What Is Disney Genie Plus?
Disney Genie Plus is an upgrade to the free Genie service, designed to help visitors make the most out of their time at parks. Available for a daily fee, it offers access to the Lightning Lane entrance at select attractions, reducing wait times significantly. Whether you’re planning to visit Disneyland or Walt Disney World, understanding how Disney Genie Plus works is essential for a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Disney Genie Plus allows you to select attractions in advance or on the day of your visit, giving you more flexibility and control over your park experience. Unlike the previous FastPass system, which was free but required booking months ahead, Disney Genie Plus can be purchased on the day of your visit, allowing for more spontaneous planning.
The service includes access to a wide range of attractions, from family-friendly rides to thrilling adventures, making it suitable for visitors of all ages. However, it’s important to note that not all attractions are included in the Disney Genie Plus service. Some of the most popular rides, like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, require an additional fee for access through the Individual Lightning Lane selection.
How Does It Work?
Understanding how Disney Genie Plus works can help you maximize its benefits. After purchasing it, you can start selecting attractions to reserve your Lightning Lane entry. This can be done via the My Disney Experience app for Walt Disney World or the Disneyland app for Disneyland Resort.
Once you’ve made your first selection, you can enjoy the attraction at the designated time. After tapping into the attraction’s entrance, you’ll be able to make your next selection. This cycle continues throughout the day, allowing you to access multiple attractions with shorter wait times.
There’s a catch, though: you can only book one Lightning Lane selection at a time, and some popular attractions may run out of Lightning Lane availability quickly. It’s advisable to prioritize your must-do rides early in the day. Moreover, Disney Genie Plus includes additional features such as audio experiences and PhotoPass downloads, adding more value to your park visit.
If you want to ensure that you get the most out of Disney Genie Plus, it’s wise to familiarize yourself with the app and the attractions you’re most interested in before your trip. This preparation can make your park day more efficient and enjoyable.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of Disney Genie Plus varies depending on the park you’re visiting and the time of year. For visitors at Walt Disney World, prices start at around $15 per person per day, while at Disneyland, the cost begins at $20 per person per day. However, these prices are subject to change, particularly during peak seasons when demand is high.
It’s important to budget accordingly, especially if you’re traveling with family or a group, as the per-person daily fee can add up quickly. Additionally, certain highly popular attractions are not included in the base Disney Genie Plus price and require an extra payment for Individual Lightning Lane access. These attractions, like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance or Radiator Springs Racers, offer a separate queue for an additional fee, which can range from $7 to $20 per ride depending on demand and seasonality.
One of the advantages is the flexibility it offers. Instead of having to plan months in advance like the old FastPass system, you can purchase and activate it the day of your visit, giving you more freedom to adapt based on your schedule and preferences.
How Much Is Worth?
One of the most common questions visitors ask is whether Disney Genie Plus is worth the cost. The answer largely depends on your park preferences, schedule, and the level of crowding during your visit.
For visitors planning to experience a large number of attractions, especially on busy days, Disney Genie Plus can be a valuable tool. It cuts down on wait times and allows you to fit in more activities in a single day. For those with limited time at the park, or visitors who want to prioritize top-tier rides, the service may prove to be well worth the price.
However, for guests who are not interested in visiting numerous attractions or are traveling during a less crowded time, Disney Genie Plus may feel less essential. The flexibility of being able to purchase the service on the day you visit allows you to assess whether it is necessary based on crowd levels and your day’s agenda.
Maximizing Your Experience
If you decide to use Disney Genie Plus, there are several strategies you can implement to make the most of it. First, familiarize yourself with the My Disney Experience app or Disneyland app. These apps are where you’ll make and manage your Lightning Lane selections.
- Start Early: Be ready to make your first Lightning Lane selection as soon as it becomes available (typically at 7:00 a.m. for Disney Resort hotel guests).
- Prioritize Popular Rides: Book high-demand attractions first to ensure you get a spot before they sell out for the day.
- Leverage the Two-Hour Rule: After you make your first Lightning Lane reservation, you can make another one two hours later or after you’ve tapped into your first ride, whichever comes first.
These tips will help you make the most of Disney Genie Plus, allowing you to visit more attractions and avoid long waits.
How to Purchase
Purchasing Disney Genie Plus is straightforward. You can buy it through the My Disney Experience app or Disneyland app on the day of your visit. After purchasing, you’ll have access to the Lightning Lane selections for that day.
Remember that it is an add-on feature that needs to be purchased separately for each day of your visit. If you’re visiting for multiple days, be prepared to pay for it each day you want to use the service.
For those traveling during busy periods, such as school holidays or special events, buying early in the day is recommended, as it can help you avoid missing out on key attractions.
Conclusion: Is Worth It?
In conclusion, Disney Genie Plus is a valuable tool for those who want to maximize their park experience, especially during peak periods. By reducing wait times and providing access to some of the park’s most popular attractions, it allows you to fit more into your day. The flexibility of purchasing it on the day of your visit and managing it through the Disney app makes it convenient and user-friendly.
However, the cost can add up, especially for families or groups. Whether Disney Genie Plus is worth it will depend on your priorities, budget, and how much time you want to spend waiting in lines. For frequent Disney visitors or those traveling during less busy times, it may not be necessary. But for first-timers or visitors with a packed agenda, Disney Genie Plus can make a significant difference in the quality of your visit.
