"If You Hate Queuing, Pay 600,000 Won"…Disney World Introduces Lightning Pass

'Lightning Pass' Allows Use of Rides Without Waiting
Likely Popular Among Time-Constrained Wealthy Visitors
However, High Price May Shock Visitors

Disney, which operates the world's largest theme parks, has launched the 'Lightning Lane Premier Pass' (Lightning Lane Premier Pass·Lightning Pass), allowing visitors to ride attractions immediately without waiting in line.

Disney World Resort Promotional Photo [Photo by Disney World Resort]

According to AP News and CNN on the 16th (local time), Disney announced that it will pilot the Lightning Pass in a very limited quantity at its theme parks in the United States. This ticket is an additional purchase on top of the basic admission ticket. It is designed so that only a small number of visitors can buy and use it, and the daily price varies depending on the date and demand on the day.

CNN reported that at Disney World Resort in Florida, the pass can be purchased from as low as $137.39 (about 188,000 KRW) to as high as $478.19 (about 650,000 KRW) starting from the 30th. At Disneyland in California, it will be sold for $400 (about 546,000 KRW) from the 23rd until the end of the year, and from next year, the price will be variably set between $300 and $400 depending on the date and demand.

Disney World Resort Promotional Photo [Photo by Disney World Resort]

Previously, Disney sold tickets that allowed faster access to rides than general admission holders for around $30 (about 40,000 KRW). However, there were inconveniences such as having to pre-select the ride time via an app.

In contrast, the newly introduced 'Lightning Pass' allows users to ride any desired attraction immediately without waiting at any time. This is expected to be popular among wealthy visitors who are short on time and financially comfortable.

However, considering that the basic one-day admission ticket price at Disney resorts is around $104 to $109 (about 140,000 to 150,000 KRW), the Lightning Pass is priced at more than four times that amount, which may shock visitors, AP reported.

Don Munsil, operator of MouseSavers, a site tracking theme park prices, said about the Lightning Pass, "If everything new that Disney releases feels like it is only for wealthy people, people will feel upset."