A busy holiday weekend is approaching at Walt Disney World, and guests are already seeing signs that demand could be strong.
Lightning Lane Premier Pass has sold out for multiple dates at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios surrounding Columbus Day weekend. Disney’s most expensive Lightning Lane option is disappearing even as prices remain near the higher end of what guests have seen.
It marks the return of Premier Pass sellouts after several months without them.
Magic Kingdom Availability Disappears
Magic Kingdom has been hit particularly hard by the latest round of sellouts.
As of October 5, Lightning Lane Premier Pass is sold out for October 5 and October 7. More importantly for holiday travelers, availability is completely gone from Friday, October 9, through Monday, October 12.
That takes Premier Pass away as an option for the entire Columbus Day weekend at Magic Kingdom.
And guests aren’t exactly getting the service cheaply.
Magic Kingdom Premier Pass prices typically range between $379 and $429 during the next four weeks. The service has previously ranged from $299 to $449, putting current prices much closer to the top than the bottom.
Despite that substantial expense, guests have purchased enough passes to trigger sellouts.
For families traveling together, the cost can quickly climb well beyond $1,000 just for Premier Pass access. That’s before considering admission, hotel rooms, food, souvenirs, and other vacation expenses.
Two More Parks See Sellouts
Magic Kingdom isn’t alone.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has sold out of Premier Pass for Friday, October 9, Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11. Another sellout appears on Tuesday, October 13.
EPCOT currently has fewer affected dates, but its Premier Pass has still sold out for Saturday and Sunday of Columbus Day weekend.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom stands apart from the other three parks. No Premier Pass sellouts were showing there in the latest availability update.
That means guests who haven’t locked themselves into a particular park may still have options.
However, anyone specifically hoping to use Premier Pass at Magic Kingdom over the holiday weekend is already out of luck unless availability changes.
Why Guests Are Paying So Much
Lightning Lane Premier Pass gives guests one-time Lightning Lane access to every eligible attraction at the park where they purchase it.
That’s a major difference from Lightning Lane Multi Pass and can make the product appealing to guests who don’t want as much planning involved in their day.
The advantage can become even greater during a busy holiday weekend.
Long standby lines can eat away at a large part of a Disney World day. Premier Pass allows guests to bypass the standby queue once at eligible attractions, potentially giving them considerably more time to experience the park.
The catch, of course, is the price.
Premier Pass is far beyond what many families are willing or able to add to an already expensive vacation. But Disney doesn’t need every visitor to purchase it.
The company only needs enough guests to fill the available inventory, and that’s exactly what has happened for several Columbus Day weekend dates.
Sellouts Return After Months Away
The timing is particularly interesting because Walt Disney World hasn’t experienced Premier Pass sellouts since Easter weekend in April.
That fits a pattern that has emerged around the premium service.
Premier Pass appears most likely to sell out around major holiday periods when crowds and attraction wait times can become a bigger concern. Those are also days when guests may see greater value in paying for easier attraction access.
Columbus Day weekend is now following that pattern.
The sellouts don’t guarantee massive crowds at every park throughout the weekend, but they do show strong demand for Disney’s most expensive Lightning Lane product.
Guests who missed out still have other options, including Lightning Lane Multi Pass and additional Lightning Lane purchases where available.
But for anyone counting on Premier Pass at Magic Kingdom over Columbus Day weekend, the decision has effectively been made for them.
The passes are already gone.
