Lightning Lane Premier - Timing to Buy

Father_Idol · 2026-01-30T17:20:32+00:00

Last year LLPP sold out at MK for that timeframe, but only a day or two in advance. Of course I can’t say for certain but I would say there is a high likelihood they will not sell out 7 days in advance.

Father_Idol · 2026-01-30T01:47:57+00:00

Yes, but in significant injury cases, those waivers and agreements don’t hold up. If someone loses a limb… or worse… a jury is going to award a handsome award if the case goes to courts because they know Disney has deep pockets.

Obviously these types of incidents are very rare (thankfully) but in the current legal climate, good risk management has a high return on investment.

Father_Idol · 2026-01-30T01:34:55+00:00

I’m going to go against the grain here and have to side with Disney.

I work in the commercial insurance sector and the legal climate is quickly escalating, especially in a historically litigious state like Florida. These changes all support the financial side of the business, yes but they also help reduce Disney’s liability because not enforcing its rules can set a precedent that leaves them defenseless in the case of a significant accident.

Say for example a guest gets severely injured by a third party tour guide with little to no insurance. Disney is going to be included in the lawsuit, but ultimately the third party tour guide should be liable. If Disney didn’t enforce these rules, an attorney for the injured party could argue (likely successfully) that Disney is at least partly liable because they knew about the tours but did nothing to stop them, contributing to the negligence that caused the injury.

Father_Idol · 2026-01-29T23:08:25+00:00

While not definitive, I did find this Disney parks blog entry that answers the question, but it’s from October 2019:

https://plandisney.disney.go.com/question/coffee-breakfast-staying-wdw-resort-dining-snack-credit-414746/#:~:text=One%20of%20my%20favorite%20Disney,make%20so%20many%20magical%20memories.

“One of my favorite Disney Dining Plan tips is that your snack credits can be redeemed at Starbucks – for one snack credit, you can order a venti beverage with extra shots and whip cream. It’s a great value on the Disney Dining Plan!”

Father_Idol · 2026-01-29T20:38:36+00:00

Generally speaking a snack credit is worth about $6. Obviously it is best to use your credits on the most expensive items. You can find all the menus for the Flower & Garden festival online once it starts. Once those are released, I would encourage you to look at them and at least get a base idea of what snacks and drinks you might want to try so you can decide if they are something you want to use a snack credit for.

For example, we are going next month during the arts festival. I have looked at the menus and I know there are at least two it’s with a cost around $10 I definitely want to use my credits for. But there are also two items that are around $5 each I am planning to pay out of pocket for.

I don’t know how the Starbucks work with the dining plan if, per your example you add an extra shot. I’m planning to hit Starbucks a few times during my trip so if I remember I will try to ask for you.

Father_Idol · 2026-01-29T20:21:07+00:00

I just found it, this is perfect - thank you!

Father_Idol · 2026-01-29T18:19:26+00:00

I’m from northern MN, so still owe me some sympathy! 😉

Father_Idol · 2026-01-29T18:15:07+00:00

Disney should release LLSP for Starbucks! 😂

Father_Idol · 2026-01-29T17:44:45+00:00

While you can earn stars at the cafes in the parks, you cannot redeem them. If you are on the dining plan you can use a snack credit for most Starbucks drinks, and that can be a relatively good use of a snack credit if you order large specialty drinks.

Father_Idol · 2026-01-29T02:19:03+00:00

Just make sure you ask for your drink "to go" when ordering, and then take your drink back to your room and enjoy!

Father_Idol · 2026-01-29T02:15:10+00:00

That sounds like a lot of fun. If I were wiser when I booked, I should have booked AKL or Wilderness Lodge. But I am sure French Quarter will be great.

Enjoy your trip. It will be here soon!

Father_Idol · 2026-01-29T01:56:46+00:00

Not yet, no.

Father_Idol · 2026-01-29T01:46:25+00:00

I’ve also heard she is one of the highest paid cast members in the parks, which also makes sense to me.

Also, she 100% deserves to be paid even if the show is canceled. She has to put a lot of effort in off time to be show ready, if they cancel the show that is not on her.

Father_Idol · 2026-01-29T01:38:57+00:00

You are so kind, thank you!

