Another major change has just rolled out at Disney World, so of course we’re bringing you everything you need to know!
CHANGES are HERE!
Genie+ has officially been renamed to Lightning Lane Multi Pass (and Individual Lightning Lanes are now Lightning Lane Single Pass)! We’ve been testing the new system out all day long and have learned a bit more about how it all works. But, we definitely weren’t expecting to see this message on our Disney World app today.
As of July 24th, Disney World has officially switched over to Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Passes. Under the new system, you can:
- Make Lightning Lane plans BEFORE you’re in the parks
- Choose experiences and times prior to purchasing so you know what you’re getting with your purchase
- Book Lightning Lane passes for MULTIPLE vacation days, all at once
Lightning Lanes!
Genie+ is now called Lightning Lane Multi Pass. This is an optional, PAID service available on the My Disney Experience app. Lightning Lane Multi Pass users are able to bypass standby lines and utilize the Lightning Lane (previously known as the FastPass line) at select attractions in the parks by paying a single fee for multiple attractions.
Lightning Lane
With Lightning Lane Single Pass, you can pay a fee to utilize the Lightning Lane for an individual, in-demand attraction. The only major change here is that you can make your purchase before your trip in order to plan in advance! Just like the Multi Pass, you can select your first THREE Lightning Lane Single Passes up to seven days in advance if you’re staying at a Disney World hotel. All other guests can purchase and select their first three Lightning Lane Single Passes three days in advance.
Learn More About These Changes in Our Full Guide Here!
But then, there are also Virtual Queues for more popular rides. With these rides, you still have a window of time you need to return to the attraction in order to ride. Disney has been lax with these return times sometimes in the past (aside from at TRON), but the My Disney Experience app has always shown the hour return window.
Cosmic Rewind
Now, though, it seems like that has changed! When one of our team members booked a Virtual Queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, the app notified them that it was time to ride, and there was a message that said they could return anytime during the day to ride — not just during their window!
©Disney
But, another one of our team members also had a Virtual Queue for Cosmic Rewind, and they didn’t have that same message. Instead, their app still showed that they had to arrive by a certain time in order to ride.
©Disney
So, while Disney hasn’t been too strict with Virtual Queue return times in the past at most rides, it does seem like that rule is more official now — at least in certain circumstances. We’re not totally sure yet why one Virtual Queue would still have a return time listed while the other one doesn’t, but it could be something Disney will work out or announce in time.
We did speak with a Cast Member at Cosmic Rewind, and they said the only time that notification is sent is if something special has been done by Guest Relations, and that that may be a glitch related to the new system. We asked if it’s possible it could be a new policy and we were told that it will likely be done on a case-by-case basis.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
We’re running a number of experiments with the new Lightning Lane system to answer ALL of your questions. Don’t want to miss a thing? You can sign up for our newsletter to catch all of the latest and follow along on our social channels like Instagram and Facebook.
In the meantime, we’ve put together some guides for you! Take a look at some of our posts below:
- COMPLETE GUIDE to the New Line-Skipping Service at Disney World
- Why 7:00AM Doesn’t Matter Anymore in Disney World
- Disney’s New Lightning Lane System Has One HUGE Problem
- Breaking Down Disney World’s NEW Lightning Lane System in Under 1,000 Words
We know this is a massive change that can feel very confusing, but we’re here to experience it all with you in real time — we’re all learning together, so stay tuned to DFB!
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I’ve been following all your LL posts. 2 questions I still have…
1. What about park hopping
2. After I use my first LL can I book another tier 1 ride? Even if I didn’t use my first tier 1 LL
Hi Kim. If you have the Park Hopper ticket/pass then you’re fine. You don’t pay extra for that. It’s good for the whole day, including hopping. The tiers are only for advance booking. Once you are in the park, the tiers disappear so you can book any ride that was previously in any tier.
I’d like to see a post about the selection of attractions when you are 3 days out. Thank you
Are you able to try for a virtual que 7 days in advance with the rest of the passes?
I will start by saying that our family vacationed at Disney 34 times both before and during Genie Plus. Disney has a long term business and profit plan. In October 2021 Disney implemented the Genie Plus. Guests HATED the Genie Plus because of the ADDITIONAL COST AND ADDITIONAL INCONVENIENCE. The Disney Plan was to take our money and cause us tremendous inconvenience for nearly three years. Starting July 24, 2024 Disney has brought back the foundation of the previous FREE FAST PASS. We can select 3 rides 7 days before arrival if YOU BUY THE GENIE PLUS. We all are so happy that we are able to get back what was FREE FOR MANY YEARS. At the same time we continue to PAY FOR THE GENIE PLUS AND THE INDIVIDUAL ATTRACTION. SNEAKY DISNEY.
No, the Virtual Queues remain day-of selections.