The days of Fast Passes are behind us but in its place is the option to purchase Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes. The new terms can be confusing so we will walk through the differences so you can decide which option will best enhance your next Walt Disney World vacation.

Genie+ and Lightning Lane Information

There are 3 options you can utilize to get on attractions faster. The first version is free and simply called Genie. You start by telling Genie which attractions, entertainment and dining experiences are most important to you. Genie then considers the possibilities and creates an itinerary for you to optimize your time. Genie can operate and adjust in real time, meaning that you can revise your choices at any time. 

The second option is called Genie+. Genie+ is purchased at 7am the morning of the day you wish to use it and is priced by demand. For example, a Saturday during Christmas break will be closer to $35 per day versus a Tuesday in January for $16 per day. Genie+ works similar to the old fast pass system by letting you choose a return time for certain rides and bypass the standby queue. Genie+ allows guests to wait in line virtually while they enjoy other attractions throughout the park You can read more about this option here

The biggest game changer is the option for guests to purchase individual Lightning Lanes, a skip the line access to certain attractions. There are a few high demand rides considered à la carte selections and that guests can choose up to two rides a day (once per ride per day. The prices for each varies with demand as well and range from $10-25 per person per attraction.

Lightning Lanes offers a contemporary twist to navigating the parks. Gain quicker entry to some of the most popular attractions! You can purchase individual (or à la carte) Lightning Lane entry selections for specific attractions that aren’t offered through Disney Genie+ service. Guests can purchase this option with or without Disney Genie+ service.

So, are à la carte Lightning Lanes worth it? 

There are many factors to think about. I almost always purchase Lightning Lane (as well as Genie+) because getting the most out of my time in the parks is important to me. I also usually travel with just my husband or financially solo with a group of fellow agents, so that is a big factor for myself. An extra $15 to avoid a two hour line is worth it to me. But my recommendation changes if you are traveling with a larger travel party. When visiting Walt Disney World with my family of six I would rather spend $90 on a quick service meal and try to catch an attraction just before closing or skipping the ride all together. 

Utilizing the Lightning Lanes allow you some control over your day. Enhanced planning can give you a strategic edge to mapping out your park itinerary by minimizing wait times for a better overall park experience; reducing stress and exhaustion that go along with waiting in long lines. Less time waiting in line opens up more time for taking time to sit and eat or fitting in a few extra rides. 

If you get the virtual queue and you loved the ride you can still purchase your way into the Lightning lane and ride twice that day! *That is my favorite way to do it 😉

So how does it work? Guests staying at a Disney resort can make their first selections at 7am along with a Genie+ selection and if you are trying for any virtual queue’s, those also roll out at 7am. Virtual queue’s would be your first priority because this is your chance for a free ride access to a ride that may not offer a standby line. Currently Tron Lightcycle/Run does not offer a standby line so landing a ticket through the virtual queue is the best way to experience the ride without the extra cost. If you are unsuccessful you then have to decide how important the ride is to you. Will you purchase into the Lightning Lane? Wait for the 2nd virtual queue that happens at 1pm (you must be in the respective park to attempt this lottery) or just skip that ride all together?

There is limited availability for Lightning Lane access through both Genie+ and a’ la carte purchasing. Only so many passes are sold for each hour, thus the shorter line for each available attraction. If you wait too long, you may miss out on an opportunity to even purchase a Lighting Lane at all. 

So why wouldn’t you purchase Individual Lightning Lanes? First, the cost, as I mentioned earlier. Whereas the cost may not be prohibitive for a travel party of one or two, , it may not be ideal for a family of 5 trying to stick to a budget. It can add up quickly if you decide to purchase both Genie+ and Lightning Lane selections each day of your trip. 

You may choose not to utilize the Lightning Lanes if you want to have a more organic experience. Flow through your day and not feel the need to rush through, scheduled and just go where your feet take you. This is also a fun way to guide your day, jump into line and just enjoy the queue. Spend time playing games with your kids or take your time enjoying that ice cold Dole Whip or pretzel.

It also can seem daunting to some guests to try to navigate through the app and all these options plus adding another thing to keep us glued to our phones instead of being in the moment and enjoying our surroundings. When preparing for your trip I encourage you to thoroughly explore the My Disney Experience app. Be familiar with all the ways to access the attraction options so you can quickly navigate your party for an amazing day at Disney!

While the Lightning Lane system introduces an added layer of planning and expense to your Walt Disney World visit, its benefits can be substantial, particularly for those looking to maximize their time and experience at the parks. By considering which attractions are most important to you, Lightning Lanes can indeed enhance your magical Disney adventure. Whether you decide to splurge on this convenience may hinge on your priorities, but for many, the purchase is an investment into experiencing more attractions, less waiting, and ultimately, more Disney magic.