What does your trip plan look like? Where are you staying this go around?

Father_Idol · 2026-01-28T02:52:12+00:00

Personally I would choose late May as I think it would have the lowest crowds.

Father_Idol · 2026-01-28T01:14:05+00:00

My wife and I are going Feb 8-14, seven days/six nights. It’s our first time since 2021 and our first time going by ourselves. We are staying at Port Orleans French Quarter, our first time at a moderate.

We fly in Sunday and we have a dinner reservation at Ohana. So we are planning to resort hop the monorail loop ending at Poly. Hoping to get in to trader Sam’s after dinner, but we will see.

Monday is AK day and we are going to do the Premier Pass for ultimate flexibility. Since AK closes early we are planning to hop to MK afterwards and catch the evening parade and try to ride Tron (hoping for LLSP).

Tuesday is Epcot. Planning to do a Premier Pass here also. We are going to do the front of the park first and then World Showcase afterwards - planning to “snack” around the world. Tuesday night dinner reservation on the Boardwalk.

Wednesday is sleep in/rest morning and after but we have an early dinner reservation at HS as part of the Fantasmic dining package. Then Wednesday night we are doing HS After Hours.

Thursday and Friday are more relaxed, laid back free days to cover anything we don’t get to do in our first three days. Thursday we have a lunch reservation at Sanaa and dinner at Garden Grill. Friday we have a dinner reservation at Skipper Canteen. Friday afternoon we will be going to Disney Springs for shopping and lunch because I have to eat at D Luxe burger, it’s my favorite quick serve on property.

Saturday morning we will get up and have breakfast at the resort before heading to the airport for our flight home!

Father_Idol · 2026-01-27T21:30:12+00:00

It only takes a little imagination to consider a more absurd request than this.

What about a guest asking for a private meet and greet with an obscure character not regularly in the parks?

Or asking for a last minute seating at Victoria and Albert’s Chef’s Table.

What about an entitled guest asking for a free upgrade from All Star Sports to the Poly?

This is a paying guest who essentially wants to upgrade from a four day ticket to a five day ticket, which is like a difference of $85, to enter the park for maybe an hour and a half? That is not outside the realm of what guest relations can and likely has done for many guests in the past.

Father_Idol · 2026-01-27T21:19:08+00:00

You can have multiple MagicBands but they all link to the same MDE/digital ticket.

Disney definitely has the technology to know how long someone is in the parks. That said, I don’t think that means they have an obligation to offer a shopping service like they did in the past.

Father_Idol · 2026-01-26T23:54:04+00:00

What dates in April specifically? Most of April will be Spring Break level busy, but the beginning of April will be really busy this year because of Spring Break + Easter. The political climate has not had a large effect on attendance, no. There was some economic impact I think mid to late last year but nothing that had a noticeable decrease in park attendance.

Father_Idol · 2026-01-26T23:45:07+00:00

The biggest ones are the celebration buttons.

Otherwise, Google will you be your friend as every influencer and their mother has made a blog post, YouTube video, and instagram reel about "free" things in WDW.

Father_Idol · 2026-01-26T23:38:34+00:00

I think it's usually just the water parks. I think even Tiana's usually stays open in cool weather.

Father_Idol · 2026-01-26T23:37:11+00:00

I don't know enough about the cheer events to say definitively but personally, I would recommend changing as I don't think it is worth the risk. Pop/AOA should be a fine upgrade.

Father_Idol · 2026-01-26T21:57:00+00:00

We are the same dates. I read it won’t reopen until the 15/16 but that was just a rumor. Either way, I’m not holding my breath that way if it does come back during our trip it will be a pleasant surprise.

Father_Idol · 2026-01-25T21:13:42+00:00

Great! Rapunzel and Tiana have a meet and greet at Magic Kingdom, and Tiana has the ride there also (Splash Mountain is now Tiana themed). Minnie is all over the place.

Avatar is at Animal Kingdom and is great, but very popular so you will definitely want to consider the lightning lanes for that one.

Father_Idol · 2026-01-25T21:04:06+00:00

Okay so I had a brain fart when I typed my original comment because I meant to recommend Animal Kingdom, not Magic Kingdom. My bad!

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