Disney Genie is confusing. There, we said it! But that’s why we’re here! We’re unraveling the mysteries of Disney Genie for you and answering every question you have!
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After the flurry of information that came out about Disney’s new service, we had a TON of questions! So we’re breaking down some of the most confusing elements in a way that’s easy to understand!
What’s The Difference Between Genie and Genie+?
This was one of the MOST confusing parts. With a brand-new Disney system comes a lot of new terminologies! Basically, Disney Genie is a FREE service that provides planning, recommendations, and food reservation and Mobile Order options!
Meanwhile, Genie+ is a PAID service that provides access to Lightning Lanes (the new version of FastPass) as well as other perks like audio experiences, PhotoPass, and special photo perks!
We break down Genie+ in 500 words or less here!
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Disney Genie+ is officially a replacement for FastPass, FastPass+, and MaxPass and pricing is $20 per day, per ticket at Disneyland Resort, and $15 per day, per ticket at Disney World. Purchasing Genie+ will give you access to Lightning Lane attractions (the new “FastPass” lanes). However, this gets even more complex when you add in the Pay-Per-Attraction Rides
Click here to read more about the difference between Genie and Genie+
How Do Booking Times Work and When Can You Buy Times?
Unlike the old FastPass+ service, you cannot book your rides ahead of time. Instead, people who buy Genie+ will be able to book Lightning Lanes for rides one at a time starting at 7AM the day of your park visit (but not for every ride, reservations for some rides open up at the same time as park opening — more on that later). Why 7AM? Why different times for certain rides? So many questions were swirling in our heads.
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Also, if you have Park Hopper, you can book Lightning Lanes across multiple parks at the same time! But remember, you can only book one at a time. Seems simple right? Well, it’s not that simple. Not every ride will be available for regular Lightning Lanes. There will also be Pay-Per-Attraction Rides that you can buy Lightning Lane access on an individual basis. These will be available throughout the day and prices will change depending on the date and time.
Click here to see the answers to ALL your burning Disney Genie questions!
What Are The Pay-Per-Ride Attraction?
We had a LOT of questions about the pay-per-attraction rides. So, Disney Genie+ gives you Lightning Lane access to many rides, but certain very popular rides will NOT be able with Genie+. Instead, you’ll pay for them separately. And you DON’T have to purchase Genie+ to purchase the Pay-Per-Ride attractions.
Radiator Springs Racers is one of the rides that will be Pay-per-attraction
Some of the rides that have been announced as part of this service are Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Rise of the Resistance, and WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure. We wonder whether or not these rides will get a cooler name than “pay-per-attraction” and how these rides relate will to Virtual Queues, Lightning Lanes, and other services. We are eager to explore it for ourselves to get more details.
Click here to see how and why there’s Pay-Per-Attraction
How Does Using Disney Genie Work as a Passholder?
Disney Genie WILL be available for Annual Passholders at Disney World and Magic Keyholders at Disneyland. Just like all other ticketholders, Passholders and Keyholders will also be able to get Disney Genie+ the day of their visit to the parks at 7AM. This means that Passholders and Keyholders can use the service the exact same way as everyone else.
Disney World Annual Pass
Disney has stated that they are looking into Disney Genie enhancements for Passholders and Keyholders. Discounts, additional services, and other perks are all possibilities in the future. We’re still very curious about what these enhancements will be!
Click here to read what Annual Passholders NEED to know about Genie+
Why Use Disney Genie?
In a perfect world where we all use Disney Genie, there would be lower wait times, fewer crowds, and not nearly as many problems with reservations. This is due to the fact that the app helps recommend areas that are less busy and balance out wait times with its recommendations.
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Regardless of whether or not you pay for Genie+, the free Disney Genie service should provide some helpful services, especially for first time visitors. Plus services like DAS (Disability Accessibility Service) can be added into both the free Disney Genie planner and into Genie+, so you can have all your return times in one place!
Click here to see 5 of the Most Mind-Blowing Disney Genie Features!
What’s Going On With All of This?
Unfortunately, the whole system is pretty confusing. But we’re here to help! And we will be sharing all kinds of tips when the system goes live and we try it ourselves. In the meantime, we’ve got TONS of posts unpacking Disney Genie and you can always reach out to us on social media (we’ve got it all: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or in the comments with any questions!
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Still wanna know more about Disney Genie and Genie+? Well, you’re in luck! We did a video talking about EVERYTHING we know about Disney Genie!
We’re always here with the latest Disney news! So stay tuned for more!
Click here to read more about Disney Genie, Genie+, and Individual Attraction Selection!
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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 about Disney Genie? Are you confused about it? Let us know in the comments!
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As an annual passholder I am wondering if my existing Photo Pass add on will effect the AR option. I hadn’t asked, but assumed the AR option would be included in my PP once the app offered it.
I truly hope so. I was really looking forward to this feature, but do not intend to spend even MORE than I have for my Incredipass + Photopass.
Jude, I would expect your PhotoPass will include the AR features. If not, you can give Disney a call to find out more.
This sucks.. I will have to find a disney worker every time I get off a ride to show me how to use genie and find next ride. What was wrong with magic band. everything on it, easy, walk up and scan it, no phonesw, everything on it in advance so the day was set and fun. Now going to be complicated. Chapek bites.
Is the Genie Plus and The Individual Attraction going to be billed to the charge card on file at check in for the room. If there are multiple people in the room is the one charge card for the room going to be charged for multiple people or are each individual in the room billed SEPARATELY . Thanks
Ron, IAS and Genie+ are paid in the My Disney Experience app, and the purchase only accommodates one form of payment.
Sarah, what form of payment does The My Disney Experience accommodate? Thanks
Ron, My Disney Experience accepts only one form of payment (credit/debit) at a time. I believe, however, that you can also load Disney gift cards in the app. So in theory, if you wanted to purchase Genie+ or Individual Attraction Selections for a large group, each person could pre-pay you with a gift card, all of which you could load into the app and use to pay for the services.
Does a person with DAS still go to City Hall in the Magic Kingdom to register? Are you then able to use it as before to go on a ride more than once with or without Disney Plus? Thanks
Ron, if you want to use the in-person method, Disney says they’re maintaining it in addition to the new features. You should be able to use it as you’ve described.
Sarah, with the DAS, can I use it like the old Fast Pass? Can I go to any ride MORE THAN ONCE and get a time to return ? I may not have asked the question correctly the first time. I appreciate your help. Thank you Sarah.
Ron, I just took a look at Disney’s official information about DAS, and I don’t see anywhere that it’s limited to one use per ride (as Genie+ is). Linking that info here so you can take a look.
Do you still have a 1 hr return window like it used to be?
The issue I have as a passholder is that I can’t prepurchase the genie 🧞♂️ +. We could save time by doing this. And we are taking my mil with us and purchased genie 🧞♂️ + with her tickets. Seems like this should apply to pass holders too.