In October 2021, Disney faced backlash for its decision to eliminate the free FastPass system. It was replaced by Disney Genie+, a paid service that required guests to spend money daily. After a few years, Disney announced the introduction of a new system called Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
Unlike Genie+, the Lightning Lane Multi Pass allows guests to buy the service in advance and reserve ride times, similar to the old FastPass+. Although many guests express frustration about paying for a service that was once free, both Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane Multi Pass have gained significant popularity, as many feel it’s necessary to purchase them in order to fully enjoy their experience.
In mid-October, Disney sparked further controversy with the announcement of a new type of Lightning Lane Pass: the Lightning Lane Premier Pass.
This Premier Pass allows guests to pay up to $400 to bypass the Lightning Lane reservation process and access the front of the line for each ride once. It resembles the long-standing Universal Express Pass, which has been criticized in its own right. However, in its effort to increase revenue and imitate Universal, Disney has introduced a pricier option that many believe does not offer the same value as Universal Express.
Here, we will examine both Disney’s new Lightning Lane Premier Pass and Universal’s Express Pass, and you will see that Disney’s does not measure up.
Disney’s Lightning Lane Premier Pass
Disney’s Lightning Lane Premier Pass is scheduled to launch on October 30, with initial availability limited to select quantities at Disney’s Deluxe Resort hotels.
On less busy days, the pass will be priced at $129 (plus tax) per guest at designated theme parks. However, this fee will increase significantly, reaching as much as $449 (plus tax) per guest per day during peak periods at certain parks. For a family of four visiting during a busy season, this could mean an extra $1,800 for just one day to skip the lines at a single park.
Lightning Lane Reservations Not Needed
One of the key benefits of Disney’s Lightning Lane Premier Pass is that you won’t need a reservation to access your favorite attractions. You can skip the hassle of constantly checking your phone for ride times and availability. With the Premier Pass, you can easily approach the ride, scan your pass, and head straight into the Lightning Lane.
Credit: Disney Fanatic
Popular Park Means Higher Price Tag
As previously mentioned, the starting price for the Lightning Lane Premier Pass will be $129 per guest per day, but this rate is only available at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. Disney has noted that pricing for the Premier Pass will differ depending on the park.
Here are the prices through the end of 2024:
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: $129 to $199 per person, plus tax
EPCOT: $169 to $249 per person, plus tax
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: $269 to $349 per person, plus tax
Magic Kingdom: $329 to $449 per person, plus tax
Credit: Disney
Individual Attraction Selections Are No More
The Lightning Lane Multi Pass lets guests make advance reservations for select attractions. Guests can choose one ride from a list of premier attractions, such as Space Mountain, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. They are also allowed to make two additional reservations for secondary attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion.
However, some attractions are not included with the Lightning Lane Multi Pass and require separate purchases. These attractions are:
TRON Lightcycle/Run – Magic Kingdom
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – Magic Kingdom
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – EPCOT
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Avatar Flight of Passage – Animal Kingdom
Credit: Disney
With Disney’s new Lightning Lane Premier Pass, guests won’t have to worry about Individual Attraction Selections or joining a virtual queue. All the above attractions are included with the Premier Pass, so guests can ride TRON: Lightcycle/Run the same way they would Jungle Cruise or the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover.
Pricing Just For One Park
At first glance, $129 might seem like a decent deal, but your opinion could shift when you realize that this price is applicable to only one park. Even if you opt for the $449 fee on a peak day at the Magic Kingdom, the Lightning Lane Premier Pass is limited to that park. Should you wish to visit another park the same day, you’ll have to either buy a separate Lightning Lane pass for that location or wait in the standard standby line.
Credit: Disney
There’s a chance that Disney will roll out a new—possibly even pricier—Lightning Lane Premier Pass for multiple parks in the future. However, for now, guests must pay a high price to enjoy front-of-the-line access at attractions in just one of Disney’s theme parks.
Universal Orlando’s Express Pass
Universal’s Express Pass has been a long-standing option, providing a competitive edge over Disney, which offered a free service while Universal charged for similar access. Even after the launch of Disney’s Genie+ and Lightning Lane Multi Pass, the prices remained lower than those of Universal Express.
