Disney just put out a press release saying that they are a great value and offer different options for different budgets. This was response to an article by the WSJ indicating that guest are fed up with the price hikes. In its press release Disney never addressed the Lighting Lane Prices and now we know why. They are going to put them at their maximum starting on March 3.
According to the Disney Food Blog, you can expect price hikes for both the Lighting Lane Premier Pass and Day Pass.
Starting on March 3, the cost for the passes will increase somewhat as the top tier pricing will be reached for the parks.
“To skip every line in these parks, without needing to book lightning lane times, you’ll pay $449 for Magic Kingdom, $249 for EPCOT, $349 for Hollywood Studios, and $199 for Animal Kingdom. Remember that this is priced per person, per park, per day. On March 2nd, before prices increase, Magic Kingdom’s pricing is the same, EPCOT’s is $239, Hollywood Studios is $339, and Animal Kingdom’s is $159”.
These prices are still within the price ranges given for the passes, but they are on the maximum-high end. I do not think it is a price hike but the highest price possible for the most “in-demand” days.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: $129-$199 plus tax
EPCOT: $169-$249 plus tax
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: $269-$349 plus tax
Magic Kingdom: $329-$449 plus tax
The Magic Kingdom base ticket costs $179, and if you want to add the Lighting Lane Premier pass, you will pay $449 on top of that. The Premier Pass is almost three times the base ticket cost. So, one day will cost a guest $628 before tax—for ONE person on ONE day.
On March 3 EPCOT is $164 for a base ticket per person. To make sure you can ride the attractions you can add the additional $249 for the price of $413 for ONE person on ONE day.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is $174 for one person that day. To add the Premier pass cost an additional $349 or $523 (pre-tax) for ONE person on ONE day.
Finally Disney’s Animal Kingdom will cost you $154 for a one day ticket. Add the $199 Lighting Lane Premier pass an you will pay $353 for ONE person on ONE day.
Where there might be a price jump is for the Lighting Lane Multi-Pass.
Also, starting on March 3, the day will go from $19 per person to $29 per person at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Even If you just add the mulit-pass for Disney’s Animal Kingdom that day you will raise your ticket from $154 t00 $183 (plus tax.)
Frankly, it’s not worth this.
The easiest thing to do is rope-drop and go to either Flight of Passage or the Kilimanjaro Safari, depending on your attraction preference. Or hit Navi River Journey, then Kilimanjaro Safari, and ride Flight of Passage at the very end of the day.
What do you think? Is this stuff worth these ridiculous price hikes?
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