Lightning Lanes v. Genie+ at Disney World
If you’re confused by the differences between the free Genie feature, paid Genie+ service, Lightning Lanes, and individual attraction selections at Walt Disney World, this comparison and explanation is here to help. It breaks down what each are and offer, along with an analogy and further explanations.
This is intended to supplement our Lightning Lane and Genie+ at Walt Disney World FAQ. Recently, we’ve been receiving questions that confusion Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, and it’s absolutely fundamental and foundational knowledge that you understand the differences. Otherwise, you won’t get the rest of it. Honestly, what’s covered here should have been the very top of that FAQ, but I assumed too much. That’s my bad–not yours. This is incredibly convoluted and confusing, and the way Walt Disney World has rolled it out has left a lot to be desired from a guest education perspective.
I do want to reassure you that this all gets easier to understand over time. As a thought experiment, try to assume a veil of ignorance about FastPass+ at Walt Disney World. Now consider all of the different tiers, the 30 day v. 60 day rule, the check-in extension rule, 4th FastPass+ scenarios, refresh strategy, Park Hopping hacks, same-day drop times–the list goes on and on. Most longtime Walt Disney World fans take FastPass+ for granted, but it had a steep learning curve. Which is part of the reason fans loved it–the barriers to entry and confusion created meant FastPass+ was easier to leverage for power users than average guests.
Many fans are confused by Genie+ and Lightning Lanes right now, and that’s absolutely understandable given that you’ve never used them and Walt Disney World still hasn’t announced all of the specifics. There are a ton of absolutely legitimate complaints about this. While certainly not the only criticism, the cost of the once-free service is far and away the most valid of those. (If you’re upset, we’d recommend emailing Walt Disney World and respectfully articulating how Genie+ will impact your future business with the company.)
“It’s too complicated and confusing” is not a particularly persuasive complaint. At least, not coming from fans who mastered FastPass+, the most unnecessarily complex ride reservation system at any Disney theme park in the world. Ask anyone who used both FastPass+ and MaxPass (again, the Genie system is built around MaxPass) more than a couple of times which was more user-friendly. I’d hazard a guess that over 75% would respond that MaxPass was easier to use and more laid back.
If you have an advanced degree in Walt Disney World vacation planning, the Genie system is only intimidating because it’s new and unknown, and currently an abstraction. It’s the type of thing you need to play with to understand. Give yourself a couple of hours with the app feature–you’ll be fine. Of course, that doesn’t wave away all of the many other complaints, but maybe it offers a little peace of mind?
But I digress. Back to the basics, with an explanation of what each component of this new system replacing free FastPass+ at Walt Disney World entails…
Lightning Lanes
Lightning Lanes are the new name for FastPass+ entrances, meaning they are actual queues or lines. Something guests who purchased Genie+ or individual attraction line-skipping access will use.
To illustrate, the Lightning Lane is the entrance on the left in the photo above. The standby line is the entrance on the right. In the coming weeks, expect FastPass+ entrances to get new signage as they’re converted to Lightning Lanes.
Lightning Lanes exist in the physical world. Disney Genie+ is a service that exists in the digital world–on the Grid. You can walk through a Lightning Lane–you can scroll through the Genie+ service with your fingers.
Free Disney Genie service
The free Disney Genie service in the My Disney Experience app will “maximize your park time” via a personalized itinerary feature that will “quickly and seamlessly map out an entire day.” It will also offer forecasted wait times throughout the day and attraction suggestions, so you can save time in line.
While Walt Disney World highlighted the free components of Disney Genie in its announcement, no one else is focusing on this for a few reasons. First, Disney IT doesn’t exactly have the best track record, so there’s considerable skepticism that this will work as advertised. Second, Disney promised similar features with My Disney Experience almost a decade ago, and none of those features materialized. (It’s a good day when the app works without crashing!) Finally, even if the free Disney Genie service works, it’s more likely to benefit the company than guests.
Maybe Disney will prove everyone wrong and deliver a free service that changes the game. Given past precedent, I’m not willing to give Walt Disney World the benefit of the doubt on that. Accordingly, we won’t be devoting any attention to the free Disney Genie service until it actually arrives–and works as advertised.
Disney Genie+ service
Disney Genie+ service is an option you can purchase in the My Disney Experience app for $15 per day that will give you priority access via the Lightning Lane at a variety of attractions, like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Splash Mountain, Peter Pan’s Flight, Spaceship Earth, Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and many others. It’ll offer line-skipping access to approximately 40 attractions in total–minus two highly-popular headliners in each park.
The Genie+ service is essentially a digital version of paper FastPass, which was used prior to FastPass+ at Walt Disney World. Except instead of walking around the park to obtain paper slips with day-of return times, you do that via your phone. (More accurately/recently, it’s a modified version of the MaxPass service at Disneyland.)
