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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Genie+ and Lightning Lanes

While we’ve known for a while that a new program was coming, we now have more details on the upcoming Genie app. Starting Tuesday, October 19th, you will be able to use Genie + to reduce wait times at many of your favorite Walt Disney World attractions.

There’s a lot to uncover here, but let’s take a look at all that Genie encompasses.

First, is the free part of the app. This complimentary version is more than just seeing the ride wait times like we do now. You mark the attractions that you love, and Genie will map out an entire day based on just those attractions. It will update throughout the day in case an attraction goes down, you need an unscheduled nap, or stop for a snack. It should be smart enough to assess wait times and even work with your dining reservations or other reservations like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or tours.

Then there’s the highly anticipated paid version called Genie+.

There will be two ways to purchase and book arrival times for the Lightning Lane entrances (formerly known as the FastPass+ lines). They encompass different attractions, so let’s dig in to get all the skinny!

There are two categories of attractions when it comes to Lightning Lane and being able to experience attractions without the normal stand-by line.

GENIE+

With Genie+, you will be able to choose arrival windows (ride times) for Lightning Lane entrances available at dozens of attractions throughout the four theme parks. These can be booked one at a time but all throughout the day. Genie + will be available for $15 per guest, per day. Genie+ will park hop with you, too, so you can make your first Lightning Lane reservation in one park and your next one in a completely different park!

Genie+ can be purchased in one of two ways: you can purchase as an add-on to your existing or new Walt Disney World package for the duration of your trip, or you may purchase on a day-by-day basis. (Ask your Wishdrawals travel planner how to add it to your package!)

For single day use, you’ll purchase through your My Disney Experience app. This is ideal for those who are Annual Passholders, already have tickets purchased separately (Florida resident tickets, military tickets, or just those who opted to not package room and tickets).

For those who add it to your package, each morning beginning at 7:00 am on the days you have a park pass reservation, you can book your first attraction. For those who purchase day by day, once purchased, you can book the next available time slot for your first attraction beginning at 7:00 am for the day of your visit.

Then, after you’ve used your selection (or the arrival window has passed), you can make another attraction. Keep going, one at a time, all the way until park closing!

INDIVIDUAL LIGHTNING LANE SELECTIONS:

For some of the most in-demand attractions, you can purchase Lightning Lane entry separately from Genie+. You don’t even have to have Genie+ for the Individual Selections! With this option, you can choose up to two attractions per day, per guest. Again, these can only be booked one at a time. Keep in mind that these attractions are separate from the Genie+ attractions!

The only way to add the individual paid Lightning Lane attraction is via your My Disney Experience app on the same day of your visit. Special perk for guests staying at Disney World Resort Hotels as well as Walt Disney Swan, Dolphin, and Shades of Green– make your first purchase starting at 7:00 am on the day of your visit. All other guests can make their first purchase when the park opens.

Prices for the individual Lightning Lane selections will vary by date, attraction, and park. For example, we know that on October 19, Lightning Lane entrance to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will be $9 per person but goes up to $11 per person on October 23. However, on both dates, Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom will be $7 per person, and Rise of the Resistance in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios will be $15 per person. Prices will be lower or higher based on the season, so it’s important to check prices each day in the My Disney Experience app.

NOTE: You are not required to purchase Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lane Selections in order to experience most attractions! With a few exceptions that may continue to only use virtual queues, the regular stand-by lines will remain as an option included in your park fare.

Also, keep in mind that the two options, Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane Selections, include different attractions. Those available through Genie+ are not available as an Individual Lightning Lane Selection purchase nor are the Individual Lightning Lane Selection attractions available in Genie+.

Let’s do an example: If you want to ride Na’Vi River Journey in Animal Kingdom, you can either do so by waiting in the regular stand-by line or by purchasing Genie+ and choosing a time to experience it. However, if you want to also ride Flight of Passage, your only options are the stand-by line or an Individual Lightning Lane paid option. Flight of Passage cannot be booked within the Genie+ option.

Now, if that’s all clear as mud, not to worry! The travel planners at Wishdrawals are getting extra training and will be ready to help you decide which options may be right for you!

Now, what attractions are included with each option?

Magic Kingdom Park

Individual Lightning Lane Selections Attractions include*:

  1. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

  2. Space Mountain

Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane Selections Attractions include:

  1. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

  2. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

  3. Dumbo the Flying Elephant

  4. Haunted Mansion

  5. it’s a small world

  6. Jungle Cruise

  7. Mad Tea Party

  8. Mickey’s PhilharMagic

  9. Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor

  10. Peter Pan’s Flight

  11. Pirates of the Caribbean

  12. Splash Mountain

  13. The Barnstormer

  14. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

  15. ·The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

  16. Tomorrowland Speedway

  17. Under the Sea–Journey of The Little Mermaid

EPCOT

Individual Lightning Lane Selections Attractions include:

  1. Frozen Ever After

  2. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane Selections Attractions include:

  1. Disney Pixar Short Film Festival

  2. Journey into Imagination with Figment

  3. Living with the Land

  4. Mission: SPACE – Green & Orange

  5. Soarin’

  6. Spaceship Earth

  7. Test Track

  8. The Seas with Nemo & Friends

  9. Turtle Talk with Crush

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Individual Lightning Lane Selections Attractions include:

  1. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

  2. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane Selections Attractions include:

  1. Alien Swirling Saucers

  2. Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along

  3. Disney Jr. Dance Party

  4. For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

  5. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular – Returning December 19, 2021

  6. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

  7. Muppet*Vision 3D

  8. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

  9. Slinky Dog Dash

  10. Star Tours

  11. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

  12. Toy Story Mania!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park

Individual Lightning Lane Selections Attractions include:

  1. Avatar Flight of Passage

  2. Expedition Everest

Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane Selections Attractions include:

  1. Celebration of the Festival of the Lion King

  2. DINOSAUR

  3. Feathered Friends in Flight!

  4. It’s Tough to Be a Bug!

  5. Kali River Rapids

  6. Kilimanjaro Safaris

  7. Naʻvi River Journey

  8. The Animation Experience

Don’t forget that the travel planners at Wishdrawals are ready to help you book and plan your next magical Walt Disney World vacation! If you don’t already have a favorite planner, we’d love to match you with your new love; just email us at info@wishdrawals.com

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