Disney World guests are in for big changes using Lighting Lane! Find out the details!
Get ready for some big changes to Genie+ and Lightning Lane! Here’s the scoop on how and when you can use new ways for the service at Walt Disney World!
Like it or not, Genie+ and Lightning Lane have become vital parts of every Disney park guest’s experience. It may seem a bit of a costly hassle but many guests are willing to pay a bit extra to cut the lines and not have to wait as long for a shot at an early seat on a big attraction.
The system hasn’t been perfect with complaints on how it works along with the costs. Still, Disney is continuing and as it happens, starting July 24, there will be some changes that streamline the experience and that includes the name.
From now, it will no longer be Genie+ but Lightning Lane Multi Pass while the original Lightning Lane becomes LIghtning Lane Single Pass. The rates are expected to stay the same with the ability to buy each pass separately.
So how does it work?
How the new LL works
Guests can make Lightning Lane plans ahead of arrival, 7 days in advance for resort guests, and 3 days in advance for non-resort guests. With the MultiPlan, guests can book up to 3 rides per day in one park but notably there's now a “tier” system for Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios. You can pick one attraction from the first tier and two from the second in advance of your visit.
TIER 1:
Magic Kingdom:
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Jungle Cruise
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Space Mountain
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
EPCOT:
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
- Frozen Ever After
- Soarin’ Around the World
Hollywood Studios:
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
- Slinky Dog Dash
TIER 2:
Magic Kingdom:
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Haunted Mansion
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- “it’s a small world”
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- Mad Tea Party
- Mickey's Philharmagic
- Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club
- The Barnstormer
- Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- Journey of the Little Mermaid
EPCOT:
- Journey Into Imagination with Figment
- Living with the Land
- Mission: SPACE
- Spaceship Earth
- The Seas with Nemo & Friends
- Turtle Talk with Crush
- Disney-Pixar Short Film Festival
Hollywood Studios:
- The Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror
- Toy Story Mania!
- Alien Swirling Saucers
- Star Tours: The Adventure Continues
- Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
- Disney Junior Play and Dance!
- Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
- Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
- Muppet*Vision 3D
As you may have noticed, the Animal Kingdom is exempt from this system, no doubt due to a smaller number of high profile rides. Thus, you can group any three DAK rides together.
After completing their first Lightning Lane experience of the day, visitors with the Multi Pass can check the app to book additional Lightning Lanes, as available. Guests with Park Hoppers can book Lightning Lanes at other parks, in addition to the park for which they bought Multi Pass for the day.
As usual, the available rides may shift day to day so be sure to check out the Disney app on the day of your visit to make sure what you can get on. Also, Disney states that the usual complimentary services of Genie will be available on the new LL apps.
This isn't unlike how the old Fast Pass+ system worked with shortening the lead time before booking. There will be no doubt complications with folks trying to book the bigger rides but hopefully Disney can prepare for that.
So far, this is only for Disney World although it’s likely the changes will come to Disneyland in the future. The changes take hold on July 24, so get ready for a farewell to the Genie and changes to how you use Lightning Lane to get the most out of your WDW visit.