Disney's Lightning Lane: Faster Access to Rides, Steep Costs

Disney to debut new Lightning Lane Premier Pass this monthPhoto byCody BoardonUnsplash

The Walt Disney Company is launching a new pass that allows guests to access rides faster at its domestic theme parks, but the cost may be steep for some visitors.

The Lightning Lane Premier Pass, debuting on October 23 at Disneyland and October 30 at Disney World, provides one-time entry to each available Lightning Lane ride. Guests must still buy a separate admission ticket to enter the parks. This pass is designed to skip long standby lines, offering a shorter wait for rides and attractions.

A key benefit of the new pass is the flexibility of not having to choose a specific arrival time for rides, unlike Disney’s other Lightning Lane passes. At Disneyland, it costs $400 per day, with pricing ranging from $300 to $400 next year, depending on demand. At Disney World, available to deluxe resort guests, prices range from $129 to $449 depending on the park and date. Guests can still use regular standby lines or virtual queues for certain rides.