Book Before You Arrive: Big Lightning Lane Updates Coming
Disney is finally rolling out a much-needed update to its Genie+ service. Starting July 24, Walt Disney World guests will no longer need to wake early and scramble to make ride reservations. Instead, users can book rides up to seven days before they visit the parks.
Here are the bullet points:
- Guests with Disney World hotel reservations can make selections seven days in advance. They can also book rides for their entire stay (up to 14 days).
- Guests without hotel reservations can make selections three days in advance.
- Guests can make their selections before purchasing the service.
- Once guests use a selection, they can make another in the My Disney Experience app.
- Finally, Disney is updating Genie+’s confusing terminology.
Unfortunately, Disneyland guests will still need to purchase Lightning Lanes on the day of their visit.
This is a throwback to Disney’s FastPass+, albeit with a paywall. Guests used to be able to book rides 30 or 60 days before their park visit, which made planning dining reservations and other activities much easier. Genie+ has always felt more chaotic than that. Guests have to wake early to purchase the service before stressing over Slinky Dog Dash as the clock strikes 7.
So long, Genie+
The Disney Genie+ service is being renamed to Lightning Lane Multi Pass. An Individual Lightning Lane is now a Lightning Lane Single Pass. It’s still wordy, but much more intuitive. The free Genie service name remains.
Also, did anyone else’s brain immediately go to The 5th Element? Great movie.
Making Lightning Lane Selections
Disney World guests will be able to make up to three Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections in advance (seven days for hotel guests, three for all others). Just as awesome, users will now be able to select from several times, not just the next available. Guests can make two Lightning Lane Single Passes in advance, as well. Each Lightning Lane Single Pass will be an extra fee.
Guests will not be charged until after they’ve made their selections. If you don’t find what you want, you can back out. That’s a great feature.
Disney promises an improved user experience in the Disney World and Disneyland apps, as well. Guests will be able to make selections in fewer steps. These changes take effect on July 24. Read more about the update at the Disney Parks Blog.