Hello, remember us? Sorry, we have been a little bit quiet in recent weeks, but Grandpa Joe has delayed the opening of the US border, and yet another Walt Disney World Trip has been canceled. It’s frustrating, but signs are optimistic that we will eventually be able to visit soon. However, we have a Disneyland Paris trip to look forward to in the meantime, but for today’s post, the subject is surrounding the upcoming launch of Disney Genie+. Yes, the replacement for Fastpass+ will launch on October 19th. This guide will cover everything you need to know about Disney Genie, Disney Genie+, and Lightning Lane “á la carte.”
Disney Genie
We will start with the part which will not cost you extra money. Disney Genie is a free service within the My Disney Experience app that can help design a perfect Disney World vacation. Disney Genie will generate a personalized itinerary based on your interests. Disney promises fewer waits, reduced walking, and real-time updates. Your itinerary will continue to be updated throughout the day.
If it works as planned, we think Disney Genie could be a big game-changer. However, we remain concerned that your personalized itinerary will make frequent references to less popular attractions. How many guest itineraries will include the Hall of Presidents?
Disney Genie+
Disney Genie+ is the new paid replacement for FastPass+. Disney Genie+ is an optional purchase and allows guests to make reservations to join a much shorter line at select attractions. Guests will enter the attraction via the new Lightning Lane entrance.
Selections can be completed one at a time throughout the day, but surprisingly you can only use Genie+ for each attraction once each day. Access is also included to interactive Disney PhotoPass Lenses and audio tales.
Once you have purchased Disney Genie+, you can book your first experience beginning at 7:00 AM on the day of your visit.
How to buy Disney Genie+
Disney Genie+ will initially cost $15 a day. Disney has not stated how many Disney Genie+ passes will be sold each day. Also, we wouldn’t be surprised if Disney creates seasonal prices at a later date. Although not currently advertised, we wouldn’t be surprised if it eventually gets included as a perk for some off-season vacation packages.
You can purchase Disney Genie+ as an add-on to a ticket or vacation package for the duration of the visit. Also, it will be available to buy for single-day use via the Disney Genie service in the My Disney Experience app.
We expect single-day purchases will be the most popular option. Disney Genie+ isn’t cheap, and purchasing for each day of your visit is going to be very expensive. Plus, on certain days, it will not be required, e.g., when touring World Showcase.
What attractions will Disney Genie+ be available for?
The list is likely to be subject to change, but initially, the following are confirmed Disney Genie+ attractions:
The Magic Kingdom
- Haunted Mansion
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Splash Mountain
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic
- Mad Tea Party
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- “it’s a small world”
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Jungle Cruise
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- The Barnstormer
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
EPCOT
- Spaceship Earth
- Soarin’
- Living With the Land
- Test Track
- Journey Into Imagination with Figment
- Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival
- Turtle Talk with Crush
- The Seas with Nemo and Friends
- Mission: SPACE
Hollywood Studios
- Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Star Tours
- Tower of Terror
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
- Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
- Toy Story Mania
- Alien Swirling Saucers
- Muppet*Vision 3D
- Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
- Beauty and the Beast — Live on Stage
- Disney Junior — Live on Stage
Animal Kingdom
- Kilimanjaro Safaris
- Festival of the Lion King
- Kali River Rapids
- Feathered Friends in Flight!
- DINOSAUR
- It’s Tough to Be a Bug
- Na’vi River Journey
- The Animation Experience
Lightning Lane“á la carte”
This is the one bit of the new changes I do not like at all. However, it is here and we are going to have to get used to it. You will have noticed that some of the most popular attractions are not included in Disney Genie+. To access the lightning lane for these attractions, an individual fee will be required.
Lightning Lane“á la carte” will be available for all guests each day, including those who have not purchased Disney Genie+. You will be able to buy up to 2 attractions each day, booked one at a time.
Disney Resort hotel Guests and Guests of Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels and Shades of Green can make their first purchase starting at 7:00 AM on the day of their visit. All other guests can make their first purchase when the park opens.
What attractions will be usingLightning Lane“á la carte”?
The list will be subject to change, but the initial list will be:-
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – Magic Kingdom
- Space Mountain – Magic Kingdom
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure – EPCOT
- Frozen Ever After – EPCOT
- Avatar Flight of Passage – Animal Kingdom
- Expedition Everest – Animal Kingdom
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – Hollywood Studios
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway – Hollywood Studios
How much will it cost?
Lightning Lane“á la carte” isn’t going to be cheap, especially if you add it to the cost of Disney Genie+. The price will also vary depending on anticipated crowds. Disney has provided the following examples:-
The Lightning Lane entrance to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will be $9 per person on October 19 and $11 per person on October 23. As another example, on both those dates, Lightning Lane entrance to Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain will be $7 per person, while Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will be $15 per person.
Walt Disney World
Should you buy Disney Genie+ orLightning Lane“á la carte”?
We will analyze data from the initial opening, but at the moment, we suspect it will depend on the length of your visit and whether you are staying in a Disney Resort.
Guests staying at a Disney Resort, which includes Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours(deluxe resorts only), are advised to take advantage of this perk. Also, guests with an extended vacation might find they can achieve most attractions if Disney Genie delivers as promised. However, we expectLightning Lane“á la carte” might prove to be a necessary expense for the most popular attractions.
Unfortunately, we expect guests staying offsite or visiting only for a few days will inevitably be forced into paying for this expensive additional service.
Learn more about Walt Disney World
Visit our Beginners Guide to Walt Disney World to learn more. Our guide includes all the latest information on the reopening of Walt Disney World.
This post is part of our “Road to 2021 at Walt Disney World” series. Check out the rest of the guides for the latest information.
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