What Is The Lightning Lane Premier Pass?

Here’s the lowdown on the pricey new Lightning Lane Premier Pass at Disney World which allows you to skip the line on many rides. 

Disney World has announced a new way to skip the lines – and it’s gonna be divisive. 

Lightning Lane Premier Pass debuted on October 30th, 2024, intially only offered to guests staying at Deluxe Resorts (including DVC Villas). 

However starting November 22nd, 2024, guests staying at ANY Disney World resort are now able to purchase Premier Pass. 

There will be limited availability, which is fine because VERY FEW people will be interested in it with this price tag!

Read on for more details…

How Will Lightning Lane Premier Pass Work? 

The concept is similar to Universal’s Express pass.

If you buy the pass, you can just show up any time and get right into the Lightning Lane for any attraction (though you can only do this ONCE per day for each attraction).

You don’t have to select anything in the app or make any plans, just show up, tap your phone, ticket, or Magic Band, and ride. 

How Much Will Lightning Lane Premier Cost? 

Lightning Lane Premier Passes will cost (per person, per day):

• $129-$199 at Animal Kingdom
• $169-$249 at Epcot
• $269-$349 at Hollywood Studios
• $329-$449 at Magic Kingdom

You will not be able to park hop with the pass (for now). You buy it for the park you are visiting that day and it will only work in that park.

For a price comparison, Universal’s Express passes range from $89 to $289 per person per day. 

What Impact Will This Have at Disney World?

 

The short answer is very little. 

Obviously this premier pass is hyper-targeted at people for whom $1,200 additional cost for a family of four at Magic Kingdom is not a concern. 

I know that’s not me and not anyone I know LOL. 

I don’t see this impacting wait times or Lighting Lane availability for everyone else is any significant way. 

I do think it will sour people who are already frustrated with the rising costs of visiting Disney World, however. I don’t know if Disney’s PR department thought this through. 

Maybe they think it will make the current $25 price tag for Lightning Lane Multi Pass look more appealing? I guess we’ll never know. 

Click here for my guide to using the Lightning Lanes at Disney World (for the rest of us). 

Feeling outraged? Leave a comment below and we will commiserate.