Love it or hate it, the Genie is here and it doesn’t look like it’ll be disappearing anytime soon.

Disney Genie (including the free Genie planning service and the paid Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane services) is available at both Disney World and Disneyland. We’ve tested out the system a LOT and shared all kinds of tips and tricks with you. But just how are the systems at Disney World and Disneyland different from one another? There are actually a few important distinctions. Here’s what you need to know.

Quick Overview

Before we dive into the differences between the resorts we wanted to explain the basics. The Disney Genie system is made of 3 services:

• Genie (FREE) — Free Genie provides on-the-go planning tools and customized itineraries to help guests maximize their time in the parks.
• Genie+ — Genie+ is basically the paid FastPass+ replacement service. It allows guests to select the next available time to arrive at a ride (similar to the previous FastPass+ time windows) and enter that attraction’s Lightning Lane (a.k.a. the old FastPass+ lane).
• Individual Lightning Lane (pay-per-ride) — Certain popular rides are NOT included with Genie+. To skip the lines at those rides, you’ll need to buy an Individual Lightning Lane which lets you skip the standby line once for that ride at your selected time.

Alright, now let’s tackle the differences.

Cost of Disney Genie+

The first big thing is the cost. In Disney World, the only way to buy Genie+ is to purchase it on the day of your visit, starting at midnight (you’ll see why this is important in a minute!). The price of Genie+ (the paid FastPass+ replacement system) then varies depending on:

1. the day you’ll be visiting (a.k.a. there is surge pricing so you’ll pay significantly more for Genie+ on Christmas day than a random Tuesday in September) and
2. the park you’re buying Genie+ for.

That second point is critical. In Disney World, you can buy Genie+ for individual parks or buy a multi-park option. The prices vary depending on what you choose. If, for example, you’ll only be visiting Animal Kingdom on a particular day of your trip and won’t be park hopping, it would likely be best for you to buy Genie+ just for Animal Kingdom since that is typically a cheaper option (as opposed to the multi-park Genie+).

The multi-park Genie+ and Magic Kingdom Genie+ costs are typically the most expensive. Overall, the price of Genie+ has ranged from around $15 per ticket per day to $39 per ticket per day, but that’s subject to change.

At Disneyland, things are different. Select guests can actually buy Genie+ in ADVANCE of their trip (that’s not an option in Disney World at all at the moment!). Specifically, the Genie+ service is available as an add-on for a ticket or vacation package purchase. If you fall in that category, then you’ll be able to purchase Genie+ in advance of your trip through the Disneyland website or a travel professional and it is $30 per ticket per day.

If you cannot (or do not) buy Genie+ in advance, then you will still be able to buy it on the day of your trip (once you enter a Disneyland Resort theme park). Day-of Genie+ purchases are subject to surge pricing. Pricing starts at $30 per person per day but can vary depending on the day. The highest price we’ve seen as of the latest updates to this article is $35 per person per day but that is subject to change.

Also, note that at Disneyland, Genie+ is NOT split into individual versus multi-park options. Instead, there is simply one Genie+ option and it allows you to use the service in both theme parks at Disneyland Resort.

Ultimately, if you’re thinking of purchasing Genie+ for either coast, be sure to give yourself some wiggle room in terms of budget because surge pricing could alter just how much you’ll have to spend.

Click here to see Genie+ tips for the most CROWDED days in the parks

Individual Lightning Lane (Pay-Per-Ride) Availability and Cost

Another difference between the parks is the number of Individual Lightning Lanes (pay-per-ride selections) available and some of their costs. At both resorts, the prices of the pay-per-ride selections (which, again, are separate from the cost of the standard Genie+ service) vary by date and attraction.

At Disney World, there are 5 rides available via Individual Lightning Lane (1 per park, 2 at Magic Kingdom):

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train –$10 – $12 per person
• AVATAR Flight of Passage — $11 – $16 per person
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – $15 – $25 per person
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — $14 – 17 per person
• TRON Lightcycle / Run — $20 per person

At Disneyland, there are only 2 (1 in each park):

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance — $20 – $25 per person
• Radiator Springs Racers — $7 – $18 per person

At Disney World, the prices range from $10-$25, while it has typically ranged from $7-$25 at Disneyland, but (again) that is subject to change.

