Disney recently reimagined the My Disney Experience app to include the all new Genie service and the Genie+ paid service which took the place of the previously free FastPass+ system. There were rumors for a long time of a new system coming and COVID seemed to create the perfect opportunity to make changes.
If you’ve begun thinking about a trip to Walt Disney World chances are you’ve come across this information and it probably sounds like a foreign language because it’s all brand new. I actually really like Genie+, more than FastPass+, but you can read more about that here.
Disney Genie, and mostly Genie+, is a rabbit hole that you can quickly get sucked into but in this post I am just going to go over the basics.
What is Disney Genie?
Disney Genie is a new, complimentary, service that is built into the My Disney Experience app. The purpose of this service is so that can you make the most of your day.
My Day
You customize this by selecting your attractions, entertainment, and dining interests so the Genie can create your perfect day. The Disney Genie service will give you information about estimated wait times throughout the day as well as make additional recommendations. Once you’ve made Lightning Lane selections they will also be listed. All of this can be viewed under My Day in the My Disney Experience app.
Tip Board
The Tip Board is one part of the Disney Genie service. This is where you can see the wait times for all rides in the park. It’s also where you will make your Lightning Lane and Individual Lightning Lane selections.
Genie+ Basics
Genie+ will take your day to the next level. This is a paid feature that allows you to select times for the Lightning Lane entrance.
The cost for Genie+ is $15 per person per park day. There are two options for adding this service.
First, you can add it to your tickets at the time you purchase them. Doing this allows you to pay the cost before you even arrive at the parks. If you choose to add it ahead of time you do have to add it for all of your park days. If you are purchasing 4 day park tickets for 2 people then you would pay $120 (($15×2)x4).
Second, you can add Genie+ the day off if you are not wanting it for all of your days. For example, say you only want Genie+ for your HOllywood Studios day. You would just add the $15 per person service for that day on that morning. You can do this beginning at midnight each day.
Lightning Lane
With the paid Genie+ service you can select Lightning Lane entrance times for the rides and attractions. This is the physical queue that you will stand in at the attraction.
Like the old FastPass+ system, with Lightning Lane you have a one hour window to scan in. If you choose 9:30am that means you can enter the line between 9:30-10:30am. The only exception would be if you choose a time that is close to the park closing time because window will end at the posted park closing time.
Individual Lightning Lane
Individual Lightning Lane is available for the top attractions in each park which is typically the top 2 rides.
For these attractions you must purchase the Lightning Lane entrance separately and price is typically $7-$15 per person.
Booking Lightning Lane and Individual Lightning Lane
All guests with valid park tickets and park pass reservations can begin purchasing Individual Lightning Lane selections at 7am.
On Site guests can also begin booking Lightning Lane selections at 7am. Off site guests can book Lightning Lane selections at park opening.
What next?
Hopefully this helps to give you a basic understanding of the new Disney Genie and Genie+ services.
If you’d like my help with booking and planning your trip click here for a free quote. My services are always free to clients. Disney pays me so you don’t have to!
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