Unlocking the Magic: The Ultimate Guide to Lightning Lane Premier Pass

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Disney’s Lightning Lane Premier Pass! This exclusive pass allows you to skip the lines and enjoy priority access to some of the most popular attractions at Disney parks. With the Lightning Lane Premier Pass, you can make the most of your time at the park and experience all the magic that Disney has to offer.

First thing’s first- the lingo! Let’s start by clarifying some Lightning Lane terminology:

Standby Queue – The regular line that anyone can join. This is usually the longest line option.

Lightning Lane – The ‘fast’ line that you can access by purchasing a Multi Pass, Single Pass, or Premier Pass. This will significantly reduce your wait time for an attraction.

Return Time – The one-hour window you book using a Multi Pass or Single Pass to enter the Lightning Lane for an attraction. These times are limited in availability.

Multi Pass – The paid option that allows you to book a return time to skip the line for select attractions. You can find more information about this system HERE.

Single Pass – For select attractions not included with the Multi Pass, you can purchase these rides individually to access their Lightning Lane. These are usually the top-tier attractions in each park.

Virtual Queue – For select attractions, typically newer rides, a Standby Queue is not available. Instead, a Virtual Queue is used. These are free to book, and you will be assigned a ‘boarding group’ to ride the attraction when your group is called. This is not a skip-the-line pass.

Premier Pass – The new top-tier paid offering that works similarly to the Multi Pass, but you do not have to book a return time. Additionally, Single Pass attractions are included with this pass.

Now that we have cleared up some of the terminology, let’s take a closer look at this new Premier Pass offering.

Here’s How It Works

If you’ve ever been to Universal and used their Express Pass, it works pretty similarly. Basically once you purchase it, you can walk up to any attraction that offers Lightning Lane and hop in line. This means that you can ride attractions whenever you want and in whatever order you want.

However, there are a few rules and restrictions to keep in mind when it comes to the Premier Pass. You can only use the Lightning Lane once for each attraction, and initially, park hopping is not allowed with your Premier Pass. This means that the park you purchase the pass for is the only park where you can use it. This is a crucial point to consider when discussing pricing, as some parks may offer more value than others.

It is important to remember that your Premier Pass purchase includes Ride Photo downloads. However, this only applies to your ride photos. If you want to download other Photopass photos, such as those taken in front of the castle or with characters, you will need to purchase Memory Maker separately.

Who Is Eligible for Premier Pass?

The other ‘catch’ with this offering is that when it rolls out it will only be available to guests staying at select resorts. Primarily this will be Disney Deluxe Resorts Disney Villas, and a few others, but this is also subject to change as things get rolling.

Here is the full list of Eligible Resorts:

Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort
• Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
• Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

• Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – A Disney Vacation Club Resort (eligibility applies to Disney Vacation Club Cabins only)
• Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
• Disney’s Beach Club Villas
• Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
• Disney’s Old Key West Resort
• Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
• Disney’s Riviera Resort
• The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Other Eligible Hotels

• Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
• Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
• Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
• Shades of Green Resort

How To Book

To begin, it is essential to ensure that all members of your Friends and Family are connected to your My Disney Experience App. Additionally, it is crucial to have your resort reservation linked to your account. Failing to link your resort reservation will prevent you from making purchases, making this step vital.

You can purchase the Lightning Lane Premier Pass up to 7 days before your check-in date for any days you plan to use it during your stay. The purchasing window opens at 7am EST. You will select the park where you intend to use the pass and then proceed to complete the payment process.

It is imperative to receive an email confirmation after making your purchase. I highly recommend taking a screenshot of the confirmation number as a precaution.

Pricing

This new offering is sure to spark some debate. The Premier Pass comes with a hefty price tag, varying from park to park and day to day. Animal Kingdom and Epcot are on the lower end of the spectrum, while Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom are on the higher end. Prices will be highest on high crowd days like holidays, but we will have a better idea of average pricing once the system officially launches.

Here is a breakdown of the pricing:

– Animal Kingdom: $129-$199 per person per day
– Epcot: $169-$249 per person per day
– Hollywood Studios: $269-$349 per person per day
– Magic Kingdom: $329-$449 per person per day

Comparing this to the Multi Pass, which ranges from $18-$30+ per person per day, and Single Passes, which range from $7-$25 per person per attraction, there is a significant price difference.

It is important to note that all pricing above is pre-tax and does not include regular park admission. You must have a park ticket in order to purchase either the Premier Pass or Multi Pass.

What’s the Difference?

The key distinction between the Multi Pass and Premier Pass lies in the booking process. With the Multi Pass, guests are required to book their rides in advance, whereas with the Premier Pass, no booking is necessary. Both passes grant access to the Lightning Lane line, ensuring that the wait time for rides is consistent regardless of the pass type.

Another difference to note is that the Multi Pass is valid for the first park visited and can be used at any subsequent park with a park hopper ticket. On the other hand, the Premier Pass is only valid for the specific park it was purchased for.

It is important to highlight that only Deluxe Resort Guests have the option to purchase the Premier Pass, while the Multi Pass is available to all guests.

How Will This Affect Your Trip?

There are not many changes to be expected. The Lightning Lane Multi Pass will continue to be available, so if you already had a plan in place with the Multi Pass, it is advisable to stick with it. If you are reading this and thinking to yourself, “This sounds incredibly convenient, but the prices are too high,” I completely understand. However, I do have a suggestion.

With the Lightning Lane Premier Pass, you can enjoy priority access to a wide range of attractions, including thrill rides, character meet-and-greets, and live shows. Say goodbye to long lines and hello to more time spent enjoying the magic of Disney!

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to upgrade your Disney experience with the Lightning Lane Premier Pass. Purchase your pass today and get ready to make unforgettable memories at the happiest place on earth!