Lightning Lane Premier Pass Prices Drop as Disney World Adjusts Pricing

Nov 19, 2024 in "Disney Genie"

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Posted: Tuesday November 19, 2024 9:16am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney World's Lightning Lane Premier Pass is hitting new record-low prices at three parks this December.

The Lightning Lane Premier Pass will reach all-time minimum prices at Disney's Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Disney's Animal Kingdom. These price reductions come just ahead of the busy holiday season, offering guests slightly more affordable options during a quieter period.

New Minimum Prices Across Three Parks

Here's a breakdown of the updated all-time minimum prices for these parks:

Disney's Hollywood Studios:

Previous Min: $269
New Min: $249 (Effective December 8, 2024)

EPCOT:

Previous Min: $159
New Min: $149 (Effective December 9, 2024)

Disney's Animal Kingdom:

Previous Min: $129
New Min: $119 (Effective December 10, 2024)

These updates mark the lowest prices seen for the Lightning Lane Premier Pass at these parks, reflecting Disney's dynamic pricing strategy that adjusts rates based on projected demand.

Why the Price Drop?

Disney typically lowers prices during periods of lower guest attendance, such as early December, which falls between the Thanksgiving and Christmas rush. The new $119 price at Animal Kingdom offers the lowest price ever seen for a Premier Pass at any park, offering Lightning Lane access to attractions like Avatar Flight of Passage and Expedition Everest at a reduced rate. Similarly, EPCOT's $149 price and Hollywood Studios' $249 price reflect lower demand during midweek days.

Updated All-Time Price Ranges for Lightning Lane Premier Pass

With these changes, the all-time price ranges for the Lightning Lane Premier Pass at each park now look like this:

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

Lightning Lane Premier Pass Prices Drop - Mid-December 2024

What This Means for Guests

The new minimum prices provide a cost-saving opportunity for guests visiting during early December. Takeaways for planning include:

Take Advantage of Low-Demand Days: Midweek visits during off-peak periods often provide the best value for Premier Pass pricing.
Monitor Pricing Calendar: Disney's pricing updates emphasize the importance of checking the calendar in advance to find the best rates.
Flexible Scheduling Pays Off: Guests who can visit during slower periods like early December may save significantly on Premier Pass options.

A Shift in Pricing Strategy?

These new minimum prices show that Disney is willing to reach lower price points to incentivize guests during quieter times. While peak holiday periods like Thanksgiving and Christmas still see maximum prices, these reductions may hint at opportunities for future savings during other low-demand windows in 2025.

For guests planning a Disney World visit, December 8–10, 2024, offers the most affordable Lightning Lane Premier Pass pricing yet.

Find Out More About Lightning Lane Premier Pass

Everything You Need to Know About Disney's New Lightning Lane Premier Pass at Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World Lightning Lane Prices & Availability

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TheMaxRebo12 days ago

Generally included is a buffet - will have some hot food (eggs, breakfast meats, maybe potatoes), and a lot hav make your own Mickey Waffles, will have cereal, Yoghurts, pastries, etc Usually nothing amazing but enough options that everyone can find something and fill you up Definitely depends on your situation but a nice thing to have included especially if a bigger family

Splash4eva12 days ago

When i go to Disney honestly im barely in room or use pools if ever. Hence why i stay Value. Regarding transportation i actually rent a car always so i factor that into my trip cost etc because im sure others may stay off property and say hotel only cost me this then have to pay for other things bc of it. Again to each is their own. I was just wondering what savings others were seeing. Also the free breakfast is a nice perk not sure what they are offering tho

LSLS12 days ago

You are big on transportation costs, but I would bet the cost in transportation at a minimum is a wash with the cost of breakfast. I can personally say that we would choose offsite over values without thinking twice. For the same price you can get rooms 50% bigger with SIGNIFICANTLY better amenities. Things like indoor access, a microwave, a fridge, nice fitness center, and similar transportation. If we compare to moderates, it at least gets to be a better fight (though the fridge and AC thing is such a deal breaker to me at this point).

Splash4eva12 days ago

Thats a fair question. Listen i know nothing off site is going to have the theming and disney themed resort even as simple as a value resort i was asking in regards to the hotel itself like not a dive hotel. One that is nice clean not small and accommodating and relatively close. So if you can get that for $60 (all in) vs $160 yes thats a nice savings. Ive never looked tbh nor do i know anyone who has when going on a Disney trip. So $100 less whatever transportation cost. I guess if you are looking to save and cut corners this is not a bad option. Just not for me but thank you everyone for the insight to outside resorts and prices

JD8012 days ago

Yes. I thought that was obvious.

LSLS12 days ago

The problem is I'm not sure what your apples to apples is. Maybe the Maingate Lakeside Resort? Outdoor access to rooms, two pools, a restaurant, arcade, and free shuttle. But, it has a free breakfast, it has a gym, and the rooms are still about 10% bigger. That goes for under $60, so still would be a pretty large difference.

Disstevefan112 days ago

I am sure that was the intention of Disney because of both the inventory and price.

JD8012 days ago

I mean sure it's not meant to be something everyone gets.

Disstevefan112 days ago

Not only is LLPP a limited offering as Disney determines how many they want to sell, its WAY TOO EXPENSIVE especially for families.

JD8012 days ago

LLPP is a limited offering so by definition the average guest doesn't use this. I think everyone in the conversation has to reframe their perspective.

Purduevian12 days ago

Count me as part of the group that will come significantly less often if they eliminate LLMP (or anything similar). I have a 2 year old and as such I just won't wait in a line over 20 mins long (its just not worth it with a toddler). Add in the fact that leaving the park after ~7:30pm makes the next day awful, so I choose not to do that. Add those 2 things together and without LLMP, G+, or FP+ or whatever is next, a Disney World trip stops being worth it. As far as on site perks, don't forget about early entry, the LL 7 day window, proximity to the parks, theming of the resorts, and so on. I personally didn't find the value in staying onsite last trip... but it is more than just free transportation.

Splash4eva13 days ago

& even that perk is far from something great as the service at times is terrible and plenty simply just use uber/lyft as its not that expensive at all to & from parks

Chi8413 days ago

I was referring to Universal having the free perk with Express Pass. Of course they also don’t sell DVC. My point is that a large percentage of WDW guests stay in deluxe resorts or DVC and do so for a week or more with larger parties. Eliminating MP and SP would force these people to choose between (1) an amount few would be willing to pay in addition to an expensive resort stay with multiple people and (2) standing in lines. Disney has done some silly things in the last few years but I don’t see them doing something that would be detrimental to that demographic.

Jrb197913 days ago

While it is a small percentage of guests. I would counter your point in that there is no perks for staying on site, other than the free transportation. It would be interesting to know how many are buying the Premier Pass over MP and SP