It’s a big day over in Disneyland! Yes, we’re over on the West Coast checking out a brand new offering in the park.

Sleeping Beauty Castle

As we previously reported, Disneyland’s Lightning Lane Premier Pass is officially available in the Disneyland app, and we purchased it to try it out to give you ALL the details on the service. So, yes, we paid $400 per person to get Lightning Lane Premier Pass and we’ve been hitting up rides that offer it. But the biggest question we know YOU have is “Is it worth it?” Well, we’re going to break it down for you.

Lightning Lane Premier Pass is a “luxury” service where you can pay to access EVERY Lightning Lane for rides in Disneyland and Disney California Adventure for one day. Once you purchase it, you get to use each ride’s Lightning Lane once, including every ride listed for Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass.

©Disney

However, the biggest difference between Lightning Lane Premier Pass and Multi Pass and Single Pass is that you don’t have to make a timed selection for each ride. You can just get in each Lightning Lane whenever you want. The service also includes unlimited PhotoPass downloads and PhotoPass Lenses.

©Disney

Through December 31st, 2025, you’ll pay $400 per person for Lightning Lane Premier Pass. Starting in 2025, the price will vary by date, but it will stay within the $300 to $400 per person per day range. So it’s time to ask: is Disneyland’s Lightning Lake Premier Pass worth it? 

It’s Worth the Cost if…

First of all, this service might be worth it for your group if you’re okay with paying extra for convenience. It’s $400 per person, but with that cost, you won’t have to book Lightning Lanes all day, run back and forth across the park, or fight with scheduling conflicts like dining reservations.

Lightning Lane entrance for Matterhorn

Also, this might be worth the cost if you were planning on paying for a VIP tour but only wanted to do it for the Lightning Lane access. As part of a VIP tour, a Disney Cast Member will escort you through Lightning Lane queues for whichever attractions you’d like to enjoy, but you also get backstage access and other perks. If the only perk that you care about is minimal wait times, then this could be significantly cheaper than a VIP tour.

Lightning Lane for Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin

Another person who may want Lightning Lane Premier Pass? Someone who only has ONE day in Disneyland Resort. If you’re park hopping to both Disneyland and California Adventure and it’s your goal to get as much done as possible, this is possibly the most efficient way to accomplish that goal. Lightning Lane Premier Pass at Disneyland Resort includes access to all the Lightning Lanes in both parks on the same day.

Lightning Lane Entrance

Basically, if you’re trying to be incredibly speedy about accomplishing as many attractions as possible, then this service could be for you…as long as you have the budget!

It’s Not Worth the Cost if…

Now it’s time to fight for the other side of the coin. Obviously, the first point is that this service is NOT for you if you’re heading to Disneyland Resort on a budget. You’ll save a lot of money by just purchasing Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Lightning Lane Single Pass each day. Sure, you’ll have to schedule your return times yourself, but it might be worth it to literally save HUNDREDS.

Lightning Lane at Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

If you’re going to be in Disneyland Resort for multiple days, this service probably isn’t for you. Those who have 4-day or 5-day vacations can likely get everything done that they want to accomplish in the parks during that time, without paying extra to skip the lines. Especially if you make use of Multi Pass in the place of Premier Pass.

Lightning Lane Entrance

And to counter an argument from the first point, you probably don’t want to shell out the $$$ for Premier Pass if you’re not using park hopper tickets. The $400 cost includes access to 22 Lightning Lanes across both parks, and if you’re not park hopping, then you don’t get the full value for the day. Don’t waste your cash!

California Adventure

Last but not least, we’ll probably not recommend Lightning Lane Premier Pass as much for a family with mostly or only small children. Most of the rides that have longer waits and offer Lightning Lane are those that have height requirements. If you’re going to Disneyland Resort with your baby or toddler, you may not get the same value out of this service because you’ll only be able to use a select number of Lightning Lanes throughout the day.

Radiator Springs at Disney California Adventure

So there you have it — our breakdown of who should and shouldn’t pay for Lightning Lane Premier Pass in Disneyland Resort. Stay tuned to DFB for more information about this new system, as well as all the updates once it lands in Disney World.

Step-By-Step: How to Buy Lightning Lane Premier Pass on the Disneyland App

What do you think? Would Lightning Lane Premier Pass be worth it to you and your group in Disneyland? Let us know in the comments!