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Disney Genie+ has been a significant part of Disney World and Disneyland vacations for many of us. While we’re starting to get the hang of it, there’s still a lot of uncertainty and frustration surrounding this premium planning tool. In this article, we’ll share our best Disney Genie+ hacks and tips to help you feel more confident using this service during your vacation.
Disney Genie+: A Quick Recap
Disney Genie+ is a paid FastPass-like service that allows you to skip the lines for select rides. The price starts at $15 per day per ticket but can fluctuate daily based on the season and Genie+ demand, reaching as high as $39 per day per ticket. With this service, you can collect Lightning Lanes to bypass those super lengthy standby queues. Lightning Lanes can be selected one at a time, so it’s essential to book must-do attractions first.
Super Duper Lightning Lane Hack
First, let’s dive into a super easy hack that you can try right now if you’ve already downloaded the My Disney Experience app. Disney Genie Plus won’t be able to help you bypass the lines of every ride, as some rides are only available via individual Lightning Lane, a separate premium service, or don’t have Lightning Lane access at all. To check which rides are part of Genie Plus, there is now a toggle option at the top of the Tipboard section of the My Disney Experience app. Turn it on or off to see the rides included in the standard Genie Plus service.
Don’t Ignore the 120-Minute Rule
Next, don’t ignore the 120-minute rule. This rule allows you to book your next Lightning Lane when one of three things happens: first, when you use the last Lightning Lane you booked; second, when your first return time window has ended; or third, 120 minutes have passed since you booked your last Lightning Lane or 120 minutes have passed after Park opens, depending on the situation. By using this rule, you can stack Lightning Lanes and hold more than one at a time, allowing you to knock out ride after ride after ride in the late afternoon and evening.
Switch Your Selections for Better Rides
Another helpful hack is to switch your selections for better rides. You can select Lightning Lane return times for one ride at a time with a 1-hour arrival window starting as early as 7:00 a.m. on the day of your park visit. However, the Lightning Lanes featured on the Disney Genie+ app won’t give you the option to select an exact return time. Instead, they’ll provide you with what’s available soonest. If you can’t find a return time for a specific ride, grab a Lightning Lane for a different attraction and keep checking the app for the desired ride.
Since Disney updated Genie+ in December 2022, you can now modify your Lightning Lane reservations without having to cancel them completely. This means you can swap your Lightning Lane for a better one without losing your 120-minute countdown.
Maximizing Multi-Park Options
In 2023, Disney Genie+ changed its pricing rules to have park-specific pricing. This means the cost of Genie+ varies both by date and by which park you plan on visiting. To make the most of this, consider rope-dropping a park and hitting up as many rides as possible while booking Lightning Lanes for the next park you’re planning on going to. By doing this, you’ll have several Lightning Lanes ready to use when you arrive at the next park.
Buying Genie+ Early
Disney will not sell you the multi-park option if Genie+ is sold out for any park. To ensure you get this service before it’s gone, purchase it as soon as you can. Disney Genie+ becomes available to purchase starting at midnight on the day of your visit, but you can only start making Genie+ Lightning Lane selections starting at 7:00 a.m. Keep in mind that the 120-minute rule doesn’t go into effect until after the parks open, so consider the 7:00 a.m. selection as your jump-off point for the day.
Individual Lightning Lanes
Individual Lightning Lanes are reserved for the newest, most popular Disney World rides in each park. Currently, this includes Tron and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in Magic Kingdom, Flight of Passage in Animal Kingdom, Rise of the Resistance in Hollywood Studios, and Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT. Out of these individual Lightning Lane options, two of those rides use a virtual queue system via the My Disney Experience app, which means they do not have a standby line.
Stay Informed About Changes
Disney Genie+ is potentially on the verge of changing again, so the way you use Lightning Lanes in the future could end up being different from even what we’re talking about today. Stay informed about these changes to make the most of your 2024 vacation.
By following these hacks and tips, you’ll be well-prepared to make the most of your 2024 Disney World vacation. Remember, Lightning Lanes are meant to be a stress reliever, not a burden.
Additional Genie+ details can be found over on the official page.
What strategies do you use to maximize your Disney Genie+ or Lightning Lane selections at any of the Walt Disney World parks?
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