Disney Lightning Lane and Disney Genie at Disney Parks

Disney Lightning Lane and Disney Genie at Disney Parks

If you’re looking to skip the ride line at Disney Parks, then let us help you get familiar with Disney Genie + and Lightning Lane! Available for select rides and at a cost, this new offering is part of the new Disney Genie+ service for Disney Vacationers, now available.

Lightning Lane at Walt Disney World

Peter Pans Flight Walt disney World

How Does Disney Genie + Lightning Lane Work?

The Disney Lightning Lane is a feature that is built into the Disney Genie + service and offers guests the opportunity to experience select rides via a shorter line with a lower wait for a fee. The chance to pay for your better spot in line is available in two ways.  Guests can purchase Lightning Lane capability on up to two rides per day through the Disney Genie+ service. As an alternative Lightning Lane access can also be purchased as an individual attraction selection. The Disney Genie Service is available as a section in the My Disney Experience App, so already has all your vacation information. 

Can You Ride Rides at Disney World for Free?

Yes, you absolutely can! You simply have to wait in line. We recommend you plan ahead to make the most of your time if you choose not to get the Disney Genie Service. Read our Disney World Ride Strategies So You Don’t Have to Wait in Line post for some ideas. 

Where is Disney Genie Available?

Disney Genie is available in the My Disney Experience App and is accessible each day of your vacation for you to plan your day. 

Is Disney Genie Free?

YES! The Disney Genie service within your My Disney Experience App is FREE.

Is Disney Genie+ Plus Free?

NO, Disney Genie+ ( Disney Genie Plus) Is NOT FREE, as it includes 2 Lightning Lane Pass options for each day you purchase it. Note: Disney Genie Plus is a per person, per ticket, per day service. 

Disney Genie+Service For Purchase

  • Disney Genie+ prices are variable depending on the day. You must open the My Disney Experience App to see what the day’s price is.
  • This variable rate service is available at $15-$23 dollar per ticket, per person, per day at Walt Disney World Resort OR $25- $28 per ticket per day at Disneyland Resort. 
  • On average, Guests can enter 2 to 3 attractions or experiences per day using Lightning Lane entrances, if the first selection is made early in the day.
  • Make one selection at a time, throughout the day
  • Made on the same day of your visit 
  • Can be used across multiple theme parks if using Park Hopper.

How Many Rides Can You Ride with Disney Genie+ Plus?

This all depends on your strategy. Typically between 2-3 rides per day. Per the rules, you’re allowed to choose your Disney Genie+ selections as soon as they become available, the day of your park visit, at 7 am. Once in the app, you will be given times to choose your first 2 ride selections. IMPORTANT. Note, that since you can only hold 2 rides at a time, and you cannot make another selection until your selection has been used, it’s a good strategy to PICK THE EARLIEST TIMES possible for the rides you want. Here’s an example. Say your first ride is at 9:45 and your second is at 11 am. Aim to ride each ride on the earlier side of your reservation time, that way the ride clears your Disney Genie+ queue faster and you can jump back into the app to choose another one as soon as you’re done riding. Many rides are not available after a certain time of day, depending on crowds, so if you select ride times for later in the day, chances of any rides being available for you to choose later are slim. 

Disney Genie Plus Rules

  • Make sure you have valid admission and a theme park reservation to the same park on the same day.
  • Disney Genie+ service Lightning Lane selections can only be made one at a time.
  • You must redeem an existing Disney Genie+ service Lightning Lane selection or wait 2 hours—whichever comes first—before making another Lightning Lane entrance selection through Disney Genie+ service. This is the 120-minute RULE. 
  • Please note: the 2-hour wait to make another selection begins when the park opens, even if you made your first booking at 7:00 AM.
  • All attractions and experiences are subject to availability.
  • Guests may be able to purchase Disney Genie+ service on the day of their park visit and make their first Disney Genie+ selection for Lightning Lane entry starting at 7:00AM.

Individual Attraction Selections For Purchase

  • Schedule a time to arrive for up to 2 high demand rides each day
  • Prices will vary by date. For example Rise of the Resistance is about $25 per person on busier days. 
  • Subject to limited availability; attractions not included with Disney Genie+
  • Made on the same day of your visit 
  • Can be used across multiple theme parks if using Park Hopper

Disney attractions will continue to maintain a traditional standby, i.e. waiting in line queue.

Can you Park Hop with Disney Genie+ Plus?

Guests with Genie+ must wait to book Lightning Lane at their 2nd park UNTIL the return time reaches 2 PM or later for all guests — regardless of whether or not they’re park hopping. So, if you’re booking a Lightning Lane for your second park you must wait until the next earliest available window is 2 pm or later. That said, you will have to continue to check the Disney Genie+ part of the My Disney Experience to see when the distribution times are 2 pm or later at the ride of your choice in your second park. At that point you can reserve your ride(s)… but only after overall pass distribution for that ride is 2 pm or later. 

Can You Schedule Disney Genie+ Rides Ahead of Time?

No, not yet. Be on the lookout for Disney Genie+ Ride Scheduling in 2024. 

From Disney: We have heard from guests that they would like ways to plan with Disney Genie+ service and individual Lightning Lane selections before the day of their park visit, and we want you to know we are working on ways guests may do this for visits in 2024. Our goal is to give you the opportunity to spend less time planning in the park and more time enjoying your visit with friends and family. While we are not yet able to share specific details, we look forward to sharing more information at a later date.  

14 Tips to help you stick to a Disney Vacation Budget

How Much Does Using the Disney Lightning Lane Cost?

If using the Disney Genie+ Service the Variable Rate fee for Lightning Lane access. If purchasing Lightning Lane for individual attractions prices will vary by date. 

