New Lightning Lane Updates
Walt Disney World changes Lightning Lane system July 24, 2024
The one consistent thing about Disney Destinations is that they’re always changing! We helped our clients understand how Genie+ worked starting in October 2021. Genie+ was the name of the product Guests needed to purchase in order to make Lightning Lane reservations at select attractions to reduce their wait times. It also included things like audio tours and photo filters, but most people purchased it for the Lightning Lane reservation capabilities. While this product was available at both Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Walt Disney World Guests in particular provided a lot of feedback on this system. Disney listened and responded with some updates that launch July 24, 2024. To confirm, Genie+ will no longer be a thing as of this date.
Image: Walt Disney Travel Company©
Introducing Lightning Lane MultiPass
Example of PhotoPass lens.
Replacing the Genie+ system will be the rebranded, Lightning Lane MultiPass which more accurately reflects what you’re purchasing and what it is for.
What’s new with Lightning Lane?
Guests staying on Walt Disney World property will be able to purchase Lightning Lane MultiPass and make Lightning Lane reservations starting at 7 days prior to their arrival/check-in date. (Just another reason why I always recommend staying on Disney property!)
Guests not staying on property can do so up to 3 days prior to their ticket day.
You’ll be able to select up to 3 experiences with MultiPass per day, subject to availability, for the length of your vacation. Once you’re in the park and you utilize your first experience, you may be able to make additional selections (subject to availability) for the rest of the day.
Similarly to Genie+, your MultiPass purchase will also include the digital downloads from select attractions and the PhotoPass lenses. (Shown here with the Minnie Ears.)
How much does Lightning Lane MultiPass Cost?
Pricing will vary by date and theme park. We will have an estimate/average in the coming months, but we anticipate it to be a similar price per day to Genie+. (For example, my trip earlier this month it was between $17-$27 per person per day, depending on the park we were attending that day.)
What is Lightning Lane Single Pass?
Top attractions, such as TRON and Rise of the Resistance that previously offered “Individual Lighting Lane” will now be rebranded to Lightning Lane Single Pass. This can be purchased with or without the Lightning Lane MultiPass purchase. You can purchase up to 2 single passes per day, subject to availability.
How much does Lightning Lane Single Pass Cost?
Prices for Lightning Lane Single Pass will also vary by date as well as by attraction. We will have a better idea of cost in the coming months following trends, but I believe it will be similar to Individual Lightning Lane prices. (For example, my trip earlier this month it was between $11-$21 per person per attraction, depending on the level of demand for that attraction.)
Image: Walt Disney Travel Company©
Are the passes refundable if I change my mind?
According to the Walt Disney World website, “Lightning Lane passes are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Lightning Lane passes, attractions experiences may vary by date, are subject to change or closure, are limited in availability and are not guaranteed, and may not be available at all on the date of visit or at the time you make a selection. Price, terms and entitlements are subject to restrictions, and change or cancellation without notice.”
While you cannot receive a refund for your purchase of the pass, you can adjust your reservation times and experiences if your plans shift throughout the day. Everything can easily be modified in your MyDisneyExperience app.
Which attractions should I reserve Lightning Lanes for?
This answer is very subjective, in my opinion, because it depends on what is most important to your family to experience this trip. As your travel agent specializing in Disney Destinations, I try to uncover your priorities, favorite characters, ride preferences, etc. to tailor my recommendations to plan your perfect day. For example, a family with younger children may not want to ride more thrilling attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy or Space Mountain. Alternatively, my families with teens often love the attractions in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. I’ll help you prioritize from the list of available attractions, which Lightning Lanes to reserve first, what Single Pass attractions might be worth purchasing this trip, and how to navigate the remainder of your day in the Parks.
Do I have to purchase Lightning Lane MultiPass?
While these changes bring a lot of excitement for Guests traveling to the Walt Disney World Resort, Lightning Lane is not required to be purchased for your trip. We understand that a Disney vacation is a big - but worthwhile - investment for many families, so the daily, per person additional cost may not be in your budget. Attractions will still offer standby lines and virtual queues, so you are able to ride without purchasing Lightning Lane MultiPass or Single Pass. This service simply offers you the ability to reserve your time in line, so you can enjoy other experiences while you wait, join shorter lines when it is your time to ride, and better structure your day in the Parks.
Each person’s vacation goals are different, so if this is important to have for your trip, I recommend budgeting it in to your overall trip expenses. Personally, I have found the Lightning Lane system to be valuable to efficiently navigate the parks, wait in lines less, and ride more attractions. (Results not guaranteed, but that is why your trusted travel agents are here to guide you!)
In summary Guests may just purchase Lightning Lane MultiPass, just purchase Lightning Lane Single Pass, purchase both, or purchase neither.
Is Lightning Lane still offered at Disneyland?
You may have noticed that we’re talking mostly about Walt Disney World Resort in this article. That is because this Disney Destination has more changes than Disneyland with the advance reservation capabilities mentioned above. Disneyland will also be rebranding Genie+ to Lightning Lane MultiPass and offering Lightning Lane Single Pass at select attractions. The procedures here will remain the same.
How is Disneyland different than Walt Disney World?
We can include Lightning Lane MultiPass on your tickets within your Disneyland package booking. This saves you a step on the app and it is already mentally budgeted/included with the total vacation package price.
There will not be 7-day advance reservations in Disneyland. You’ll still make these selections within the Disneyland app on the day you are visiting the park and want to utilize the Lightning Lane services.
This purchase includes all of your PhotoPass photo downloads for the entire day. You’ll also have access to those fun photo lens filters in the Disneyland app.
Lightning Lane Single Pass purchases will be done the day-of in the app.
Of course, if you don’t want to be on your app all day, there is a way of visiting Disneyland I highly recommend - VIP tours! By doing one of these, you do not need to purchase any Lightning Lanes that day, your VIP Guide will take you everywhere you need to go with little to no wait. (Also available for us to book at Walt Disney Word Resort. Ask me for details!)
Still not comfortable with the Lightning Lane system for your upcoming trip?
We pride ourselves on being experts in all things Disney travel! Contact us today to start planning your Disney vacation and we can make sure you have correct answers to your questions with the latest policies and procedures.
