{"id":8598,"date":"2023-07-28T12:28:52","date_gmt":"2023-07-28T19:28:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.themeparksforgrownups.com\/?p=8598"},"modified":"2024-03-06T11:46:26","modified_gmt":"2024-03-06T19:46:26","slug":"easy-guide-to-genie-and-individual-lightning-lanes-disney-ride-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themeparksforgrownups.com\/easy-guide-to-genie-and-individual-lightning-lanes-disney-ride-strategy\/","title":{"rendered":"Easy Guide to Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes – Disney Ride Strategy!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Everything you need to know to know about Genie, Genie+, Individual Lightning Lanes, and More<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Disney World\u2019s Genie+ and Lightning Lane services are two ways to experience some of the most popular rides with little-to-no wait. And, when it comes to a Disney vacation, time is money. The more time you save for rides, snacks, and shows, the more bang for your buck. However, Genie+ and Lightning Lane cost extra money, so it\u2019s up to you whether either service is within your budget. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m here to help you understand each service so you can make the most of your purchase or decide whether it\u2019s right for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Haunted Mansion – Magic Kingom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll define Genie, Lightning Lanes, Genie+, and Individual Lightning Lanes. Then, I\u2019ll explain the process for using and booking these options. And finally, I\u2019ll help you decide which attractions to prioritize when using each service, plus give some strategy tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The system is notoriously confusing, so feel free to read this article more than once and save it for reference. Be sure to share it with your travel group so everyone is on board too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Disney Genie <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Genie is a free feature on the My Disney Experience app. This resource is an automated itinerary builder. It uses AI technology to show wait times and suggest what rides or dining experiences you should plan throughout your day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Side Note: The My Disney Experience app is where you can find all your vacation plans and helpful park information. Create an account, link your ticket\/park reservations, and download the app. If you haven\u2019t booked your vacation, download the app now and familiarize yourself with all the features!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Book Genie<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Open the My Disney Experience app, navigate to the home page, and tap \u201cSummon Disney Genie.\u201d The app will guide you through the process of using Disney Genie. You will answer questions about your ride, dining, and entertainment preferences. The app will automagically<\/em> create a recommended guide for your day. Genie will adjust your plans throughout the day with more automated suggestions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Genie is a cute idea and may be helpful for those who have decision anxiety. However, take the app\u2019s suggestions with a very tiny<\/em> grain of salt. The AI technology used to suggest plans and \u201csave you time\u201d isn\u2019t very reliable. You\u2019re better off planning your own day and taking the suggestions of the many dependable resources online. I don\u2019t want you wasting time waiting in line for Triceratops Spin when you could enjoy Expedition Everest, all because the app told you it was a good idea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mad Tea Party – Magic Kingdom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

