Credit: DisneyFor frequent Walt Disney World visitors, the “skip-the-line” experience has been in constant flux over the last few years. From the transition from free FastPass+ to the paid Genie+, and eventually to the current Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass systems, Disney has been seeking the perfect balance between guest satisfaction and revenue.
As we move through early 2026, it appears another massive shift may be on the horizon. A new, highly detailed survey sent to Walt Disney World Annual Passholders has revealed that Disney is actively testing the waters for a tiered Lightning Lane system and significant discounts on skip-the-line access for its most loyal fans.
If these changes move from the survey stage into reality, they could fundamentally change how guests plan their days at the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.
The Big Shift: Tiered Lightning Lane Pricing
The most intriguing aspect of the recent guest surveys is the heavy focus on a “tiered” system for Lightning Lane access. While Disney currently uses date-based pricing (where a Tuesday in September is cheaper than Christmas Eve), the proposed tiers would go a step further.
What is a Tiered System?
In the survey, Disney is testing various price points and “bundles” for Lightning Lane access. This suggests a move toward a more categorized skip-the-line experience. Speculation suggests this could manifest in a few ways:
- Attraction Tiers: Disney could return to a “Tier 1” and “Tier 2” structure within the Multi Pass. While this is partially in place now with the limit on how many “top-tier” rides you can pre-book, the survey hints at a more defined price separation between high-demand thrills and classic family attractions.
- Time-Based Tiers: Disney is gauging interest in lower-priced Lightning Lane access for specific “off-peak” windows—such as a morning-only or evening-only skip-the-line pass. This would allow the company to manage crowd flow more effectively while offering a more affordable entry point for guests who don’t need a full day of access.
- The “Premium” Tier: With the recent introduction of the high-priced Lightning Lane Premier Pass, Disney is using this survey to determine the “sweet spot” for a mid-tier option that offers more than the Multi Pass but costs less than the all-access Premier option.
Why the Change?
Disney’s goal with tiering is twofold: capacity management and revenue optimization. By creating more price points, Disney can capture the “budget-conscious” guest who might have skipped Lightning Lane entirely at $30 but would buy in at $15 for a “Tier 2” experience. Conversely, it allows them to charge a premium for the highest-demand rides without pricing out the entire park.
Lightning Lane Discounts for Annual Passholders
For years, one of the biggest complaints from the Annual Passholder (AP) community has been the lack of a skip-the-line benefit. Unlike Universal Orlando, which offers Express Pass benefits to its top-tier passholders, Disney APs have generally had to pay the same daily rate as a single-day guest.
The new survey suggests Disney is ready to change that. Several questions in the poll specifically ask Passholders about their interest in:
- Discounted Daily Purchases: A flat percentage or dollar-amount discount on Lightning Lane Multi Pass when purchased on the day of the visit.
- A “Season Pass” for Lightning Lane: An add-on to the Annual Pass that would provide a year’s worth of skip-the-line access for a one-time fee.
- Bundled Passes: A higher-tier Annual Pass that includes a set number of Lightning Lane entries per visit or per year.
For the local “Passholder” who visits for just a few hours at a time, the ability to jump on one or two rides without paying the full daily Multi Pass fee would be a game-changer. It would likely increase “capture rates” for APs, who are historically the least likely to purchase add-on services per visit.
Testing the Value of the Annual Pass
While the Lightning Lane changes are the centerpiece of the survey, Disney is also testing the price elasticity of the Annual Pass itself. The questionnaire presents various “renewal scenarios,” some of which feature lower base prices but fewer “perks,” while others feature price hikes paired with bundled Lightning Lane access.
This indicates that Disney is concerned about the “value proposition” of being a Passholder in 2026. With the competition down the road at Universal Orlando preparing to open Epic Universe, Disney knows it needs to lock in its local and frequent-visitor base with better incentives and more flexible skip-the-line options.
What This Means for Your Future Disney Trip
It is important to remember that a survey is not a guarantee of a change. Disney frequently uses these polls to gather data and “stress test” ideas before they are ever implemented. However, these surveys are almost always a precursor to a strategy shift.
The Pros:
- More Flexibility: Tiered pricing could make skip-the-line access affordable for more families.
- AP Loyalty Rewarded: Passholders might finally see a tangible “skip-the-line” perk that justifies the rising cost of the pass.
- Better Crowd Flow: By incentivizing guests to visit during specific tiers, wait times across the park could become more balanced.
The Cons:
- Complexity: A tiered system adds another layer of planning to a vacation that many already find “too complicated.”
- Price Creep: While some tiers may be cheaper, the “best” rides will almost certainly see price increases under this model.
Conclusion: The Era of Customization
As we look toward the rest of 2026, the clear takeaway from this survey is that Disney wants to move away from a “one-size-fits-all” skip-the-line system. They want to create a menu of options that lets a guest choose exactly how much they want to spend and how much they want to wait.
Whether you are a local Passholder or a once-in-a-lifetime visitor, the way you navigate the Magic Kingdom is about to get more customized—and more varied in price. Keep your eyes on the My Disney Experience app; these “tests” have a way of becoming reality much faster than we expect.
Are you an Annual Passholder who received the survey? Let us know in the comments whether you would pay for a Lightning Lane “Season Pass” or prefer the current daily system!