However, this has shifted with the introduction of the Lightning Lane Premier Pass. While Disney still has a more budget-friendly option, a direct comparison reveals that Universal Express now offers significantly better value.
Disney offers a single Lightning Lane Premier Pass, whereas Universal provides two different types of Express passes: Universal Express and Universal Express Unlimited.
The standard Universal Express Pass allows guests to skip to the front of the line once for each attraction. On the other hand, Universal Express Unlimited allows guests to enjoy front-of-the-line access as many times as they wish for each ride throughout the day.
Similar to Disney’s Premier Pass, both Universal Express Pass options are valid for only one park — either Universal Studios Park or Islands of Adventure.
Unlike the Lightning Lane Premier Pass, the Universal Orlando Express Pass does not cover every attraction. Only two rides are excluded: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Pteranodon Flyers. Initially, Jurassic World VelociCoaster was also not included, but it has since been added to the Express Pass lineup.
Universal Express Offers A LOT More, For Less
Like the Lightning Lane Premier Pass, the cost of Universal’s Express Pass fluctuates depending on the day of the week and the season, meaning guests visiting during peak times will incur higher fees.
In contrast, Disney’s exorbitant prices for the Premier Pass make Universal Express seem like a genuine deal.
On the most expensive days, Universal’s Express Pass can reach up to $319 — more than $100 less than the Premier Pass. Additionally, this $319 rate is for the UNLIMITED Pass, allowing guests to access nearly every attraction multiple times. Meanwhile, the Premier Pass charges $449 for just a single front-of-the-line entry.
Credit: Universal
Universal Express Is FREE For Select Guests
When Disney launches its Lightning Lane Premier Pass on October 30, it will be offered in limited quantities exclusively to guests at Deluxe hotels, Deluxe Villas, and select Resorts like the Swan and Dolphin. This means that those already spending a premium for their accommodations will have the “chance” to pay even more for the Premier Pass.
In contrast, Universal has taken a different approach with its Express Pass. Guests staying at Universal Orlando Resort Signature Hotels receive complimentary Universal Express Unlimited Passes.
That’s right! If you stay at the Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay, or Loews Royal Pacific Hotel, you’ll enjoy front-of-the-line access to nearly every attraction throughout your visit. This can result in substantial savings, potentially amounting to hundreds or even thousands of dollars. It’s also a wonderful way for Universal to express its appreciation to guests.
Credit: Universal
Universal Is Expensive, But Disney Is Greedy
When Disney announced the Lightning Lane, guests were taken aback by its exorbitant price. Costs at Disney have been rising across the board, affecting everything from hotels to theme park tickets. Now, they are asking guests to shell out hundreds more for a service that allows them to skip long wait times, especially when their park visits are limited.
Of course, Disney isn’t compelling anyone to buy the Lightning Lane Premier Pass, and they may adjust their offerings based on the reactions of Deluxe Resort guests when it launches at the end of the month.
The company has faced ongoing backlash for what many see as excessive charges, having eliminated free services like the Magical Express, FastPass, MagicBands, Extra Magic Hours, and complimentary dining plans. Introducing a service that many consider overpriced—and perhaps not worth the expense—could be seen as a misstep.
Credit: Disney
Disney’s stock has been in a vulnerable position for several months, although it has recently started to rise. However, this upward trend relies heavily on shareholder confidence, which is closely tied to guest satisfaction. Unfortunately, recent sentiments among guests have not been very positive.
Disney has acknowledged a decline in park attendance throughout 2023 and into early 2024, with executives predicting that this trend will persist. While they attribute it to challenges in post-COVID travel, many Disney fans believe that the rising costs are the real reason visitors are staying away.
And now, with prices increasing yet again, it’s up to guests to communicate to Disney when they feel the company has crossed a line.
Do you think Disney has gone over the top with its Lightning Lane Premier Pass pricing? Will it be as popular as the Universal Express Pass? Let us know in the comments!
A born and bred New England girl living the Disney life in Southern California. I love to read, to watch The Golden Girls, and love everything to do with Disney and Universal. I also love to share daily doses of Disney on my Disney Instagram @BrazzleDazzleDisney!