Walt Disney World Resort is experiencing a surge of activity this holiday season, with evidence pointing to record-breaking sales of its premium line-skipping service, the Lightning Lane Premier Pass.
The week between Christmas and New Year has always been a peak period for Disney’s theme parks, but this year’s crowds have exceeded expectations. Guests at Magic Kingdom Park have reported wait times of up to three hours for popular attractions like TRON Lightcycle / Run. At Disneyland Resort, one guest described the chaotic atmosphere, sharing how parkgoers were so preoccupied that they failed to assist a young girl who fell amidst the crowd.
Lightning Lane Premier Pass Availability at Disney World
For those willing to pay, Disney’s Lightning Lane services aim to alleviate some of this stress. However, on December 29, the top-tier Lightning Lane Premier Pass sold out across all four Disney World parks: Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
This premium pass allows users to access Lightning Lane entrances once per ride without prior reservations and costs between $119 and $449 per person, depending on the park and date. Magic Kingdom remains the most expensive (and most in-demand), while Disney’s Animal Kingdom is typically the cheapest.
Since its launch, the Lightning Lane Premier Pass has been a source of contention among Disney fans. Many criticized its steep pricing, especially in comparison to the former free FastPass system. Initially, the pass was only available to guests staying at Deluxe Resorts, such as Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. In November, Disney expanded availability to all hotel guests, a move that has likely contributed to the high demand during the holiday season.
Despite the initial backlash, the Lightning Lane Premier Pass has proved popular. This marks the second time the service has sold out at all four parks simultaneously, with the first instance occurring over Thanksgiving weekend on November 25. Disney has not disclosed the daily allocation of these passes, describing them only as being available in “very limited quantities.” However, hotel guests can monitor availability via the My Disney Experience app up to 21 days in advance.
The popularity of the Lightning Lane Premier Pass demonstrates that many guests are willing to pay a premium for convenience, especially during the busiest times of the year. With holiday crowds showing no signs of waning, it remains to be seen whether Disney will adjust its pricing or availability to meet the growing demand.
Would you pay for Lightning Lane Premier Pass?
