Disneyland Unveils Surprise Summer 2025 Attractions & Ticket Deals—Everything Visitors Need to Know

Pirates of the Caribbean Drops Lightning Lane: What Disneyland Guests Need to Know for Summer 2025 Fans planning a trip to Disneyland Park this July are in for a big change: beginning 1 July 2025, Pirates of the Caribbean will switch back to a traditional standby queue and disappear from the Lightning Lane Multi Pass lineup. The shift follows an 18-month trial period in which the classic attraction was temporarily pay-to-skip. Here’s how the update fits into the wider summer 2025 landscape at the Disneyland Resort. Why the standby return matters • Shorter wait-time balancing: Removing Lightning Lane redistributes crowds, often lowering the posted standby time once the initial rush fades. • Budget-friendly touring: Guests who skip paid line-skipping services regain access to a headliner without extra cost. • Strategy shake-up: Morning rope-drop and late-night rides will once again be the most efficient ways to board this 1967 original. What’s still in Lightning Lane Multi Pass Space Mountain, Indiana Jones Adventure, Haunted Mansion and 10 other attractions remain eligible, so plan your advance selections around those high-demand rides. July ride closures to watch If you’re visiting after Independence Day, note that refurbishment season ramps up: it’s a small world (7–19 July) and Storybook Land Canal Boats (15–31 July) are both scheduled downtimes, while Matterhorn Bobsleds is slated for a brief maintenance window in mid-August. Check the official calendar daily for last-minute extensions. New experiences debuting this season • Tiana’s Bayou Adventure soft-opens 12 July with a full grand opening on 14 July, bringing fresh ride capacity to Critter Country. • “Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!” recently took over the Disney Theater in Disney California Adventure, delivering an air-conditioned break for families. • Updated nighttime spectacular “Wondrous Journeys — Summer Magic” returns 17 July for Disneyland’s 70th birthday, adding pyro on select weekends. Pro tips for beating summer crowds 1. Arrive 30 minutes before early entry if you hold a Disneyland Resort hotel reservation; detour straight to Pirates to enjoy near walk-on conditions. 2. Book Lightning Lane Multi Pass picks for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Space Mountain and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure; standby the rest. 3. Leverage app-based mobile ordering at Bengal Barbecue and Harbour Galley between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. when Main Street and New Orleans Square get congested. 4. Pack a portable fan and schedule indoor attractions like Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln during the hottest part of the day. Bottom line The end of Lightning Lane access for Pirates of the Caribbean marks a meaningful pivot toward crowd rebalancing at Disneyland. Combine a smart standby strategy with savvy Multi Pass picks, and you can still conquer 15-plus attractions in a single summer day—no extra fee required.