Don't Forget that Genie+ Is Changing in 2024

2024 is HERE, and it’s brought a lot of changes with it.

Genie+

We know to expect new attractions this year, but there are also lots of other changes coming, especially to Genie+. If you’re thinking of taking advantage of the paid skip-the-line service in 2024, here’s what you need to know.

First things first — if terms like Genie+, Lightning Lanes and Individual Lightning Lanes sound like a foreign language to you, you’re going to want to grab our cheatsheet right here!

Disney Genie+ has been controversial since its introduction in October 2021. It was the replacement for FastPass+, a free service. As you might imagine, charging for something similar to a service that was once free was not a popular decision for Disney World fans. But beyond the price, one of the biggest complaints about Genie+ has been the amount of time you have to spend on your phone scheduling Lightning Lanes during your day in the park. This is very different than FastPass+, which allowed you to book some of your rides before your vacation.

©Disney

Right now, you have to buy Disney Genie+ and book your Lightning Lanes on the day of your visit. But in May 2023, Disney announced that it plans to make changes to the service in 2024. “We have heard from guests that they would like ways to plan with Disney Genie+ service and individual Lightning Lane selections before the day of their park visit, and we want you to know we are working on ways guests may do this for visits in 2024,” Disney said in a blog post. It’s important to note, though, that Disney still hasn’t revealed just yet when they’re planning to implement this change.

Disney Genie Pamphlet

Keep in mind, too, that we don’t know the details of what Disney is planning. With FastPass+, you could make SOME of your plans in advance of your trip, but not all of them, so that could also be the case with this anticipated Genie+ change.

Park Hopping Changes

Another BIG Disney World change will also affect the way you use Disney Genie+ in 2024, and that is the change to park hopping rules. As of January 9th, 2024, if you have a ticket that allows park hopping, you are now allowed to hop between Disney World parks at any time.

Magic Kingdom

As of now, you can buy Disney Genie+ on the morning of your park visit, and the price can vary based on the park you are buying it for, as well as by the day. Disney uses a “surge pricing” model, so on more crowded days and in more crowded parks, the price is higher. There is also a “multi-park” option for Genie+, and when the park hopping rules change, that option has become a lot more attractive. It tends to sell out quickly when the parks are busy.

Because you are now able to hop at any time, you could potentially select Lightning Lanes at multiple parks and hit all your favorite rides in one day! Just keep in mind that you need to leave PLENTY of time to travel between park and make your Lightning Lane reservation time. We recommend at least an hour — and that’s if you are already at the front of the park. Think about it — if you’re at the American Adventure Pavilion at the back of EPCOT, it could take you 15 to 20 minutes to walk to the front of the park, then you could wait 20 minutes for a bus to Animal Kingdom, that bus ride could take an additional 20 minutes, and then you may need another 15 to 20 minutes to get into your second park and walk to Expedition Everest for that Lightning Lane. That all could go faster, but it could be an 80-minute trip, so leave yourself time!

Expedition Everest

Virtual Queue Changes

Virtual queues have also been impacted this year. Right now, you can join a virtual queue for two rides — TRON: Lightcycle / Run in Magic Kingdom, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT. There are two virtual queue drops per day — at 7AM and 1PM. Previously, you could only join the 1PM Virtual Queue for a ride if you are inside of the park. Now, you are now able to try for either virtual queue…or both! Let’s say that you’re planning to go to Magic Kingdom. You’re on your phone and rushing to get that virtual queue reservation right when they open up at 7AM. But, the virtual queue fills up in seconds, leaving your without a virtual queue. Now, you can toggle over to Guardians of the Galaxy and try for a virtual queue for it instead.

TRON Lightcycle / Run

While this is nice, it does feel like there is a bit more competition when it comes to getting those virtual queues in the morning especially. We have seen them both fill up in seconds on busy days! It’s also important to note that you can’t snag a virtual queue for both attractions first thing in the morning. If you get one, you will need to wait until that 1PM drop to attempt to get the other.