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Disney’s Lightning Lane Premier Pass

On October 30, 2024, Disney debuted their newest form of Lightning Lanes, the Premier Pass. In addition to the Lightning Lane Single Pass and Lightning Lane Multi Pass, this new type of pass allows its lucky user the ability to ride all of the Lightning Lane enabled attractions once per day at one park for each guest.

This means no more having to worry about whether Lightning Lanes are available on the day you visit a park, nor do you have to reserve them in advance in order to ride an attraction like we have done since the Genie+ system debuted in October 2021. And what’s important to many guests, you’ll no longer have to look at your phone throughout the day!

Holders of the Premier Pass simply walk up to a Lightning Lane attraction, scan in with their MagicBand, mobile ticket, or other valid ticket media, the light turns green, and they enter the much shorter wait time every Lightning Lane provides.

While the pros of this new pass are obvious, the cons of its very limited availability and price stand out as well. For the rollout, Disney decided to only allow guests of their Deluxe category Resort hotels, the Deluxe Villa Resorts (Disney Vacation Club – DVC), the Marriott operated Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve, and the Shades of Green (active duty military) with the opportunity to try out the new program. As of this publication date we have no word on when or if Disney will expand availability to their other Resort hotel categories.

Notably Excluded Hotels: Guests staying at other ‘deluxe’ properties at Walt Disney World, such as the Four Seasons Orlando Resort, JW Marriott Bonnet Creek, and Waldorf Astoria, are not eligible for the Premier Pass.

The pricing dictates that each guest will need to do some math to determine if the high cost is worth their investment. Disney released a span of prices for the Premier Pass from a reasonable $129 for the Animal Kingdom during the slowest travel seasons, to an eye watering $449 each for the Magic Kingdom over the busiest holiday seasons. Prices will vary by the park’s popularity, number of attractions, and estimated crowd levels.

Answers at a Glance

Let’s dive right into the questions everyone will be or should be asking about this new Lightning Lane option:

 
Disney is using dynamic pricing for these passes. The more popular and busy the theme park, the higher the price; the less popular and slower the travel season, the lower the price per pass per person. The published price ranges, by expense ranking, are:

  • Magic Kingdom: $329 – $449 plus tax
  • Hollywood Studios: $269 – $349 plus tax
  • EPCOT: $169 – $249 plus tax
  • Animal Kingdom: $129 – $199 plus tax

 
Tip: Are you visiting Walt Disney World over one of the periods of the year, other than the summer, when most children are out of school, i.e. Spring Break, Presidents Week, national holidays, etc? Plan on the highest numbers of $449 at the Magic Kingdom to $199 plus tax each at the Animal Kingdom.

Unfortunately, no, Disney does not publish any of this information publicly. They do the same for all of their Lightning Lane products. You don’t find out until your eligibility window opens 7 days before your check-in date.

During a time period that Disney is referring to as a “Pilot Program”, they will ONLY sell the new pass – In Very Limited Quantities – to guests with reservations at one of the following Resort hotels:
 

Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels

  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Disney’s Beach Club Resort
  • Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
  • Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
  • Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

 
Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts

  • Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • Bouder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – A Disney Vacation Club Resort (Disney Vacation Club Cabins only)
  • Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Disney’s Animal Kingom Villas – Jambo House
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
  • Disney’s Beach Club Villas
  • Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
  • Disney’s Old Key West Resort
  • Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
  • Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
  • Disney’s Riviera Resort
  • The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

 
Other Hotels

  • Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel (Marriott)
  • Walt Disney World Swan Hotel (Marriott)
  • Walt Disney World Swan Reserve (Marriott)
  • Shades of Green (Active Duty Military)

At 7am EST, 7 days before your check-in date, and with valid ticket admission already purchased or reserved.

Because this is a pilot program, and they are limiting sales to a very small number of the eligible guests, it will be important to buy these as soon as possible after 7am. You have very little time to debate the pass’s value or price, and it’s important to note that the passes are nontransferable and nonrefundable.

After these passes have been made available for a few months, we at Michael’s Vacations should be able to give you a general idea of how much your Lightning Lane Premier Passes will cost.

Michael’s Vacations guests will have their Lightning Lane Premier Passes purchased for them by their Personal Concierge.

If money is no object, then yes, definitely splurge on the extra expense and don’t worry about it – or anything else in the parks! You’ll only need guidance on how to best use it and advice on which attractions are best for your family.

However, at Michael’s Vacations, we have successfully hosted countless families at Walt Disney World, experienced all of the top attractions, and delivered unforgettable days of fun—regardless of expected crowd levels. My point is that this new Lightning Lane option is not a requirement for the best possible experience in the theme parks.

