Disney Genie
Disney Genie - which is built into the My Disney Experience app - is a new complimentary service that aims to reduce time spent waiting in line so more time can be spent enjoying park amenities. The Disney Genie service has nothing to do with skipping lines , that's Genie+ which we'll get to soon (confused yet?). Disney Genie attempts to take the guesswork out of "what's next" and offers suggestions throughout the day based on what's happening in the parks. For example, it will suggest attractions at particular times when the wait time is below average. You can use the itinerary this service produces for you each day, or you can continue to explore the parks on your own. All you have to do is open up the My Disney Experience app and tap on "My Genie Day" and you'll be prompted to tell Genie what attractions you like the most the first time you access it, and then it will suggest itineraries throughout the day based on your choices when you're in the parks.
Disney Genie+ (Via Lightning Lanes)
Most attractions at Walt Disney World have a "Lightning Lane" (previously Fastpass+ queues). To access the Lightning Lane for the majority of attractions, Genie+ will be required. Genie+ can cost anywhere between $15 and $40 per guest, per day.
How Do I Purchase Genie+?
Genie+ is available to purchase on the day you want to use it through the My Disney Experience app. You can purchase it starting at midnight. Simply open up the My Disney Experience app, tap into "Rides, Shows & Lightning Lane Entry" and you'll see the option to upgrade to Genie+ at the top.
How To Book Genie+ Attractions
After you pay for Genie+ for you and your party, you can book your first Lightning Lane attraction at 7 am. You do this by going back onto the "Rides, Shows & Lightning Lane Entry" page and scrolling down to find the attraction you want to book first, you'll be presented with a time, and then you confirm it. It's recommended you try and book the popular rides first as it is possible for Lightning Lane inventory to fill up for the rest of the day. The attractions that usually sell out quickly are Slinky Dog Dash, Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, Frozen Ever After, and Peter Pan's Flight, to name a few.
Using Genie+ And Booking Again
When your time has arrived, you go to the Lightning Lane queue, scan your Magic Band or park ticket and enter. You can book your next attraction as soon as you scan into your current attraction (sometimes there's a second touch point that clears you to book again). If you booked your first attraction at 7 am and it's not until 1 pm, for example, don't worry. You can also book your next attraction 2 hours after booking a previous one. So to book your next one, either you must scan into the attraction you've booked, or wait 2 hours, whichever comes first. You can continue this for the entire day, as long as there's inventory left to book. Disney says on average, guests can enter 2 to 3 attractions or experiences per day using the Lightning Lane entrance if the first selection is made early in the day. That can vary wildly depending on how busy it is and how many people buy Genie+, the key is to get that first booking at 7 am done as quickly as possible.
What Attractions Are Included With Genie+?
Most attractions are included and they'll be listed on the "Rides, Shows & Lightning Lane Entry" page on the My Disney Experience app. You might notice some attractions are missing - think Rise Of The Resistance - and that's because they're available through the a la carte Individual Lightning Lane.
Individual Attraction Selections (Via Lightning Lanes)
The more popular attractions at Walt Disney World do have Lightning Lanes but are not included in Genie+ due to their high demand. The Lightning Lane of these attractions - like Rise Of The Resistance, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Cosmic Rewind, and TRON - will be individually priced. Each guest will be able to purchase access to the Lightning Lanes to just two attractions per day. You do not need to pay $15+tax for Genie+ to individually pay for Lightning Lane access to these popular attractions.
You'll be able to book your first Individual Attraction Lightning Lane Selection starting when the park opens. However, if you're a Walt Disney World resort hotel guest, you get a head start and can book your first Lightning Lane at 7 am. The costs can vary from $12 to $30 per person, per attraction.