Genie+ is theoretically unlimited. More practically, average guests will be obtaining new Genie+ return times every ~90 to 120 minutes. Like its predecessors (legacy FastPass and MaxPass), Genie+ will have internal rules inherited from those systems to ensure guests are not being shut out of subsequent selections by virtue of delayed return time windows. Those rules have not yet been announced by Walt Disney World.
Individual attraction selections
Individual attraction selections allow you to schedule a time to arrive at up to two highly demanded attractions each day, again via the Lightning Lane entrance, like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom or Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
This is pay per ride access for up to 2 attractions in each park, as opposed to the ‘bundle’ of theoretically unlimited access offered by the Genie+ service. Attractions will either be included in Genie+ or sold as individual attraction selections–not both. There is no overlap between Genie+ and individual attraction selections. The latter will be sold at approximately 7-8 attractions in total across Walt Disney World.
Pricing for the individual attraction selections option will vary by date, attraction, and park–and will be announced closer to launch. Pricing for the comparable Premier Access at Disneyland Paris ranges from €8 to €15 (~$10 to $18) depending on the attraction and day of visit. Think of it like Express Lanes on highways—dynamic pricing that increases with demand.
Individual attraction selections are likely the source of most consumer confusion, as they don’t have a catchy name. Our guess is that many fans are conflating Lightning Lanes (physical queues!) with individual attraction selections, which is inaccurate–but an absolutely understandable error. For a company that is so good at branding and marketing, it seems like a pretty big oversight to not give “individual attraction selections” its own catchy name.
I’m inclined to start calling the individual attraction selections “Magic Carpet Access,” which would make sense, avoid any confusion, create clear product distinctions, and fit with the Aladdin-inspired branding.
All options in practice
1. Standby or Virtual Queue (all attractions, $0)
2. Genie+ via Lightning Lane (~40 attractions, $15 per day and theoretically unlimited)
3. Magic Carpet Access via Lightning Lane (~8 of the highest demand attractions, unknown cost per ride)
All attractions will have #1. Most if not all previous FastPass+ attractions will have 2 or 3, but not both.
I love a good analogy, so think of this all like the diamond lane on the highway (or carpool/HOV lane, depending upon where you live). That fast lane often has various rules for eligibility–hybrids, motorcycles, public mass transit, or vehicles with two or more occupants can use it to facilitate more efficient use of highways.
In that example, Lightning Lanes are the diamond lane–the physical infrastructure on the highway, or in this case, the attraction’s queue that bypasses the gridlocked standby line. The different types of vehicles that can use that physical fast lane are Genie+ or individual attraction purchases, plus things like DAS and Rider Switch. The only material difference in the analogy is that the same Lightning Lane will not give access to both Genie+ and individual attraction purchases–it’ll be either/or.
Okay, with that foundation in place, we can now get to the other 1,248 questions about the Disney Genie+ system and Lightning Lane physical infrastructure. Again, it’s intimidating now, but it’ll make sense over time. Just like driving a car on the highway, it’s a lot easier to grasp when you’re actually doing it as opposed to reading about it on the internet.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have any questions we didn’t answer with the above? Still confused by how Genie+ or Lightning Lanes will work? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Other thoughts or concerns? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
It’s getting ridiculous, your paying a fortune to get in to the parks to stand in line then paying more to shorten that line then paying again to not have to stand in the line and return at a specific time to ride that 2 min ride. CRAZINESS- why not just charge everyone one big price, give them a schedule for preplanned day they decided on before the trip that includes all their ride times , eating times, bathroom breaks, shopping times, show times etc. Nobody has to wait in lines we can all be animatronic robots charged a fortune and a half.
What happened to the excitement of non crowded, not oversold parks, maybe having to wait an hour and a half max for one maybe two of the brand new rides but the rest never more than 30 min but we giggled and laughed and enjoyed the company of each other as we stood there in anticipation while playing silly clapping or eye spy games or mom she’s looking at me funny games. Now it’s all about spending so much money and it’s not that enjoyable anymore, as we stood in line people complaining, yelling at each other, cutting in lines, angry because their phones are not letting them into app to get their lightening pass or reservation for dinner. The characters are nowhere to be seen or don’t have two seconds to stop and let your 2yr old get a hug. People throwing their trash down on the ground next to the trash can and the kid saying “oh that’s the guys job to pick it up they get paid ton here” then there the whole MASK issue, I won’t even go there. Sitting in the Hall of Presidents trying to Listen because it’s one of my favorite shows and all I can hear is people bitching and complaining about what a horrible country we have, otherwise racist this president is or the blankety blank that one was. OK OK OK,
I THOUGHT I WAS AT DISNEY WORLD, THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH, I just spent $10,000 for our dream family vacation that I’ve been telling my grandkids about for years and how wonderful it was for me growing up and the first time we came and the 2nd and every year after that for so long and then bringing my children (their parents) when they were young.
