NEWS: Disney Expands Lightning Lane Premier Pass Program

Disney’s Lightning Lane program at Walt Disney World has had mixed reviews, with some guests loving it and some hating that they have to pay for access. In October 2024, Disney launched a third option for guests allowing them to purchase a Premier Pass that grants access to all Lightning Lanes without having to book specific times. At launch, the program was only available to Disney Deluxe Resort guests. Disney has now announced a change to who is eligible. Learn more below.

Beginning Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, Walt Disney World will expand the Lightning Lane Premier Pass pilot to all Disney Resort hotels. Guests staying at Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa, Moderate, Value Resorts and other select hotels will be eligible to purchase up to seven days before the first day of their Resort stay – for their entire length of stay (up to 14 days). This is the only update to Lightning Lane Premier Pass at this time, and the pass continues to be offered in very limited quantities.

RELATED ARTICLE: Disney’s New Premium Lightning Lane Pass – What You Need to Know

by Chad and Cindy Nykamp

Walt Disney World now offers a premium Lightning Lane option for guests. The Lightning Lane Premier Pass is offered in very limited quantities to guests staying at Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villas, Moderate, Value Resorts, and other select hotels and gives guests a one-time entry to each available Lightning Lane entrance in the theme park they are visiting that day. Learn more about the new option below.

1 – An Overview of Lightning Lane Premier Pass

As noted above, guests who purchase the new Lightning Lane Premier Pass are given one entry to each available Lightning Lane attraction at any time in the theme park they are visiting that day. This includes attractions included in both Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass, but with Lightning Lane Premier Pass, guests do not need to select an entrance time. Lightning Lane Premier Pass is a “premium offering,” and prices will vary based on the date and theme park guests are visiting. Guests can expect to pay anywhere from $129 to $449 (per pass, plus tax) for the new offering. The pass is available to purchase up to seven days in advance. It is also valid for use in one park of the guest’s choice per day.

2 – How it Works

Guests who purchase Lightning Lane Premier Pass will gain a one-time entry to each available Lightning Lane experience in a park for one day, including attractions that offer Lightning Lane Single Pass. That means the guests can ride all of the Multi Pass and Single Pass attractions at a single park in one day.

The biggest perk is that guests can simply ride the attractions they want when they want. They do not need to choose specific arrival times to enjoy the attractions. This gives guests the ultimate flexibility in choosing when and what to ride during their day.

Other included perks include Disney PhotoPass Lenses and digital Disney PhotoPass Downloads of any attraction photos from the day of the guest’s visit.

3 – Eligibility to Purchase Premier Pass

During the program’s first month, the pass was only available to Disney Deluxe Resort guests. However, Disney has expanded the program to include all guests staying at Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa, Moderate, Value Resorts, and other select hotels: Walt Disney World Swant and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green.

Finally, guests wanting to purchase Premier Pass must have valid park admission. Depending on what type of admission and date of the visit, park reservations may also be required.

4 – Pricing and Purchasing the Premier Pass

Guests of eligible Resorts can purchase Lightning Lane Premier Passes up to seven days prior to their check-in date for the length of their stay (up to 14 days) starting at 7 a.m. Eastern using the My Disney Experience app. Seven days before your check-in date, open the My Disney Experience app and look for the “Lightning Lane Premier Pass on the home screen. Simply tap “Purchase” and follow the prompts to complete the purchase. Guests will receive a confirmation when the purchase is complete.

Prices for Lightning Lane Premier Passes vary based on date and theme park; purchasing is subject to very limited availability. Prices range from $129 to $449 (per pass, plus tax), with the highest prices falling on a limited number of days over peak travel periods, such as holidays. Eligible Guests will be able to view prices in the My Disney Experience app.

Here is a breakdown of what you can expect at each park:

• Magic Kingdom: $329 – $449 + tax per person
• EPCOT: $169 – $249 + tax per person
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: $269 – $349 + tax per person
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: $129 – $199 + tax per person

Please note that while Lightning Lane Premier Passes are nonrefundable and nontransferable, guests can modify their pass, such as modifying the date or theme park, though it will be subject to availability. Also, remember that the Premier Pass is only valid in one park for one day.

5 – Lightning Lane Attractions at Each Park

Here is a list of Lightning Lane attractions and experiences in each theme park.

Magic Kingdom:

• • The Barnstormer
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  • Haunted Mansion
  • “it’s a small world,”
  • Jungle Cruise
  • Mad Tea Party
  • The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic
  • Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
  • Space Mountain
  • Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
  • Tomorrowland Speedway
  • TRON Lightcycle / Run
  • Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid

EPCOT:

• • Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
  • Frozen Ever After
  • Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
  • Journey into Imagination with Figment
  • Living with the Land
  • Mission: SPACE
  • Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
  • The Seas with Nemo & Friends
  • Soarin’ Around the World
  • Spaceship Earth
  • Turtle Talk with Crush.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

• • Alien Swirling Saucers
  • Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
  • Disney Junior Play & Dance!
  • For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
  • Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
  • Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
  • Muppet*Vision 3D
  • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
  • Slinky Dog Dash, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Toy Story Mania!
  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• • Avatar Flight of Passage
  • DINOSAUR
  • Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
  • Feathered Friends in Flight!
  • Festival of the Lion King
  • Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!
  • It’s Tough to Be a Bug!
  • Kali River Rapids
  • Kilimanjaro Safaris
  • Na’vi River Journey.

Click here to learn about the other Lightning Lane options at Walt Disney World.