There is one ride that exists on both coasts and is available through the Individual Lightning Lane service — Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. In Disney World, the cost for the Individual Lightning Lane selection for Rise of the Resistance has ranged from $15-$25 per person. At Disneyland, the range starts a bit higher as pricing has been between $20-$25 per person.

Of course, the prices and availability of these Individual Lightning Lane selections are subject to change — sometimes Disney can even alter what is available via Individual Lightning Lane versus the standard Genie+ service. Generally, though, those are the comparisons we’re seeing at the moment.

No Tax

Buckle up, folks. You might already be budgeting for your trip using the Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane prices we mentioned above, but things will cost you even MORE than you might expect…at Disney World, that is.

Why? Well, it’s because when you buy Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane selections at Disney World, tax is added to the total price during checkout, bringing the cost up just a bit. In other words, an Individual Lightning Lane for Rise of the Resistance listed as costing $20 will actually set you back $20 + tax in Disney World.

At Disneyland, however, no additional tax amounts are added to the cost of Genie+ or the cost of Individual Lightning Lane selections. Instead, the pricing includes the tax so you won’t see an added fee when you go to check out.

Click here to read more about the Genie+ system!

When You Can Purchase Genie+

One of the biggest differences for Genie+ in Disney World vs. Disneyland has to do with timing. In Disney World, there is (currently) NO ability to buy Genie+ before your trip. If you’re visiting Disney World, you’ll only be able to buy Genie+ on the day you want to use it. Sales open up at midnight. Yes, this means that if you want to use Genie+ 5 days in a row, you’ll have to wake up and purchase it each day (you can’t buy it for a set of days in advance or anything like that).

In Disneyland, on the other hand, some guests can buy Genie+ in advance. Specifically, it can be bought as an add-on to a ticket or vacation package purchase.

But, if you don’t or aren’t able to buy it before your Disneyland trip, you can still buy Genie+ on the day of your vacation. Unlike Disney World (where sales start at midnight), however, day-of Genie+ purchases at Disneyland can only be made after you actually ENTER a Disneyland Resort theme park for the day. That means you actually need to step INSIDE one of the parks before you’ll be able to buy Genie+ on the day of your visit.

When You Can Make Your First Lightning Lane Selection with the Standard Genie+ Service

It’s one thing to buy Genie+, but when can you start making Lightning Lane selections through the standard Genie+ service? Well, that differs too.

In Disney World, you can buy Genie+ as early as midnight on the day of your visit, but you won’t be able to make your first Genie+ Lightning Lane selection until 7AM.

In Disneyland, whether you buy Genie+ in advance or buy it on the day of your visit (upon entering a theme park), you won’t be able to actually make your first Lightning Lane selection until you enter a Disneyland Resort theme park.

When You Can Buy an Individual Lightning Lane

To make matters a bit more complicated, when you can buy an Individual Lightning Lane also differs between the resorts. At Disney World, you can buy and reserve your first Individual Lightning Lane as early as 7AM if you’re staying at a Disney World hotel (or other select hotels). If you aren’t staying at a Disney World hotel (or other qualifying hotel for this early purchase window), then you can buy and reserve an Individual Lightning Lane when the park opens.

In Disneyland, you actually need to step INSIDE one of the parks before you’ll be able to buy an Individual Lightning Lane option. If you’re worried about getting early return times, really making the most of your Genie+ selections, and/or getting certain pay-per-ride selections before they sell out, then you might want to enter one of the Disneyland parks early so you can make your purchase as soon as possible!

Click here for the ULTIMATE guide to Genie+ in Disneyland

Number of Rides Available with the Standard Genie+ Service

The number of rides available through the standard Genie+ service in Disneyland vs. Disney World is also very different. In Disney World, over 50 attractions are available through Genie+.

