Disney’s new Lightning Lane system has changed the way guests experience rides, offering multiple tiers of access and booking options. This guide will break down the different passes available, when to book them, who qualifies, and the costs involved. Let’s dive in!
Lightning Lane Pass Options at Walt Disney World
Multi-Pass
The Multi Pass allows guests to book multiple Lightning Lane attractions in one day, based on availability. Choose an available arrival window and enter the lightning lane queue. The Multi Pass option is ideal for guests who want to maximize their time in the parks by skipping the standby lines for a range of attractions.
Single Pass
A Single Pass provides access to one Lightning Lane attraction. It’s perfect if you only want to skip the line for a specific high-demand ride. Only a few select rides have a Single Pass option.
Premier Pass
The Premier Pass is the newest option, set to begin at Walt Disney World on October 30th, 2024. The Premier Pass includes all attractions eligible for lightning lane, including Single Pass attractions. With Premier Pass, you will still enter the lightning lane line, just as you would with Multi Pass or Single Pass, however, Premier Pass allows guests access to each attraction one time for the day and park of purchase, without having to schedule entry times. Simply enter the lightning lane queue for the attraction you want to ride, at the time you want to ride it.
Who Qualifies and When to Book
• Multi-Pass: Available to all guests. Rides are separated into 2 tiers at Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Epcot, while there are no tiers at Animal Kingdom. Guests staying at an eligible onsite Disney World Resort can choose 3 rides (1 from Tier 1 and 2 from Tier 2) for each day of their visit, up to 14 days, at 7am EST, 7 days before their check in date. All other guests can pre-pick 3 attractions 3 days before each park day. Multi Pass is purchased for individual parks, however, can be used in multiple parks with a valid park hopper ticket. All 3 rides chosen in advance must be in the same park, even if the guest has a park hopper ticket.
• Single Pass: Open to all park guests as well, but availability may vary based on crowd levels. Only certain rides are eligible for Single Pass Lightning Lane. These attractions are not included in Multi Pass. Just as with Multi Pass, guests staying at an eligible onsite Disney World Resort can pre purchase up to 2 Single Pass lightning lanes per day, at 7am EST, 7 days before their resort check in date, while offsite guests can purchase Single Pass lightning lanes 3 days before their park visit.
• Premier Pass: UPDATED 01/21/25: Premier Pass can now be purchased by ALL guests with valid park admission. Previously only guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resorts, and Shades of Green could purchase a Premier Pass.
Premier Pass is purchased for individual parks and can only be purchased for one park per day. Guests of onsite hotels and other eligible hotels can purchase Premier Pass for each day of their visit, up to 14 days, at 7am EST, 7 days before their check in date. All other guests can purchase Premier Pass 3 days prior to use date.
Cost Breakdown
• Multi-Pass: Prices fluctuate based on demand, season and park but typically range from $15 (off peak at Animal Kingdom) to $35 (peak at Magic Kingdom) per person, per day.
• Single Pass: These passes are priced per ride and vary by attraction, usually from $12 to $25 per ride.
• Premier Pass: Expect higher pricing here, between $129 and $449 per person, per day, depending on the park as well as time of year.
How Lightning Lane Works at Disneyland
Disneyland’s Lightning Lane system functions similarly to the previous Genie+ system. There are, however, some differences between how Multi Pass and Single Pass lightning lane works and what is included at Disneyland vs Disney World. These are:
There is no option to pre choose attractions at Disneyland
At Disneyland, guests reserve the next available arrival window compared to WDW where you can choose an arrival window (pending availability)
PhotoPass Lenses AND PhotoPass digital downloads are included at Disneyland. Disneyland also includes attraction photo downloads for all guests, not just those with Lightning Lane purchases.
At Disneyland, Multi Pass can be purchased prior to your visit as a ticket add on for the length of your ticket or for the day, after you enter the park. Single Pass can only be purchased after you enter the park for the day of purchase.
The biggest differences between the Premier Pass at Disneyland vs Disney World are:
At Disneyland, Premier Pass can be used at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park by guests with a Park Hopper ticket.
Disney PhotoPass downloads, Disney PhotoPass Lenses, and PhotoPass attraction photos are included.
At Disneyland, any guest with a valid theme park ticket and reservation can purchase Premier Pass. It can be purchased 2 days prior to park admission date at 7am PST.
Beginning in 2025, Premier Pass prices will vary based on day and demand and range from $300-$400 per person/per day. Until then, the cost is $400 per person/per day.
Beyond Lightning Lane: How the VIP Tour takes Disney magic to the next level.
The VIP Tour is a great way to experience and enjoy the parks without the stress of long lines, figuring out transportation, or learning all about lightning lanes.
Here's what is included:
• A highly knowledgeable private tour guide
• Priority access to rides in all parks
• Access to multiple parks, if you have a park hopper ticket
• Private transportation by a cast member between parks
• Priority fireworks viewing area
• Customized itineraries based on your interests
Cost: The VIP Tour ranges from $450 - $900 per hour, for a minimum booking of 7 hours and a maximum of 10 hours, and can accommodate up to 10 guests (including infants). Theme park tickets and park hopper add ons need to be purchased separately and are NOT included with the VIP Tour price.
Whether it’s maximizing park time with Lightning Lane or experiencing ultimate exclusivity with a VIP Tour, there’s a way to tailor Disney to your family’s unique needs.
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