Another important factor to consider is how many of the park’s attractions are suitable, or even ideal, for the ages of the children in your group. Regardless of how many attractions you do or don’t experience, the cost remains the same.

We recommend a consultation with Michael so that he can review your options, and together determine the best Lightning Lane program for your vacation.

No, the Lightning Lane Premier Pass is limited to only one park per day per guest. If you park hop you will need to have purchased the Lightning Lane Multi Pass for the second park and have reserved Lightning Lanes standing by.

Michael’s Vacations guests will have all of their Lightning Lanes reserved and managed for them by their Virtual Guide. We realize that most of our guests who purchase the Premier Pass will not be using one for every park they visit.

We don’t expect this to happen in a noticeable way. Disney’s VIP Tour program is a huge revenue generator for the parks division, and those guests access the attractions via the Lightning Lanes as well. Given the rates for a VIP Tour, Disney will not wish to make these waits any longer than they already are during peak afternoon hours.

During the pilot phase, one of the key metrics Disney will closely monitor is the impact of the new Premier Pass on Lightning Lane wait times.

Your Michael’s Vacations Virtual Guide will ensure you visit your attractions at the times that provide the most minimal Lightning Lane wait times.

Your initial step will be a private consultation with Michael Hewell via Zoom or phone, where he will plan your itinerary, including dining and special activities. Michael will also address any questions you have about our services or your vacation.

Your Private Concierge will then reserve everything Michael plans for you, and be on call to answer any questions or concerns you may have. We will ensure every detail of your vacation is pre-arranged for you.

Seven days before your check-in, she will secure your Lightning Lane Premier Passes. A few days prior to your arrival, your Virtual Guide will reach out to introduce themselves, discuss your ride preferences, and ensure you’re fully prepared for your first morning.

Once your first park day begins, your Virtual Guide will begin guiding you through your day of rides and shows with the most efficient order to minimize Lightning Lane wait times.

They will also ensure you always know how to reach your next attraction via helpful graphics, recommend bathroom and snack breaks, recommend the best seats or sides of a ride vehicle when applicable, and make your day as smooth as possible.

Pricing: Depending on the rate of your Premier Pass, the Michael’s Vacations Virtual Guide will range from $105 per hour during non-peak travel seasons to a high of $145 per hour over the busiest school breaks and national holidays.


The following Magic Kingdom attractions provide Lightening Lane access, and all of them are eligible for the Premier Pass:

  • The Barnstormer
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  • Haunted Mansion
  • “it’s a small world”
  • Jungle Cruise
  • Mad Tea Party
  • The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic
  • Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train *
  • Space Mountain
  • Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
  • Tomorrowland Speedway
  • TRON Lightcycle / Run *
  • Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid


* These two attractions are usually extra-cost Lighting Lane Single Pass options, but are included with the Premier Pass.


The following Hollywood Studios attractions provide Lightening Lane access, and all of them are eligible for the Premier Pass:

  • Alien Swirling Saucers
  • Beauty and the Beast Live On Stage
  • Disney Junior Play & Dance!
  • For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
  • Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
  • Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
  • Muppet-Vision 3D
  • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
  • Slinky Dog Dash
  • Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance *
  • Toy Story Mania!
  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror


* This attraction is the extra-cost Lightning Lane Single Pass option for the Hollywood Studios, but is included with the Premier Pass.


The following EPCOT attractions provide Lightening Lane access, and all of them are eligible for the Premier Pass:

  • Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
  • Frozen Ever After
  • Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind *
  • Journey into Imagination with Figment
  • Living with the Land
  • Mission: SPACE
  • Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
  • The Seas with Nemo & Friends
  • Soarin’ Around the World
  • Spaceship Earth
  • Turtle Talk with Crush


* This attraction is the extra-cost Lightning Lane Single Pass option for EPCOT, but is included with the Premier Pass.


The following Animal Kingdom attractions provide Lightening Lane access, and all of them are eligible for the Premier Pass:

  • Avatar Flight of Passage *
  • DINOSAUR
  • Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
  • Feathered Friends in Flight!
  • Festival of the Lion King
  • Finding Nemo: The Big Blue … and Beyond!
  • It’s Tough to Be a Bug!
  • Kali River Rapids
  • Kilimanjaro Safaris
  • Na’vi River Journey


* This attraction is the extra-cost Lightning Lane Single Pass option for the Animal Kingdom, but is included with the Premier Pass.

Ready to Upgrade Your Disney Experience?

Whether you’re a first-timer or a Disney regular, the Lightning Lane Premier Pass is a game changer for anyone wanting to make the most of their time at the parks. Contact Michael’s Vacations today to add it to your booking and enjoy a hassle-free, magical day!