What’s your opinion on Lightning Lane?

I’m highly negative on it after a week of use. Sure, we CAN buy them but as many have pointed out in previous posts IT USED TO BE FREE.

Beyond another thing to buy at Disney driving me insane, the system itself is terrible, namely the multi pass system. Maybe I’m missing something but for instance if you were to park hop, the pool of options in groups of rides is very limited and generally the top attractions are in the same group meaning if you manage to book a later LL you are stuck with that.

Using Thrill Data makes for a very easy way to keep track of single pass lightning lanes but still means you’re paying to ride a ride in the case you miss Virtual Queue.

For costing actual $$$ it’s really insane how restrictive it is, even for a premier pass which we did try out for one day. Singlepass caps at 2 per day? and Multipass is an actual joke to use. Everything worth fast passing is either booked out or in the same group so you’re unable to book and utilize park hopper efficiently.

I always just go back to so many people have a lot riding on this ONE trip to Disney and for it to be so high pressure with the very real possibility can’t afford to return it makes me sick knowing how things used to be.

Does anyone have insight as to why this system was introduced outside of monetary gain? What is its function, strictly park crowd control?