Skipping lines at Disney comes at a shocking price.
Trips to Disneyland and Disney World demand meticulous planning, often comparable to that of an international journey. It’s not just about the finances—though spending days in this magical realm can be costly—but also about strategically navigating your time to make the most of your visit. For some Disney enthusiasts, the announcement of the “Lightning Lane Premier Pass” may come as a welcome relief, as it allows guests to bypass lines in their quest to experience the attractions. However, there is a catch: these passes come at a steep price, adding to the already hefty cost of admission tickets.
Related: You Should Read the Disney+ Fine Print Before Going to a Disney Park
What Does the Lightning Lane Premier Pass Cost?
The Lightning Lane Premier Pass at Disneyland comes at a flat rate of $400 per person per day through this year, but the prices will range between $300 and $400 in 2025, depending on demand. At Disney World, the price for this top-tier pass can go up to $449 per person per day. This is on top of the ticket prices ($104 and up for Disneyland and $119 and up for Disney World for a single ticket), and not every ride offers fast lane services.
For a family, these costs can easily reach thousands. Clearly, the service isn’t meant for just about everyone; it’s an added pass for those who are short on time and not worried about costs.
The company already offers the Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass, and these will continue. For both options, you need to book an available slot for the ride, but the Multi-Pass can be used one time on each available attraction, while the Single Pass offers a one-time use on a ride. With the new Lightning Lane Premier Pass, you won’t have to book a slot, though. The pass also offers Disney PhotoPass downloads for the day.
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Disneyland, California
Disneyland will pilot its Premier Pass on October 23, and guests can buy this two days in advance of their visit. Until December 31, 2024, it’s a flat rate of $400 per pass, but in 2025, it will have dynamic pricing within a range of $300 to $400. There are limited passes available, and you need to have a theme park admission ticket and park reservation before you can grab the pass.
If you have a Park Hopper addition to your entry ticket, you can use the Premier Pass at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.
Disney World, Florida
The Lightning Lane Premier Pass for Disney World isn’t available for everyone—it will first be piloted to guests staying at Disney hotels and resorts (including Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village, and Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, among others). You need a valid theme park ticket before you can buy this pass. It launches on October 30, and guests can book them up to seven days in advance of their stay. Unlike Disneyland, there is no single price to visit all parks; each has its own price, which depends on demand. Disney’s Magic Kingdom is the priciest of them all, with pass costs up to $449 plus tax per day per person during peak season.
– Animal Kingdom: $129-$199 plus tax
– Magic Kingdom: $329-$449 plus tax
– EPCOT: $169-$249 plus tax
– Hollywood Studios: $269-$349 plus tax
Disney has faced criticism over its price hikes that are making the theme parks unaffordable for American families. Just this month, Disneyland announced price hikes for all tiers other than the basic entry-level ticket and the Magic Key Annual Pass (which went up between $100 and $125). It’s not just the ticket—food, accommodation, and extra services like fast track add up to the spending at the theme parks.
One way you can save thousands of dollars is by choosing off-peak seasons and skipping the parks during Halloween and Christmas. The company uses dynamic pricing for its entry tickets and now also for the passes, so you can plan your trip around those if you are able.
Related: 9 Theme Parks That Are More Affordable Than Disney
