Wondering whether you should purchase Disney Genie+ on your next trip? In this guide, we’ll cover how Disney Genie+ works for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, plus how to decide if it's worth it for you.
Genie+ launched in October 2019 at Walt Disney World and in December 2021 in Disneyland, replacing the traditional FastPass systems at both parks. While the system was extremely confusing at first, Disney has made some tweaks to make things run a little bit smoother.
The service is largely the same for both resorts, offering park guests a way to access some of the top rides more easily. The only downside? You’ll need to part with even more cash to use the service.
Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about using Genie+ in 2024.
What’s the Difference Between Disney Genie and Genie+?
Disney Genie is a free service available to all park guests through the My Disney Experience app or the Disneyland app for Disneyland.
Every guest is entitled to this service, which provides free tips and tricks to help you plan your day. All you need to do is head to the app, where you will be prompted to share your main interests within the park, and the Genie will curate your day.
If you want extra benefits, you can opt for Disney Genie+, a paid service. The main reason to pay for this would be to book a Lightning Lane (which used to be the FastPass service) though you can also get digital photo downloads at select locations, Disney PhotoPass Lenses, and behind-the-scenes Audio Tales.
The Cost of Disney Genie+ in 2024
In Walt Disney World, the cost of Disney Genie+ varies between $15 and $35 per person depending on the day and park. Genie+ is valid only on the day of purchase.
Generally, Animal Kingdom is the cheapest park and Magic Kingdom is the most expensive. You can also purchase a multi-park version which is ideal if you’re a park hopper, though it’s more expensive than purchasing Genie+ for an individual park.
At Disneyland, prices start at $25 and cover both parks. Again, the cost of the Disney Genie+ service fluctuates depending on the time of year and demand.
How Does Genie+ Work?
In Walt Disney World, Genie+ can only be purchased on the day of park admission, though guests heading to Disneyland can purchase the Genie+ service in advance. Disney Genie+ sells out at Walt Disney World very often during busier seasons, so make sure you purchase it as soon as you enter the park.
Once you have purchased Genie+ on the relevant app, you’re granted access to almost all Lightning Lanes (what used to be the FastPass line), though you can only use Genie+ on each attraction once.
This system works in the same way the digital FastPass system did previously. Through the relevant app, guests can book a time slot in which they can ride a selected attraction.
Both resorts operate the 120-minute/ two-hour rule. This means that once you book a Lightning Lane, you can book another either in 120 minutes or when your current reservation has been used. For example, if you’re in Magic Kingdom at 8am and book a Big Thunder Mountain Lightning Lane for 9am, you can then book another Lightning Lane once you have scanned into the ride and do not need to wait until 10am.
It's important to note that Lightning Lanes for the top attractions can still sell out. Buying Genie+ does not automatically guarantee you a Lightning Lane (though, in our experience, it's very unlikely you won't get to ride your top choices.)
In WDW, the likes of Peter Pan’s Flight, Slinky Dog Dash, and Tower of Terror are usually first to go, while Space Mountain and the Matterhorn Bobsleds are among Disneyland's most popular Genie+ rides.
Individual Lightning Lane Attractions
To make matters a little more confusing, guests can also purchase an Individual Lightning Lane. You do not need to buy Genie+ to access this. Each guest can purchase up to two Individual Lightening Lane reservations.
Again, the cost of this will vary in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland depending on the attraction and the day of your visit – we’ve seen prices vary between $10 to $25. You can purchase this service via the My Disney Experience and Disneyland Apps.
It’s important to note that there are a few rides at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland that are not available to bypass with Genie+. It’s worth checking them in advance of purchasing your Genie+ subscription to avoid disappointment.
Is Genie+ Worth it in 2024?
Whether Genie+ is worth it for your Disney trip depends on several factors. First of all, it’s important to double-check the rides included in the service as it might be more cost-effective to purchase an Individual Lightning Lane.
For example, rides operating the virtual queue system are not eligible for Genie+ reservations, so purchasing an ILL can be better if you're unable to secure a virtual slot.
If you’re visiting for a shorter period during a busy time of year when wait times will be higher, purchasing the Genie+ service can be beneficial as it guarantees you access to some of the most popular rides. That said, it’s always worth checking the wait times in the run-up to your trip to help you make your decision.
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