Hi Amy,
Welcome to planDisney! Getting Lightning Lane access is a great way to maximize your time in the parks. You’ll be able to skip the regular queue and enjoy even more attractions.
If you purchase
Lightning Lane and then later decide to upgrade to the
Lightning Lane Premier Pass, you will not be able to upgrade your existing purchase of Lightning Lane. Instead, you will need to purchase the Premier Pass separately.
So now the question is, which is better? The Premier Pass or the regular Lightning Lane?
Buying the Lightning Lane Premier Pass:The Premier Pass is valid for all
attractions with a Lightning Lane in both parks. Purchasing the Premier Pass offers a lot of flexibility, as it allows you to join the Lightning Lane queue at any time (subject to availability). The Lightning Lane Premier Pass is currently priced between $300 and $400 per ticket, per day (prices subject to change). Premier Passes are available for purchase up to 7 days before your park reservation date (as early as 7 a.m Pacific Time), and they’re released in very limited quantities.
Buying the Lightning Lane Multi Pass:The Lightning Lane Multi Pass allows guests to make return-time reservations for attractions with Lightning Lanes at both parks (subject to availability). I have some tips on how you can stay on top of your
Lightning Lane reservations, just in case you need them. In comparison to the Premier Pass, the Multi Pass starts at $32 per ticket, per day (also subject to change). Depending on the size of your party, this could significantly impact your budget. Choosing the Multi Pass, and even pairing it with an
individual Lightning Lane when needed, can still help you enjoy the parks while staying budget-friendly. The Multi Pass can be purchased in advance or upon entry into the parks. While availability is limited, quantities are much higher than those for the Premier Pass. If you are seriously considering the Premier Pass, I recommend holding off on purchasing the Multi Pass in advance, as it is very easy to buy it on the day of your visit.
Maximize your Lightning Lane:Regardless of which option you choose, both the Multi Pass and the Premier Pass are valid at both parks on the same day. As you suggested, purchasing a
Park Hopper ticket is key to maximizing the value of either pass. After 11:00 a.m., you’re free to hop between Disneyland and California Adventure, so keep this in mind when making your Lightning Lane reservations. Finally, regardless of what type of Lightning Lane pass you purchase (Premier, Multi, or Single), they all allow guests to ride each available attraction once per day using Lightning Lane access.
I hope this information is helpful, Amy! Both options have their benefits, so choose whatever works best for you and your budget. If you have more questions or need help with any other part of your trip, feel free to reach out to me or any of my fellow planDisney panelists. We’d love to share more tips and sprinkle a little pixie dust on your vacation.
Have a magical trip!
—Melinda