Disney has raised the costs on Lightning Lane Premier Move, the top-tier of paid FastPass, to a brand new document excessive at Disneyland and California Journey efficient later this month. Listed below are full particulars, when increased costs hit, and what this implies for different value will increase at Walt Disney World and DLR for the beginning of the brand new fiscal yr.
For starters, the Lightning Lane Premier Move value enhance is neither stunning nor sudden. Moderately, it’s possible a number one indicator of different “changes” (Disney’s most popular time period) on the horizon. This all the time occurs firstly of the brand new fiscal yr, which is one thing we lined over the weekend in Act Quick to Beat Worth Will increase at Walt Disney World & Disneyland for 2025-2026.
The truth is, that article particularly predicted that, “in all chance, each Walt Disney World and Disneyland will elevate charges on or round October 8, 2025.” That’s a really particular date, but it surely’s kind of when costs went up in every of the final three years.
It’s often across the first week in October, on both Tuesday or Wednesday. Each coasts will possible revert to the identical date this yr within the (presumptive) absence of a hurricane closure. This was a secure prediction as a result of increased costs happen yr out and in on a constant and predictable schedule.
It now additionally seems to be an correct prediction. Let’s check out the Lightning Lane Premier Move pricing calendar for Disneyland:
As you may see, Lightning Lane Premier Move hits a brand new document excessive value of $449 on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. That’s not a vacation or something particular–but it surely is the date that we beforehand predicted value will increase would hit. That’s in all probability not a coincidence.
The value of Lightning Lane Premier Move varies by date and demand, however is often priced between $299 and $399 per individual, per day. Up till October 8, 2025, it had not damaged the $399 barrier–not even on peak season vacation dates.
This implies that $449 shouldn’t be essentially the brand new value ceiling; simply the very best value now we have visibility into, since October 8, 2025 is at the moment as far out because the calendar goes. If that’s the worth in midweek earlier than Fall Break season kicks into excessive gear, I wouldn’t be in the slightest degree stunned if LLPP hits $499 and even breaks the $500 barrier round Christmas and New 12 months’s Eve.
Be aware that these value will increase don’t seem when perusing the Lightning Lane Premier Move (and even Multi-Move or Single Move) calendars for Walt Disney World.
Nevertheless, I additionally wouldn’t anticipate that to be the case. Worth will increase on Lightning Lanes across the begin of the brand new fiscal yr are widespread at Disneyland. Though each coasts use dynamic pricing, Disneyland’s charges on Lightning Lanes fluctuate much less–there’s a tighter vary with solely a handful of widespread value factors. Not solely that, however Lightning Lane Multi-Move might be bought preloaded with tickets. That’s not potential at Walt Disney World.
It’s been widespread for every of the final 3-4 rounds of value will increase to see a rise on the height value of Lightning Lane Multi-Move (or Genie+ earlier than it) at Disneyland. This has not been the case with Walt Disney World, which as an alternative often units new document excessive costs between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
We’d anticipate this to be true as soon as once more in 2025, with record-high costs for Lightning Lane Multi-Move, Single Move, and Premier Move at Walt Disney World nearer to Christmas versus someday in October. (It often occurs the weekend or Monday earlier than Christmas.)
Disney elevating the worth on Lightning Lane Premier Move is sure to be met with fan backlash. I do know this as a result of each value enhance prompts that response. So right here goes my unpopular opinion: I hope they elevate the worth on Lightning Lane Premier Move much more, and in addition at Walt Disney World.
Hear me out. Lightning Lane Premier Move is an upmarket product providing aimed toward a really small share of visitors. It has additionally turn into one of many few new sources of income progress for Walt Disney World and Disneyland, and was even cited as such on at the very least two earnings calls since its launch.
I’ve by no means and can by no means buy Lightning Lane Premier Move. Nevertheless, I don’t begrudge anybody who does buy this or every other paid FastPass choice; everybody ought to spend their cash as they see match. As mentioned later within the put up, I truly assume Lightning Lane Premier Move may very well be a worthwhile choice, particularly for these whose scarcest useful resource is their time versus their cash.
As somebody who shouldn’t be the target market for LLPP, I additionally see value will increase on it as a internet constructive in a few methods.
First, increased costs for Lightning Lane Premier Move would possibly imply extra visitors hitting their balking level.
