or MEP gives you a distinct bar code.
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Thought I should drop this here. Another wrinkle to be added to LLMP info up above. With the elimination of early entry for on-site resort guests, the new perk is an additional LLMP during your stay. Seems as though it is just for one day of your stay.
Was researching this today, as we won’t arrive until later in the day (in a couple weeks). But it looks like as long as I’ve done online check in (in our case for DL Hotel), I could get my bonus LLMP as early as 7:00am the day of my check in. Think I’ll plan for a GOTG LLMP that day!…and get access to it maybe even earlier than park tap in? Wow!
From the DLR website:
Stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel and delight in special benefits.
New! Guests checked in and staying at one of the Disneyland Resort hotels can take advantage of one complimentary Lightning Lane entry per registered Guest to a Lightning Lane Multi Pass attraction during their Resort stay!
- The Lightning Lane entry benefit will be available to eligible Disneyland Resort hotel Guests upon check-in, or shortly after 7:00 AM on your day of arrival if you complete Online Check-In service prior to your day of arrival.
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Thanks for adding this! Are you aware of whether this bonus LL counts toward the once-per-ride limit? I was assuming not cause otherwise it’s not really a bonus LL - just a head start (unless you weren’t planning to buy LLMP). But I wouldn’t put it past them.
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Good q. I do not know. But maybe I can find out in a couple weeks.
Although, I may not be the best test case. Given our late in the day start (5pm ish) for the day we’d use this ”bonus” LLMP, GOTG may already be gone for the day anyway.
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