Fan-Favorite Disneyland Ride Suddenly Cut From Lightning Lane Access
Why Did Disney Make This Move?
What started as confusion among app users is now confirmed: Pirates of the Caribbean, one of Disneyland Park’s most legendary attractions, is being removed from the Lightning Lane Multi Pass lineup. No more skipping the line. No more speedy access. Beginning July 1, 2025, it’s standby queue or bust.
This quiet announcement on Disneyland’s official website has caught many fans off guard—especially those with trips planned for peak summer season. So why the sudden shift?
Disneyland Lightning Lane at Major Ride: A Short-Lived Perk
When Pirates was added to Genie+ (now Lightning Lane Multi Pass) back in January 2024, it was meant to be temporary. The ride filled in while nearby crowd-drawing attractions, like Haunted Mansion and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, were undergoing updates or construction.
NEW: Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland will no longer be offered as a Lightning Lane attraction starting July 1. – @ScottGustin on X
NEW: Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland will no longer be offered as a Lightning Lane attraction starting July 1. pic.twitter.com/uaTFkfSD4J
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) June 24, 2025
This decision helped manage traffic in the New Orleans Square area, absorbing overflow and spreading crowds more evenly. It worked—until it didn’t.
In April 2025, observant guests noticed Pirates quietly disappeared from the Lightning Lane selections. Was it a glitch? A trial run? A permanent move?
Now we have the answer.
Starting July 1, It’s Standby Only
According to Disneyland’s updated Multi Pass info, June 30 will be the last day you can book Lightning Lane for Pirates of the Caribbean. Beginning July 1, it reverts to a traditional line-only setup.
Still available in Lightning Lane Multi Pass at Disneyland Park:
-
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
-
Indiana Jones Adventure
-
Haunted Mansion
-
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
-
Matterhorn Bobsleds
-
“it’s a small world”
-
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
-
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
-
Autopia
-
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
-
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
-
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Why It Matters
This isn’t just a minor switch—it reflects Disneyland’s evolving strategy in managing wait times and guest expectations. Pirates is a high-capacity ride that moves people quickly. Disney may feel the attraction doesn’t need Lightning Lane access anymore, especially now that nearby rides are back in full operation.
really wish more attractions at WDW didn’t have LL as well – no need for Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Small World, Spaceship Earth, etc to have LL – just let the standby line load super quick and move people through it – @TheDBCPod on X
really wish more attractions at WDW didn't have LL as well – no need for Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Small World, Spaceship Earth, etc to have LL – just let the standby line load super quick and move people through it
— TheDBCPod (@TheDBCPod) June 24, 2025
On top of that, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure just opened and is expected to dominate Lightning Lane reservations for the foreseeable future.
By removing Pirates, Disney could be making space for new crowd flow tests—or laying groundwork for future changes to how Lightning Lane functions altogether.
The Bigger Picture at Disneyland
With many families relying on Lightning Lane to maximize their day, this change forces a reevaluation of priorities. Do you rush to Indiana Jones Adventure first? Or snag a time for Runaway Railway? The removal of Pirates throws a wrench in some long-standing Disneyland touring strategies.
And for longtime fans, it’s a nostalgic sting. Lightning Lane may not be the most magical part of the Disney experience—but losing it on a ride this iconic still hurts.
Are you ready to wait it out the old-school way? Let us know how this change impacts your plans—or whether you think Disney made the right call.
