Disney World recently launched a premium Lightning Lane pass that grants one-time entry into every Lightning Lane in a park for one price, eliminating the need to monitor Lightning Lane availability and make new reservations throughout the day. The Premier Pass also lets consumers simply show up at an attraction and enter the Lightning Lane (as opposed to booking a specific time), making it much easier to skip the lines in Disney World. This service comes at a premium price, though, ranging from about $129 per person to $449 per person.
While this service is still relatively new (launching back in October 2024), Disney has already announced changes and expanded the service. At Disney’s first fiscal quarter earnings call on February 5th, Disney CFO Hugh Johnston commented on the rollout of Lightning Lane Premier Pass. Johnston noted that Disney is still somewhat reserved about its Premier Pass but hopes to build this product up over time.
Given that the Premier Pass launched in October 2024, the first fiscal quarter was the first time Disney had this new product included in its financial reporting. When asked to discuss the rollout of the Lightning Lane Premier Pass, Johnston said, “Remember, this is a premium product. It is a product we are learning how to use. We are marketing it very gently initially. We are moving slowly with that product in order to make it a great experience both for the purchasers and for other guests in the park.”
Regarding Lightning Lane Premier Pass, Disney highlights it is a premium product that they are marketing “gently” to ensure it is a positive experience both for those purchasing Lightning Lane and those other guests in the park.
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) February 5, 2025
Although Disney seems to be somewhat conservative when it comes to marketing its new Premier Pass, Johnston confirmed, “It’s going to build over time.” Could this mean Disney will eventually place a stronger emphasis on this luxury offering? Perhaps the prices will continue to increase as Disney introduces new attractions to its parks?
Villains Land Concept Art
©Disney
When Lightning Lane Premier Pass was introduced on October 30th, 2024, Disney guests could only buy the service if they stayed in a Disney World Deluxe Hotel, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, or Shades of Green. But by January 21st, 2025, anyone visiting Disney World can purchase the Lightning Lane Premier Pass. Those staying at the Disney World hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts, and Shades of Green can purchase the Premier Pass up to seven days in advance of their hotel stay, while everyone else (not staying at a Disney World hotel or select other resorts) can purchase it up to three days in advance of their visit.
Here’s the full list of hotels you can stay in that will now allow you to buy Lightning Lane Premier Pass up to seven days in advance:
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
- Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
- The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – A Disney Vacation Club Resort
- The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Walt Disney World Dolphin
- Walt Disney World Swan
- Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
- Shades of Green
Here’s a Full List of Rides Included with Lightning Lane Premier Pass!
This service is expensive, and the prices vary depending on the day and park. We have seen prices range from $129 to $449 per day, per person, with the highest prices so far ($449) on Thanksgiving weekend in Magic Kingdom.
Is Lightning Lane Premier Pass Worth It in Disney World?
Another important thing you need to know about Lightning Lane Premier Pass is that it can only be used in one park. So, if you buy Lightning Lane Premier Pass for EPCOT and then decide to hop to Magic Kingdom, you will not be able to use your Premier Pass in Magic Kingdom.
The BAD NEWS About Disney World’s Lightning Lane Premier Pass
The Premier Pass is NOT the only option to skip the lines in Disney World. You can also buy a Lightning Lane Multi Pass, which allows you to skip the lines at many rides in Disney World by making reservations throughout the day to return to ride during a specific hour-long window. There is also the Lightning Lane Single Pass, a way to reserve a time to ride Disney World’s most popular rides, where you pay for one ride at a time. You can sign up for our newsletter to get our free Lightning Lane cheat sheet to learn all the details about these systems!
Grab our Lightning Lane Cheat Sheet Right Here!
In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Have you ever used the Lightning Lane Premier Pass? Let us know in the comments below!
The post NEWS: Disney Announces Plans for Lightning Lane Premier Pass, Confirms It Will “Build Over Time.” first appeared on the disney food blog.