We were there in 1971 the year Disney world opened—-IT WAS AWESOME and then every year at least for 33 years after that we went, then for the past17 yrs we kind did a few different things,, did a few day trips when we happened to be down that way. And now 50yrs After the year and first time we went I couldn’t believe it, MY DISNEY DREAMS HAVE BEEN CRUSHED, my grandchildren look at it as just another amusement park! It totally breaks my heart, because over the years if I or my children had a choice over Universal, six flags, a trip to say Europe, We always Chose THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH, but I guess that place has changed and in our eyes and heart it’s no more. It now just another price gouging business with a bunch of angry people around. I’m so sad. MY PRINCESS DREAMS HAVE DIED AT 60 YRS OLD.
Your review is EXACTLY what I’m feeling right now as I do some last minute planning for our trip next week. Do we pay for LL access or not? Do we really want to ride “that ride” enough to pay $107 a day for a day pass plus $15 for Genie + PLUS $8-&18 for two additional popular rides. As WOKE as Disney is, they should realize they are keeping the less fortunate from taking that dram vacation while allowing the blue collar + people have access to everything.
This review says everything I’m feeling- only change grandkids to my step kids and my princess dreams dying at 38. But I’m totally still going.
I have been going to Florida to take a piece out of winter almost every year since 83 (took 85 to 89 off to have children). We cycle from Universal to Disney World. I have noticed a trend to go to more “motion-seat” and 3D rides. The biggest thing that I have noticed is the number of people. It might be a reaction to the COVID year off, but this last April school vacation was the most crowded that I have ever seen it. At one point there was a 240 minute wait for the Seven Dwarf Mine Train. I wouldn’t wait that long for a seat at the last supper. The lightning lane might seem like a rip-off, and it is, but in my mind $15 is a small price to pay to cut that wait time way down. You have to learn how to use it. It generally, if well played, can save you time 3 to 4 times in one day depending on how long you are at the park and if you do it correctly. If you have the ability to go when it is not school vacation, do it. The lines will be nothing by comparison. Using LL, we walked right on Tower of Terror straight to the elevator, passing people who had been in line for over an hour and a half and very much looked like it.
I can tell you that the only thing that is cheap at Disney World is me. I still love the place.
Bravo!
Hello- Our last trip to WDW was January 2021, so this is all new, and like you mentioned, it takes a while to catch on. I know it can be done, but usually our learning curve for a new system is during a five day trip and time isn’t an issue. We have a weekend Disney Cruise coming up and since our return flight isn’t leaving until the evening on the day we disembark, we decided to add a day at Animal Kingdom (believe me it was hard to pick one park and I’ve been anxiously watching for Expedition Everest open back up). With our limited time and it being a goal to ride Flight of Passage and Expedition Everest, what is the best add ons and when do I do it? So purchase each person the $15 Genie Plus to get Lightning Lane on Expedition Everest and pay again for a Lightning Lane for Flight of Passage? I am also unclear when we can make these reservations- the morning of? How early? The additional ticket for FOP can be purchased on the Genie App?
My biggest gripe, though I haven’t used it yet, was that I thought that when I purchased the Genie + for myself and my triplets, that the Lightning Lane came with it. Apparently that is true for the majority of the rides, just not the big ones. I might have to pay that much again, times 4 of us, times both rides, times 4 parks. It is going to add almost $500 to the $2,312 that I already paid thinking that this was included. Maybe there was something I missed because both are called Lightning Lane which I might have caught had one been called “Magic Carpet Access”. It’s not a deal breaker but it feels like a “Bait and Switch”.
I sit here chuckling, hearing my husband. Last fall when I read about Genie+ & Lightning Lanes for the first time. Didn’t make sense. So without assuming I knew anything I read it again. Little light dawned. After that I read more as more came out. Had my husband read it all. After first reading, said he didn’t understand. Then as he often does he made assumptions, read more, keeping those assumptions. And was wrong. Making assumptions is not good. Especially if it is about something new to you. No bait and switch. Confusions yes. Remembering you know nothing about the subject is important. That with any new program changes come & assuming you know what you don’t won’t help.
After 50 years of marriage I’ve decided it’s a ‘man’ thing, especially for men who look at things as immutable. Hubby is learning but it has taken a lot of time & arguing. And spending money we needn’t have. Better luck next time. Enjoy your trip. 😉
The biggest problem with Genie, Genie+, Lightning Lanes, virtual lines? for me and my family is planning.. We were able to plan our trips (which park, which ride, which attraction, breakfast, lunch and dinner) all before we stepped foot on Disney soil. Fast Passes were the easiest thing to use and allowed for pre-planning. Trying to make a plan for 9 people is impossible. I was able to book everything for everyone in my party so that we knew what we were doing from the first day to the last. Now each and every person has to be on their phones and let’s not talk about how annoying that is on vacation. I am sorry for my tone, but I am so sad by this change and I know that we won’t be able to come down as a family until it changes.
