There are some BIG changes coming to the Lightning Lane system in Disney World. Just got used to Genie+, Disney’s paid skip-the-line service? Well, it’s about to change.
New Lightning Lane changes are coming
We’ve been learning everything we can about these changes so that we can answer your biggest questions about the updates. As part of the new Lightning Lane Multi Pass (formerly Genie+) overhaul, a new, tiered system will be introduced for attractions. We’re still learning all the details, but so far, it sounds like the new Lightning Lane passes will give people the chance to make better plans ahead of their trip. But, there’s been one major problem.
Starting July 24th, Genie+ will be known as Lightning Lane Multi-Pass, and Individual Lightning Lanes will be called Lightning Lane Single Pass. Disney has announced that beginning July 24th, you can:
- Make Lightning Lane plans before you get to the parks
- Choose your experiences and times before purchasing
- Book Lightning Lane passes for multiple vacation days, all in a single day
Attraction Sign at Animal Kingdom directing Guests to Standby Line and Lightning Lane Entrances
So far, we know that Disney World hotel guests (and guests of other select hotels) will be able to plan Lightning Lane passes up to seven days in advance for their entire stay (up to 14 days). All other guests can plan up to three days in advance. And, at first, Disney included the caveat that you must be in the United States to purchase Lightning Lane passes and book them before your vacation.
©Disney
When we recently asked a Disney World Cast Member, we were told, “Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass features will be available to Guests from other countries, they will be able to begin their pre-arrival planning on the My Disney Experience Mobile App after they reach the United States.”
Lightning Lane
This meant that international visitors could not purchase Lightning Lane passes or take advantage of the preplanning until they arrived in the United States, even if the 7-day planning window began before that. Naturally, many of our readers were NOT happy about this news.
Lightning Lane
Well, as of June 28th, Cast Members confirmed that Canadian visitors may continue to use the My Disney Experience app “after the launch of the pre-arrival purchasing and planning for Lightning Lane passes.” Translation: Both those in the U.S. AND Canada can plan their Lightning Lanes ahead of time with the My Disney Experience app.
Tower of Terror Lightning Lane sign
Keep in mind that we’re still waiting for more details about the new Lightning Lane Multi-Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass, and it’s very possible this could change in the future. We’re predicting some bugs and other small issues when the new system launches. We’re still hoping that Disney will update the rules so that our international readers are able to take advantage of the early planning, too!
Lightning Lane at Beauty and the Beast show
As mentioned earlier, Disney will be (re)introducing a tiered system for Multi Pass rides. When preplanning those first three selections, you can choose one experience from a higher-tiered group and two experiences (or all three) from a lower-tiered group.
Lightning Lane at Expedition Everest
Things keep changing, so we will continue to share all the latest updates on these new Lightning Lane changes. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more!
Learn More About the Changes Coming to Genie+ at Disney World HERE!
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
3 Tips to OUTSMART Genie+ in Disney World Right Now
Please Stop Skipping These Genie+ Hacks in Disney World (They Really Work!)
Genie+ Tips for the Most Crowded Days in Disney World and Disneyland
Click HERE to See More About Disney Genie
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What do you think of the Genie+ changes? Tell us in the comments.
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For those in the parks on July 24, will we still be able to book 7 days early, or is it starting the 7 day window ON July 24?
I am extremely unhappy with the changes being implemented giving that I live in the UK. I bought into DVC earlier this year so that I could enjoy the benefits of a deluxe stay and be able to do the odd week here and there for greater flexibility. I am now excluded from a major benefit despite a massive personal investment in Disney. Sounds like Disney just doesn’t want international visitors! I can’t see any reason for them to have excluded so many people deliberately- their vague responses to these complaints just don’t wash- they are happy to take our money for DVC, tickets etc, yet not prepared to give benefits out. I am now already rethinking my DVC purchase. Given the new Universal park coming on board soon, they are going to lose a lot of UK visitors.
It’s such a shame that you have to be within the United States and Canada to be able to book in advance. So many people going to the parks will only arrive a couple of days max before they have park tickets booked. Big big let down.
Hi Jen! According to the Disney Cast Member I spoke to, you will not be able to book anything *before* July 24th and the window would start on July 24th.
My understanding is that the reason for this is that all reservations are done through the My Disney Experience app, which is only available in the US and Canada. Without being able to use the app fully (mainly due to IP addresses and other technical reasons) you can’t reserve Lightning Lanes.
Why can’t they do what Disney World Paris does and allow you to purchase a lighting lane which allows you to ride every ride once. It’s costly like $200 a person at max. I’m excited about the new change too. Can DFB please list the high tier vs low tier rides for each park? Plus I prefer this because when trying to plan lighting lanes around pre selected dinning times, it was so hard.
I am glad Disney made this change to the new Lightening Lane MultiPass for our friends and neighbors in Canada. Disney should do the same thing for our Friends in Europe.
I’m to assume that we can’t purchase the new lighting lanes until 12am.
on the 24th then we have to hurry and reserve our times.
Or can we purchase it earlier so we have it ready to go for midnight on the 24th?
Has a cost been announced yet?
