Disney World is changing its controversial Lightning Lane Pass yet again. Guests who plan to visit the parks after July 24th will be able to utilize the new service on the My Disney Experience app.
The new systems, Lighting Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass, which will be reserved for the most popular attractions, will attempt to combine elements from both of the old fast lane services. Genie+ will become a thing of the past as Disney moves to dispel the confusion that still clings to the term.
Since Disney did away with the free FastPass+ service in 2021, its successor has baffled both new and experienced park-goers alike. Unlike FastPass, Genie+ is a paid service that fluctuates in price and implements possibly one of the most convoluted theme park line-skipping systems ever. But it didn’t always used to be this way.
A Brief History of Skipping Lines at Disney
Disney World’s original FastPass system was fairly straightforward. Guests would approach a ride they wanted to go on; if the wait time were too long for their liking, they would approach the FastPass machine, scan their ticket, and a paper slip with a return time would print out for them. If the guest came back after that time, they would be allowed into the fast lane. Easy as that!
When smartphones became all the rage, the system was renamed FastPass+, allowing guests to book passes weeks before their vacation began. However, this system alienated new and day-of parkgoers, who either didn’t know or didn’t have time to book passes that far in advance and would miss out on the larger attractions because of it.
A huge factor of both of these services was that they were free. Genie+, as well as the new Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass, are not. But hopefully, the new systems will be able to fix the damage Genie+ has caused.
What’s the Deal with Genie+?
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There are two major issues with Genie+ that go hand-in-hand. First, it’s confusing to use. Second, like everything else in the parks, it’s expensive. So let me ask you this: when was the last time you bought something expensive that was so difficult and time-consuming to use it felt like a waste of money? That’s Genie+.
Think of it as a sort of lottery system. Guests must purchase it daily and can buy it at any time of the day as long as at least one ride is available. They can only hold one Lightning Lane at a time unless the time since they made the first Lightning Lane exceeds 2 hours.
Oh, and by the way, not all rides are included. For the most popular rides, you’ll have to buy Individual Lightining Lanes sold separately. Also, you have no control over which passes are available at any given time, so you’ll probably spend your day running from one side of the park to the other. Fun, right?
Did I mention that Genie+ hovers at around $25 per person per day?
New Lightning Lane – FastPass but Paid?
The new Lightning Lane Multi Pass system will bring back the FastPass+ way of doing things, allowing guests to schedule Lightning Lane Passes ahead of time. According to Disney World’s website, “Guests of Disney Resort hotels and other select hotels can purchase Passes up to 7 days in advance of their stay—and other Guests can purchase Passes up to 3 days in advance of their park visit.”
You will still have to pay for the service, but now, instead of being able to choose one ride at a time, you can schedule up to three rides per day ahead of time. This will allow you to map out your route in the park instead of dashing around at the whims of whatever Genie+ says is available.
Alongside the Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass, the replacement for the Individual Lightning Lane is also being introduced. It functions the same way as its predecessor—as a way for Disney to charge more to skip the lines at their most popular attractions. However, the same advanced scheduling applies.
If you’re planning a Disney trip, let us know if you’ll be trying out the new Lightning Lane services! Click here for even more details.
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