Note: Things with Disney World’s Lightning Lane systems are subject to change in the future. Stay tuned for updates. This post was last updated July 1st, 2024.

Disney World goes through changes what feels like every day. You take a trip and then a month later, things are different!

Attractions close for refurbishment or reimagining, new rides open up, and we know there are some pretty big expansion plans and blue sky projects in the works for 2 of the 4 theme parks. If you’re heading to Disney World and trying to do everything you can, you may be thinking about buying Disney’s paid skip-the-line service — Genie+ (which will be renamed Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass as of July 24th, 2024). But we have some important news — CHANGES are coming to the system later this year (or have already hit the system) that you need to know about.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

First up, we have Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom! The ride officially opened to the public on June 28th. This is a retheme of Splash Mountain, taking place in the same ride building and with the same ride system, just with a new story that occurs a year after the events of The Princess and The Frog film.

With the opening of this rethemed ride came some changes with Disney World’s Lightning Lane line-up. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is now part of Magic Kingdom’s regular Genie+ (soon to be called “Lightning Lane Multi Pass”) lineup. In other words, instead of being an Individual Lightning Lane selection (soon to be called “Lightning Lane Single Pass” — which is a separate, additional fee charged for the ability to skip the line at a single ride), you can pay for the Magic Kingdom (or multiple parks) Genie+ (soon to be called “Lightning Lane Multi Pass”) service and request a return time for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure for sometime during the day.

We suggest being fast. In the initial days following the ride’s official opening, we’ve seen the ride’s return time selections selling out QUICKLY through the Genie+ (soon to be called “Lightning Lane Multi Pass”) system. They will likely sell out for at least the first few weeks the ride is open. 

The only other way to ride the attraction is by using the Virtual Queue system, which will open at 7AM and 1PM each day. There is NO cost to ride the attraction by using the Virtual Queue system.

Some BIG changes are set to hit the Genie+ system on July 24th, and those will impact Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in a way. Let’s talk more about that below.

Learn all about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure here!

The System is Changing!

Disney previously announced that they planned to simplify the Genie+ experience in 2024, and in late June they gave some MAJOR updates about what this will involve.

Name Change

First, starting July 24th, there will be a name change. Right now, the terms used for Disney’s services are “Genie+” (for the multi-ride option) and “Individual Lightning Lanes” (for those individual Lightning Lane purchases you can make to skip the line once at a specific ride). Starting July 24th, the systems will be renamed “Lightning Lane Multi Pass” and “Lightning Lane Single Pass,” respectively.

But wait…there’s more.

Pre-Select Lightning Lanes

As it currently stands, you can buy Genie+ beginning at midnight on the day you want to use it, and you can book your first Lightning Lane as early as 7AM. But starting July 24th, that’ll change.

First, let’s look at the Lightning Lane Multi Pass. When purchasing Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you’ll be able to make up to 3 Lightning Lane selections in a park in ADVANCE of your visit. You’ll be able to choose available times as you make your selections. On the day of your visit, once you use a Lightning Lane Multi Pass selection, you’ll be able to make another selection based on what’s available in the My Disney Experience app.

Next, let’s talk about the Lightning Lane Single Pass. This will function similar to how it does now, BUT you’ll be able to make your purchase BEFORE your trip and plan for things a little more in advance.

Purchasing Ahead of Time (And an Advantage for Hotel Guests)

So just when will you be able to plan your Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Single Passes ahead of your trip? Starting July 24th, Disney World hotel guests (and guests of other select hotels) will be able to plan Lightning Lane passes up to 7 days in advance for their entire stay (up to 14 days). All other guests can plan up to 3 days in advance.

You’ll be able to buy a Multi Pass, Single Pass, or both depending on what you need — and there will be an option to purchase both in one transaction.

Tiers

In addition to the changes above, Disney will be reintroducing a tiered system for the rides in the different parks. This is somewhat similar to the old FastPass+ system where there were tiers and you could select a set number of rides from each tier when planning in advance.

Out of the 3 advance Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections you’ll be able to make ahead of your trip, you’ll generally be able to choose one experience from a higher-tiered group and two experiences (or all three) from a lower-tiered group.

At Magic Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan’s Flight, Space Mountain, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure are all in the first tier. (So, that’s something to keep in mind if you’re hoping to get on Magic Kingdom’s newest ride — Tiana’s Bayou Adventure — through the Multi Pass option).

At EPCOT, the first tier includes Frozen Ever After, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and Soarin’ Around the World.

At Hollywood Studios, the first tier includes Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, and Slinky Dog Dash.

And, finally, at Animal Kingdom, there will be no tiers. So, you’ll be free to choose ANY of the rides available with Lightning Lane Multi Pass as your 3 selections. Just keep in mind that Avatar Flight of Passage will only be available via Lightning Lane Single Pass (A.K.A. Individual Lightning Lane).

WHEW. Those are some MAJOR changes. We’ve broken down some of the key information you need to know about the updates, major problems you may encounter, and MORE. Check out some of our pages and posts below:

• EVERYTHING you need to know about Lightning Lanes in Disney World
• Everything you need to know about Lightning Lane Multi Pass
• Everything you need to know about Lightning Lane Single Pass
• Disney Confirms New Lightning Lane Rule CHANGE for Canadian Visitors
• Answering Your 12 BIGGEST Questions About Disney World’s Huge Genie+ CHANGES
• Breaking Down Disney World’s NEW Lightning Lane System in Under 1,000 Words
• Book These Rides FIRST With Disney World’s New Lightning Lane Multi Pass System!
• The Bad News About Disney World’s New Lightning Lane Multi Pass Skip-The-Line System

We’ll continue to look for more details and keep you updated on all the latest. Stay tuned for more news!

What do you think about these changes? Tell us in the comments!