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Credit: DisneyBrace yourselves, Disney fans—your trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth is about to get even more expensive. If you’ve been using Lightning Lane to skip the long standby lines, you might want to budget a little extra because Disney is about to increase prices across the board.
How Lightning Lane Works (And Why It’s About to Cost You More)
For those unfamiliar, Lightning Lane is Disney’s paid line-skipping system that replaced the old FastPass+ program. Currently, there are three tiers:
- Multi Pass – Allows you to book up to three Lightning Lane rides in advance, with the ability to add more as you use them.
- Single Pass – Gives you one-time front-of-the-line access to a ride of your choice.
- Premier Pass – The most expensive option, allowing unlimited Lightning Lane access for all rides in a single park for one day.
Starting March 3, 2025, the price of the Premier Pass will increase significantly. Here’s what you’ll pay per park:
- Magic Kingdom – $449 per person
- EPCOT – $249 per person (up from $239)
- Hollywood Studios – $349 per person (up from $339)
- Animal Kingdom – $199 per person (up from $159)
Yes, you read that right—$449 per person for a single day at Magic Kingdom if you want to skip every line. And that’s on top of your regular park admission!
But that’s not all. The Multi Pass option for Animal Kingdom is also increasing by $10, bringing it to $29 per person per day.
Why the Sudden Price Hike?
Spring Break is just around the corner, which means Disney is expecting a massive surge in crowds. It’s no surprise they’re raising prices right before one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.
Animal Kingdom is also going through some major changes, with DinoLand U.S.A. officially closing and It’s Tough to Be a Bug shutting down on March 17, 2025, to make way for a new Zootopia attraction. With limited rides available, it’s understandable why Disney is adjusting pricing, though it won’t make guests any happier about it.
Is Lightning Lane Still Worth It?
That depends on your priorities. If you’re willing to splurge for the convenience of skipping lines, then the Premier Pass might still be worth considering—especially for Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, where wait times can be brutal.
However, if you’re looking to save money, it might be better to plan your park strategy around lower wait times. Early mornings, late evenings, and utilizing Virtual Queues can still help you experience most attractions without paying extra.
One thing is for sure—this price increase isn’t going to sit well with a lot of Disney fans. Some are already saying they’re done with Disney’s constant upcharges and are looking toward Universal’s Epic Universe as a more affordable alternative when it opens in 2025.
What do you think? Are these price hikes justifiable, or is Disney going too far? Let us know in the comments!