What Is the New Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass? Here’s How it Will Affect Disney Vacations

Editor's Note: This article was first published on June 27, 2024. It was last updated on Jan. 23, 2025.

Starting July 24, 2024, at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, the Disney Genie+ service was renamed Lightning Lane Multi Pass, and Individual Lightning Lane was renamed Lightning Lane Single Pass. Disney introduced a new limited-quantity Lightning Lane Premier Pass on Oct. 23, 2024, at Disneyland and Oct. 30, 2024, at Walt Disney World.

In 2021, the complimentary Disney FastPass+ service at Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts was replaced by the paid Genie+ service (with the short-lived MaxPass making an appearance in between at Disneyland only).

Disney's expedited entry systems allow clients to reserve return times for select attractions instead of waiting in standby queues. The main challenge of the paid Genie+ service was that it did not include the most high-demand attractions in each park. Those were only offered on a separate (and also paid) a-la-carte basis known as individual Lightning Lane, resulting in a confusing and often user-unfriendly system. But Disney has been trying to solve the problem.

"Disney heard what the guests’ major pain points were with Genie+ and it has come up with changes," said Kirsten Andrade, concierge travel planner with Favorite Grampy Travels. "Whether or not these will be loved as much as guests loved FastPass+, or for those outliers like me who loved Genie+, will be determined pretty quickly." 

What is Lightning Lane Premier Pass?

The latest component to Disney’s expedited entry system gives clients one-time entry to all Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass entrances in the theme park they’re visiting that day (similar to Universal Express at Universal parks). Guests who purchase Lightning Lane Premier Pass do not need to select a return time and can enter an attraction whenever they want to ride, providing more flexibility during their theme park day. 

Clients visiting Disneyland with park hopper tickets can use Lighting Lane Premier Pass for both parks. Clients visiting Walt Disney World need to select one park for the service (even if they have park hoppers); however, Lightning Lane Multi Pass and/or Lightning Lane Single Pass can be purchased on top of Lightning Lane Premier Pass, so Disney World guests can buy Premier Pass for one park and Multi Pass and/or Single Pass for any (or all) of the other three parks on the same day.

Lightning Lane Premier Pass pricing varies based on the date and theme park guests are visiting. For 2025, dynamic pricing for Premier Pass at Disneyland will range from $300 to $400. Prices at Walt Disney World depend on the date and theme park selected, and range from $119 to $329 per pass (plus tax), with the highest prices during peak travel periods. 

How Does Lightning Lane Multi Pass Work?

The optional Lightning Lane Multi Pass is available for purchase per person, per day at variable costs. In California, the service applies to both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure for the same price, but in Florida, guests need to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass individually for each park they plan to visit.

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Clients who purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass can select an available return time for an attraction, but after entering the queue, they can select another, based on availability. Disney notes that guests can access an average of two to three attractions per day using Lightning Lanes, but clients who visit during slower seasons can often ride more.

What Is the Lightning Lane Single Pass?

The Lightning Lane Single Pass is for high-demand attractions not included on the Multi Pass (often the newest rides). Up to two of those attractions per day can be purchased at an additional cost per person (pricing varies by date and attraction).

"Lightning Lane passes will blend features from our current services and the previously offered FastPass+ service, giving guests the choice to plan ahead and removing the hassle of planning during their vacation," wrote Eric Scott, senior manager of communications for Disney, in the Disney Parks Blog. "The app will also be updated to make it quicker and easier to purchase and plan, with fewer steps and a new option to purchase Lightning Lane Single Pass and Lightning Lane Multi Pass in one transaction."

The app will also be updated to make it quicker and easier to purchase and plan, with fewer steps and a new option to purchase Lightning Lane Single Pass and Lightning Lane Multi Pass in one transaction.

While these services aim to maximize the vacation experience by minimizing time spent waiting in line, the cost can add up. Therefore, clients visiting off-season, or who are frequent parkgoers, may opt to utilize standby queues instead.

When Can Lightning Lane Be Purchased?

Lightning Lane Multi Pass is available as a pre-arrival add-on to park tickets and vacation packages or as a single-day purchase after entering a theme park, based on availability. Lightning Lane Premier Pass can only be purchased through the official Disneyland app or My Disney Experience app for Disney World.

Walt Disney World guests can purchase and select Lighting Lane in advance, but Disneyland guests can only make Multi Pass return time selections and Individual Lightning Lane purchases after entering the theme park. Disneyland guests are able to purchase Premier Pass in advance.

When it was first introduced, Lightning Lane Premier Pass was only available to guests staying at select hotel properties at Walt Disney World Resort, but on Jan. 21, 2025, that restriction was lifted so all Disney World guests are able to purchase the limited-availability pass; however onsite hotel guests may purchase beginning seven days before the first day of their visit, while other guests are not able to purchase until three days before visiting.

Tips and Tricks to Maximize the New Lightning Lane Passes

Walt Disney World guests can make up to three selections in one theme park up to three days before their visit — and once they use their first selection, they can make an additional selection, subject to availability. Lightning Lane Single Pass is also available for advance purchase.

"One of the biggest complaints we heard was that someone had to be awake at 7 a.m. each day of their vacation," Andrade said. "Even for guests who prefer to rise with the sun and hit the parks early, being able to pre-select attractions before even arriving at their resort or into the theme park can give them the flexibility to sleep in, relax, have some downtime or just enjoy each other a bit more."

Even for guests who prefer to rise with the sun and hit the parks early, being able to pre-select attractions before even arriving at their resort or into the theme park can give them the flexibility to sleep in, relax, have some downtime or just enjoy each other a bit more.

Clients staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel and other select hotels will be able to make selections up to seven days in advance for their entire stay (up to 14 days), a change Andrade notes will likely play a big part in whether clients decide to stay on- or off-site as on-site guests will have "a distinct advantage."

For advisors looking for "tips and tricks" to snag clients’ favorite attractions, Andrade recommends being ready to make selections as soon as the booking window opens and strategizing which attractions to choose first and which will likely be available later in the day when clients can make an additional selection.

"I'm sure travel professionals will be watching patterns that are established with the tiered attraction system for this program," she said. "Prioritizations are something we heavily leaned into during our award-winning Genie Masterclass, which will be revamped for the launch of this new product. The class is open to travel professionals who want to become Genie/Lightning Lane Masters and parkgoers looking to learn the ins and outs of Disney's line-skipping systems so they can maximize their trip."