Last week Disney Parks introduced Disney Genie, a new digital service coming to Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort this fall. This new offering will replace Walt Disney World’s FastPass+ and Disneyland’s MaxPass features. Disney is promoting this new service as a complimentary and convenient new feature for guests to enjoy, but let’s dig a little deeper to get the whole story on this new service (hint: not everything falls into the complimentary category).
What is Disney Genie?
According to Disney, “Disney Genie is a complimentary and convenient new digital service in the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps designed to create your best Disney day. Disney Genie service will maximize your park time, so you can have more fun.” Disney Genie will include wait times, updated planning services, and special audio features.
Paid Services Available in the Rollout of Disney Genie
Although the basic Disney Genie service is free, the rollout of this new program will also include two additional paid features.
- Disney Genie+ service: This is the new FastPass+ time service. For the price of $15 per ticket per day at Walt Disney World Resort and $20 per ticket per day at Disneyland Resort, choose the next available time to arrive at a variety of attractions and experiences using the Lightning Lane entrance. You can make one selection at a time, throughout the day – from classics like Haunted Mansion to thrill rides like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and newer favorites like Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (attractions subject to limited availability). Disney Genie+ will also include Disney parks-themed audio experiences and photo features to capture your memories – augmented reality lenses for those visiting Walt Disney World Resort and unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads from your day if you are visiting Disneyland Resort.
- Individual attraction selections: Schedule a time to arrive at up to two highly demanded attractions each day using the Lightning Lane entrance – like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom Park and Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure Park (subject to limited availability; attractions not included with Disney Genie+). Pricing will vary by date, attraction and park.
What is the Lightning Lane entrance?
Although not formally stated by Disney, it is assumed that the former FastPass+ entrances will now be renamed Lightning Lane at Walt Disney World. Lightning Lane selections will be made on the same day of your visit and can be used across multiple theme parks, great for those who love the Park Hopper option. Guests may select an arrival time, one at a time, for Lightning Lane entry for a variety of attractions and experiences with the purchase of Disney Genie+ service (attractions subject to limited availability), or schedule a time to arrive at up to two highly demanded attractions each day (subject to limited availability; attractions not included with Disney Genie+).
When will you launch Disney Genie?
Disney Genie will launch this fall at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. Disney will be sharing more details and exact dates soon however, the speculation is this service will start prior to Walt Disney World’s 50th Celebration starting on October 1.
Do Guests have to purchase Disney Genie+ to have access to attractions?
No. Attractions will continue to have a traditional standby queue, or a virtual queue at certain attractions.
What attractions can be booked with Genie+?
Examples include Big Thunder Mountain, Haunted Mansion and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Most attractions that previously offered FastPass+ at Walt Disney World and FASTPASS/Disney MaxPass at Disneyland Resort will offer a Lightning Lane entrance available through Disney Genie+.
What attractions can be booked with individual Lightning Lane selections?
Examples include Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Radiator Springs Racers at Disneyland Resort. Disney be sharing more details soon for each resort.
Can I purchase Disney Genie+ service for just one day of their multi-day visit?
When purchased with a Guests’ ticket or vacation package ahead of their visit, Disney Genie+ service is purchased for the length of stay (all days of a multi-day visit). When purchased on the day of visit, Guests will purchase Disney Genie+ for a single day.
Do I need to pay to ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Radiator Springs Racers or WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure?
No. Guests can join attractions offering a virtual queue via Disney Genie in the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps. If Guests are unable to secure a place in the virtual queue, the purchase of the Lightning Lane entrance may be an additional option to experience the attraction, subject to limited availability. There is no traditional standby queue for these attractions at this time.
Without the advanced FastPass+ booking window, are there any benefits for Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels?
Each day at 7 a.m., Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels will have the first opportunity to purchase up to two individual attraction selections for the Lightning Lane entrance (subject to limited availability), before other Guests who will be able to do so upon park opening. Guests staying at Walt Disney World hotels will also have more time in the parks during the 50th anniversary, with new early theme park entry and extended evening hours benefits.
There are still many more details Disney will release about this new service including the launch date and when this service can be added to existing packages. Stay tuned for more information. Have questions or ready to book your Disney vacation, send me an email at natalie@castleandcruiseadventures.com or click here for a no obligation quote.