Disney Dining Serving up the latest Disney Eats, Treats, News, and More!
Guests at Disneyland reportedly abandoned the Space Mountain queue earlier this week, voicing their frustrations with the park’s controversial Lightning Lane system.
What Is Lightning Lane and Why Is It So Controversial?
Introduced in 2021, Lightning Lane replaced the beloved free FastPass+ system with a paid alternative. The service allows guests to skip the standby line for a fee, but it has drawn criticism for increasing wait times for non-paying visitors.
Credit: Disney Dining
Many argue that accommodating Lightning Lane users has significantly worsened crowding, creating a less enjoyable experience for standby guests. This dissatisfaction came to a head during the recent Space Mountain debacle.
Space Mountain Queue Turns Into a Nightmare
The guest shared their experience on Reddit, where they claimed that “last night [Monday] just before fireworks we saw Space Mountain had a 25 minute wait. We got there quickly and cruised through the line till the first indoor part. The like just came to a dead stop. Maybe 2-3 steps every 10 minutes. About an hour later we make it into the hallways and it is miserable.”
Credit: Disney
As tensions boiled over, “multiple people” exited the line “very visibly unhappy.” They soon realized why when, further down the line, they saw that Disney cast members were letting “5-10 standby on and stop it for at least 10 minutes to let every LL purchaser through and just halt the line when there is none.”
All in all, it took the guests “maybe 1.5 hours to get through the line when the standby wait at the ride and on the app both said 25 minutes.” They added that “it’s starting to feel really unfair. Ticket prices are not going down when it is becoming pay to ride in the park.”
Premier Pass Adds Fuel to the Fire
Compounding the controversy is Disney’s Lightning Lane Premier Pass, introduced in October. Priced at up to $400 per person per day, the pass allows guests to bypass reservations and access Lightning Lanes immediately. Critics have labeled the system exploitative, with high costs offering minimal added value.
Credit: Disney
Despite the backlash, it’s clear that some people see the value in Premier Pass, which has sold out during Thanksgiving week for both Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida. Regardless, some remain frustrated over Disney’s pricing strategies, arguing that ticket costs remain high while the park becomes increasingly pay-to-play.
Can New Attractions Solve Disney’s Crowd Issues?
As was announced at D23 over the summer, Disneyland Resort is set to expand its capacity with several high-profile projects. Disney California Adventure Park will introduce an Avatar-themed land, a Coco ride, and two new Avengers Campus attractions, including Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab.
Credit: Disney
While these additions may alleviate some congestion, it’s unclear if they’ll address the core issues tied to the Lightning Lane system. Many parkgoers remain skeptical, questioning whether Disney will prioritize improving the experience for all guests or continue favoring premium pay-to-play services.
Is Lightning Lane Worth the Cost?
The Lightning Lane system continues to divide Disney fans. Supporters appreciate the convenience, while critics argue it disrupts the magic for standard ticket holders. With new expansions on the horizon, Disney faces growing pressure to balance profitability with guest satisfaction.
What’s your take on Lightning Lane?
