10 things to know about Disney Genie launching Oct. 19 at Disney World

Disney has announced that the new Disney Genie and Genie+ service, which are meant to change how you visit Walt Disney World, will launch Oct. 19.

Whether you are a returning visitor or a first-timer, this new service found on the My Disney Experience app can have a major impact on how you decide to spend your time in the theme parks. But it really depends on how you choose to use it.

The free Disney Genie service is intended to help create a personalized touring plan based on your preferences and the current wait times. Pay an extra $15 per day for Disney Genie+, and you can use the Lightning Lanes (the former FastPass lanes). On top of that, you can pay a la carte for Lightning Lane access for two of eight high-profile rides per day.

Or, you can ignore the Disney Genie and do things the old way: decide the attraction or entertainment you want to experience based on the wait times listed, and not pay for access to the Lightning Lanes. It can also be used with the Disability Access Service.

Since this is something new, there will be a learning curve for all of us, and a lot of questions. So, let’s get started and review the basics, as Disney has explained it. Remember, this all starts Oct. 19.

1. What is Disney Genie, and how do I access the service?

Disney Genie is a complimentary digital service within the My Disney Experience app that can help you plan your best Disney day. In order to take advantage of Disney Genie and its features, be sure to download the app or upgrade to the latest version if you already have it on your mobile device.

2. What do I get with Disney Genie?

There are three key features with the Disney Genie:

• Tailored Recommendations: You’ll receive attraction and dining recommendations inspired in part by what you told Disney Genie service you’re most interested in doing. It even displays a good time to go to an experience and an idea of the forecasted wait. If you don’t like the recommendation, no problem, you can choose another recommendation. Think of this as your theme park navigator. New suggestions will be made throughout the day as circumstances change.
• A Personalized Daily Itinerary: Your “My Day” tab is where you’ll find Disney Genie recommendations and any plans you’ve made, including dining reservations, Disney Resort hotel reservations and activity bookings. You’ll also be able to virtually chat with a Cast Member who can help answer any questions that arise.
• A Custom Tip Board: This new feature will let you see estimated wait times for your top attractions, entertainment and dining. You’ll also be able to order food, make dining reservations, check into a restaurant, request to join an available virtual queue (currently at Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure). These are functions that already exist on the My Disney Experience App, but will supposedly be tailored to you.

3. When can I start using Disney Genie?

The idea is that this is your planning tool. In the future, you will be able to begin selecting your favorite things to do and map out your days before you get to Disney World. Any Lightning Lane attraction selections—either as part of Disney Genie+ service or as an individual purchase—can be made on the day of your visit (more on this below).

4. What is Disney Genie+?

Disney Genie+ is an add-on option. The cost is $15 per ticket (person) per day.

This allows you to select the next available arrival window for the Lightning Lane entrance. You can make one selection at a time throughout the day. You can select Lightning Lane arrival windows across multiple theme parks for those who have the Park Hopper option. 

Once you’ve redeemed your initial selection (or the arrival window has passed), you can make another selection using the app, up to park closing. So, as soon as you tap into the Lightning Lane, you can immediately make another Lightning Lane reservation. There is one change. Let’s say it’s 11 a.m. and the ride you really want to get on doesn’t have a window open until 4 p.m. You can make the 4 p.m. reservation and then two hours after you make that reservation you can make another. So at 1 p.m. you can make another reservation for something between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. or after 4 p.m. You can also change your window. You can cancel and rebook or choose another.

Additional features include:

• Disney PhotoPass Lenses: Access special Disney PhotoPass Lenses for your mobile device, allowing you to explore magical new augmented reality effects.
• Audio Tales: Discover the parks in cool new ways through fun facts and behind-the-scenes insights you can listen to during your visit.

5. When can I purchase Disney Genie+?

Starting Oct. 19, you’ll be able to purchase Disney Genie+ service on the day of your visit or purchase as an add-on to a theme park ticket by modifying your existing ticket prior to arrival. You can also purchase new tickets that include Disney Genie+ before your visit. If you have an existing ticket, you will be able to modify it to include Disney Genie+ service within the app. If you have an existing vacation package, please call the travel provider who originally arranged your booking or the Disney Reservation Center at (407) 939-5277.

6. When can start using Disney Genie+?

You’ll be able to make your first selection at 7 a.m. on the day of your visit. You can do this from anywhere; you do not need to be in the park.

7. What rides are part of the Disney Genie+ Lightning Lanes?

Magic Kingdom

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Haunted Mansion
• “it’s a small world”
• Jungle Cruise
• Mad Tea Party
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Splash Mountain
• The Barnstormer
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid

EPCOT

• Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
• Journey into Imagination with Figment
• Living with the Land
• Mission: SPACE – Green
• Mission: SPACE – Orange
• Soarin’
• Spaceship Earth
• Test Track
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends
• Turtle Talk with Crush

Hollywood Studios

• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Beauty & The Beast Live on Stage
• Disney Jr. Dance Party
• For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular – Returning December 19, 2021
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Muppet*Vision 3D
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Star Tours
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Toy Story Mania!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park

• Celebration of the Festival of the Lion King
• DINOSAUR
• Feathered Friends in Flight!
• It’s Tough to Be a Bug!
• Kali River Rapids
• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Naʻvi River Journey
• The Animation Experience

8. What is the ‘á la carte’ Lightning Lane?

Lightning Lane entry as an “á la carte” purchase will be offered on the resort’s most popular attractions. This option can be purchased by all guests—with or without the purchase of Disney Genie+ service—and lets you choose a time to arrive at the Lightning Lane entry at up to two attractions each day. These are purchsed one a time.

The attractions available for the ‘á la carte’ Lightning Lane include:

Magic Kingdom

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Space Mountain

EPCOT

• Frozen Ever After
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Hollywood Studios

• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Animal Kingdom

• Avatar Flight of Passage
• Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

9. What is the cost of “á la carte” Lightning Lane?

Prices will vary by date, attraction and park. For example, the Lightning Lane entrance to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will be $9 per person on Oct. 19 and $11 per person on Oct. 23. As another example, on both those dates, Lightning Lane entrance to Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain will be $7 per person, while Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will be $15 per person.

Throughout the year, prices may be lower on some days and higher on others. This option may be purchased at up to two different attractions each day. Check the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit for current prices and attraction availability.

10. When can I purchase the ‘á la carte’ Lightning Lane?

Guests of a Disney Resort hotel and other select hotels can make their first purchase starting at 7 a.m. on the day of their visit. All other Guests can make their first purchase at the regular time the park opens. Pricing and availability will vary by date, attraction and park.

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