How Does Disney Genie+ Plus Work?

You are ONLY able to buy Disney Genie+, in the My Disney Experience App, on the day of your visit to the parks. The advance purchase of Disney Genie+ is no longer available as part of a Disney package. And the multiple-day purchase of Disney Genie+ is no longer available. 

Can you Re-Ride your Disney Genie+ Ride Selections?

NO. Only one ride per person with Disney Genie + Lightning Lane selections. 

Can you Cancel Lightning Lane Ride Purchases with Disney Genie+?

NO. Ride purchases for Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane rides, and Individual Lightning Lane rides are non-refundable. 

Haunted Mansion Walt Disney World

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge, Batuu, Galaxy;s Edge Must do's

Which Disney Rides Offer Lightning Lane?

While many rides will surely be included in the Lightning Lane program, NOT ALL Disney rides will be included in the Disney Genie+ Service. Here are the ones that are included. 

Lightning Lane Rides at Walt Disney World

 

Splash Mountain at Disney World

Lightning Lane at Walt Disney World- Individual Selections

These rides are on the list of rides where Lightning Lane can be purchased as needed throughout the day, on an individual basis. Check the My Disney Experience App for prices and availability. As you’ll see these are some of the Best Rides at Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom

  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
  • TRON* Opening April 4, 2023

EPCOT

  • Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind Rollercoaster

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

  • Avatar Flight of Passage

Is Flight of Passage Worth the Wait?

Yes, absolutely. We’ve waited as long as two hours for this ride, but now probably wouldn’t wait more than an hour. If the wait is longer we’d highly recommend getting the Lightning Lane, because while Flight of Passage is an amazing ride, it may not be worth hijacking the rest of Animal Kingdom day for. 

Lightning Lane at Walt Disney World- Disney Genie+ Plus Attractions

Here are the attractions that are included as part of your PAID Disney Genie+ offerings. With this option, you can choose 2 Lightning Lane rides.  The 120-minute rule is something else to consider when choosing these rides which allows you the option to get back on Disney Genie+ 120 minutes after your last ride time to see if any additional rides are open. 

Magic Kingdom

  • TRON
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
  • Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  • Haunted Mansion
  • “it’s a small world”
  • Jungle Cruise
  • Mad Tea Party
  • Meet Cinderella and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
  • Meet Mickey and Minnie at Town Square Theater
  • Meet Princess Tiana and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic
  • Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Space Mountain
  • Splash Mountain
  • The Barnstormer
  • The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • Tomorrowland Speedway
  • Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid

Epcot

  • Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
  • Frozen Ever After
  • Journey into Imagination with Figment
  • Living with the Land
  • Mission: SPACE – Green
  • Mission: SPACE – Orange
  • Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
  • Soarin’ Around the World
  • Spaceship Earth
  • Test Track
  • The Seas with Nemo & Friends
  • Turtle Talk with Crush

Hollywood Studios

  • Alien Swirling Saucers
  • Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
  • Disney Junior Play & Dance!
  • For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration (not available August 22 through September 9, 2022)
  • Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
  • Meet Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight
  • Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
  • Muppet*Vision 3D
  • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
  • Slinky Dog Dash
  • Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™
  • Toy Story Mania!

Animal Kingdom

  • Festival of the Lion King
  • DINOSAUR
  • Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
  • Feathered Friends in Flight! 
  • Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond!
  • It’s Tough to Be a Bug!
  • Kali River Rapids
  • Kilimanjaro Safaris
  • Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventurers Outpost
  • Naʻvi River Journey
  • The Animation Experience at Conservation Station

Disneyland Ultimate Bucket List

Lightning Lane at Disneyland Park- Individual Selections

  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Lightning Lane at Disneyland Park- Disney Genie+ Attractions

  • Autopia
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
  • Haunted Mansion
  • Indiana Jones Adventure
  • “it’s a small world”
  • Matterhorn Bobsleds
  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
  • Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
  • Space Mountain
  • Splash Mountain
  • Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

Lightning Lane at California Adventure- Individual Selections

  • Radiator Springs Racers
  • WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure

Lightning Lane at California Adventure- Disney Genie+ Attractions

  • Goofy’s Sky School
  • Grizzly River Run
  • Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
  • Incredicoaster
  • Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
  • Soarin’ Around the World
  • Toy Story Midway Mania

What about Disneyland MaxPass?

MaxPass has officially retired and will no longer be available. 

Disney Genie+ Service at Disney

Disney Genie at Disney World

What is Disney Genie?

The Disney Genie service puts you in control of how you vacation and matches you up with your favorite things! The Disney Genie service includes Disney Parks audio experiences, AR lenses for Walt Disney World Resort guests. And offers unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads for Disneyland Resort guests.  

  • Personalized Itinerary Feature That You Create.
  • Your itinerary is updated throughout the day.
  • Find your attractions, shows, and characters faster! 
  • Join a Disney Virtual queue at certain attractions.
  • Make Dining Reservations
  • Make Experience Reservations
  • Mobile Order Food
  • Get Help from a Virtual Assistant

How Can I Access Disney Genie and the Disney Genie+ Add-ons?

Once it launches, the Disney Genie+ Experience will be available in the My Disney Experience App. You don’t have to download yet another app or reconnect your Disney vacation information. It’s all already part of My Disney Experience. 

 

Disney FastPass+ has been replaced with the Lightning Lane Option in the new Disney Genie+ Service. Check out all the informaiton on this new paid options for skipping the line at Disney Parks.

 

Co-Founder and Director at Polka Dot Pixie Co LLC | Website | + posts

Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer with an MLIS in Information Science and a B.S. in Arch and Design. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.