That’s theoretically good for the standby expertise, as it will imply much less attraction capability is allotted to Lightning Lanes. That is the extra easy upside to increased costs on LLPP being good for individuals who don’t purchase, however I believe it’s in all probability exaggerated. For one, I’m skeptical it nets far fewer gross sales (if Disney had information that it did, they wouldn’t be elevating costs). For one more, visitors aren’t going from LLPP to standby–they shift to LLMP or perhaps VIP Excursions. So it’s actually rearranging deck chairs, at greatest.
Lastly, I don’t assume LLPP is what’s inflicting points with standby strains. Though Lightning Lane utilization has not dropped by practically the identical diploma at Disneyland because it has at Walt Disney World within the final yr–it’s very noticeable in Florida, whereas I see no discernible distinction in California–I additionally don’t assume Premier Move has exacerbated the issue. It’s such a small pool of visitors; there are greater points with the strains.
Second and far more importantly, it’s patently apparent that Disney needs to attain income progress for the parks section and so they’ll will that into occurring, a method or one other.
There are exceedingly few paths in the direction of this purpose as client spending tightens. Disney and different firms have repeatedly mentioned how shoppers on the decrease finish of the spectrum have gotten extra cost-conscious. As Disney raises costs on park admission and different ‘important’ components of the park expertise, they shed visitors. I view this as a foul factor; it means extra individuals being priced out.
Accordingly, the best choice for rising income is elevated reductions on increased quantity. That is one thing we’ve seen this summer season as Walt Disney World and Disneyland improved their lodge occupancy quantity on flat attendance (a goldilocks state of affairs because it did not imply increased crowds). I doubt anybody studying this might object to raised reductions with the one “draw back” being that extra lodge rooms are crammed. It’s just about the optimum win-win proposition.
From my perspective (however maybe extra debatable), one other nice choice is creating new income streams out of skinny air (Lightning Lane Premier Move final yr) or elevating costs on these which are upmarket area of interest choices.
If October eighth rolls round and the one costs to go up are these on VIP Excursions, valet parking, fireworks cruises, dessert events, behind the scenes excursions–that kind of factor–it’ll be an enormous win. To every their very own, however I’m effective with increased costs on something within the ‘Enchanting Extras’ assortment; these are enhancements and never integral to the core park expertise.
Truthfully, I’d be completely effective with value will increase on Magic Keys/Annual Passes if no different ticket sorts had their costs touched. Or, higher but, if Disney decreased some single-day costs to again beneath the $100 barrier. I’ve mentioned that earlier than, and as a lot as I do know it’s wishful pondering, I need to double-down on it.
I point out this, particularly, as a result of I don’t need anybody to assume that is about disdain for the higher class. Worth will increase on Annual Passes affect me instantly, whereas I by no means purchase 1-day park tickets. And but, I’m conscious that limitless (with caveats) entry to Walt Disney World and Disneyland may be very a lot a luxurious, and I don’t thoughts that being priced accordingly.
Despite the fact that visiting a theme park even as soon as (ever) can also be a luxurious a lot of the world’s inhabitants will sadly by no means get pleasure from, it’s much less of 1–and I’d wish to see as many Individuals as potential have that chance. If paying increased costs on APs to subsidize decrease costs on 1-day tickets is the means to that finish, I’m all for it. After all, I understand that’s not how the maths or incentivizing totally different demographics truly works, but when it theoretically made sense, I’d be in favor.
Extra dad and mom with the ability to afford to take their youngsters to Disneyland for a day is an efficient factor. Not only for the fandom, the parks, and the corporate–however as a societal internet constructive. I’d wish to imagine that is actually what Walt Disney would’ve needed when he talked about center class accessibility, versus pretending he’d be upset about no matter private pet peeves I’ve with pricing.
I assume we will see what occurs on October 8, 2025–however in any case, this could function one other reminder to do what now you can to “defend” your self from the remainder of the potential value will increase coming down the pike!
Lightning Lane Premier Move Fundamentals
For individuals who aren’t acquainted with it, Lightning Lane Premier Move permits one-time entry to every accessible Lightning Lane expertise in each of the Disneyland Resort theme parks to get pleasure from at your leisure that day (legitimate park admission required).
Lightning Lane Premier Move consists of one entry to every Lightning Lane entrance within the theme park visitors are visiting that day, which can be utilized anytime all through the day at their comfort – without having to guide an arrival time prematurely. In a nutshell, Lightning Lane Premier Move is Disney’s reply to Common’s Specific Move.
