As of July 24, 2024, Disney Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes are going away. In this post I’ll tell you what you need to know about the system that’s replacing them so you’ll be ready for your next visit to the Disney parks!
What's Changing?
Starting July 24, 2024 Genie+ will be rebranded as Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Individual Lightning Lanes will be rebranded as Lightning Lane Single Pass. At Disneyland Resort in California, a rebrand is all that’s happening but at Walt Disney World in Florida there are many more changes coming.
Walt Disney World Advance Reservations
Guests will now be able to purchase and make Lightning Lane reservations prior to their visit. Guests staying at Disney owned hotels, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, and Shades of Green can purchase and make their Lightning Lane reservations 7 days prior to their date of check-in starting at 7am Eastern and can book for their entire length of stay up to 14 days. Guests staying offsite can purchase and make their Lightning Lane reservations 3 days prior to the start date of their tickets starting at 7am Eastern and can book for all ticket days within their valid use window. Guests with annual passes or tickets still requiring park pass reservations will need to refer to the terms of their specific admission media to determine when they can purchase and book Lightning Lanes for their visit.
Lightning Lane Multi Pass
Guests using Lightning Lane Multi Pass can reserve up to three attractions per day prior to their visit. On the day of their park visit, they can make additional reservations one at a time starting when they use their first reservation. The three reservations made in advance must all be in the same park, but guests who have park hopper tickets will be able to make reservations for other parks as soon as they use their first reservation. Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios have grouped their attractions according to demand. Guests may pre-reserve only one attraction from Group 1 and the other two must be from Group 2. If guests wish to use all three advance reservations on attractions from Group 2, they are welcome to do so. Animal Kingdom’s attractions are not grouped and guests may pre-select any three attractions from the Lightning Lane Multi Pass list.
Lightning Lane Single Pass
For the most in-demand attractions in each park, guests may purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass for up to two attractions per day. The rides available for Lightning Lane Single Pass are not included in the Lightning Lane Multi Pass system.
How to Purchase
Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass will still be purchased through the My Disney Experience app but guests will now be able to view both the pricing and the available Lightning Lane reservations before making their purchase. Guests can choose to purchase either Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Lightning Lane Single Pass, or both and guests purchasing both will now be able to do so in a single transaction. In addition, a new Lightning Lane tile will be added to the My Disney Experience app to make it easier to purchase and view Lightning Lane reservations.
Are These Good Changes?
Personally, I'm reserving judgment on this new system until I see it in action for a few months. But, I see the vision and understand the reasons why Disney is implementing these changes. If you are familiar with the former FastPass+ system, then many aspects of the new Lightning Lane system will sound very familiar. I was a huge fan of FastPass+ because I appreciated the ability to book a few ride times for us in advance so we could structure our days. I also will appreciate not having to get up early every day of my vacation to book Lightning Lane reservations anymore. And, as a guest who often stays onsite, I am always happy to see more perks come around for onsite guests. The one wild card we have with this new system is pricing, so it's hard to know for sure exactly whether or not the system will be a good value-add until we see that piece. But, for guests who don’t wish to purchase either system, standby lines will still be available and rides that offer virtual queues will still continue to do so for no additional charge.
Feeling Daunted?
As you can see, there is a lot of complexity involved in the Lightning Lane system and we haven’t even talked about a strategy for which rides and times you should try to reserve first. If you’re feeling intimidated by this new system, that’s where I come in! If you book your Disney vacation through me you will pay the same amount you would pay to book it on Disney’s website, but I provide concierge level vacation planning services for free. I give you a Lightning Lane strategy along with loads more insider tips, plus I monitor your reservation for new discounts and even help you book your dining reservations.
To get a quote on your vacation package, click here.
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