But, if you only have 1 day at Flight of Passage, it can make touring the rest of the park a lot easier if you go ahead and purchase an Individual Lightning Lane selection. That would free you up to rope drop some of the other popular attractions, like Na'Vi River Journey or Expedition Everest.

In 2026, whether Lightning Lane is "worth it" at Disney's Animal Kingdom depends heavily on your arrival time and priority list. For many guests, the answer is a nuanced "maybe." Unlike the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom has fewer high-demand attractions, with Avatar Flight of Passage being the primary bottleneck. In 2026, most visitors find that if they "Rope Drop" (arrive at park opening) and head straight to Pandora, they can finish the major rides—Flight of Passage, Na'vi River Journey, and Kilimanjaro Safaris—within the first two hours without paying for a pass. However, if you are visiting during the peak 2026 spring break or summer seasons, or if you prefer a leisurely start at 11:00 AM, the Lightning Lane Multi Pass becomes essential to avoid 90-minute waits in the humid Florida sun. It is generally considered the "lowest priority" park for purchasing passes compared to the others, but for a one-day visitor who wants to guarantee a ride on Expedition Everest and the Safari without stress, the 2026 investment is often viewed as a worthwhile "time insurance" policy.