We would love it if we could visit Walt Disney World and there would be no crowds at any of the Disney Parks, and wait times for all the major attractions were under thirty minutes, but this isn’t the case. Walt Disney World is busier than ever before, and that means crowds and wait times are both high.
With the introduction of the Lightning Lane system, Guests now have ways to skip the long lines at Walt Disney World. The Lightning Lane Multi Pass allows Guests to select and access Lightning Lane queues throughout the four Disney Parks. Pricing for the Multi Pass varies based on demand and season, reaching up to $35 per person per day during peak periods.
Guests also have the option to purchase Lightning Lane Single Passes. These allow Guests to access the Lightning Lane queue for select high-demand attractions individually. Pricing for these passes ranges from $14 to $20 per person per ride, depending on the attraction and season.
When looking at these additional costs, we got to thinking that there are some clear situations we would be willing to pay extra to experience a ride as well as some specific rides we would be willing to pay extra to experience.
Let’s look at those situations to determine if you would do the same on your Disney trip.
When We Would Pay Extra
When we consider when we would be willing to pay extra for rides, there are a few instances in which we wouldn’t be upset about the additional cost.
The first is when a new ride opens in Disney Park. When new rides and attractions open in one of the four Theme Parks, we see extremely long waits as all Guests want to experience them. We would do if we could pay extra to skip the extremely long lines and better ensure our chance to ride them.
The other reason we would be willing to pay for rides is when we haven’t ridden them yet. For example, when we hadn’t experienced Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, we were willing to pay for the Lightning Lane Single Pass to do so. This is the same for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. When we head back down to Walt Disney World next, we will be willing to pay extra to ensure a ride on this amazing coaster.
Finally, we are willing to pay extra for rides with long wait times. If we know that a ride typically has wait times longer than an hour on any given day, we will be willing to pay a little extra to skip these long lines.
Those are some specific situations where we would be willing to pay extra. Let’s look at some rides we would be willing to pay extra for.
Specific Rides We’d Pay Extra to Experience
Currently, there are several popular attractions at Walt Disney World that require Lightning Lane Single Passes for expedited access. These include:
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (EPCOT)
- Avatar: Flight of Passage (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (Magic Kingdom)
These attractions are not included in the Lightning Lane Multi Pass and must be purchased individually. The cost is date-based, meaning it varies depending on the time of year. Despite the additional expense, these rides remain must-dos for many Guests due to their popularity and innovative designs.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is one of the most sought-after attractions at Walt Disney World. With lines frequently exceeding two hours on busy days, investing in a Lightning Lane Single Pass for $17 to $20 per person can be a smart choice to save time and reduce stress.
Avatar: Flight of Passage
Avatar: Flight of Passage in Disney’s Animal Kingdom is another fan-favorite ride with consistently high wait times. Early in the morning, this ride moves quickly, but within the first hour of park opening, the wait time often rises to 90 minutes or more. Paying $14 to $18 for a Lightning Lane Single Pass can be worth it for Guests who want to experience this breathtaking attraction without the long wait.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
The newest attraction in EPCOT, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, continues to amaze Guests with its thrilling ride experience. Guests can join a virtual queue or purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass to secure their ride. For those who prefer control over their schedule, purchasing a pass for $15 to $20 is convenient.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Replacing Splash Mountain, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opened in 2024 and quickly became a highlight of Magic Kingdom. With no standby line available during its initial opening, Guests can only access the ride through a virtual queue or Lightning Lane Single Pass, with prices ranging from $15 to $18.
It would be wonderful if everything was free and we could all have short lines during our vacation, but that isn’t the case. Instead, we hope this helps you determine if purchasing Lightning Lane passes is right for your family.
