Let’s Talk About Disney’s New Lightning Lane Premier Pass

It’s no secret around here that my family likes the occasional (or more) trip to Disney World. However, if you’ve read the other Disney-centric pieces on this website, you’ll also detect a hint of cynicism in my tone when it comes to actually paying for these trips.

Heading to Walt Disney World can be brutally expensive (and possibly even more expensive at Disneyland, as I discovered last year), and that’s even before you start to factor in the day-of expenses like food, or more critically, Lightning Lanes.

Related: Travel Hacking Disney Parks with Points and Miles

Previously named “Genie+” and instituted by former Disney CEO Bob Chapek, Lightning Lanes are the purest form of capitalism — if you have the cash, why would you wait in line? Clocking in at $15 originally, and now subject to surge pricing and per-ride costs, Lightning Lanes gave people with extra money in their pockets a way to skip waiting in the often hour plus queues to jump to the front of the line. It also incentivized visitors to stay on Disney property, with certain benefits afforded to those that stay at a Disney World resort.

Well today, Disney announced the launch of a new product named “Lightning Lane Premier Pass.” Let’s talk about it.