Disney Expands Lightning Lane Premier Pass to All Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Guests

10 days ago in "Disney Genie"

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Lightning Lane Premier Pass logo

Posted: Friday November 22, 2024 7:00am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney World has expanded the availability of its Lightning Lane Premier Pass, previously offered exclusively to guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts, Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts, and select hotels. As of November 22, 2024, the pass is now available to guests staying at all Walt Disney World Resort hotels, including the Walt Disney World Dolphin, Swan, Swan Reserve, and Shades of Green Resort.

Lightning Lane Premier Pass logo

Expanded Access for More Guests

The Lightning Lane Premier Pass allows guests to skip standby lines and use Lightning Lane entrances for one-time access to each available Lightning Lane attraction in a single park on a given day. Previously limited to guests at Disney’s highest-tier resorts, this expansion now opens the option to all Disney Resort hotel guests, making the service more widely accessible.

Eligible guests include those staying at:

All Disney Resort Hotels
Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
Shades of Green Resort

How the Lightning Lane Premier Pass Works

The Lightning Lane Premier Pass differs from other Lightning Lane options, such as the Multi Pass and Single Pass, in its flexibility and scope:

No Arrival Windows: Unlike other Lightning Lane passes, Premier Pass holders don’t need to select arrival times for attractions. Guests can enter Lightning Lane entrances whenever they choose, subject to availability.
One-Park Access: The pass includes one-time access to every available Lightning Lane experience in a single park for one day.
Photo Perks Included: Guests also receive digital downloads of select attraction photos and videos through Disney PhotoPass, adding extra value to the pass.

Eligibility and How to Purchase

Guests staying at eligible hotels can purchase the Lightning Lane Premier Pass up to seven days before their stay using the My Disney Experience app. Pricing varies by date and park and is displayed in the app at the time of purchase. As this remains a limited-quantity offering, early booking is recommended for those interested.

Magic Kingdom: $329–$449
Hollywood Studios: $249–$349
EPCOT: $149–$249
Animal Kingdom: $119–$199

View current and upcoming Lighting Lane Premier Pass pricing.

What’s Next for Lightning Lane Premier?

With this expansion, Disney is testing how the Lightning Lane Premier Pass can cater to a wider audience. While it remains to be seen how this affects availability and guest satisfaction, the move signals Disney’s interest in providing more premium service options to a broader range of visitors.

Future updates to the Lighting Lane Premier Pass may include an option allowing for Lighting Lane access across all four Walt Disney World theme parks, although Disney is yet to announce any new additions to the service.

Guests are willing to pay a high price to secure easy entry to E-Ticket rides like TRON Lightcycle Run

Discuss on the Forums

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DisneyDreamer0822 hours ago

This is true. I’m in a Facebook group for a children’s clothing boutique that does a lot of character prints. Someone posted recently asking for Harry Potter prints for their trip to Disney. When someone replied saying Harry Potter is Universal, not Disney, the OP responded saying they are going to several parks- Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Universal- so it’s easier to just say Disney instead of listing them all 😂 I always think 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ but never say anything 😂

Ayla22 hours ago

She had no idea where she was actually visiting. She thought they were one and the same.

lewisc1 day ago

Some people use Disney to refer to all theme parks in the Orlando area. Did she have a good time. Where did she stay? You don't need as much planning with Universal, compared with Disney. Guests staying at one of the 3 original hotels don't have to do any advance planning

nickys1 day ago

Did she think she’d visited Disney too, or had she simply confused the two?

Ayla1 day ago

Update on niece's trip - she spent the entire "Disney" vacation at Universal. 😂🤪

Vegas Disney Fan1 day ago

After spending Thanksgiving with my brothers family, who just got back from WDW, we’ve been convinced to buy MultiPass for our upcoming trip. He said he hated how expensive it was but they found it better than FP+ so at least they saw some benefit for the price. He said they managed just fine with MP so they see no need for Premiere pass, which is now completely off our radar.

Laketravis2 days ago

Guilty as charged

Chi842 days ago

I’ve seen people going over or under railings, unhooking chains, etc. to avoid walking a few extra steps.

peter114352 days ago

That’s not why that’s done

Laketravis2 days ago

Interesting. I've never complained about breezing thru empty queue segments. In fact, it left me with the impression the line was short.

lewisc3 days ago

Guests complain if they waste time snaking through empty queue segments. Sometimes Disney can't win.

Disstevefan14 days ago

Very true, before paid LL, I think they inflated times to make folks feel good they waited less than the posted wait time, they still do it today for the same reason with the happy side effect of possibly selling some LLs ;)

Disstevefan14 days ago

Laketravis4 days ago

And they've been using optical illusions to make those look longer than they are - like closing queue lanes indoors so the line extends outside (where it can be seen and percieved as a long line).