What Is Disney Genie, Genie+ And Lightning Lanes? Disney Genie Explained
Guide 22-Aug-2021
Disney Genie, Genie+, and Lightning Lanes are new services added into the My Disney Experience app for Walt Disney World. These services launched in October 2021.
Part 1: 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. Disney Genie takes the guesswork out of "what's next" and offers suggestions throughout the day based on what's happening in the parks and your preferences. For example, it will suggest attractions at particular times when the wait time is below average.
This service is free and is bundled inside the My Disney Experience app. 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.
Part 2: Disney Genie+ (Via Lightning Lanes)
Select attractions will have a "Lightning Lane" (previously Fastpass+ queues). To access the Lightning Lane for the majority of attractions, Genie+ will be required.
How much does Genie+ cost?
Genie+ costs $15 (+tax) per guest, per day. Genie+ gives you access to select Lightning Lanes, Audio Tales, and Disney PhotoPass AR Lenses.
What attractions are included with Genie+?
The purple shaded area in the image below is the attractions that are included with your Genie+ service.
(Click to enlarge)
You might notice some attractions are missing, that's because attractions - think Rise Of The Resistance (in blue) - are individually priced and are not included with Genie+. (See Part 3: Individual Attraction Selections.)
How does Genie+ work?
If you remember how the old paper Fastpass system used to work, this is essentially the same, but digital. After purchasing Genie+ you will be given a list of available Lightning Lanes you can book. You can only book one Lightning Lane attraction at a time. Once that time arrives, you enter the attraction through the Lightning Lane (previously Fastpass+ entrance). You'll be able to book your next one after you have experienced the attraction you've previously booked. While there is no limit to how many guests can purchase Genie+ in a day, there is only a set amount of Lightning Lane bookings available for each attraction, which is why for the more popular rides the first available slot might be a few hours in the future. Keep in mind that you can only book each attraction's Lightning Lane once on any single day. If you decide to park hop, Genie+ does come with you, so you can continue booking Lightning Lane attractions (where available) in the park you're park hopping to.
Part 3: 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, and Remy's Ratatouille Adventure - 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 7am.
Below are the prices that were set for the opening day of this new service. However, the prices will fluctuate depending on demand, time of year, etc. The ranges listed below are just an example, and Disney will alter the prices as they see fit.
Rise of the Resistance (Disney's Hollywood Studios) $15+tax
Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway (Disney's Hollywood Studios) $9-$11+tax
