Hi there!
Thanks for bringing this question to planDisney!
From my experience, previously booked
dining reservations will affect the return time options when selecting your
Lightning Lanes prior to your trip. There’s usually about a 2-hour chunk of time around your dining reservation during which you won’t be able to book a Lightning Lane pre-selection.
Because of that, I recommend reviewing your dining reservations before your Lightning Lane booking window opens. If you have a dining reservation right around the same time you’re hoping for a Lightning Lane, and you’re feeling okay about parting with that dining reservation, I’d go ahead and cancel before you book your Lightning Lane pre-selections (pending the
cancellation policy for the specific restaurant). It all comes down to your priorities!
Once you’ve made your Lightning Lane selections and have your return times, you can go back and try to rebook your dining reservation. You may be more successful booking dining around your previously made Lightning Lanes than booking a Lightning Lane return time around previously made dining reservations. While it’s not guaranteed that you’ll be able to fit in a dining reservation, it’s worth a try!
Plus, it’s good to note that on your actual park day, the system will allow you to overlap plans much more easily than it allows you to do so prior to your trip. So there won’t be nearly as big of a worry about fitting in all the fun on your park day!
Remember, your Lightning Lane booking window will open at 7 AM Eastern, 7 days prior to your resort check-in if you’re staying at a
Disney World resort or select good neighbor hotel. If you’re staying off property, your booking window will open at 7 AM Eastern, 3 days prior to the start date of your ticket for date-based tickets.
I hope that helps! Let us know if you have any other questions leading up to your trip!
Jenn J.