“Times and conditions change so rapidly that we must keep our aim constantly focused on the future.”” – Walt Disney
When the idea of a Fast Pass by-pass the line system was first introduced, it was met with favorable reviews. Guests were gushing over the fact that there was the possibility of jumping ahead to the front of the line of their favorite attractions, especially those with longer wait times. As times changed, paper fast passes went to a digital, pre-reserved process where you were allowed three to start your day. But at least you were still skipping some lines. And now here we are, the eve of another edition of this game-changing service is upon us and, if we’re honest, it’s a little confusing. But that’s why Believe Vacations is here because you’ve never had friends like us…
Welcome to Believe Vacations’ Weekly Post where today, we are going to talk about Disney Genie, Genie + and the Lightning Lane. Meet Grace Combs. In just a few short months, Grace has become a vital member to our family. With an incredible social media presence, an informative blog and a strong passion to reach and educate, this fast-rising star took the time to study the Disney Genie service and answer the tough questions.
What is Disney Genie?
It’s the complimentary (free) version that will be added to the Disney App. It will contain personalized itineraries, wait times, tips and suggestions based on your interests. It helps clients map out their days and you can start building your interests the day you book. Your agent can help but you may want to become more familiar with it for your own interests and building that anticipation towards your trip.
What part of Disney Genie are you most excited about?
Those currently buried features in the app regarding food or ride wait-times will now be on that personalized dashboard. It will be amazing for first timers to use the maps to navigate the parks and help repeat guests find new and exciting adventures.
What is Disney Genie +?
It’s the paid for service that provide expedited line services through the My Disney Experience. Basically, pay to skip the lines! For $15 per day per person at WDW, you can select a return window for a certain set of rides at each park and book a reservation time to arrive and head towards the front of the line for that ride without waiting. Selections start at 7AM every morning and you can make one selection at a time.
There is a caveat but for now, to keep it simple, book a time to come back, ride, and then book a new reservation. If you were familiar with the old school paper fast pass system, you rode and then picked up a new fast pass. It’s a similar concept except now you don’t have to take as many steps and it’s all through the phone!
You don’t have to purchase Disney Genie + every day. You may only want to do it on Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios days but not Animal Kingdom and EPCOT day.
What is Lightning Lane?
It’s the fast pass lane, the expedited return lane, the non-stand-by lane. It’s the new language for it because it sounds fun and marketable!
What is Individual Attraction Selection?
Each park has 2 top tier rides (Magic Kingdom – Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Space Mountain; EPCOT – Remy’s and Frozen Ever After; Hollywood Studios – Rise of the Resistance and Mickey N Minnie’s Runaway Railway; Animal Kingdom – Flight of Passage and Expedition Everest) that you can pay a one-time amount to skip to the front of those lines.
From $7-$15 per attraction per person (varying by season, park, attraction, etc.), you can begin paying for them at 7 AM if you are a resort guest and you get a return window. You only get 2 of these rides per day, you can only do these rides one time per day and these are not included on the Disney Genie + option.
What are the expectations for Disney Genie and it’s services?
In the past, we were getting 3 fast passes a day and wait times were amazingly long. They were letting 8 fast pass people through for every 1 stand-by person. Disney Genie and it’s services will allow you to maximize your fun, minimize your waiting and they will do that through paid and complimentary services.
It’ll be different for every family and possibly every family member. You may only have two people who are brave enough to do an attraction with a height requirement so you’ll only need to purchase for those two guests. They other family member can shop, go to another attraction or find their own fun!
Plus, now your schedule is not tied down to building around fast pass selections you made 60 days ago. You may not want to ride an attraction during that time but you were somewhat tied to that time and attraction. Now, we have tremendous spontaneity and flexibility with Disney Genie and its services.
What is the 2-hour caveat?
If there is a popular attraction that is 2 hours or more from the present time, you can pick up a “bonus” return time after 2 hours of reserving. For example: It is noon and I book Splash Mountain for 4pm as that is the next available window. At 2:00pm, I can look for another attraction that has a return time sooner than 4pm but still keep my Splash Mountain reservation. That way you’re not held back by one long return time because of a popular attraction.
How will your Believe Vacations Agent assist you?
I will use this as much as I can for myself and the best way is to simply get in and play around with it. Our agents will be using it and sharing tips and suggestions so that you truly will feel as though you got your money’s worth. Save your brain space for the memories and not number crunching, time management, or budgeting. Let your agents do the work; you do the vacationing!
