Disney World Needs New Rules for Lightning Lanes This Summer

Since its introduction back in 2024, Walt Disney World’s Lightning system has proven to be a highly popular addition to the resort’s tradition of “skip-the-line” offerings.

However, with the great deal of changes occurring across the resort right now, some NEW Lightning Lane rules and changes may be in order.

Alright, before we get to these potential new rules, let’s run through the basics of how Lightning Lanes work. There are three primary types of Lightning Lanes available at Walt Disney World:

• Lightning Lane Multi Pass allows guests to plan ahead of their visit and choose up to 3 Multi Pass experiences – One Tier 1 and two Tier 2 options at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios –  and arrival windows in a theme park each day (7 days in advance of their stay for Disney hotel guests and 3 days in advance for non-hotel guests).
• Lightning Lane Single Pass allows guests to “Save time in line with a Lightning Lane Single Pass for one of our most in-demand attractions—those not available with Lightning Lane Multi Pass.” Single Passes are eligible to be purchased at the same time as their Multi Pass equivalents.
• Lightning Lane Premier Pass  “allows one-time entry to each Lightning Lane experience in a theme park—to enjoy at your leisure that day,” which can once again be purchased beginning in the same purchase window.

A BIG Switch at the Magic Kingdom

Following a refurbishment that lasted well over a year, Big Thunder Mountain is set to roar back to life on May 3rd. Upon reopening, the legendary E-Ticket features updated tracks and trains that “preserve the attraction’s classic storytelling and trademark hootin’ an’ hollerin’ energy” while improving the ride experience with new sequences, including Rainbow Caverns. These changes – and a “comprehensive review from their safety teams” have even allowed Disney to lower the ride’s height requirement from 40 inches to 38 inches. The ride is offered as part of the Magic Kingdom’s Tier 1 Lightning Lane offerings.

However, given the mega demand for Big Thunder after the long refurbishment, we can’t help but think that instead of being offered as part of Lightning Lane Multi Pass, the coaster should be offered as a standalone Lightning Single Pass, at least temporarily. It could replace the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, which could, in turn, become a Tier 1 Multi Pass option.

Hotel Perk!

The current iteration of the Lightning Lane system doesn’t offer any free Lightning Lanes as part of Disney World hotel packages, and we think that’s a mistake. Disney could perhaps offer one complementary Lightning Lane per day of stay, or at least 2-3 per guest per trip, depending on the number of days booked.

There is precedent for this, as this past January, Disneyland Resort hotel guests began receiving one complimentary Lightning Lane pass for any Multi Pass eligible attraction per trip. This pass can only be used ONCE per length of stay per person, and cannot be used on Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland or Radiator Springs Racers in Disney California Adventure, since both are Single Pass rides.

Readjust Hollywood Studios

This May, two major revitalized rides are set to debut at Hollywood Studios. May 22nd will see a new version of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run featuring the mega-popular Mandalorian and Grogu, while the long-awaited Muppet-infused version of the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster is set to debut on May 26th.

The two revitalized attractions are set to join Slinky Dog Dash, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway as the park’s Tier 1 offerings. However, we’d argue this makes said Tier a bit top-heavy, and that one of the other two rides – most likely Runaway Railway due to its capacity – should be dropped to Tier 2.

Water Parks?

Walt Disney World’s water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, have never offered Lightning Lanes for their slides and attractions before. However, given the increase in guests thanks to the water park perk – which offers each member of a party staying at a Walt Disney World hotel free admission to one of Walt Disney World’s water parks on their check-in day – included in the Cool Kids Summer promotion, it may be something Disney should consider.

Disney World is changing at a rapid pace, and the rules of its Lightning Lane system may need to change, too. Stay tuned to AllEars for more Disney World takes!

I Learned My Lesson the HARD Way: “One Last Ride” at Disney World Nearly Cost Me My Flight

What Lightning Lane rule changes would you like to see? Let us know in the comments below.

Post a Comment