Visitors to Florida from the UK represent the second largest group of international visitors every year. How come we are being disadvantaged by not being able to buy LL passes until we are on US soil? I am staying @ a WDW resort hotel for 11 days this September and have money to spend on LL passes. Is my money not good enough for WDW?
Absolutely disgusting from Disney.
So people in other countries pay the same money, yet get probably the most key benefit taken from them?
I want to see some proper justification for this from Disney.
This feels like discrimination to me.
Either offer this benefit to everyone or to no one.
Cancelling my trip if there isn’t a swift u-turn on this shockingly short-sighted decision.
Hello, is there an official source from Disney that can be referenced? I am chatting with a cast member and they are still saying that Canadian guests are considered international and will not be able to book until in the US.
Which lane will the DAS users use?
I come from the UK and I am a DVC Member. This has simply reaffirmed by intention to split stay. However I will now stay at Universal for longer first. Then (as Disney requires) I will be in the US at least 7 days before I move to Disney, enabling me to book my Lightning Lanes. Pointless staying at Disney when I arrive as the first week will be a write off.
Buying in advance for Canadians, Quincy posted a video 4 hours ago that says we can’t buy until we’re in the States. Which is correct?
A woman on Canadian Disney addicts just said she received a call in response to an email she sent (about her planned trip
For September) the call from Bob Iger’s office said that this is NOT available in Canada?????
How does this apply to annual pass holders?
I sent a complaint and the response they gave me was pretty poor. Basically gaslighting me saying they weren’t excluding international guests because international guests can pre book as long as they arrive in the states first. Either deliberate gaslighting or the person dealing with my email didn’t understand that most of us aren’t going to arrive in the US BEFORE OUR VACATION STARTS
Hi Ana! According to Disney’s website guests with date-based theme park tickets (which require the Guest to choose a start date at the time of purchase) can purchase 3 days before the first day of their ticket, for the total number of valid admission days on their ticket.
Guests with other ticket types* can purchase 3 days before their park visit.
Annual Passholders* can purchase 3 days before their park visit.
Hi Jeremy! At first Disney had excluded Canada, but they have since retracted that statement and said that Canadian guests can pre-book the same way American guests can pre-book.
Hi Angela! At the time of Quincy’s video Canadians could not pre-book, but Disney has since said that they can. We are always keeping an eye on the situation for our International friends.
Hi Meg! The DAS line will still be the same.
Maybe there was too much frustration expressed in my comment that still didn’t get released from moderation, but there are plenty of other similar comments on this page. All I was looking for was to see if anyone heard an official statement on how people could navigate this when the change happened mid trip. But with the exclusion of international guests, it sounds like this is going to get worse as far as angry people go. So in any event, Hi moderator, I’m a super fan of DFB and All Ears, It’s my dream to meet the cast one day in the parks. Positive vibes all around!
Hi James! I am still going through all the comments we have received overnight so I apologize for the delay, there were many due to all the recent news we have received. I’m so sorry! I can answer your question though! A Disney Cast Member told me that if the change happens in the middle of your trip, you don’t get the advantage of pre-booking *before* July 24th. So let’s take your dates for example. You are staying the 20th-28th. From the 20th through the 23rd, Genie+ will still be active so you’ll need to purchase that if you plan to use Lightning Lanes on those days. When the new Multi Pass rolls out, you can begin using that on July 24th to reserve your rides for the remainder of your trip, but no earlier than that, unfortunately.
Hi Craig! A credible source close to use received the press release from Disney stating that Canadian guests would be able to pre-book. A PlanDisney panelist also answered this question here if you’d like to take a look at it. We are still keeping an eye on the situation, but we may not be able to confirm it for ourselves until July 24th when the changes roll out.
I have just had an unbelievably irritating generic response from Disney which DOES NOT answer the question I asked – which was please could they provide the justification behind the decision to exclude people from certain countries from one of the key benefits of staying on property:
Thank you for reaching out to us. We have received your email and appreciate your feedback.
While we appreciate your concern, Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass features will be available to Guests to begin their pre-arrival planning on the My Disney Experience Mobile App after they reach the United States.
For future information about Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass services please keep an eye on our website and our official Disney Parks Blog.
If you have any other questions or challenges, please do not hesitate to contact us by calling us at 407-W-DISNEY (407-934-7639) or by chatting with us in the Help Center of the Walt Disney World® website (only available on the US site). Cast Members will be happy to assist you further.
@disneyfoodblog – are you able to challenge your Disney sources on the reasoning behind such a discriminatory decision?
Hi Rachel! Unfortunately we have been told the same thing as they told you regarding International guests. We are always keeping a close eye on the situation to see if there are ever any changes, however, and will report any news we hear regarding International guests and the Multi Pass.
I am in Canada and just called Disney World and was told I cannot use it unless I am in the US. So I think there is still confusement around this.
Hi Ann Marie! Thanks so much for letting us know. I have sent your comment to our Editorial team and we are going to do a bit more research on this to find out what the actual policy is so we can get to the bottom of it because we have been hearing that Canadians CAN and also that Canadians CAN’T book pre-selections from Canada.
Now to allow UK guests to book this! Excluding a huge market here, my family always factor in extra cost for genie+ and lightening lanes as we don’t enjoy waiting in crowds. Seems a little unfair to add a barrier to international guests especially as this is a service we would be happy to pay for!