Just when we thought we had gotten the hang of this whole Genie+ thing, Disney goes and switches things up on us!
Genie+
We knew that the service was due for an update based on what Disney has said in the past, we just didn’t know when. Disney shared that we’d soon have a way to plan Lightning Lanes ahead of time — before even stepping foot in the parks — and now we have an update on those changes!
BIG changes are coming to Genie+ at Disney World! First things first — starting on July 24th, Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes are out, and Lightning Lane Multi-Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass are in. That’s right! There’s been an official name change.
©Disney
Genie+ is now Lightning Lane Multi-Pass and Individual Lightning Lanes are now Lightning Lane Single Pass. In addition to these changes, Disney has announced that as of July 24th, you can:
- Make Lightning Lane plans before you get to the parks, for added confidence.
- Choose your experiences and times prior to purchasing, so you know what you’re getting.
- Book Lightning Lane passes for multiple vacation days, all in a single day.
Disney shared a bit more about how these changes will be implemented come July 24th, so let’s get into it.
Lightning Lane Multi-Pass
When purchasing Lightning Lane Multi-Pass, you can make up to 3 Lightning Lane selections in a park in advance of your visit. Not only that, but you can choose available times as you make your selections.
Attraction Sign at Animal Kingdom directing Guests to Standby Line and Lightning Lane Entrances
On the day of your visit, once you use a selection, you can make another one based on what is still available on the My Disney Experience app, just as you would now.
Lightning Lane Single Pass
Lightning Lane Single Pass will effectively function as it does now, with the added bonus that you can make your purchase before your trip and plan in advance.
Tower of Terror Lightning Lane sign
Planning Ahead
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.
Disney Genie+ allows you to book the Lightning Lane for rides.
Advance purchase windows will allow people to “secure some of their must-do rides and experiences after they’ve had some time to decide what dining reservations they want to book and any other plans they may need to consider.”
You’ll be able to purchase a Multi-Pass, Single Pass, or both depending on what you need — and there will even be a new option to purchase both in one transaction.
TRON Lightcycle / RUN Lighting Lane
Disney has introduced (or reintroduced, shall we say) a tiered system for rides. It looks like out of those 3 advance selections, you’ll 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.
©Disney
At EPCOT, the first tier includes Frozen Ever After, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and Soarin’ Around the World.
©Disney
At Hollywood Studios, the first tier features rides like Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, and Slinky Dog Dash.
©Disney
And over at Animal Kingdom, there will be no tiers at all — meaning you’re free to choose any of the attractions available with Lightning Lane Multi-Pass as part of your 3 selections. Avatar Flight of Passage will still be available via Lightning Lane Single Pass (A.K.A. Individual Lightning Lane).
©Disney
Disney shared that the new Lightning Lane passes “will blend features from our current services and the previously offered FastPass+ service, giving guests the choice to plan ahead and removing the hassle of planning during their vacation.” You can check out a video of how it will work below:
We’ll be on the lookout for even more changes coming to Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes — or Multi-Pass and Single Pass now — so make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest updates!
Click here to see 10 big changes that will affect Disney World ticket holders in 2024
All About Disney Genie, Genie+, and Individual Attraction Selection
BIG Genie+ Changes Being Planned For Disney World
FULL List of Rides Included With Genie+ in Disney World
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Click HERE to See More About Disney Genie
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What do you think of these changes? Tell us in the comments.
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How about being able to use the multi pass for the same ride? Like it was on fastpass. Example book a tower of terror and booking it again the same day? Or is it still going to be 1 per day per ride
I do have some pretty specific questions:
1. When it comes to making the reservations on the new app, is there a specific time in the day that those reservations are able to be made?
2. Since I will be in CA when I can make these reservations, what time would that be in Pacific time?
3. Will I need to download a new app, or will they be changing the one that exists?
I’m kinda sad! I had just figured out the Genie + app!!!!!
I do appreciate how you try to give people instructions and keep them informed. Looking forward to LOTS of instructions for this one! 🙂
I’m more than a little happy about them basically going back to the older system, outside of the difference in the pre-booking how soon you can pre-book your plans out, and losing this same day cut-throat approach to snagging rides.
I can live with having to pay for the privilege, and hopefully it won’t be too expensive. We really struggled with being able to do multiple attractions clustered together within a reasonable time window, instead of having to keep bouncing between different areas of the park all day.
I did notice, however, unlike the older fastpass system, it doesn’t include all the rides, and none of the meet and greets. It would be nice if we at least had the option of snagging slots for the more popular meet and greets again.
Finally! I didn’t mind paying for lightning lanes, most parks charge for skip the line tickets, it was the endless hoops you had to jump through to use it. Plus getting up so early on my vacation was ridiculous. Can’t wait to try it on my next trip!
