When Disney World's Pay-Per-Ride System is Most Expensive

Ever since they were released as a replacement for FastPass+ last year, Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane have been incredibly divisive.

Disney Genie

Disney guests have a lot of varying opinions on the system, largely due to the cost of the service. Genie+ is available for purchase for a flat rate, but the price of Individual Lightning Lane (or pay-per-ride attractions) varies based on a number of external factors. So, when exactly is it more expensive to purchase an Individual Lightning Lane in Disney World? Let’s take a look.

Genie+ and Lightning Lane Overview

Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane are the new ways you can skip the line at Disney World and Disneyland. Genie+ is a flat rate of $15 per person and gives guests the options to skip the line at most Disney World rides.

You can ride Jungle Cruise with Genie+ in Disney World

Individual Lightning Lanes are the “pay-per-ride” versions of this. Basically, you pay an amount (that varies ride by ride) to experience only that ride. Where paying $15 for Genie+ will allow you to ride multiple attractions, an Individual Lightning Lane purchase will allow you to ride one thing only.

If you buy an Individual Lightning Lane for Flight of Passage, you can only ride Flight of Passage.

Individual Lightning Lanes are usually reserved for the newest and/or most popular rides. For example, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is an Individual Lightning Lane selection because it just opened in EPCOT, and Rise of the Resistance in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is an Individual Lighting Lane selection due to its popularity.

Click here for the Disney Genie and Genie+ Ultimate Guide

When Is Individual Lightning Lane Most Expensive?

Individual Lightning Lanes are most expensive when the parks are the busiest. The best examples of this are the holidays. Halloween, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve are days when the parks get busier, so it’s common to see a price increase on the pay-per-ride attractions.

The parks get CROWDED during the holidays!

For example, last Christmas, we noticed price increases on some of the Individual Lightning Lane offerings. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure increased by $2 from $9 to $11. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train also increased by $2 from $10 to $12. Flight of Passage increased by $3 from $11 to $14. The only ride that did not see a price increase was Rise of the Resistance, which remained at $15 per person.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Rides may also be more expensive when they first open as opposed to rides that have been open for a while. To skip the line at Rise of the Resistance, you’ll need to pay $15 per person in your group. This had been the most expensive pay-per-ride experience in Disney World until Cosmic Rewind opened in EPCOT. It costs $17 to skip the line for Cosmic Rewind. We may see this price decrease as the newness of the rollercoaster begins to fade.

The rides Disney fans don’t regret paying for — click here

Individual Lightning Lane Pricing May Surprise You

Now, as we’ve just talked about, Individual Lightning Lanes tend to be the most expensive during the busiest times of the year. However, this isn’t always the case. During the holiday season last year, we saw certain attractions that were typically offered as an Individual Lightning Lane become included with the typical Genie+ purchase.

Space Mountain, typically an Individual Lightning Lane ride, was offered with Genie+

We’re experiencing this again this summer with certain rides that were typically offered as an Individual Lightning Lane, like Expedition Everest and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, being included in the flat $15 for Genie+.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

While it may seem counterintuitive, sometimes when the parks are the busiest, fewer Individual Lightning Lanes are offered. This can help save guests money if they were hoping to skip the line at something like Space Mountain without having to pay extra for it.

I’ve mastered Genie+ and I’m answering all your questions on the confusing system — click here

So in conclusion, the annoying answer to when Disney World’s pay-per-ride system is most expensive is: it depends. There are a few times of year you can count on it, like the holidays, but other than that, as the Disney World website says “Prices vary by date, attraction and park. Throughout the year, prices may be lower on some days and higher on other days.”

Lightning Lane at Expedition Everest

If you’re trying to determine how much Individual Lightning Lane will cost when you visit the Disney World parks, take a look at the prices in the days and weeks leading up to your trip and take into consideration the time of year that you’re going. If you’re heading to the parks in December, expect to see higher prices, but if you’re heading down in February, you’ll most likely be okay.

We’re always keeping our eye on Individual Lightning Lane prices, so make sure to stay tuned to AllEars for the most updated information!