Answering All of Your Disney Genie, Genie+, and Lightning Lane Questions
It’s been a week since Disney officially announced that FastPasses and the MaxPass program were being permanently retired, and a new system, the Disney Genie, was being launched in its place. Since then, I have had some time to study every aspect of the Disney Genie – including the Genie+ and Lightning Lanes – and have put together the answers to all of your questions below!
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What is the Disney Genie?
When it launches this Fall, the Disney Genie will revolutionize your next Walt Disney World and Disneyland vacation. This complimentary and convenient service is available directly in your My Disney Experience app for Walt Disney World Guests and Disneyland App for those visiting Disneyland.
The Disney Genie will allow you to maximize your time in the Parks and offers personalized itinerary planning to help you plan your day. From attractions, foodie experiences, and entertainment to general interests like Princesses, Star Wars, etc, just tell the Genie your preferences and your magical day awaits!
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What is the Disney Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane Passes?
While the Disney Genie is complimentary for all Guests and will help you access stand-by and virtual queues, both the Genie+ and individual Lightning Lanes passes will get you through the lines quicker and elevate your experience.
- Disney Genie+: The Disney Genie+ can be added on to your tickets for $15 per person per day at Walt Disney World and $20 per person per day at Disneyland. This service allows you to pick the next available time to arrive at most attractions and use the Lightning Lane entrance. Rides that will be included in the Genie+ services are the Haunted Mansion, Thunder Mountain, and Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. You can make one selection at a time and your Disney+ will also give you exclusive access to Park-themed audio experiences as well as augmented reality lenses at Walt Disney World and unlimited PhotoPass downloads from your day at Disneyland.
- Individual Lightning Lane Passes: For the most in-demand attractions (like Rise of the Resistance and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train), up to two Lightning Lane entrances can be purchased per day and includes attractions not available with the Genie+. The pricing for individual Lightning Lane entrances will vary by date, park, and attraction. You do not have to have purchased the Genie+ to purchase Lighting Lane entrances.
When Will the Disney Genie Launch?
While an exact date has not been give, Disney has said it will launch this Fall 2021.
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What is the Difference Between the Disney Genie and Genie+?
The Disney Genie is complimentary and gives you digital planning service, itineraries, and other convenient features at your fingertips.
The Disney Genie+ is optional and gives you one at a time access to Lightning Lane entrances for most attractions. The Genie+ also includes the features listed above like the audio experiences and premium photo services.
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Can All Guests Use the Disney Genie, Or Do They Have to Pay For It?
The Disney Genie is complimentary for all Guests at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. The additional options to select arrival times for the Lightning Lane entrance will be available for purchase including the Genie+ and individual Lighting Lane passes. These are both subject to availability.
Will a Separate App be Needed to Access the Disney Genie?
No! The Disney Genie is accessible through the My Disney Experience app for Walt Disney World and the Disneyland App for Disneyland Guests.
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When can the Disney Genie+ Be Added to Vacation Packages/Tickets?
Once the Disney Genie+ launches later this Fall, the Disney Genie+ option can be added ahead of your visit or the day of their visit.
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What is the Lightning Lane Entrance?
Once added, the Lightning Lane entrance will give you front-on-the-line access to attractions with little or no wait. Lighting Lane selections can be made on the same day of your visit and can be used at all Theme Parks. You can choose an arrival time, one at a time, for Lighting Lane entry for a variety of attractions and experiences when you opt in for the Disney Genie+.
Or, you can schedule a time to arrive at up to two top tier attractions per day when you purchase individual Lighting Lane entrances.
When Do I Make My Lighting Lane selections?
Unlike the previous FastPass system at Walt Disney World, you will select your Lighting Lane attractions the day of your visit. This is more similar to the MaxPass that was retired at Disneyland.
What Attractions Can Be Booked with the Genie+?
Examples Disney has given so far include Thunder Mountain, the Haunted Mansion, and the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. More attractions will be announced at a later date. However, most attractions that were previously included as FastPass and MaxPass attractions will be available for the Genie+.
