Is Disneyland's Lightning Lane Premier Pass Worth $400? – San Bernardino Sun

Once the sticker shock of Disneyland’s new $400 Lightning Lane Premier Pass wears off, one big question remains about the pricey benefit: Is it worth it?

All ears, Disney Food Blog, DisBoards and other fan sites have put the expensive new line-cutting service to the test and offered insights into the pros and cons of Premier Pass.

The price tag of Disneyland’s new Lightning Lane Premier Pass will remain stable at $400 during the pilot rollout through December 31. Prices will range between $300 and $400 starting January 1.

The Premier Pass allows visitors to take one ride on every available Lightning Lane attraction at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure – including Rise of the Resistance and Radiator Springs Racers.

Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of Disneyland’s new Lightning Lane Premier Pass.

Positives

1) Easy to use

The Premier Pass pass will appear on the homepage of the Disneyland app after purchase.

Simply select the attraction, press the redeem button and scan the barcode at the entrance to Lightning Lane.

2) Drive what you want

You can ride any Lightning Lane attraction whenever you want.

You don’t need a reservation and you don’t have to worry about any availability issues. There are no time limits or restrictions.

3) Freedom and flexibility

You no longer have to bounce around the park running from one attraction to another. Just hit one attraction after another, whichever path you choose.

You don’t have to worry about a Lightning Lane reservation conflicting with dining plans or entertainment schedule.

4) Do it all

The Premier Pass is perfect for people who want to ride everything in one day and are willing to pay for the convenience.

With the Premier Pass it is possible to visit all twenty or so Lightning Lane attractions, attend a parade and a show, and slow down for lunch and dinner, before saying goodnight with a nighttime spectacle.

Disadvantages

1) Limited attractions

The Lightning Lane Premier Pass is only valid for 24 rides at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

You won’t get on Peter Pan’s Flight, the Jungle Cruise, or dozens of other rides without lines in Lightning Lane. And it doesn’t work on every ride with a virtual queue Haunted house or Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

2) Disruptions and renovations

The value of the Premier Pass decreases depending on the number of Lightning Lane rides that are out of service on a given day.

You will not receive a refund if It’s a Small World or Big Thunder Mountain undergoes a seasonal renovation.

If Rise of the Resistance or Indiana Jones Adventure breaks – which happens quite often – you don’t get any special treatment. You just have to wait with everyone else to see if the ride opens again.

3) No red carpet

The $400 Premier Pass won’t get you into Lightning Lane before everyone else. You’re standing among all the people who paid $32 for the Lightning Lane Multipass and those who use the free Disabled access service.

Once you pass the merge point, wait with the people in the standby queue. This may take 5 to 10 minutes or longer depending on the ride.

4) Not for young families

Many of the Lightning Lane attractions in the parks have height requirements, meaning the Premier Pass won’t work well for families with preschoolers and toddlers.

Rise of the Resistance, Radiator Springs Racers, Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, Soarin’ and Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout all have a height requirement of 40 inches. Matterhorn Bobsleds (42 inches), Grizzly River Run (42 inches), Indiana Jones Adventure (46 inches), and Incredicoaster (48 inches) are even more restrictive.