Disney World’s New Lightning Lane: How the Genie+ Replacement Worked

Lightning Lane was a storm at Walt Disney World this week — and it looks like park-goers were rushing to skip the waiting line and get in the faster line.

The Lightning Lane system, with paid Multi Pass and Single Pass options for select attractions and entertainment, debuted at 7 a.m. Wednesday, replacing the previous Genie+ scheduler. If the availability (or lack thereof) and busy Lightning Lanes at Epcot and Magic Kingdom at noon are any indication, the concept is already popular.

For example, just after 7 a.m. on the first day, Single Passes for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom were still up for grabs. Between noon and 1 p.m., the most coveted attractions were long gone for those who had opted for the Multi Pass and Single Pass options.

Here’s what you need to know before you go, plus some tips on how to get the most out of the system.

Where can I purchase a Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass?

Before you can buy a Lightning Lane pass, you’ll need to download the latest version of the My Disney Experience app. It’s a great day planner that includes everything from Lightning Lane options to park wait times and tracking parking locations. You can also make restaurant and hotel reservations and pay for items at select stores using the app.

First, select the Lightning Lane option in the app, then select the date and park you want to visit.

Once you have made your selection, for either a Multi Pass or Single Pass, you will click on the names of all the people in your group who would like to share the ride or experience and click “Select All.” (They must all have qualifying tickets or passes.) You will then review your selections, pay, and receive confirmation.

Guests may make up to three advance Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections for each day of their tour. After arriving at the park and completing the first experience, additional experiences may be selected on the Tip Board, subject to availability. If you have a Park Hopper, you may make these additional selections for a park other than the first stop. The Lightning Lane Single Pass remains limited to two per day.

All your choices will be saved in the app’s “My Day” feature. And changing plans can be easily done in the app.

Please note that the most coveted attractions, such as TRON Lightcycle/Run, are not included as Multi Pass. The app includes detailed information about Lightning Lane options in each park.

Does Lightning Lane mean I won’t have to wait long in line?

Well, that’s subjective: How long is long to you? You don’t skip the line entirely; you just skip the longest lines. And the wait is also subject to the whims of others. For example, around 1 p.m. on the first day of the new system, there was a 55-minute wait and hundreds of people in a winding standby line at the Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom. Lightning Lane also had a line, anywhere from 75 to 100 people, but guests moved through it much faster.

When can I make a reservation at Lightning Lane?

This depends on the type of ticket/trip you’re talking about. Guests can start purchasing passes for the days they have valid entry starting at 7am on the first day of eligibility.

But this eligibility is variable.

For Disney resort and select hotel guests (list in app): seven days before the first day of stay, up to 14 days.

For dated ticket holders: three days before the first day of ticket validity, for all entry days covered by the ticket.

Annual Passholders and guests with other types of tickets: three days prior to visiting the park.

And a word of advice: even if you can book in advance, there will still be those spontaneous trips for people like season ticket holders who wake up and decide to head to the parks. If that’s the case, get to Lightning Lane early.

How much does the new Lightning Lane service cost?

For the Multi Pass, the price will vary by theme park and date; for the Single Pass, the price will vary by attraction and date. Expect higher costs during peak park season.

Here are the prices from the Lightning Lane system for Wednesday. You will always be able to find the cost of the season tickets before you buy.

Magic Kingdom: Combo Pass – $29 per person; TRON Lightcycle/Run Single Pass – $20; Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Pass – $12.

Epcot: Combo Pass – $21; Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Single Pass – $17.

Hollywood Studios: $26 for a combo pass; a single pass for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is $25.

Animal Kingdom: $18 for a combination pass; $16 for a single Flight of Passage pass.

Sample itinerary: Just after noon on day one, for $18 for a Multi Pass for two people, for a total of $36, Animal Kingdom offers rides on Dinosaur, Expedition Everest, and Kilimanjaro Safari, at 1:30–2:30 p.m., 2:10–3:10 p.m., and 4:25–5:25 p.m., respectively.

Please note: Lightning Lane passes are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Are Multi Pass and Single Pass worth the price?

If you can afford the extra expense, absolutely. It’s nice not only for the time savings, especially on those disgusting, sticky days in the middle of summer, but also for the ability to optimize your visit, especially if you’re only going to one park. During traditional family trips like holidays, summer vacations, and school breaks, expect crowds and book early. Remember: it’s Disney World. There’s always a line.

Is Lightning Lane a good option for a day visit?

Yes, but I’ll warn you again about jumping in on what you want to book: If you know for sure which park you’re going to, buy those passes early. As of noon on the first day of Lightning Lane, all the “big” cravings were “currently unavailable”: Tron at the Magic Kingdom; Guardians of the Galaxy at Epcot; Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom; and Rise of the Resistance at Hollywood Studios. They were still unavailable hours later.

Why did Disney abandon Genie+ in Lightning Lane?

Genie was introduced in 2021 as an in-park planning tool and attraction reservation system. Then came Genie+, which, unlike the free FastPasses guests had enjoyed for years, allowed attractions to be reserved for a fee.

Lightning Lane, officials announced in June, “incorporates features from our current services and our previously offered FastPass+ service, giving guests the ability to plan ahead and eliminating the hassle of scheduling during the holidays.”

Britt Kennerly is the education/news editor for FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Kennerly at 321-917-4744 or [email protected]. Twitter: @bybrittkennerly Facebook: /bybrittkennerly