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

Nov 22, 2024 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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co100646 hours ago

Wait times at nearly all headliners are inflated before closing time. They generally won’t decrease the posted wait time within the last 30 minutes leading up park close (sometimes longer). This has been going on for several years (yes, even prior to paid FastPass), likely as a way to discourage people from hopping in line at the last second (more cost to Ops).

TheMaxRebo8 hours ago

Plus if you overinflate the longer lines it could push people to shorter lines to help spread the crowds So multiple reasons to overinflate them a bit

TheMaxRebo8 hours ago

I think it makes sense to slightly inflate times as if you post it at 30 mins and they wait 25 mins they are happy. It you post it at 20 mins and they wait 25 they are unhappy. Plus this "cushion" allows for some small downtime if it happens That doesn't excuse they drastically inflating it and when there is a money reason that could be a motivating factor it makes it feel wrong in a way it didn't before But I don't think any big deal if finding they are consistently 10-20% inflated

Splash4eva8 hours ago

Altho i do not disagree with you but its simply false advertising. It also can deter people from going on a ride

bmr15919 hours ago

To take the positive angle, it always feels better for a guest to see 40 minutes and it only be 30. It feels awful to see 30 minutes and it be 40.

Purduevian9 hours ago

That I can agree with. This past trip I did not get LLMP at AK. ~5 mins before closing Na'vi said 45 min wait. I even asked the cast member at the front if they thought it was accurate, they said yes. 12 mins later I was sitting in my boat.

Splash4eva10 hours ago

Listen im not saying its being done to make money and im not saying the opposite. All im saying is its being done intentionally for whatever reasons Disney has

Purduevian11 hours ago

Apparently they inflate it ~84% of the time. I can't seem to find the post, but if I'm remembering right... it has nothing to do with LLMP or LLPP and Disney has just always done that.

Splash4eva12 hours ago

I just find it funny that they all were incorrect by posting times longer then they actually were… like its almost a mathematical impossibility to be always wrong in the same direction. Lol

Disstevefan112 hours ago

Exactly why I said for whatever reason they cant post accurate wait times and for whatever reason (if true) they intentionally inflate wait times.

Purduevian12 hours ago

I think we've had this discussion before... if I remember right... Disney has always inflated wait times and there is no statistically significant difference between how much they inflate between pre and post paid skip the line services.

Disstevefan113 hours ago

Its super rare the posted wait time is correct, For whatever reason Disney simply cant post accurate wait times.

Splash4eva13 hours ago

Fwiw. I have a buddy who has been in parks since Saturday. Telling me posted wait times have been consistently off each day in each park.

TheMaxRebo15 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