Disney is once again expanding the number of experiences guests included in Genie+ on March 11 giving guests more options for their selections.
Here is the statement from Disney:
Starting March 11, the following experiences will be added as selections to Disney Genie+ service:
Magic Kingdom: Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: See Disney Stars at Red Carpet Dreams
This update gives Guests even more options to choose from when using Disney Genie+ service.
As a reminder, the purchase of Disney Genie+ service is available in addition to a standby entrance or traditional parade viewing.
*Attractions with Lightning Lane entrances that are Disney Genie+ and individual purchases are limited in availability, subject to change or closure, may vary by date, are not guaranteed and may not be available at all on the date of visit or at the time you make a selection.
Guests who purchase Genie+ have access to the Lightning Lane which allows guests to “skip the line” at select attractions at the four theme parks. A second option is to pay for Individual Lighting Lanes at select attractions (two at each park). Disney has announced an update to the attractions included with Disney Genie+. During the busy spring and summer season, Disney will be moving three of the Individual Attraction selections to the Genie+ lineup so that guests have more options when using Genie+.
Here is the statement from Disney with the updated policy:
Between February 25, 2022 – August 7, 2022, the following attractions will be added to Disney Genie+ service*:
Magic Kingdom Park: Space Mountain
EPCOT: Frozen Ever After
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
During this time period, these attractions will not be available for purchase a la carte. This will help to give Guests more options as we prepare for a busy spring and summer season.
*Attractions with Lightning Lane entrances that are Disney Genie+ and individual purchases are limited in availability, subject to change or closure, may vary by date, are not guaranteed and may not be available at all on the date of visit or at the time you make a selection.
We applaud this move by Disney. Paying for access to Lightning Lanes has come with mixed reviews. Most of those we have talked to, have not had overall positive experiences, and paying for something that was free is always a bummer. Disney changing the lineup does two things that help guests–(1) give those paying for Genie+ more attractions to experience and (2) reduce the amount guests need to spend to use the Lightning Lane by removing the need to pay for three Individual Lighting Lane Attractions. Paying for these attractions costs $7-$15 per person, which offers huge savings to guests who were planning on paying for these attractions. Now, guests have more choices and more value when purchasing Disney Genie+. Well, at least through August 7!
Walt Disney World Resort Guests have been getting used to a brand new system over the course of the last few months.
Disney unveiled Disney Genie, Disney Genie+, and Lightning Lane services as its new fast pass system last fall, meaning that Guests could pay an extra $15 per person to book reservations for attractions and use the ‘lightning lane’ instead of waiting in the regular queue.
However, the latest feature should prove to be one that is both convenient and necessary for groups traveling to Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort alike.
Theme Park Reporter Scott Gustin shared on Twitter that the Walt Disney World app had been updated to now include a linking code feature. This means that Guests who travel with a party, whether that be family or friends, can now easily link their accounts to book Disney Genie+, lightning lane, and dining reservations using a simple QR code.
The Walt Disney World app has been updated and now includes a “linking code” feature to make it easier to connect with family and friends. After you open your QR linking code under My Profile, a friend can scan and link your accounts to book Genie+, Lightning Lane, etc.
The Walt Disney World app has been updated and now includes a “linking code” feature to make it easier to connect with family and friends.
After you open your QR linking code under My Profile, a friend can scan and link your accounts to book Genie+, Lightning Lane, etc. pic.twitter.com/IJWuu8MD1o
If you’ve ever attempted to add family or friends in the previous way, you know that the app can be difficult and locations can be spotty at best. This new feature will make connecting a breeze!
Disney Genie is going to officially launch on October 19 at Walt Disney World. The date for Disneyland has not yet been determined. The information was shared as part of a Zoom Meeting with several Disney Executives who have been working on the project. They also shared plenty of information on the new service.
During the meeting, it was stated that the goal of Disney Genie is to optimize Guests’ time and maximize Guests’ fun. It will be a lot like a navigation app on your phone, with updates depending on where you are and what you are interested in. It will match your must dos and interests, and find ways for you to get the most out of your day. Any plans that you currently have such as dining reservations will be taken into account when the suggestions are made.
Disney Genie will use algorithms to determine what you should do and when. The suggestions will be not only for attractions, but dining will be included as well. If you don’t like a suggestion, you can swap it out for something else. If you aren’t sure why something was suggested for you, there will be a feature where you can find out why it was a suggestion. Current Wait Times will be available, as well as forecasted Wait Times. There will also be a Tip Board to help you figure out your next move. The Tip Board will give the status for each attraction or restaurant. Another nice feature will be that if a full service restaurant has spots available on the Wait List, you will be able to join through Disney Genie. No more “you’re aren’t close enough” messages!