P.S. Genie has little to do with the paid Genie+ service. Separate those two concepts in your mind as I move forward!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lightning Lanes <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lightning Lanes are the physical line you stand in when using Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lane to skip the standby line. There will be a sign above the lane, and a Cast Member will ask you to scan your ticket upon entering the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“it’s a small world” Line Entrance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Genie+<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Genie+ is one of two paid options that allows you to use the Lightning Lane entrance and shorten your wait at select attractions. Purchasing Genie+ means you can reserve multiple attractions throughout the day, with some restrictions. This contrasts with an Individual Lightning Lane purchase, which can only be used for a single attraction. (More on that later.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does that sound confusing? Let\u2019s start with pricing and then cover how to book your Genie+ rides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genie+ Pricing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Genie+ pricing is not fixed and varies daily based on historical crowd levels. For instance, prices will be higher during high-demand periods like the last two weeks of December due to Christmas crowds. At the time of writing this article, Genie+ pricing has ranged from $15 to $35 per day. It’s important to note that each person in your travel group must purchase Genie+ individually to use the service. However, if someone in the group doesn’t want to use Genie+, you are not required to purchase it for that particular person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To buy Genie+, you can purchase starting at midnight on the night before your park day. However, staying up until midnight is not mandatory since Genie+ has rarely sold out. The earliest instance of it selling out was around 10:00 AM during a peak date like Spring Break. So, you may have some flexibility in purchasing the service!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To purchase Genie+, open the My Disney Experience app, tap the \u201c+,\u201d \u201cView My Genie Day and Tip Board,\u201d and \u201cPurchase for Today.\u201d Tap the \u201cGet Disney Genie+ Service\u201d button, then select your or \u201cMultiple Parks\u201d if you have a Park Hopper. Select the members of your party using Genie+, then continue to checkout. Be sure all of the members of your party are linked to your Disney account!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Book Genie+ Attractions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can make your first Genie+ reservation at 7:00 AM on the day you\u2019re visiting the theme park. To book, open My Disney Experience, navigate to Genie+, choose a time slot, select the members who will join you for the ride, then confirm your booking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The earliest time slot you can receive is when the park opens. So, if you\u2019re booking from your hotel, ensure you have enough time to get to the theme park and board the attraction during your one-hour redemption time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note that you can only make one Genie+ selection at a time. Before making another choice, you must either use your existing Genie+ reservation by going on the ride or wait two hours after booking, whichever happens first. Always, always, always have something booked for Genie+. You want to ensure you\u2019re using the 2-hour rule to your advantage!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, know that the two-hour wait period starts when the park opens, regardless of when you made your initial booking. This remains true even if you made that reservation at 7:00 AM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, one more thing, you can modify your Genie+ reservations anytime. The modifications won’t cause your 2-hour time limit to start over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genie+ Prioritiy Attractions & Strategy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When booking Genie+, it’s essential to prioritize attractions with historically long wait times. These popular choices tend to fill up quickly, and delaying your reservation may result in getting a later time slot or even missing out on the booking altogether! So, act promptly to secure your desired attractions and maximize your Genie+ experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve listed the attractions for all Genie+ rides in two categories (Priority and Second Choice). The order is based on which rides typically have longer wait times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your preferences may differ, so it’s crucial to research and identify the experiences your group would like to prioritize. For instance, if you have young kids who cannot ride Space Mountain, you might want to focus on family-friendly attractions. On the other hand, if everyone in the group is excited about thrilling rides, you can prioritize those instead. My suggestions are primarily based on popularity and the historical wait times of the attractions to assist you in making informed choices. Ultimately, tailor your selections to suit your group’s interests and preferences for a more enjoyable experience at the theme park. (Talk to your Travel Agent to see what they might suggest!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Big Thunder Mountain – Magic Kingdom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Magic Kingdom – Priority Genie+ Attractions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. Peter Pan\u2019s Flight<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Jungle Cruise<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Space Mountain<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Meet Ariel at Her Grotto<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Meet Cinderella and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Meet Princess Tiana and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Pirates of the Caribbean<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Haunted Mansion<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Meet Mickey and Minnie at Town Square Theater<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  11. Buzz Lightyear\u2019s Space Ranger Spin<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Magic Kingdom – Second Choice Genie+ Attractions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    1. \u201cit\u2019s a small world\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Tomorrowland Speedway<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. The Barnstormer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. Dumbo the Flying Elephant<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    7. Mad Tea Party<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    8. Mickey\u2019s PhilharMagic<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    9. Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    10. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    11. Enchanted Tales with Belle<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    12. Festival of Fantasy Parade – Priority Viewing Area<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Epcot – Priority Genie+ Attractions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      1. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Frozen Ever After<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Test Track<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. Soarin’ Around the World<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      5. Spaceship Earth<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Epcot – Second Choice Genie+ Attractions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        1. Mission: SPACE <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Living with the Land<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. Journey into Imagination with Figment<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        4. The Seas with Nemo & Friends<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        5. Turtle Talk with Crush (Scheduled Shows)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        6. Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
          \"\"
          Slinky Dog Dash – Hollywood Studios<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

          Hollywood Studios – Priority Genie+ Attractions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          1. Slinky Dog Dash<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          2. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          3. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          4. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          5. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          6. Toy Story Mania!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          7. Alien Swirling Saucers<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            Hollywood Studios – Second Choice Genie+ Attractions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            1. Slinky Dog Dash<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            2. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            3. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            4. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            5. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster <\/li>\n\n\n\n
            6. Toy Story Mania!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            7. Alien Swirling Saucers<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

              Hollywood Studios – Second Choice Genie+ Attractions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
                \n
              1. Star Tour – The Adventures Continue<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              2. Meet Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              3. For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration (Priority Viewing)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              4. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular (Priority Viewing)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              5. Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage (Priority Viewing)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              6. Muppet*Vision 3D<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              7. Disney Junior Play & Dance!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                Animal Kingdom – Priority Genie+ Attractions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
                  \n
                1. Na’vi River Journey<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                2. Kilimanjaro Safaris<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                3. Expedition Everest<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                4. Dinosaur<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                5. Festival of the Lion King (Priority Viewing)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                6. Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventurers Outpost<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                7. Kali River Rapids<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                  Animal Kingdom – Second Choice Genie+ Attractions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
                    \n
                  1. Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond! <\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  2. Feathered Friends in Flight!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  3. It\u2019s Tough to Be a Bug<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  4. The Animation Experience at Conservation Station<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                    Individual Lightning Lanes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                    Individual Lightning Lanes (or ILLs) are used to skip the lines at the most popular attractions at Disney World. To book these attractions, you must pay for each ride individually, and you can book up to two rides per person per day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Note that the attractions available for ILL cannot be booked through the Genie+ service.  Individual Lightning Lanes are booked separately from the Genie+ service at a separate cost. Now, you don\u2019t have to purchase Genie+ in order to purchase Individual Lightning Lanes, nor do you have to purchase ILLs to purchase Genie+. In other words, you can purchase Genie+, ILLs, or both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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                    Tron Lightcycle Run – Magic Kingdom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                    Individual Lightning Lane Pricing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                    Much like Genie+, Individual Lightning Lane pricing varies based on crowd levels. With ILL, the more popular the ride, the higher the price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Based on Disney Tourist Blog’s <\/a>research, here\u2019s an example of high and low prices for attractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n