Lightening lane multi? - do rope drop & then 3?

Question

We are buying lightening lane multi passes this weekend since it will be 7 days prior to check in at Disney hotel . If I understand an awesome video recommended in an earlier forum post , we could do a rope drop on a tier 1 to avoid waiting too long and schedule 3 tier 2 rides ?

Answer

Yes, your understanding is generally correct. With the Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane system, the strategy you mentioned is a common approach to minimize wait times for popular rides, especially during busy periods.

Here’s how it typically works:

Rope Drop: Arrive at park opening (“rope drop”) and head straight to a high-demand Tier 1 ride. This allows you to ride without a long wait since most guests haven’t dispersed yet.
Lightning Lane Multi (Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lane selections): After completing your rope drop ride, you can start using your Lightning Lane selections for Tier 2 attractions. The system allows you to book up to 3 Tier 2 rides in advance, staggered by return times.
Scheduling Strategy: Ideally, choose the Tier 1 ride for rope drop that has the longest standby lines later in the day, then use your three Lightning Lane selections for Tier 2 rides that are nearby or fit your timing efficiently.

Additional tips:

Use the My Disney Experience app to monitor wait times and adjust your Lightning Lane selections if needed.
Some guests prefer to book the first Lightning Lane immediately at 7am (for Disney Resort guests) or as soon as the park opens if using multi-ride options to maximize the number of rides you can get in.
Try to balance the timing of the Lightning Lane selections to leave room for flexibility later in the day, especially for unexpected crowd surges or ride closures.

In summary, rope dropping a Tier 1 ride and then scheduling 3 Tier 2 rides with your Lightning Lane selections is a solid plan. Being strategic with timing and app monitoring will help you get the most out of your day.