Disney made a HUGE announcement this morning about a new option to purchase Lightning Lanes for rides in Disney World and Disneyland.
Disney is rolling out a NEW Lightning Lane Premier Pass in addition to the current Multi Pass and Single Pass. Like Multi Pass and Single Pass, Premier Pass will do the same, but is only available to Disney World guests staying at Deluxe and deluxe villas resorts. Disney also announced the pricing for the new option, so we asked you, our readers, what you thought about it.
The new Lightning Lane Premier Pass is park-specific and will have variable pricing based on the park and date. Here’s what the pricing looks like in Disney World:
- Magic Kingdom: $329-$449 plus tax
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom: $129-$199 plus tax
- EPCOT: $169-$249 plus tax
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: $269-$349 plus tax
In Disneyland, the Premier Pass will cost $400 per person per day for adults and children, although prices will run from $300 to $400 per person in 2025. This pass will be available to everyone, but in “very limited quantities.”
The difference between Premier Pass and the other passes is that you’ll be able to enter a Lightning Lane at any time for a ride without having to pre-select a specific time. So, basically, Premier Pass gives you a little more flexibility during your day in the park.
We asked you, our readers, what you thought about the new option, as well as its pricing. Let’s just say — you had opinions.
Kristine just sees it as a new option for riding attractions: “Disney offers many different pricing options beginning with resorts at multiple price points. Same for dining–there are pricing options at all price points. There are Enchanting Extras and other tours for those that are [sic] inclined to indulge is added options. This is just another option. Lot’s [sic] of commenters on multiple forums are enthusiastic about this additional option.”
Becky thinks it’s a great addition, especially as it’s similar to an offering at Universal Orlando: “I think it’s great (and comparable to universal [sic]) to have it as an option. I think if it was free or cheap it would nullify the benefit. Because if everyone skips the line, then it just turns the lightning lane into a long line. I like that it isn’t replacing the current system, so I still have the cheaper option.
There is no way they could make this free to all deluxe resorts without nullifying the benefit. There are too many deluxe resorts compared to Universal.”
Some of our readers think it should be the only option. Barclay said, “It should be the only Lightning Lane offering. The current system is just too detrimental to the stand by [sic] lines. Universal has it right. Make line skipping super premium so it has less impact on the regular standby lines but they still make money. Disney is trying to have their cake and eat it, too.”
However, many mentioned that a VIP Tour is actually a better value. Kimberly commented, “I think the pricing is way off. I usually travel with a larger group… so it would be cheaper for us to stay at a value resort and do a VIP tour … especially if we do a couple of parks a day.”
Melanie agreed, “You might as well do a VIP tour if it’s peak season. You could do multiple parks and ride whatever multiple times. No one wants to do every LL ride in each park. I crunched the numbers and added in the intangible of not wanting to do all rides and not being able to park hop. Just doesn’t make sense. Maaaybe you could make the argument if it’s low season it would be worth it and maaaybe if it was just one or two people and not a family of 4+.”
However, many of our readers think it’s a bad idea. Ted wrote, “It’s a horrible idea from the consumer side. It’s another money grab. They have raised the prices for everything while removing things that had been historically free. This is just going to create resentment towards Disney and push more people to spend their money at Universal.”
Renee also thinks it’s a bad idea: “Outrageous ~ so if you’re a family of 4 and on a budget and saved for years and staying at AllStars you’re basically a lower class guest who doesnt [sic] deserve to make the most out of your stay…REALLY DISNEY…”
John said, “I seem to remember Bob Iger (when he returned) saying Park pricing was out of control and he was ‘looking at it.’ Who knew this was the solution. [sic] Disney is becoming the Rich Man’s Playground. Sad how much they have strayed from Walt’s original vision. Won’t be going back any time soon and we are DVC owners.”
Samantha agreed, “Seems like another elitist playground power move by Disney. It seems like they are constantly coming up with a new way to alienate and price out most of their fan base.”
