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    • Disney introduces the new Lightning Lane Premier Pass: details, costs
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    Disney introduces the new Lightning Lane Premier Pass: details, costs

    Kathleen William Posted on

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    Soon you'll be able to stroll through Walt Disney World and Disneyland's Lightning Lanes any time you want — but it won't be cheap.

    On Wednesday, resorts in Florida and California debuted a new Lightning Lane Premier Pass alongside the existing Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass. Similar to skip-the-line passes at other theme parks, the new pass lets you access Lightning Lane attractions without having to worry about booking them in advance. Just come by.

    This is something guests have been asking about since Genie+ debuted amid the pandemic. However, it is not for everyone.

    Here's everything you need to know about the new Pilot Pass, which will work differently at Disney World and Disneyland.

    What is included in the Lightning Lane Premier Pass?

    The Lightning Lane Premier Pass includes all attractions currently offered in the Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass, formerly Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes.

    Guests can use the pass to enter each applicable attraction once per day.

    PhotoPass downloads are also included for the day.

    Lightning Lane Premier Pass at Disney World

    Disney World will begin piloting its Lightning Lane Premier Pass on October 30, but availability is very limited.

    At launch, Disney World's Lightning Lane Premier Pass will only be available to guests staying at the Deluxe and Deluxe Villa (Disney Vacation Club) resorts. Guests at these resorts may purchase Lightning Lane Premier Passes up to seven days prior to their stay, with the exception of the opening date, which does not allow for advance purchases.

    Disney World's Lightning Lane Premier Pass is park specific and prices vary by park and date. There is currently no Park Hopper version of the pass.

    Like park admission, the highest prices apply for limited dates during the busiest time of year. Guests can view pass prices 21 days in advance on a calendar in the Disney World app.

    Lightning Lane Premier Passes per person per day:

    • Disney's Animal Kingdom: $129-$199 plus tax
    • EPCOT: $169-$249 plus tax
    • Disney's Hollywood Studios: $269-$349 plus tax
    • Magic Kingdom: $329-$449 plus tax

    For comparison, Universal Express passes range from $89.99 to $289.99 per person per day at Universal Orlando Resort and start at $80 per day at Universal Studios Hollywood.

    Lightning Lane Premier Pass at Disneyland

    Disneyland will launch its Lightning Lane Premier Pass next Wednesday, October 23rd. Typically, guests can purchase the pass up to two days in advance of a park reservation, but advance reservations are not possible for the start date.

    Unlike Disney World, the Disneyland Pass is available to all guests on a first come, first served basis and has very limited availability. Plus, unlike its Florida counterpart, the Disneyland Pass includes same-day access to Lightning Lane at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

    For the remainder of 2024, the Disneyland pass costs $400 per person per day. This price is the same for children (from 3 years old) and adults and is tax-free.

    Next year, Disneyland's Lightning Lane Premier Pass will cost between $300 and $400 per person per day, depending on the date. This year's price is on the high end as the pass is available for the first time during peak visiting times, Halloween and holidays.

    Disneyland just increased prices: This way you still save

    What about the other Lightning Lane passes?

    Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass, which launched this summer, aren't going anywhere. Guests can continue to purchase and use them as before.

    However, you don't have to pay anything to reduce your waiting time at the Disney parks. You can use the Disneyland and Disney World apps to track attraction wait times. If you're willing to separate from your group, use single-rider queues where available to reduce wait times. You can also visit the city during off-peak times, as these are easy to spot on the holiday calendar, as this is where entry prices are cheapest.

    It's also worth noting that there are no Lightning Lanes in some Disneyland attractions, particularly Fantasyland.

    Lightning Lane Premier Pass audience

    The Lightning Lane Premier Pass isn't for everyone, nor is it intended to be. Rather, it is intended to expand the range of options available to guests planning a Disney vacation.

    Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, told USA TODAY: “What type of hotel do I want to stay in? And we have a range of hotels to choose from. What time of year could I visit one of these parks? And we will have differentiated prices for these seasons. How do I want to think about food? Do I want to go to Napa Rose or maybe I want quick service in the park so I can move further through the park and visit as many attractions as I want?”

    When asked about Disney's commitment to continuing to make experiences accessible to fans, he added: “To make these experiences attainable, we must ensure that we are targeting each consumer's desires and giving them the opportunity to enjoy the parks or the (Designing cruise ships in a way that makes sense for them.”

    Depending on how guests use the new Lightning Lane Premier Pass, Disney may make adjustments to it later.

    (This story has been updated to add links.)

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    Kathleen William
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