The Walt Disney World Resort seems poised to capitalize on the holiday rush. After its first sell-out, the polarizing—and pricey—Lightning Lane Premier Pass is being wiped out resort-wide.
This new offering arrived shortly after Disney retired its nearly three-year-old Disney Genie+ system, rebranding the paid “FastPass” service under the streamlined Lightning Lane name. Genie+ morphed into two options: the Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass.
Much like its predecessor, the Multi and Single Pass allows guests to pay a variable fee to access attractions through the faster Lightning Lane queue. But the Multi Pass introduces a game-changer: Guests can now book experiences from a tiered attraction list up to seven days before their visit—if they meet the criteria.
The catch? Offsite Guests are limited to booking just three days in advance, while international visitors are out of luck unless they complete their bookings while physically in the U.S.
Still, it’s the Lightning Lane Premier Pass that has stolen the spotlight. Guests can access every Lightning Lane in a single park for a premium price—no restrictions.
Prices range from just over $100 to a staggering $450, depending on the park and demand. Initially tested exclusively for Deluxe Resort Guests, the Premier Pass has since expanded to include all Disney Resort hotel guests, thanks to a successful pilot program.
The high price tag sparked a backlash from some Disney fans, who criticized the company for doubling down on expensive add-ons. But love it or hate it, the Premier Pass has proven to be a hit.
Over Thanksgiving week, the Premier Pass sold out across all four parks—Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom—for the first time ever.
Now, as Christmas week kicks off, the trend continues. As initially reported, Magic Kingdom’s Premier Pass for Sunday, December 22, 2024, priced at $429, has already sold out. With such steep fees, Disney is raking in thousands of dollars daily from this elite service.
More dates have been confirmed to have sold out for the Lightning Lane Premier Pass. Magic Kingdom Park is now sold out for December 27, 28, 29, and 30, with a price tag of $449 per guest. Likewise, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also unavailable on December 28 and December 29, with guests paying a fee of $349 for the Lightning Lane option.
This runaway success highlights an undeniable truth: no matter how expensive, many guests are willing to splurge for a more convenient Disney experience. But it raises an important question: With Disney vacations already costing a small fortune, how much more are Guests willing to pay to “enhance” their trip?
As December 23 through New Year’s Day approaches, expect even more sell-outs as crowds pour into the parks for the most magical—and busiest—time of the year. In fact, Orlando International Airport recently released a statement confirming that the Sunshine State’s main airport will be receiving almost 3 million people in this year’s festive period.
Have you tried the Lightning Lane Premier Pass? Share your experience with Inside the Magic in the comments below!
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