Disney Just Announced Major Changes to Its Genie+ System — What to Know

Disney's Genie+ is evolving! Forget pre-booking Lightning Lane selections. Now, guests can only book on the day of their visit. Individual Lightning Lane purchases remain unchanged. This aims to reduce planning stress and improve guest experience. Prices will vary daily, influenced by park demand. Stay tuned for exact launch date and park-specific details on these updated reservation procedures.

What’s Changing with Genie+?

The biggest change revolves around how you’ll access Lightning Lane entrances (the replacement for the old FastPass system). Previously, Genie+ allowed you to book attractions one at a time, throughout the day, across all parks. The new system is being tweaked to offer more flexibility, but with some restrictions. Here’s a breakdown of the key changes:

Individual Lightning Lane Selections Remain: The popular, high-demand attractions (like Rise of the Resistance at Disney's Hollywood Studios or Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom) will continue to be offered as individual Lightning Lane selections. These are purchased separately from Genie+, and their prices fluctuate based on demand.

Park Reservations and Genie+: At Walt Disney World, you will now be able to make Genie+ selections for a park only if you have a valid park reservation for that park.

Attraction Availability: Disney is aiming to better manage Genie+ inventory, potentially increasing the availability of Lightning Lane passes throughout the day.

A Detailed Look: New Updates to Genie+

To give you a clearer picture, here's a table summarizing the changes to the Genie+ system:

Feature	Old System	New System
Park Reservation Requirement for Genie+ at Walt Disney World	Not Required. Guests could purchase Genie+ and attempt to book rides across multiple parks, regardless of park reservation.	Required. Guests must have a park reservation for a specific park to make Genie+ selections in that park.
Impact on Park Hopping	Guests could start booking in a different park from 2 PM, without needing a reservation for it.	If park hopping, you can only begin making Genie+ selections in your second park at or after 2:00 PM, provided you have entered that park.
Individual Lightning Lane Purchases	Available for select, high-demand attractions, purchased separately from Genie+.	Remains the same. High-demand attractions will still require individual Lightning Lane purchases.
Goal of Changes	N/A	Improve guest experience by managing crowds and increasing Lightning Lane availability.

Why is Disney Making These Changes?

Disney states that these updates are designed to improve the overall guest experience. By tying Genie+ to park reservations, they hope to better distribute crowds and reduce wait times. The aim is to make the Genie+ service more effective for those who choose to purchase it.

However, some critics argue that this adds another layer of complexity to the already intricate Disney vacation planning process. It forces guests to commit to a specific park early in the day, potentially limiting flexibility and spontaneous decisions.

How Will These Changes Affect Your Trip Planning?

Here's what you need to consider when planning your next Disney vacation:

Park Reservations are Crucial: Securing park reservations well in advance is now even more critical, especially for popular parks like Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.

Strategic Park Hopping: If you plan to park hop, prioritize using Genie+ in your first park and save your individual Lightning Lane purchases for your second park, or plan to use Genie+ in your second park only after 2PM.

Budgeting: Remember to factor in the cost of both Genie+ and individual Lightning Lane selections. Prices for both fluctuate based on demand.

Early Bird Gets the Worm: Be ready to make your first Genie+ selection at 7:00 AM, and book individual Lightning Lane passes as soon as your booking window opens.

Tips for Maximizing Genie+ Under the New System

Even with these changes, Genie+ can still be a valuable tool for minimizing wait times. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of the system:

Plan Your Day: Have a general idea of which attractions you want to experience in each park.

Prioritize High-Demand Rides: Book Lightning Lane passes for the most popular attractions first.

Utilize the Tip Board: Check the Genie+ Tip Board in the My Disney Experience app to see real-time wait times and attraction availability.

Be Flexible: Be prepared to adjust your plans based on availability and wait times.

The Bottom Line

These changes to Disney's Genie+ system represent a significant shift in how guests will access attractions. While the goal is to improve the overall experience, it's crucial to understand how these changes will impact your trip planning. By staying informed and adapting your strategy, you can still make the most of your Disney vacation and minimize your time spent in line. Remember to book your park reservations early, prioritize your must-do attractions, and be prepared to adjust your plans as needed. Happy planning, and have a magical trip!