A number of the added perks of Lightning Lane Premier Move embody:
- All sights from Lightning Lane Multi Move and Single Move.
- Visitors can experience the sights that they need–when they need.
- Lightning Lane Premier Move will embody PhotoPass picture and video downloads.
- Eligible for Park Hopping
Lightning Lane Premier Move is on the market in very restricted portions and topic to promoting out–which does occur on busier dates.
Lightning Lane Premier Passes might be bought through the Disneyland app as much as 7 days prematurely of your park go to, beginning at 7:00 AM Pacific Time (topic to very restricted portions). This can be a change as of earlier in 2025. Beforehand, Lightning Lane Premier Move was accessible 2 days prematurely.
As for logistics of shopping for Lightning Lane Premier Move at Disneyland, earlier than you start, be sure that everybody in your occasion has legitimate theme park admission and park reservations for a similar date, linked to your MyDisney account. All of that is mandatory as a way to buy Lightning Lane Premier Passes–in any other case, individuals in your occasion might not look like eligible.
From there, open the Disneyland app and seek for “Lightning Lane Premier Move.” It also needs to seem in a banner on the house display screen. Faucet “Buy” to get began. Observe the prompts to finish your buy—and obtain a affirmation.
Visitors who buy Lightning Lane Premier Move can use the service for one-time entry to every accessible Lightning Lane entrance at each Disneyland and Disney California Journey Park—for someday, throughout common park hours.
Simply ensure your park admission consists of the Park Hopper profit. Should you don’t have Park Hopping privileges, you’ll want to purchase two days of LLPP to make use of it at each parks, which is way extra expensive than simply upgrading to the Park Hopper choice for a single-day.
That is in contrast to Walt Disney World, the place Lightning Lane Premier Move provides visitors one-time entry to every accessible Lightning Lane entrance in a single theme park for someday. Walt Disney World has per-park pricing consequently, and presents no Park Hopper choice for LLPP.
The value vary can also be way more variable for Walt Disney World, beginning at $129 and maxing out at $449 (for now) plus tax throughout peak season. Since there’s no Park Hopper choice, you’d have so as to add the price of two parks collectively for an equal providing at Walt Disney World–making the precise most over $800 after tax.
So actually, when you get previous the sticker shock of $449 Lightning Lane Premier Move at Disneyland versus the $129 base value at Walt Disney World, the latter truly finally ends up doubtlessly/theoretically costing far more when it’s most helpful or “mandatory.”
Setting apart the sticker shock, because of this I believe Lightning Lane Premier Move might be extra compelling at Disneyland Resort than Walt Disney World. Line-skipping can also be very helpful throughout peak weeks at Walt Disney World. However the distinction is that there are 4 parks (three the place you want it), making the fee $1,047 (plus tax!) versus $449 (no tax!). And I’m betting even then, the 2 parks at Disneyland Resort nonetheless have extra worthwhile Lightning Lanes than the three at Walt Disney World.
Though Lightning Lane Premier Move is aimed toward a really restricted viewers of prosperous visitors, that’s a stunning huge pool of visitors. It consists of these staying at any of the three on-site motels of Disneyland Resort, plus the close by Westin and JW Marriott (together with the households of conference visitors staying elsewhere), and the numerous different luxurious motels in Orange County.
It’s additionally true that the collective inhabitants of Los Angeles and Orange Counties is roughly 14 million. When you throw the Inland Empire, San Diego and different areas into the combo inside an inexpensive driving distance of Disneyland, you have got round 25 million potential visitors. These native numbers imply there’s an enormous visitor pool for Disneyland.
It’s in all probability not going to shock anybody, however there’s an incredible quantity of wealth in Southern California, to say nothing of these different states. There’s in all probability no scarcity of locals who aren’t fairly available in the market for VIP excursions however would purchase one thing like Lightning Lane Premier Move for a whirlwind day at Disneyland. Some would possibly even want the self-guided nature to a VIP tour.
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Suggestions for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Find out about on-site and off-site motels in our Anaheim Lodge Opinions & Rankings. For the place to eat, take a look at our Disneyland Restaurant Opinions. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Trip Planning Information. Lastly, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seashore, and tons of different locations!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider Disneyland elevating costs on Lightning Lane Premier Move? Hope they do the identical at LLPP? Would you be in favor of value will increase on “luxurious” theme park product choices if it meant flat pricing on the core components? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Different ideas or issues? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!