After I used the first one, can I modify the rest two tier2 into tier 1 ?
Hi Randi! I’ll do my best to answer your questions.
1. When it comes to making the reservations on the new app, is there a specific time in the day that those reservations are able to be made? Yes, you will be able to make those selections at 7am either 7 days prior to your vacation if you’re staying at a Walt Disney World Resort or 3 days prior to your first park date if you’re staying off-site.
2. Since I will be in CA when I can make these reservations, what time would that be in Pacific time? 7am is EST so for California that would be 4am PT.
3. Will I need to download a new app, or will they be changing the one that exists? Disney will be updating the My Disney Experience app to include the new changes.
Hi Kristen! It seems like it’s going to work a lot like the old FastPass system, but we’re definitely going to try it out as soon as it launches and will be able to answer a lot more questions. Stay tuned!
Hi Claude! Disney hasn’t announced what the prices will be yet. According to Disney, “Pricing for Lightning Lane passes varies by date and theme park or attraction, and purchase is subject to limited availability.”
Will guests staying off site be able to book all the reservations for their trip 3 days in advance to the 1st day or just 3 days in advance for each day?
Hi Andrew! If you’re staying off-site you will be able to book 3 days in advance for the entirety of your trip on the first day.
On the actual day do you have to wait till you use your tier 1 to book another tier 1?
For example how would I ride slinky dog and millennium falcon in the same day?
Hi Mel! The tiers are only for advanced selections. Once you are in the parks the tiers disappear so you would be able to book your next ride once you’ve checked in to your first one.
I like the new “three choice in advance” system and not waking at 7am on vacation!
What is the deal with Disney Marketing on theses systems? They totally dropped the ball here. Fastpass was three choices at first and the new lightning lane is three choices in advance again….but in the “Genie+” brand it was ONE pre selected choice… what a missed opportunity to say the Genie gave you THREE wishes! Maybe those marketers never saw those movies? lol. It’s easy to see why they kept the lightning lN branding since that is what is posted at every ride and genesis was mostly in the app but it’s funny nonetheless.
So, in the new LL multi pass system, we can book LLs in advance. Does this mean that all LLs will be sold out by the time you arrive at the park? So in the new system, if you buy LL multi pass, you will basically get 3 LLs and that’s it? How was it back in the Fastpass+ days, when you could book 30/60 days in advance? Were there any remaining fastpasses on the day of your visit? I’m trying to figure out if the new system will be worse if you want to do more than 3 LLs a day. Any help with this would be very much appreciated! (We’re going to WDW on July 25th, one day after launch, and we don’t know what to expect)
We’re going to Disney World Christmas week 2024 and staying off property. We know how busy it will be and we’re concerned that by the time we try to select lightening lanes many won’t be available because those staying on property will have a 4 day head start. Do you see that as a real concern?
I thought the changes suggested were really positive until I read further! I cannot see if you have referenced the blatant discrimination against international guests! We are international DVC members visiting WDW annually for at least 14 days at a time. We are barred from making Lightning Lane reservations until we are in USA. So we will be behind hotel guests and non-hotel guests in the selection of choices, not being able to until the first day of our holiday! Shame on WDW for its disloyalty to its DVC members and international guests!
Hi Zolberry! Back in the Fast Pass days, there were still rides available to book once you were in the parks despite being able to book three in advance. I’d assume this will be the same way, but we won’t be able to test it until July 24th. We’ll definitely be posting what it’s like for us.
If everyone buys the new pass system then it doesn’t help as much. It works only if a few people buy it. The cost will add about $1000 for a family of 4 to go for a week. Disney used to be family friendly. Now they are just being greedy. The new system is the old system but with an added expense.
Hi Team!
Do you know if people staying at a resort this week (July 20th) have been able to pre pick their selections for lightning lanes? I am thinking during intro week (July 24th-30th) folks will not be able to take advantage of the 3-7 day timeline if those days are in advance of the initial release of the system.
Hi Liz! The CM I spoke with said nobody would be able to pre-select rides until July 24th and that Genie+ will still be in place until then.
No wonder they’re kicking all the disabled guests out (of return to LL after waiting outside the queue. To make more room for Disney greed! Shameful. Walt would not be happy. Telling families they have to wait alone (kids too!) and rejoin their party an hour later. Disney is alienating its blue fans.
Hi! We are going to Disney with my family of 4, and my parents are meeting us down there. My parents are linked to our reservation, but arrive a few days after us. When I go to book our Lightning Lane rides 7 days before, can I book my parents Lightning Lane rides too beginning on their first park day? Or do I have to wait until their 7 day window opens?
Hi Keri! It depends on what your reservation says. Does it say your parents are arriving when you do? If so, you can book for them. If not, then you’ll have to wait until their booking window opens.