Hi Natashja and welcome to planDisney.
How exciting that you'll be spending both Christmas and New Year at
Walt Disney World! My family have celebrated Christmas and New Year at Walt Disney World a couple of times over the years and one thing that's for sure is that you'll never see the New Year in, in the same way, anywhere else on Earth!
You are absolutely right in saying, Natashja, that currently, it is only possible for international Guests to
purchase Lightning Lane passes upon arrival in the US.
Upon arrival in the US, Guests with date-based Theme Park tickets (which require the Guest to choose a start date at the time of purchase) can purchase Lightning Lane passes 3 days before the first day of their ticket, for the total number of valid admission days on their ticket.
It is hard to say definitively whether you will be able to purchase a
Lightning Lane Premier Pass for use on 19th December 2025, or not. Obviously crowds will be high when visiting over the Christmas period but no-one can say for certain what the situation will be with regards to purchasing Lightning Lane Premier Passes once you arrive in the US.
What I can say is that you are much more likely to be able to purchase these for the latter part of your trip than the beginning so, it might be worth planning accordingly.
Top Tip - Generally speaking, crowds tend to be quieter first thing in the morning, later in the evening, during standard meal times and whilst parades and nighttime entertainment/fireworks are taking place.
I hope that this has answered your question, Natashja. Please feel free to revisit us, here at
planDisney, if we can be of any further help with the planning of your trip.
Wishing you a magical holiday filled with memories which will last a lifetime!
Emma