Disney World’s new Lightning Lane option has officially debuted!

In case you missed it, over the summer, Genie+ transformed into Lightning Lane Multi Pass, and Individual Lightning Lane switched over to Lighting Lane Single Pass. This change helped clear up some naming confusion and the new system mimics its predecessor FastPass+. Now, there is a third Lightning Lane option available, and some people have very strong feelings about it.

The third option is Lightning Lane Premier Pass, which debuted at Disney World on October 30th. This new pass is only available in very limited quantities, and only those staying at Deluxe Disney World Resorts and other select hotels can purchase it.

The biggest perk of Premier Pass is that it gives you access to every single Lightning Lane within a park at one time. You do not need to select a return time; you can get into the Lightning Lane line for each attraction at any time throughout the day. The pricing of this new option is what caught people off guard. The price range for each park is as follows:

• 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

Pricing changes based on the demand and the time of year. 

Many Disney fans were upset at the way this new Lightning Lane is priced, but we are here to give you a loving reality check: Disney does not actually want you to buy this new Lightning Lane option for a few reasons. 

It is Only Sold in Limited Quantities

To start, Premier Pass can only be purchased by a select number of guests. You must stay at a Disney World Deluxe Resort or other select hotels to even be given the opportunity to purchase Premier Pass. Even if you are a guest of a Deluxe Resort, you are still not guaranteed to be able to buy Premier Pass since it is only sold in limited quantities. 

Disney is purposefully selling Premier Pass this way to limit the number of people who can or even feel like they need to buy this new Lightning Lane. If they were really trying to turn Premier Pass into the only Lightning Lane option, it would be available to everyone.

There Are Still Two Other Options

The price of Premier Pass may seem high, but it can actually be used as a marketing tactic to make Lightning Lane Multi and Single Pass look better. Disney knows that people remember the days of free FastPass+, and it has been a hard adjustment to start paying for a group of rides as well as rides individually. 

The price point of Premier Pass makes Lightning Lane Multi and Single Pass seem cheaper and more affordable. So, if you are looking to skip the line, you can still use the other two Lightning Lane options as an alternative.

It is a Cheaper Alternative to VIP Tours

Disney World offers VIP Tours where a Cast Member will take you and your party around the parks and through all the Lighting Lanes you wish. VIP Tours can be very pricey and only feel worth it if you bring enough people on the tour to bring the cost down.

Premier Pass is a great way to allow those in smaller parties to get one of the biggest perks of a VIP Tour on their own for a fraction of the price. VIP Tours can also sell out, especially as we approach the busy holiday season. So, if you were planning on booking a VIP Tour but the date you want is sold out, Premier Pass can be a great backup, so long as you are staying at a Deluxe Resort or other select hotel.

You are Not Required to Purchase It

Premier Pass is a luxury offering, and that is why it is priced so high. Just like Lightning Lane Multi and Single Pass, you do not need to purchase them as they are an add-on option. Disney World still offers a stand-by line or Virtual Queue (Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure still use this service) for all of its attractions. 

All three Lightning Lane options are designed to help you save time waiting in line, but you are not required to purchase them. You can still ride attractions at the price of your park ticket without any additional fees.

You Can Still Plan Your Day Around Return Times

Lightning Lane Premier Pass has only been available for a limited time, and as we mentioned, the biggest perk is that you do not need a return time to ride an attraction. This helps give you more flexibility to do what you want, when you want, without worrying about a return time.

But trust us, it is still 100% possible to have control and flexibility over your day with both Lightning Lane Multi and Single Pass, even with their return times. Since you can book your Lightning Lanes in advance, you can choose times that work best for you. You can also always refresh the app for more return times or edit your selections to fit into your day.

What we are trying to say is that even when FastPass+ was around, people were able to control still and have flexibility over their day. While Lightning Lane Premier Pass can give you more flexibility, we have plenty of tips on how to make Lightning Lane Multi and Single Pass work for you!

While Lightning Lane Premier Pass is expensive, there are still other alternatives, and this new Lighting Lane option is not even available to everyone. So rest assured, Disney is actually pushing you not to purchase Premier Pass.

For more Disney news, tips, and updates, continue to follow along with Disney Food Blog!

We Tried Out Premier Pass in All Four Parks! Here is How it Went!

Would you want to try Lightning Lane Premier Pass? Let us know in the comments!