Genie+ is changing, and we are here to help you learn about the new system!
New Lightning Lane changes are coming
This new system will still utilize Lightning Lanes, which are the physical queues in Disney World for those who use their pay-to-skip-the-line service. The latest changes to this service mimic an old friend of ours, FastPass+. This new, updated service will officially start on July 24th, so it’s important to learn how to use it before your next trip!
Some folks still struggle to understand Genie+, and now Disney is changing it on us! Here is a step-by-step guide to teach you how to use this new system.
Lightning Lanes!
For a little background, Genie+ will now be called Lightning Lane Multi Pass, and Individual Lightning Lane will now be Lightning Lane Single Pass. Although Lightning Lane Multi Pass will work somewhat similarly to Genie+ in the sense that you can make Lightning Lane selections to skip the standby line, there are many changes happening to the service.
The biggest change is that you will be able to book some Lightning Lanes BEFORE your trip. We’ll get into details about when you can begin booking those Lightning Lanes in just a second.
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Disney is also bringing back the tier system that was introduced with FastPass+. When making Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections in advance of your trip, you will be able to choose one experience from tier one and two from tier two. If you do not choose an experience from tier one, you may select three from tier two. Animal Kingdom will not have a tier system, and you can select any three experiences from the list.
Scanning into a Lightning Lane at Disney World
In Magic Kingdom, the tiers are as follows:
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In EPCOT, the tiers are as follows:
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In Hollywood Studios, the tiers are as follows:
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As mentioned before, in Animal Kingdom, there are no tiers, so you are able to choose three of the following experiences:
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You can only hold up to three selections at a time, and your first three selections (made before your visit) must be made in the same park. Once you use one of your experiences, you are able to book another experience from the tier that you just used. If you have a park hopper ticket or are an Annual Passholder, you will be able to make another selection in another park. It is also important to note that the 120-minute cooling period no longer will apply with this new system.
Lightning Lane at Spaceship Earth
Let’s jump into the guide. The process can mainly be broken down into three categories.
Download the My Disney Experience App
The first thing you will need to do is make sure you have the My Disney Experience app downloaded on your phone, as this is the app that you will use to purchase Lightning Lane passes, just like Genie+.
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Make sure to talk to your group to get their expectations and wishes for what attractions they would like to experience. Basically, make a game plan to help you make your selections.
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It is super important to connect everyone on your Family and Friends list, located in the app, to ensure that the selections you make are for everyone in your party. We were able to make Lightning Lane reservations for up to 14 people! It may be possible to select them for more than that, but we only tried up to 14.
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Not sure how to do that? Check out our guide:
How to Connect Your Party on the My Disney Experience App
When You Can Purchase Your Lightning Lane Passes
People who are NOT staying at a Disney-owned hotel for their trip, such as Annual Passholders who live close by or anyone else who is not staying at a Disney World resort, can purchase their Lightning Lane passes starting at 7AM THREE days before their first park day.
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Guests who ARE staying at a Disney World hotel (and other select good neighbor hotels) can purchase Lightning Lane passes at 7AM SEVEN days before their check-in date, which gives them an advantage when booking these passes.
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How to Book Lightning Lane Passes
When your booking date rolls around, and you are ready to purchase Lightning Lane passes, open the My Disney Experience app. Here, you will be able to choose to purchase either Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Lightning Lane Single Pass, or even both at the same time for your entire party!
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Select the date and park for which you wish to make your selections. You can hold up to three selections at a time, but your first three must be in the same park. As mentioned before, this new system has tiers, just as FastPass+ did. On your initial selection, you will be able to choose one experience from tier one and two experiences from tier two. You can choose three in tier two if you do not select one in tier one. The tier system only applies for Multi Pass selections as Single Pass will need to be purchased separately just like Individual Lightning Lane.
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You will be able to make your group’s selections for each day in one go, meaning once your window opens, you can plan each day of your trip! You can also make day-of selections at 7AM if you didn’t make advance reservations. Then as soon as your first Lightning Lane has been used, you can select your next one in the same park or in a different one if you have a park hopper!
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The new system has officially rolled out, so be sure to check out all the info below for all the details!
Lightning Lane Multi Pass News
- New Year, New Perks — Exclusive Popcorn Bucket and MORE Revealed for Disneyland Passholders
- January Prices CONFIRMED for Disney World’s Lightning Lane System
- “Eliminate ALL of the Line Cutting Options!” The ONE Thing Disney Experts Say Must Change About Lightning Lanes
- Date Announced For END of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure’s Virtual Queue in Disneyland
- NEWS: Disney Announces Virtual Queue CHANGE for Popular Ride
As always, stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news!
Everything You Need to Know about the NEW Genie+
Answering Your 12 Biggest Questions About the NEW Genie+
The Bad News About the New Genie+ System
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What about virtual queues? Will they be going away?
I think Disney replaced “Genie” with “Lightening Lane” because there was nothing magical about Genie. 🙂
For any business to ignore and alienate 22 % of your customers, like Disney is doing by not allowing international guests to book “the new fast pass” is baffling and disgusting. As a DVC member since 2004 who comes down every year for at least 12 days this is extremely disappointing, especially considering how Universal has greatly stepped up their game
Well this Is great news, a step in the right direction. I’m curious to see how it goes when you all start to use the new system! I will be eagerly awaiting your report on this. Thank you as always!
Hello, just to clarify, even with the Park Hopper, you can only book 3 rides 7 days out for the first day in 1 park and not 3 rides for the 2nd park you plan to visit on the same day? I apologize for the question but I’m a little older and not necessarily a little wiser😉
Hi Sandi! Yes, you can only book 3 rides in advance for the same park even with the park hopper, but once you have entered the park and used your first pass, you can then schedule a pass in any of the other parks with the Park Hopper option.
Hi Heidi! It’s my understanding that Virtual Queues will still be around.