Plan Ahead with Lightning Lane Entry at Walt Disney World Starting July 24

[pens4821]

What the heck? 1/21 and 1/22 are $35 MK LLMP days? We are arriving on 1/22, so wasn't planning to buy till 1/23, but not looking good for our week . We are going 1/22 - 1/28 (the other families in our group are coming 1/23 - 1/28. Crowd calendars before the trip looked like this was supposed to be a slow time. After the holiday crowds, marathon, MLK weekend, and cheer competitions. Can't tell if this is just disney getting greedy with the prices or if crowds are going to be WAY higher than I expected this week.

The last time we went MLK week was 2019. The entire week was very crowded. In 2014 when we went it died down after MLK day, but not 2019.

We are going around that timeframe in 2026. We will either go the last week of January or first week of February to avoid MLK and Presidents’ Day weeks.

Although I don’t know if it truly matters. I think Disney is always crowded unless you go when school starts back up and it’s crazy hot and humid. I wish we could deal with heat to enjoy the low crowds, but I don’t think there is any way we could do that and have fun.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

What the heck? 1/21 and 1/22 are $35 MK LLMP days? We are arriving on 1/22, so wasn't planning to buy till 1/23, but not looking good for our week . We are going 1/22 - 1/28 (the other families in our group are coming 1/23 - 1/28. Crowd calendars before the trip looked like this was supposed to be a slow time. After the holiday crowds, marathon, MLK weekend, and cheer competitions. Can't tell if this is just disney getting greedy with the prices or if crowds are going to be WAY higher than I expected this week.

So, recently it's been MLK week, not just MLK weekend that have been heavy.

2023 Thrill data had the week that included MLK orange through Saturday. 2024 it stayed orange through Sunday. You will hopefully see things lighten up 27th and 28th but I would be prepared for crowds. Disney knows how many date based tickets are in that window plus how many APs and undated tickets have reservations. So, if the LLMP is that high, it's for a reason.

 

[Chili327]

So, recently it's been MLK week, not just MLK weekend that have been heavy.

2023 Thrill data had the week that included MLK orange through Saturday. 2024 it stayed orange through Sunday. You will hopefully see things lighten up 27th and 28th but I would be prepared for crowds. Disney knows how many date based tickets are in that window plus how many APs and undated tickets have reservations. So, if the LLMP is that high, it's for a reason.

Think there is any chance they are trying to keep lightning lanes short so it feels like it still has value. If crowds are low and a lot of people buy LL the standby queue could move just as fast.

 

[Dave006]

Think there is any chance they are trying to keep lightning lanes short so it feels like it still has value.

No that is a busy week due to the holiday, resorts have very high occupancy that week, and that's why the LLMP pricing

Dave

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

No that is a busy week due to the holiday, resorts have very high occupancy that week, and that's why the LLMP pricing

Dave

I think it’s also possible if they are doing brisk sales on LLPP they will nudge up LLMP prices to discourage marginal buyers without raising (as much) outrage that LLMP is selling out and unavailable so Disney can sell more LLPP.

 

[Dave006]

I think it’s also possible if they are doing brisk sales on LLPP they will nudge up LLMP prices to discourage marginal buyers

I don't get the comparison of LLMP at $35 per day vs LLPP at $379 on Jan. 21st.

Dave

 

[PSUamanda]

So, recently it's been MLK week, not just MLK weekend that have been heavy.

2023 Thrill data had the week that included MLK orange through Saturday. 2024 it stayed orange through Sunday. You will hopefully see things lighten up 27th and 28th but I would be prepared for crowds. Disney knows how many date based tickets are in that window plus how many APs and undated tickets have reservations. So, if the LLMP is that high, it's for a reason.

Thanks for this info, I wasn't expecting it to stay so busy later in the week. Even so, doesn't $35 seem high for an orange day? That's like the Christmas - New Years price. Surely those were red days, not orange?

I just looked at thrill data and I guess that week was mostly $39, but today, New Years Day was $35. Seems crazy that two days after MLK is as crowded as New Years day. I wonder if prices are also inching up for 2025 vs 2024 pricing.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I don't get the comparison of LLMP at $35 per day vs LLPP at $379 on Jan. 21st.

Dave

I have no inside knowledge but the point I was making with fake numbers is:

Disney originally thought it could sell
1000 LLMP for $x and maybe 100 LLPP for $10x, making $2000x.

Then, during busy periods, LLPP started selling out, so Disney wants to be able to sell:
900 LLMP + 150 LLPP, making $2400x

They could just cap the sales at 900 LLMP and have people upset that it sold out, or they could look at the data showing where on the price curve demand starts to fall off and just bump it up $5, so yes some people are exasperated by pricing but nobody who desperately wanted LL couldn’t get it and (hopefully) the people who do buy it will be able to get in at least a couple of good rides.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Thanks for this info, I wasn't expecting it to stay so busy later in the week. Even so, doesn't $35 seem high for an orange day? That's like the Christmas - New Years price. Surely those were red days, not orange?

I just looked at thrill data and I guess that week was mostly $39, but today, New Years Day was $35. Seems crazy that two days after MLK is as crowded as New Years day. I wonder if prices are also inching up for 2025 vs 2024 pricing.

Historically the price seems high. Looking back at ‘23 and ‘24 later Jan dates were not equivalent to 1/1. I think your theory on price increases is accurate…

 

[MickeyMouseLove]

On a busy day at HS, are LL needed for any of the shows? Or can you walk in to any show without having to wait in a lengthy line? Specifically want to see Muppets/Beauty/Indiana/Frozen and trying to figure out if I need LLMP when we will not be riding any rides. Thanks for the insight!

