Written by: Bridget Virden, Senior Travel Planner
Disney has been teasing for some time now that changes were coming to Genie+ that would make it easier to plan in advance, and we finally have more specifics! Genie+ is retiring and beginning July 24, the new “skip-the-line” options at Walt Disney World and Disneyland will be called Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass. Disney conducted a webinar for travel professionals this week and here’s what they shared about the changes coming soon!
Rebranding
On July 24, Genie+ will be rebranded as Lightning Lane Multi Pass. This is the “package deal” that allows you to select Lightning Lane return times for eligible attractions. The most popular attractions at each park are excluded from Lightning Lane Multi Pass, but Lightning Lane entry can be purchased a la carte. Individual Lightning Lane Selections will be rebranded as Lightning Lane Single Pass. These new names will be used at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.
At Disneyland Resort, the name change is the only difference guests will notice. Planning timelines will remain the same – Lightning Lane Multi Pass can still be included in advance with ticket purchases, and initial Lightning Lane selections will still be made once guests have entered the parks.
Advance Purchase at Walt Disney World
Arguably the biggest complaint guests had about Genie+ at Walt Disney World was that it couldn’t be purchased in advance. For the best shot at booking Lightning Lanes for your favorite rides, you would need to be up and ready by 7am each morning of your vacation. Thankfully Disney listened to this feedback and Lightning Lane Multi Pass AND Lightning Lane Single Pass can be purchased in advance. Guests of Walt Disney World Resort hotels, as well as those staying at the Disney World Swan, Dolphin, Swan Reserve, and Shades of Green, will be able to make purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass and/or Lightning Lane Single Pass and make selections for the entire length of their stay (up to 14 days) 7 days before their check-in date.
Guests staying off-property will be able to buy Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass options beginning 3 days in advance of their ticket start date, for the entire valid use period and number of days on their ticket.
Disney has also stated that Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass can be purchased in one transaction per day, instead of the separate transactions required with Genie+.
Per-park pricing will remain, and the price will be based on the park where you choose to start your day. The “Multiple Parks” option will be removed, however other parks are automatically included with your initial purchase. If you plan to park hop, you’ll need to redeem one pass before you can make selections in another park.
Pricing has not been shared, but we expect initial Lightning Lane Multi Pass pricing to be consistent with Genie+ ($15-$30 per person per day, depending on date and park).
Advance Selections & Attraction Tiers
If you visited Walt Disney World using FastPass+, you’ll remember attraction tiers. A tiered system will be in play at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios. So when making your advance Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections, you’ll be able to book one return time for an attraction in Group 1 and two return times for attractions in Group 2. You can choose all three advance selections from Group 2 if you wish. Animal Kingdom will not be implementing a tiered system. You can purchase up to two Lightning Lane Single Pass selections per day.
We’ve got you covered!
Of course, Middle of the Magic will be here to help you make the most of Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass. We’ll have agents in the parks trying out these new systems so we can give you firsthand information so you can make the switch from Genie+ to Lightning Lane Passes without a second thought!