Suggestions will change based on other factors as well. If storms are rolling in, an indoor attraction could be recommended. If a ride is down Disney Genie will let you know and adapt as needed. You won’t have to walk across a Park, only to discover that you can’t ride.
If you plan to Park Hop, Disney Genie is adaptable for that as well. You can include the time that you plan to hop and which park, and your suggestions will be updated. If you change your mind it is easy to put that information into Disney Genie and you will have new recommendations appear.
Don’t worry that Disney Genie is going to cause long lines because it recommends the same things to all Guests. The system will take that into account, so everyone will not receive the same recommendations at the same time.
Disney Genie will be complimentary. The free service will include personalized optimizations for your day. The Tip Board and many other features will be included as well. If you’re worried about your battery, the service will update only when you open it on your phone. That will help to prolong your battery life.
The paid extra that everyone is talking about is Disney Genie+. This will cost $15 a day at Walt Disney World. You do not need to purchase it for the length of your ticket, you’ll just buy it the day of. There will be no special add-on at launch for Annual Passholders, they also will have to pay each day they want to use it. The main draw of Disney Genie+ is that Guests will have access to the Lightning Lane. You will be able to pick one attraction at a time, and will be given the next available time. If your return time is too far away you will be able to make a second selection after two hours. The system will work much like the old FastPass system did, you cannot make selections until the day of your visit. One person can make Lightning Lane selections for everyone in a party. If you want to break the group up, you will be able to do that as well.
Another extra in Disney Genie+ will be Augmented Reality Lenses. There will be 20 to choose from. You will be able to turn yourself into the Genie, or enjoy a plate of virtual spaghetti with your favorite Tramp. Most of the lenses are for use in the Theme Parks, but some will be available outside of them.
There was also an update on the Individual Lightning Lane attractions. These will be available for purchase a la carte, so to speak. You will be able to purchase a maximum of two different attractions per day. At launch the Individual Lightning Lane choices will be as follows; Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Frozen Ever After at EPCOT, Rise of the Resistance and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Avatar Flight of Passage and Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The price point was not mentioned, but will reflect how busy the Parks are expected to be.
More information on Disney Genie and Disney Genie+ will be released in the coming days. The new service is meant to help you to make the most of your time at Walt Disney World. It is not mandatory to use, but since the basic service will be free we recommend that you try it. You could end up saving a lot of time.
“The World’s Most Magical Celebration” at Walt Disney World Resort is in full swing, as we kicked off the 50th anniversary festivities on Oct. 1 with all-new experiences and countless magical moments.
Now, we’re gearing up for yet another milestone: We’re excited to share that the previously announced Disney Genie service will launch on Oct. 19 at Walt Disney World Resort!
Available for all of our guests right in the My Disney Experience app, the complimentary Disney Genie service offers new features that let guests create their best Disney day. These features include a personalized itinerary creator that effortlessly and smartly maps out an entire day inspired by the things guests tell us they love – helping them make the most of their park time so they can have more fun.
Similar to a navigation app on a phone, Disney Genie continues to update the guest’s itinerary from morning to night as the day changes, so they can stay spontaneous and go with the flow – whether guests need a nap, encounter an unexpected rain shower or want to take a detour for a Mickey ice cream bar.
Many of you have asked about how this cool new technology works. Behind the scenes, the app is capable of magically evaluating thousands of possible itineraries in seconds – so guests don’t even have to think about it! Disney Genie puts guests at the center of the experience by prioritizing ways to:
Reduce time in lines while keeping in mind guest’s top picks
Pace the day with experiences guests will enjoy – and haven’t already done yet
Build around existing plans like dining reservations and Park Hopper® preferences
Disney Genie uses our 50+ years of knowledge and expertise in how guests visit our parks to make the experience better for everyone.
With this launch, we’ll also be introducing the Lightning Lane entrance. Available for purchase through our Disney Genie+ add-on at more than 40 attractions – or individually, “a la carte” at some of our most highly demanded attractions – the Lightning Lane entrance can save guests time waiting in line. See below for a first look at the list of current attractions with Lightning Lane entrances.
As a reminder, attractions continue to offer a traditional standby queue or from time to time, a virtual queue may instead be used at select attractions, like right now at Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
