Disney’s Lightning Lane system is constantly evolving to fit the needs of the resort, and 2025 has been no exception, as new rides have been added, tiers have changed, and one type of experience has been removed!

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

I’ve been going to Disney World for over 30 years, and over that time, I’ve watched the “skip-the-line” system evolve from FastPass through FastPass+, Genie+, and Lightning Lane. Beyond that, within each of these systems, the company has continuously tweaked rules and shuffled offerings. These are some of the most notable changes made this past year.

Test Track is Back

After being closed for refurbishment for over a year, EPCOT’s Test Track returned in a new — and acclaimed — 3.0 version early in the summer.

Test Track!

Upon reopening, the ride was immediately added to the park’s Tier 1 of Lightning Lane attractions, along with Frozen Ever After and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. (Only one of these higher-level Lightning Lanes can be booked prior to your visit.)

Ride Vehicle

In conjunction with this move, Soarin was moved to the park’s group of Tier 2 Lightning Lanes, two of which can be booked prior to your visit.

Soarin’ Lightning Lane

Character Meet & Greets are Gone

To the disapproval of some visitors, character meet & greets have been removed from the Lightning Lane Multi Pass system. While this may not affect those who focus on rides, families — and guests who simply enjoy meeting their favorite Disney characters — have been forced to rearrange their approach and time allocation.

STITCH!

Ariel Returns to the Surface

Hollywood Studios opened The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, a spiritual successor to the long-running Voyage of the Little Mermaid show, which had never reopened after the 2020 pandemic closure.

Ariel in “The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure”

The show was initially scheduled — and advertised — as being Lightning Lane-eligible before that abruptly changed. It remained Lightning Lane-free until August, when it was added to the park’s Multi Pass lineup as a Tier 2 attraction.

The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Joins Multi Pass

Earlier this year, the Magic Kingdom’s newest attraction — Tiana’s Bayou Adventure — transitioned from a virtual queue to a standby queue, and became eligible for Lightning Lane Multi Pass as a Tier 1 attraction.

It’s Princess Tiana

Of note, EPCOT’s popular Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind also transitioned from a virtual queue, though it did NOT become Multi Pass eligible, with the only Lightning Lane option for the ride remaining Single Pass.

Cosmic Rewind queue

No More Cheap 3-D Tricks?

2025 saw the permanent closures of both Muppet*Vision 3D and It’s Tough to Be a Bug at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, respectively. The latter is scheduled to be replaced by Zootopia: Better Zoogether, which may be Lightning Lane eligible when it opens in late winter 2025.

A new show inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios film “Zootopia” will debut next winter in Discovery Island at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. @Disney

As Disney’s Lightning Lane system continues to evolve its offerings, stay tuned to DFB for further updates on each and every change.

3 Disney World Lightning Lane Rules You Should Break

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

---

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

GET YOUR GUIDE NOW

Have you used Lightning Lane this year? Let us know in the comments below.