6 Dates To AVOID Buying Disney World Lightning Lanes in December

Heading to Disney World in December? These are the six most expensive days to buy Lightning Lanes — and why you should avoid them.

December at Disney World is pure holiday magic among the glisten of the holiday decor and sweet smells of delicious treats, but it also brings some of the heaviest crowds of the entire year. And when the parks fill up, it can become a lot harder to check off everything on your must-do list. Sure, there are plenty of smart strategies — rope dropping, staying late, jumping between attractions, and using mobile order — that can save you precious time. But sometimes, you may feel like you need a little extra help to keep your day moving. Just keep in mind: while Lightning Lanes can be that time-saving tool, there are certain December dates where this convenience comes with a much steeper price tag than you might expect.

Planning a December trip to Disney World and thinking about buying Lightning Lane access? Before you hit “purchase,” there are a handful of dates you’ll definitely want to watch out for. December is already one of the busiest (and most expensive) times of the year at Disney World, and certain dates see Lightning Lane prices climb to some of the highest of the season.

But we may be getting ahead of ourselves here. If you’re not as familiar with them, Lightning Lanes are Disney World’s paid line-skipping options available through the My Disney Experience app and Lightning Lane Single Pass purchases. Lightning Lane access includes a rotating list of attractions you can reserve throughout the day, while Individual Lightning Lanes are à-la-carte purchases for some of the most popular rides like TRON Lightcycle / Run or Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Prices change daily based on expected crowds, which means some dates get dramatically more expensive — especially during the busy holiday season.

If you’re trying to stick to a budget, here are 6 dates in December you might want to AVOID buying Lightning Lanes when those prices hit their highest all month!

December 13th

Mid-December is when crowds really start to ramp up, especially as holiday breaks begin. By December 13th, Lightning Lane prices tend to reflect that increased demand. Magic Kingdom (which tends to be the highest priced park of all the Lightning Lanes) will cost you $39 per person to skip the standby lines for the day.

If your trip includes this date, consider shifting your “big park day” to a nearby weekday when crowds (and prices) may be slightly lower.

December 15th

As you move deeper into the month, December 15th is another day where prices for Lightning Lanes are typically on the higher end. Magic Kingdom will once again top out at $39 per person and an Individual Lightning Lane for Rise of the Resistance will cost you $25 per person to skip that long wait in its queue.

This is often a Saturday or weekend-adjacent date, which means more locals, more tourists, and higher demand for skipping the line.

December 17th

By December 17th, you’re well into peak holiday season mode. Lightning Lane pricing often spikes here because more families are officially on winter break. Prices for Lightning Lanes will mimic the previous highest day on December 15th once again.

If you can, focus on lower-cost strategies this day, like arriving for Early Entry, using the regular standby lines smartly, and building in afternoon breaks.

December 20th

The days leading into Christmas are some of the most crowded at Walt Disney World (and most expensive.) December 20th is a day where Lightning Lane access can get very pricey per person — $42 per person for Magic Kingdom alone to be exact!

If this date falls during your trip, it might be a good day to lean into shows, walk-through experiences, and taking in all the gorgeous holiday decor instead of chasing the headliners.

December 22nd

Just a few days before Christmas, December 22nd is another “premium pricing” day. Many visitors have fully arrived for their holiday vacations, and demand for Lightning Lanes follows suit. You’ll be back down to paying a high price for a park for the day with Magic Kingdom once again surging to $39 per person.

On this date, using a solid touring plan can save you a lot of money — rope drop, use mobile order, and focus on must-do rides early or late in the day.

December 23rd

December 23rd can be one of the most intense crowd days of the year. It’s magical…but also packed! Lightning Lane prices are correspondingly high, which could add up fast for families. $42 is what you’ll expect to pay per person if you’re planning to skip the lines at Magic Kingdom on this day.

Unless your budget is very flexible, this is a great day to skip Lightning Lanes altogether and instead embrace the festive atmosphere, parades, and nighttime entertainment.

So…Should You Ever Buy Lightning Lanes in December?

You absolutely can — and some days, it can still be worth it! But if you’re trying to stretch your budget, there’s nothing wrong with being strategic about how this extra help can serve you best. Avoid purchasing on December 13th, 15th, 17th, 20th, 22nd, and 23rd, and instead plan those as lower-ride, higher-festivity days. Then, pick a slightly less expensive date for your “Lightning Lane splurge day.”

Smart planning means you enjoy the holiday magic without overpaying for it. We’re always giving you our best tips and tricks and testing out all the strategies to help you get the most out of your next Disney World visit. Be sure to check back in with us at AllEars for the latest!

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Do you plan in advance to purchase Lightning Lanes or do you wait until you feel like you need it during your day to make that decision? Leave your strategy for us in the comments!

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