Jenna thinks the value of the service just isn’t there: “The price doesn’t equate to what you are getting. Buying multi pass and 2 Single passes is still significantly cheaper. And you are limited to staying in the park so you can’t park hop. The ONLY benefit Premier Pass currently has over Multi Pass is you don’t have to pick a time. I think I’ll keep my $300 for Magic Kingdom and stick with multi pass and gladly pick a time.”
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CONFIRMED: Every Ride Included in Disney World’s NEW Lightning Lane Premier Pass
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What do you think of the pricing for the Lightning Lane Premier Pass? Let us know in the comments!
Does anyone else think they have just monetized the DAS pass? People were abusing it for sure but now they have pushed disabled people out & monetized the only other option for them. I have saved for years to take my family of 4 to the Animal Kingdom lodge, it is costing me 12 grand for 2 rooms. Normally we stay at Pop. My husband has always been eligible for DAS because of his Epilepsy, neuropathy & service dog. He is no longer eligible to just walk up scan his pass & be given a return time so he can find a shady spot to relax but they offer a paid option. This is ridiculous. I hope no one buys it & it’s canceled.
My knee jerk reaction was that Disney had lost their ever-lovin’ minds. But then I considered that when I go to the Tokyo Disney parks, I intend to pay for their skip-the-line services to experience as much as possible in the limited time available to me. Also, the freedom from having to be on a phone all day is very attractive.
Disney is ridiculous already. We will go elsewhere, like Europe or really nice other parts of the world for far less. We love Disney but they keep gouging the customers. I hope Universal whips them with the new world.
the major point is that it is an option not a requirement. The other destinations assuming parks like Universal also charge a significant amount for this service and has done so for years just as other major park operators have – including Dollywood, cedar fair and 6 flags. I would suspect that Victoria and Alberts is out of the price range of the vast majority of Disney’s guest yet the place exists it does not impact my meal eating a slice of pizza
Hey Dave That really doesn’t make me feel better about not being able to bring my family as much as I used to…. If people are at Vic and Al’s are eating and not ahead of my family in the line then I can get my pizza faster. However, pizza is far down my list of less expensive food at WDW. 🤣🤣
Not at all surprising to me whatsoever. If you.listen to Disney tell it, attendance is down cause the rich folk are going to Europe instead. Had to throw them a bone to bring them back..Now…..what will Disney do for an encore? Wait, I know, charge an entrance fee for the pools at the resort hotels. Don’t worry, they will think of something.
Eliminate all lightning lane passes. Let the rich stand on line and wait their turn like everyone else. Cutting the line because you have money is not acceptable.
I’ve been qn annual pass holder for years…. No more….. Universal, Sea World here i come. I envision skeletons in the standby lines at Disney because all those entitled are pushed to the front. Seems Disney is selling line jumping privileges to the rich.
So when I go with my 2 kids and their families (11 of us in total), there is no way a middle class family who is already stretched can afford what would be an additional 3-4k for the day to skip lines and instead stand in hours long lines that are even more backed up because of an added tier of Lightning Lane. We are seriously at our breaking point and going to try to talk them into another destination.
I think this has it’s good & bad points. It comes with a lot of questions though. Will this only be available to Deluxe Resort guests forever? Are they going to make a 3rd line at attractions-one for Premier, one for regular multi-pass and one for standby lines? Are they eventually going to do away with multi-pass options for the other hotel guests and annual pass holders and only have a Premier?
I think this can be a good idea. I have used Express Passes at Universal and thinks it’s very simple-jump in any line that uses express with low waits and no specific times to have to use it.
I’m a married empty nester with no kids (now) to bring, so I feel bad for the families who have kids and Disney will price out if they only have a day or 2 in the park & want to try & get as much done as possible.
Glad to see its very high priced. That should limit who is able to use it. If people want to throw money at a problem to skip lines instead of researching the proper order to do ride, then I hope they throw A LOT of money at it!
Supply and demand is their protocol. Maybe once Universal opens and the demand is no longer there,then prices will drop. I do miss fast passes…this is getting a little ridiculous.