Do you need Genie + to access Lightning Lanes. If yes, do you pay for both Genie+ and Lightning Lane. Alternatively, can you pay for just the Lightning Lane for the rides you really want.
No, you don’t need Genie+ to buy individual lightening lane passes.
If I purchase genie plus and my first stop is the magic kingdom will I still be able to use genie plus in Epcot when I park hop the same day
unnecessarily complicated article
@Jamie. It’s taken awhile, but all I need say is you proved my point. Branding is the most important to you.
@chris
Yes. You can buy an ILL (Disney’s name for a magic carpet). But they can only be bought for certain rides (2per park) (one for now the other can now be gotten through Genie+).
On our visit a couple weeks ago I sent my husband to DHS with an ILL for RotR and a tip for the Millennium Falcon (be in line at rope drop. Of course the ILL was for around 5pm. He had a fun but long day.
Can you purchase what you call Magic Carpet Access without purchasing Genie+?
If I make an individual lightning lane reservation first thing in the morning, can I make a regular genie+ reservation too? Or do I have to wait the 120 mins or until I tap into the individual lightning lane attraction? Or are those reservations held separate from each other? Can I book a paid individual lightning lane for later in the evening and go about and use genie+ throughout the day as I normally would without the individually paid ride on reserve??
@brenda
There are a few key elements that you’re privileged and rude comment is missing. First, Tiffany’s isnt catered to families who are trying to provide potentially once in a lifetime experiences for their young children. And second, there is only one Disney. You can buy a diamond or silver bracelet at any jewelry store. Equal quality in some cases, for a lesser price because you aren’t paying for the name Tiffany’s. You cannot go to six flags and see Cinderella’s castle. There is only one Disney. Inflation is one thing. Price increase is one thing, but Disney is pricing families out, and removing previously encouraging perks for on-site guests at the same time. Your poor comparison demeans not only a persons financial situation, but also their personal opinion, and that was unnecessary. Do better, Brenda.
This is not a question but an observation!
Are you on a budget?
Does timing mean everything?
Confused about ride lines and associated pass types?
I purchased and utilized a Universal Fla. annual pass this past summer and I gotta tell ya
even though I’m an avid Disney fan that I might have to reconsider my upcoming Xmas trip and spend most of my time at Universal for the following reasons:
#1/ My Universal annual pass includes three (3) tier parking “valet/preferred/general”
#2/ Universal Dining meal plan + beverage refill options
#3/ pass includes ride express pass – one time per available ride per day after 4pm
#4/ Certain Universal resorts offer free express passes w/stay
General Information:
Covid is tough enough to deal with along with daily stress, enhanced work conditions and daily family matters. Considering above may help!
BTW:
Don’t try to over plan because you’ll only end up being disappointed and don’t try to maximize your trip with activities, schedules, timelines, itineraries etc…..You need time to downshift and breath during your vacation otherwise you find yourself exhausted when you return home finding yourself in need of another vacation! (LOL)
And yeah…….No Disney dining plan available!
Do the math!
Disney may be the happiest place that has now become the most expensive place!
I’m just saying…….
So I purchased Genie plus for my family visiting the week before Christmas. Do you recommend trying to book a LL first that we want or do Genie plus selection first? Can you do both back to back at 7 am?
If I am a family of 3, two adults and a toddler, how does this Genie+ work with rider switch? Do I have to purchase Genie+ for all three of us and do rider switch?
Is there still an option to just walk up two a ride line and wait without any preplanned new option?
Absolutely.
@John
So don’t go. Shorter lines everywhere.
I figure it like this: I can’t afford to go to NYC to Tiffany’s to buy a diamond. Other shops in other places have same quality cheaper, but aren’t Tiffany’s. Should I demand they lower their prices for me? Or just shop elsewhere? Same with WDW. Tiffany’s won’t miss me. WDW won’t miss you. 🙂
These so-called improvements were designed to further pick our pockets. The Merriest Christmas after hours celebration is a total ripoff.
The new Disney CEO’s only concern is maximizing profits at the expense of us guests. It may work in the short term, but long term many former passholders, such as myself and my wife, and our friends may just abandon WDW.
So, are you saying that if you don;t have a smart phone you are out of luck for lightning lanes?
So based on what you’re saying, would you be able to do option 2 and 3 on the same day and do you think it would be beneficial if the answer is yes? Thanks