The full list of the attractions included in the base-price Disney Genie+ for Walt Disney World is as follows:

Magic Kingdom

• Haunted Mansion
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Enchanted Tales with Belle
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• Mad Tea Party
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• “it’s a small world”
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Jungle Cruise
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• The Barnstormer
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• See Mickey and Minnie at Town Square Theater
• See Princess Tiana and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall 
• See Cinderella and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall 
• Meet The Little Mermaid at Ariel’s Grotto
• Space Mountain
• Reserved Viewing for Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade — See the reserved viewing area HERE

Click here for the FIRST Genie+ Lightning Lane You Should Grab in Magic Kingdom

Animal Kingdom

• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Festival of the Lion King
• Kali River Rapids
• Feathered Friends in Flight!
• Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!
• DINOSAUR
• It’s Tough to Be a Bug
• Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventurers Outpost
• Na’vi River Journey
• The Animation Experience
• Expedition Everest

EPCOT

• Spaceship Earth
• Soarin’
• Living With the Land
• Test Track
• Journey Into Imagination with Figment
• Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival
• Turtle Talk with Crush
• The Seas with Nemo and Friends
• Mission: SPACE
• Frozen Ever After
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Click here for the FIRST Genie+ Lightning Lane You Should Grab in EPCOT

Hollywood Studios

• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Star Tours
• Tower of Terror
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
• Toy Story Mania
• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Muppet*Vision 3D
• Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
• Beauty and the Beast — Live on Stage
• Disney Junior — Live on Stage
• See Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

In Disneyland, the numbers are significantly smaller. Only just over 20 rides are typically available through Genie+. The full list of attractions included in the base-price Disney Genie+ for Disneyland Resort is as follows:

Disneyland Park

• Autopia
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• Haunted Mansion
• Indiana Jones Adventure
• “it’s a small world”
• Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
• Space Mountain
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway 

Disney California Adventure

• Goofy’s Sky School
• Grizzly River Run
• Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
• Incredicoaster
• Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
• Soarin’ Around the World
• Toy Story Midway Mania
• WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
• The Little Mermaid — Ariel’s Undersea Adventure

That’s a lot less in terms of selection versus Disney World, but Disney World also has more parks for guests to visit and more attractions spread out over larger spaces.

Disney Genie+ and Surge Pricing: What You Need to Know

Extras

In both Disney World and Disneyland, your purchase of Genie+ comes with some little “extras.” In both resorts, those extras include access to special augmented reality PhotoPass lenses. Guests at both resorts also have access to Disney parks-themed audio experiences where you can learn fun facts about the attractions and other areas of the park around you.

There are also some photo benefits but those differ a bit between the resorts. Those who buy Genie+ at Disneyland get unlimited PhotoPass downloads from their day. That’s a pretty good perk and one that Disneyland fans will recognize from the MaxPass days.

At Disney World, those who buy Genie+ get complimentary PhotoPass downloads specifically for ATTRACTION photos taken on the day they bought Genie+. That’s a small but significant difference since it’ll only include the photos taken on attractions, rather than all PhotoPass photos.

And that’s a look at the major differences when it comes to Genie+ in Disney World vs. Disneyland. Things with Genie+ are constantly in flux, however, and Disney has already confirmed that some big changes are on the horizon. In May 2023, Disney announced that it plans to make changes to the service in 2024. “We have heard from guests that they would like ways to plan with Disney Genie+ service and individual Lightning Lane selections before the day of their park visit, and we want you to know we are working on ways guests may do this for visits in 2024,” Disney said in a blog post. It’s important to note, though, that Disney still hasn’t revealed just yet when they’re planning to implement this change.

Disney has yet to reveal the details of what they are planning. With the old FastPass+ system, you could make SOME of your plans in advance of your trip, but not all of them, so that could also be the case with this anticipated Genie+ change. Stay tuned for more details!

Ready for more Genie+ info? Check out our video below!

Are you a fan of Genie+? Tell us in the comments!