Disney has added another option to their Lightning Lane program – now we have Premier Pass in addition to Lightning Lane Single-Pass and Multi-Pass! Let’s dive into it!
A few months ago, Disney announced Genie+ was hitting the road, and Lightning Lane Multi Pass would be replacing it. Essentially, this service allows you to bypass the stand-by line for attractions and enter a separate line with a much shorter wait time. These attractions have to be scheduled with a return time and are booked throughout your Disney park day. When Multi Pass launched it brought with it the ability to book the service 7 days in advance if you are staying on site at a Disney resort hotel and 3 days if you are staying off site. You can book up to three attractions per day in advance and then you book additional attractions as you scan into your pre-selected attractions. (clear as mud?) So while it took away the 7 AM hustle to book your attractions, you still have to be on your phone throughout the day booking new return times for attractions and sort of plan your day around when rides are available.
Lightning Lane Single Pass replaced what we previously called Individual Lightning Lanes – this is a separate purchase from Multi Pass and is for the most in-demand attractions in each park that do not offer Multi-Pass. This is for rides like Tron, Cosmic Rewind, Rise of the Resistance… ya know, the must-rides!
Now we also have Premier Pass – which starting October 30th 2024 will be rolled out to guests of Deluxe Resorts & villas only (at the time of writing this blog post). This service will be limited in quantity and grants you one-time access to any Lightning Lane entrance (including single pass) in a single theme park. This pass makes it so that you do not need to book return times, you simply show up whenever you wish to enjoy these attractions. This pass will also include Photo Pass downloads of any attraction photos that are captured (but you will still need memory maker for non-attraction photos). This pass is able to be purchased 7 days prior to your check in date as an on site resort guest – and is limited to 1 park per day (so even if you plan to park hop, your premier pass is only good for the park it was purchased for).
While I am so excited for the new pass that offers more flexibility to guests in not having to schedule out their day based upon the return times they are given when booking multi pass- this will come at a cost. Like I mentioned this is currently only available for Deluxe Resort guests and will range in price depending on the park and the day. Starting prices look a little like this…
Magic Kingdom: $329-$449 plus tax
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: $129-$199 plus tax
EPCOT: $169-$249 plus tax
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: $269-$349 plus tax
Over at Disneyland, the change will take place starting October 23rd, 2024 – Here, you will be able to purchase the pass up to two days ahead of your park reservation – but there are a few differences to how it will work over in the California theme parks.
For example, Disneyland guests can use the Premier Pass in both parks in a single day, and it is available to all guests with valid theme park admission. The Premier Pass at Disneyland will run $400 Per person per day, regardless of age, for the remainder of 2024, and then in 2025, pricing will run between $300-$400 per person.
Overall, I think this is a great option for guests who want the flexibility of not scheduling their day out based on return times that are available and want to be a little less tied to their phone and a little more in the moment – it is also a great alternative to a Disney VIP Tour!
Have questions about the new pass? Leave a comment below!
