food IS a theme park
Planning a Disney World vacation can be daunting.
Crowds before Happily Ever After
There are Advanced Dining Reservations to get, Genie+ rides to research, and tons of Disney hotels to choose between. On top of all that, things are changing regularly in the parks — it’s a lot to stay on top of! But don’t worry, we’re here to remind you about some of the biggest changes you need to keep in mind to have a smooth trip.
Disney has changed a lot over the years, and even more since COVID-19.
Who misses the old castle?!
Fast passes changed to Lightning Lane and Genie+, ticket prices have increased drastically, and park reservations became mandatory, and yet crowds are at an all time high. Each of these things can be frustrating, especially for guests who are returning to Disney after not going for several years. We asked our readers which BIG change they’d like to see happen at Disney World, and the answer probably won’t surprise you.
If you are headed to Disney World soon, you’ve probably heard of Disney Genie+.
Lightning Lane signs
Genie+ is a paid service that allows you to book Lightning Lanes — windows when you can skip the line to ride certain attractions. Now, we’re seeing a small change to Disney Genie+ that could make a big difference in your Disney Parks day!
Happy holidays from Disney World!
Hollywood Studios
We’ve been taking in all the sights and sounds from the parks this week so you can be prepared for your next trip. From crowds to wait times to Genie+, we’re keeping track of it all. And today, Genie+ has reached its highest price yet again.
Ever since Genie+ launched in Disney World in 2021, we’ve seen a LOT of changes to the system.
©Disney
With Genie+, you pay each day of your trip to access Lightning Lanes around the parks (price starts at $15 per person, per day and fluctuates depending on the day). Think of the Lightning Lanes like the former FastPass lines — they allow you to get on attractions faster than if you stood in the standby queue. You’ll need to book your Lightning Lane choices through the My Disney Experience app, and starting today, there’s a change in the booking process for Disney World!
Disney Genie+ has gone through quite a few changes since originally rolling out in 2021.
Lightning Lane signs
We’ve seen updates to how you book and even a shift to surge pricing instead of a flat daily fee. Disney recently announced that BIG changes were coming to Genie+ on both coasts, and now it looks like that update has gone live in Disneyland!
Genie+ (the paid service that lets you skip certain ride lines) has reached a RECORD-high price in Disney World today.
Tower of Terror Lightning Lane
Disney announced earlier this year that the service would have surge pricing, meaning it would get more or less expensive depending on the day. Disney Genie+ used to be $15 per person, per day, but with the new surge pricing, it reached up to $22 per person, per day. Now, that price has jumped by a LOT. [Read more…]
Skipping the line at Disney World rides is now more expensive than ever, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still ways to save!
Expedition Everest Lightning Lane
Genie+ is the new(ish) way to bypass the standby lines at many Disney World rides and hop into the Lightning Lane instead, which means you’ll spend less time waiting in line. When the system was introduced in October 2021, it started out at $15 per person, per day in Disney World and $20 per person, per day in Disneyland. Recently Disney announced some major price increases for both resorts. So WHY did Disney up the price, and how can you avoid paying extra? [Read more…]
DON’T PANIC!
Hollywood Studios
If you’re in the situation where you really want to go to Disney World, but you’ve only got two days to get it all done…don’t freak out yet. It may seem like a daunting task (because there’s SO much to do across the property!), but a short vacation is completely doable. That’s why we’re sharing our tips for how to have a successful trip in just two days!
If you’re wondering why your wallet is crying in the corner, it’s probably because Disney World just increased prices on all kinds of food, experiences, and souvenirs. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a wave of price increases hit the parks (far from it), but it drives home the idea that Disney vacations are expensive and only getting pricier.
Main Street U.S.A.
Is all hope lost? Should you throw in the towel and cancel your upcoming vacation? Before you panic too much, don’t forget that there are also some great ways to save a lot of cash during a Disney World trip. We can help you plan to stay within your budget, whatever that budget may be. Check out the 5 biggest recent price increases here and see some awesome tips for how to cheat the system and AVOID them! [Read more…]
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