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Can I Purchase Disney Genie+ Service for Just One Day?
When you purchase the Genie+ with a ticket or vacation package prior to your visit, the Genie+ service is required to be purchased for every single day you have tickets.
When the Disney+ is purchased the day of your visit, it can be added for just one day.
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Do I Have to Purchase the Genie+ to Access Attractions?
No! All attractions will continue to operate as they do now with stand-by queues and virtual queues for a handful of attractions.
A ride on Radiator Racers is always a must when visiting Disney California Adventure Park
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Is There Still a Way to “Skip the Lines” for No Extra Fee?
As mentioned above, you can still access all attractions via stand-by and virtual queues. However, if you are looking use the Lighting Lane entrances, you will have to purchase the Disney+ most attractions or individual Lighting Lane access for the most popular attractions.
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For Attractions That Have Virtual Queues, Will I Have to Pay to Ride Them?
No! Current attractions that offer a virtual queue like Rise of the Resistance, Radiator Springs Racers, and WEB SLINGERS (Remy’s Ratatouille at EPCOT will also offer a virtual queue when it opens), you can still join the virtual queue at no cost through your My Disney Experience or Disneyland Apps. However, if you wish to use the Lighting Lane entrance to access these attractions, you can do so by purchasing a lighting lane pass as long as there is availability.
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Will This Change the Disability Access Service (DAS Pass)?
Yes! The rollout of the Disney Genie will greatly improve the theme park experience for those Guests who use a DAS Pass. There will be a new pre-arrival enrollment option available as well. To read more about changes to the Disability Access Service or DAS Pass, please CLICK HERE.
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How Much is the Disney Genie+ Service?
The Genie+ will cost $15 per ticket per day at Walt Disney World and $20 per ticket per day at Disneyland.
Image Credit: Disney
Can Walt Disney World Annual Passholders and Disneyland Magic Key Holders Purchase the Genie+?
Those who hold an Annual Pass at Walt Disney World or a Magic Key for Disneyland will be able to purchase the Disney+ on the same day as their visit. This may be enhanced after the initial launch.
Image Credit: Disney
Will Annual Passholders or Magic Key Holder Receive Any Discounts?
For the initial launch, Walt Disney World Annual Passholders and Disneyland Magic Key Holders will not receive a discount when they purchase the Disney Genie+ or individual Lighting Lane passes.
Disney’s Riviera Resort
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Without the Advanced FastPass+ Booking Window, Are There Any Extra Benefits to Stay at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel?
Yes! Any Guest who stays at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel will have the first opportunity to purchase up to two individual Lighting Lane entrances for the top tier attractions at 7 am each morning. This will give you a head start against those who are not staying at a select Walt Disney World Resort Hotel as they will not be able to make their selections until the park officially opens that day.
And, don’t forget! Guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels will have more time to spend in the Parks with Early Theme Park Entry in the mornings and even Extended Evening Hours for those who are staying at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort Hotel.
Do you have any more questions about the Disney Genie, Genie+, or Lighting Lane entrances? Let us know in the comments below!
Still have questions and want more tips and tricks on planning your Disney vacation? Fill out the form below or send an email to Holly@MickeyTravels.com for a FREE, no-obligation quote to book your Disney vacation. As an agent with MickeyTravels (a Platinum Earmarked Agency), I will be on hand to help you with everything from finding your perfect package and I offer rate monitoring to ensure you are receiving the best rate available by Disney! I work with all Disney Destinations and destinations outside of Disney. Best of all, my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch via email at Holly@MickeyTravels.com or calling 954.401.9577. Also, make sure to CLICK HERE to follow along with my Facebook page for all things Disney and giveaways!
If everyone on your group has Genie+, can one person make the next Lightning Lane selection for the whole group or will each person have to do this individually? For instance, I was previously able to book FastPass+ for my entire party.