Guests visiting Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios this October will notice plenty of activity as both parks continue major updates and refurbishments. Despite that, interest in Disney’s newest Lightning Lane offering remains remarkably strong.
Introduced as the Premier Pass, this top-tier upgrade allows visitors to enjoy faster access to some of the most popular attractions across Walt Disney World Resort. Prices for the pass fluctuate by park and date, ranging from about $129 to $449 depending on season and demand. At Magic Kingdom, the cost has hovered between $379 and $449 per person, while Hollywood Studios has typically offered rates from $269 to $349.
As the calendar turned to October, guests looking to use the Premier Pass over Columbus Day weekend found that all available passes had already been claimed. According to WDWMagic, Magic Kingdom’s allotment sold out for October 6, while both Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios saw sellouts for October 11 through 13.
Columbus Day, celebrated on the second Monday in October—which falls on October 13, 2025—often serves as the first major crowd surge of the fall season. The extended weekend gives families and travelers extra time to visit Walt Disney World, and the resulting increase in attendance makes premium offerings like the Premier Pass highly sought after.
That timing also marks the start of a busy stretch for the resort, with large crowds expected again for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year. The early October sellout suggests that Disney’s “skip-the-line” option remains a high priority for many guests, even at its steep price.
With the passes gone for the Columbus Day holiday, those planning trips during that window will need to consider standby queues or alternate days for their visit. Still, the quick sellout demonstrates how eager guests are to maximize their park experience before the year-end festivities begin.
How do you feel about the continued demand for Disney’s Premier Pass despite its high cost? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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