 

[Disturbia]

Gotcha, and since i already bought 2 LLSP at MK that day, i can't buy a 3rd one for Epcot later that night, so i just have to hopefully grab a VQ, can a VQ be modified?
Oh or wait, isn't there a 5pm VQ for EEH? That's the one i can't miss, right?

You can get a VQ at 7am (at resort) or 1 pm (need to have entered the park beforehand). You can also ride a second time with the 6 pm VQ. If you have a LLSP for GoTG you can ride a 3rd time.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Thanks for this info, I wasn't expecting it to stay so busy later in the week. Even so, doesn't $35 seem high for an orange day? That's like the Christmas - New Years price. Surely those were red days, not orange?

I just looked at thrill data and I guess that week was mostly $39, but today, New Years Day was $35. Seems crazy that two days after MLK is as crowded as New Years day. I wonder if prices are also inching up for 2025 vs 2024 pricing.

Historically the price seems high. Looking back at ‘23 and ‘24 later Jan dates were not equivalent to 1/1. I think your theory on price increases is accurate…

I don't think anyone on here is going to suggest that Disney doesn't do quiet, sneaky price increases! This time of year would probably be a great time to eek up the ranges for LLMP since it's been high for a couple of weeks and fewer people will notice if it doesn't go back down as far as it used to go on light days, way back in 2024.

 

[scrappinginontario]

On a busy day at HS, are LL needed for any of the shows? Or can you walk in to any show without having to wait in a lengthy line? Specifically want to see Muppets/Beauty/Indiana/Frozen and trying to figure out if I need LLMP when we will not be riding any rides. Thanks for the insight!

You don’t ‘need’ LLMP for shows but you will want to arrive early if you wish to see the shows, especially Indiana will fill to capacity. That one I would recommend arriving a minimum of 30 mins in advance.

Muppets will normally not fill but since it’s closing may be more popular. Beauty you will want to arrive at least 15 mins early and Frozen the same.

All this being said, other than muppets, these are large theatres so the earlier you arrive, the better your seats will be.

 

[Disturbia]

just an FYI CM with iPad gave us a Rider switch 2.5 hrs away (we specified we had a LL)l very clearly) from when we were entering Tron LLSP. The standby wait was less than 2 hrs at that time. It conflicted with our LLMP. We were told to go back to the LL queue and talk to the CM while scanning (line was 25-30 mins outside the scan point). I was frustrated with that answer as I saw the CM remove people who were even 6 mins too early for their LLs (5 mins early it lights up green). They did allow party 2 in but it was stressful nonetheless.

So I suppose no need to stress if they make that error, you will be allowed to go in as long as first party completed riding. In the past at FOP we were refused eventhough they could see that party 1 had already ridden and it was a mistake to put standby wait on the RS. FOP CMs were nicer this time around.

 

[CarolynFH]

I searched for the answer to my question but didn’t find it. Is Guardians as forgiving for coming late for a LLSP as it is for VQ?

 

[Disturbia]

I searched for the answer to my question but didn’t find it. Is Guardians as forgiving for coming late for a LLSP as it is for VQ?

I believe the answer is no (but an hour with a good explanation might be ok). You can go to GET to see if they can change the time or refund it. The reasoning is that you select the time vs VQ (unpredictable).

That said during the busy Christmas week we were allowed to our LLMPs at HS (incl SDD) even an hour past the end of our window (crowds were dense and hard to move around).

 

[CarolynFH]

I believe the answer is no. You can go to GET to see if they can change the time or refund it.

Thanks. I think I’ll modify what I have to a little later. I’m having to estimate how long the toddler’s afternoon nap might be, plus we want to ride GotG before supper instead of after. Not sure what that window is!

 

[Disturbia]

Thanks. I think I’ll modify what I have to a little later. I’m having to estimate how long the toddler’s afternoon nap might be, plus we want to ride GotG before supper instead of after. Not sure what that window is!

It’s definitely a before supper ride as the vehicle rotates while the ride is going fast.

The LL window should be the same as other LLSPs with a grace period of 5 mins before and 15 mins after.

Naps for us have varied. Usually if you exit by 12:30, kids won’t go down until 2 pm and then it’s 2-3:30; coming back around 4:45 pm. I would book LLMPs for the morning, ride and book next 3 for the evening, although if you want to reduce the runaround I would save one ride eg Remy for the pm if that’s where you plan on dining (Rose & Crown or Le Celier or take Skyliner to Topolinos etc).

You can try to book the VQ at 7 am (I’ve gotten early BGs) and not ride it if it conflicts with nap/lunch. That queue does get long though 30 mins+. You can ride the VQ anytime after it’s called. If using monorail/skyliner (no need to fold stroller) party 2 can stay back and ride while party 1 takes the ride first and heads back for a nap with the toddler.

The world showcase does get super crowded towards evening/fireworks time. It was hard to refresh but I was able to book Frozen as my 4th ride. Remy was down all evening so a bit of a risk there. We did not like going into Epcot (so spread out; 3 big rides down at the same time; suddenly 79 degrees after mid 50s).

 

[PPFlight75]

This will be my first trip using the new pre-booked 3 lightning lane passes. We are also APs. I know that I still have to book park reservations but can hop whenever except MK after 2.

Do I have to book the 7 day advanced 3 LL passes for the park I have a res for or can I book for the park I plan to hop to?

Thanks for any help!

 

[itr452]

there was a fish for mep thread for disneyland but wondering if there was something similar for disneyworld? Or a list of rides that are not as reliable.