Disney World has changed their skip the line system a few times over the past few years.

We saw it switch from the free services, FastPass and FastPass+, to Genie Plus, a paid version. Then Genie Plus changed to Lightning Lane, which is still a paid skip-the-line system. Universal Orlando has the Express Pass which is their version of this system and actually, some fans say it is better than Disney’s system. So let’s break these down and see which one comes out on top.

Lightning Lane Multi Pass

Disney Genie+ is now Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Individual Lightning Lanes are now Lightning Lane Single Pass. When purchasing Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you can make up to 3 Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections in a park in advance of your visit. Additionally, you can choose available times as you make your attraction selections, and can continue to hold up to 3 Lighting Lane Multi Pass selections at a time.

Those staying at a Disney World Resort hotel (and select other hotels*) can purchase and select their first 3 Lightning Lane Multi Passes up to seven days in advance of their check-in day for their entire stay (up to 14 days), with all other guests being able to purchase and select their first 3 Lightning Lane Multi Passes three days in advance.

Disney has introduced a tiered system for ride selections. At Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, from your 3 advance selections, you may choose one experience from a higher-tiered group and two experiences (or all three) from a lower-tiered group. Disney’s Animal Kingdom does not have a tiered system.

Be aware that the Tiers only apply to making selections in advance. Once you are in the parks, you may hold as many Tier 1 rides as are available to you.

Lightning Lane Multi Pass prices can be lower at one park than at another. For example, you might pay $27 at Magic Kingdom on a particular day, but Lightning Lane Multi Pass could be $18 at Animal Kingdom on that same day if there’s lower demand.

Thus far, the highest price we have seen in Disney World for Lightning Lane Multi Pass is $39 per day, per ticket. Guests can find the pricing for the day (and for eligible advance purchase dates) on the My Disney Experience app.

Everything You Need to Know About Lightning Lanes

Lightning Lane Premier Pass

Lightning Lane Premier Pass allows you to use the Lightning Lanes to skip the lines at most attractions in any given Disney World park — without having to make reservations and schedule your Lightning Lanes throughout the day. With this pass, you just scan in at the Lightning Lane — no reservation needed.

Pricing for Premier Pass is high and varies based on the time of year and the park. Pricing 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

It has a very high price jump from Lightning Lane Multi and Single Pass, and you still wait in the same Lightning Lane line and wait the same amount of time as someone who paid for Lightning Lane Multi or Single Pass. There is no extra “royal treatment” for this luxury service. It’s simply another way to skip the standby lines.

Honestly, this is not realistic for the average family, and it’s not meant to be. There are so many excellent strategies for getting the most out of the other two Lightning Lane options. This is a luxury option, and you do NOT need it to be successful in Disney World.

Here’s a Full List of Rides Included with Lightning Lane Premier Pass!

Universal Express Pass

A common argument we’ve seen is that Universal Orlando’s Express Pass is comparable pricing, but it includes BOTH theme parks and you can purchase the Unlimited option, which offers access to the express queues as many times as you’d like. Disney’s Premier Pass is limited to one park per day and one Lightning Lane access per attraction.

Universal Orlando offers two variants of the Express Pass for their main theme parks, each of which is variably priced based on seasonal crowd levels. The Universal Express pass allows guests to “skip the lines” one time per participating ride and ranges from $89.99 to $349.99 per person. There’s also the Universal Express Unlimited option, which ranges from $99.99 to $379.99 per person and allows unlimited skips of the line at participating rides.

However, another thing they do differently at Universal is if you are staying at their Premier Tier hotels (the Hard Rock Hotel, the Royal Pacific Resort, and the Portofino Bay Hotel), you are given the Express Pass complimentary with your stay.

Because the Premier Pass and Express Pass Unlimited are roughly the same price, but you get almost double the value at Universal, we have to say that is a better deal. It’s a great perk to ride unlimited times and you can use it for BOTH parks. Disney just is not providing that much with the Premier Pass.

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Which do you think is the better system? Let us know below!