Ever wished you could wave a magic wand and make those pesky Disney lines disappear? Well, Mickey’s been listening (and apparently, he’s got expensive taste). Disney’s rolling out a new pass that promises to turn your theme park visit into a VIP experience – if you’re willing to shell out some serious pixie dust.
From skipping lines to spontaneous ride-hopping, this new ticket might just be the most coveted thing in the kingdom. But is it worth the royal ransom? Let’s dive into the magic (and the math) behind Disney’s latest crowd-beating trick!
Disney is introducing a new premium upgrade for park visitors, allowing them to skip lines with a top-tier pass that could cost up to $449 per person, in addition to park admission, the company announced on Wednesday.
The Lightning Lane Premier Pass, a pilot program, will launch next Wednesday at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, and on October 30 at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, according to Disney’s website.
This new Premier Pass, the highest of three Lightning Lane tiers, is unique in that it lets holders access shorter lines without needing to book arrival times in advance.
Prices for the pass will vary, ranging from $129 to $449 at Disney World parks, with the highest rates charged on peak visitor days.
At Disneyland Resort, the Premier Pass will cost $400 for the rest of the year, with prices between $300 and $400 expected in early 2025, depending on demand and special dates.
The passes will be sold in “very limited” quantities, and at Disney World, they will only be available to guests staying at select hotels.
The two current Lightning Lane passes require visitors to reserve specific time windows. The Lightning Lane Multi Pass allows access to three pre-selected attractions, with an option to add another after the first three are used. The Lightning Lane Single Pass grants access to one attraction from a shorter list.
The new Premier Pass will also be limited to a list of experiences and attractions, allowing pass holders to access each only once per day, according to Disney.
For now, the Premier Pass will be offered only at Disney’s U.S. parks, though Disneyland Paris has a similar Premier Access pass, and Tokyo Disney Resort offers one similar to the Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
Currently, single-day admission starts at $119 for Disney World and $104 for Disneyland, according to the park websites.