Disney announced some significant changes coming July 24 to Genie+ and Lightning Lanes at Walt Disney World.
Disney says these changes will give guests the ability to plan ahead, removing the hassle of doing so during their vacations. It appears that these new changes will merge (hopefully the best) aspects of FastPass and Genie+, utilizing features from both to make it easier to navigate the parks. Now called Lightning Lane Single Pass and Lightning Lane Multi Pass, these two options will roll out soon in the Disney Parks.
What are the differences between Lightning Lane Single Pass and Lightning Lane Multi Pass?
These two passes are remarkably similar to today’s Genie+ and Individual Lightening Lanes with a splash of FastPass.
Lightning Lane Multi Pass (LLMP)
If you compare the Lightning Lane Multi Pass to today’s Genie+ it is nearly the same. You pay a fee and have the opportunity to book a shorter line experience for most rides once. This excludes a few new or very popular rides like Tron: Lightcycle Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Now toss in the ability to be able to book three of these LLMPs up to a week ahead of time like FastPass. Once in the parks, you can book more LLMP once you use the first reservation. This could end up being the best mix of both!
Just like with FastPass, the experiences in the parks will be divided into two categories. Guests will be able to select one attraction from Tier 1 and two from Tier 2. The ride lists can now be found on Walt Disney World’s website, but the groups are as you would expect if you utilized the last versions of FastPass+ or Genie+.
At Epcot for example, Frozen Ever After, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and Soarin’ are all in Tier 1 with everything else in Tier 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind as a LLSP.
Lightning Lane Single Pass (LLSP)
Lightning Lane Single Pass is just like Individual Lightning Lanes but with a new name. These are the newest and most popular rides and experiences in the parks. Visitors will only be able to book two of these a day and only experience each attraction once. You can combine both Multi Pass and Single Pass to maximize your day just like you would do with Genie+ and Individual Lightening Lanes.
Virtual Queues and standby lines will remain unchanged and open for anyone who visits the parks.
As for Park Hopper, Disney has said that will be able to be used with the new Lightning Lane system but hasn’t elaborated on how or if there will be any new rules.
When can Lightning Lanes be booked?
For Guests staying at a Disney Resort, Swan or Dolphin or Shades of Green, Lightning Lanes will be able to be booked beginning 7 days prior to arrival for vacations up to 14 days in length.
Guests with date-based tickets who are staying off-site, those who are passholders, and other non-date-based tickets can begin planning 3 days prior to arrival for each day of their vacation.
If you decide that you would like to purchase a Single or Multi Pass Lightning Lane on the day of your visit or would like to upgrade or add options, you can do that via the app on your park day.
What about Disneyland?
If you are a Disneyland guest and you are wondering what this means to you, well rest easy. Really only the names are changing. The way you use the app should stay about the same. You will still be able to book Lightning Lanes Multi Pass (Genie+) for the length of your vacation when you book your trip and all experience reservations will be done after you enter the parks. Even though the app has gotten a series of upgrades over the last year, Disney heard fans loud and clear when they said they didn’t want major changes at Disneyland.
PhotoPass is also still included at Disneyland and that is a HUGE plus.
Okay, cool but how much is this gonna cost?
That is a great question that no one knows the answer to yet. If I had to guess I would think the pricing would be similar to what we are seeing currently. Variable date pricing will no doubt continue, but there may be an incentive at some point to book your Lightning Lanes sooner rather than in the parks. This may be through pricing, or it may be due to the availability of experiences. Disney has also stated that you will be able to choose your experiences and times prior to purchasing, making this feel like less of a risk. This means that you will know exactly what you are getting instead of hoping for the best.
This is a great development. Once we all get past the new names and Disney’s word soup, I think this may answer many of the complaints that parkgoers have had with Genie+. While it won’t ever be free again (a girl can dream), I was pleased to see some options addressed the issues that have been present since Genie+ launched. I am hoping that this will be a smooth rollout that will make Disney vacations less stressful and more fun
Jill Romine is a Travel Advisor for Touring and Cruises (formerly TouringPlans Travel). To get a complimentary quote for Disney or any other vacation destination click: https://www.touringandcruises.com/jill-romine
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