Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane: The Basics

Let’s face it, waiting in line is the worst part about Disney World, especially if you have an impatient toddler, like I do.  Disney has updated their Fast Pass system to Genie+ (with mixed reviews).  If you’re heading to Disney World, and want to bypass some of the lines, it’s important that you first know the basics of Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane (ILL).

Here’s the scoop on Genie+

Genie+ is a paid system that varies in cost, depending on the day you go (peak times get peak prices).  They generally range from $15-$29 per ticket holder per day.  You have access to order this at midnight for that upcoming day via the My Disney Experience (MDE) app or online.  You can then start booking rides at 7:00 am.  Each ride you book gives you a return time, where you will stand in a Lightning Lane (just a fancy name for the short line) to await your attraction.  Each park has a set number of attractions that you can use Genie+ for, and there are rules about how often you can book the rides (more on that in a few).

Here’s the scoop on Individual Lightning Lane (ILL)

Individual Lightning Lane attractions cost per ride, per ticket holder (ranging from $10-$15).  While Genie+ is a bulk cost for about 50 attractions throughout all four parks, ILL is an option to individually pay for four rides, one at each park.  It’s important to note that the ILL rides are the only way you’ll have access to the Lightning Lane at these four rides (they aren’t available via Genie+).  These can be purchased at 7:00am on the day of your park visit (if you’re staying at a Disney resort) or at the time of park opening (if not on site) via the MDE app.

Booking Attractions using Genie+

Okay, here’s where things get really fun (and confusing).  Genie+ rides can only be booked for the next available time.  You can’t select from a list of return times.  Actually, the only way you can get later times is to wait to book (depending on the ride, that won’t be a long wait).  You can book your first attraction at 7:00 am on the day you’re going. (Think of booking as making a reservation. You reserve a time to go back later on and stand in line.)  You can then book another Genie+ attraction when you either check into your current attraction or after 120 minutes have passed from making your current selection.

For example, on our Hollywood Studios day, we booked Slinky Dog Dash at 9:00am and got a return time of 1:00-2:00 (a return time is the time where you can return to the attraction and stand in the Lightning Lane).  However, I didn’t have to wait until I checked in at that ride to book another one.  I was allowed to wait 120 minutes and book another attraction at 11:00am. 

The MDE app has now made it much easier to know when you can book another Genie+ attraction, by having a time listed.  Yay for not having to remember!

Some Genie+ FAQs

When should I book my first attraction?  My suggestion would be 7:00am.  There are several attractions that won’t have availability if you wait.

Can I change my Genie+ attraction time?  Yes!  You can now log into the My Disney Experience app and get a different return time for an attraction.  The time will be based on the next availability. 

If I miss my return time, can I re-book the ride later in the day?  Unfortunately, no.  Genie+ is only available for a ride once per day.  So if you book Peter Pan’s Flight and don’t make it, you can’t re-book.  (If you know you’ll miss an attraction the best thing to do is cancel your Genie+ reservation. Cancel the reservation before your return time, and Disney will allow you to re-book.)

If we really love a ride, can I make a second Genie+ reservation for it?  Again, no.  Sadly, you will have to wait in the regular line as Genie+ can only be used once per attraction per day.

Booking Attractions Using Individual Lightning Lane

Booking ILL attractions are much less complicated.  You are allowed to book your second attraction after you check in to your first attraction; however, you can only book a total of 2 Individual Lightning Lane attractions per day.  Right now, this only matters when you’re park hopping, since there’s only one ILL attraction per park. 

Some Individual Lightning Lane FAQs

Do I have to book Genie+ to book ILL attractions?  No.  The two are considered separate and you don’t have to purchase one to use the other.

If we really love the ride, can I make a second ILL reservation for it? Still no.  The same rules apply here as they do with Genie+.

Which rides can I book with ILL?  Avatar: Flight of Passage (Animal Kingdom), Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (Epcot), Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (Magic Kingdom), and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Hollywood Studios).

Are Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane purchases worth it?

This will completely depend on your party and your “must see” attractions, as well as the time of the year you go.  During busier times, I’ve found it’s absolutely worth it to have Genie+.  If you use it correctly, it can save you hours upon hours of waiting in line.  Even during lower crowd times, it will depend on the park.  I don’t think I’d ever do Magic Kingdom without Genie+; however, I feel like all other parks are possible to do without. 

I know several people who have purchased Genie+ and not known how to use it, so it didn’t work well for them.  My biggest suggestion would be to get it and try it out in Animal Kingdom or Epcot, since these are both parks that you can get on all rides without needing it.  That way you have a day (or two) of trial and can maximize your park days where it’s really important.

Here are the Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane Rides by park:

All attractions on the list are Genie+ except those labeled ILL.

Animal Kingdom

The Animation Experience at Conservation Station

Avatar Flight of Passage (Individual Lightning Lane)

Dinosaur

Expedition Everest

Feathered Friends in Flight

Festival of the Lion King

Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond!

It’s Tough to be a Bug!

Kali River Rapids

Kilimanjaro Safaris

Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventurers Outpost

Na’vi River Journey

Epcot

Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival

Frozen Ever After

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – Individual Lightning Lane

Journey into Imagination with Figment

Living with the Land

Mission: SPACE

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

The Seas with Nemo & Friends

Spaceship Earth

Soarin’

Test Track

Turtle Talk with Crush

Hollywood Studios

Alien Swirling Saucers

Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage

Disney Junior Play & Dance!

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!

Meet Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run

MuppetVision 3D

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

Slinky Dog Dash

Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Individual Lightning Lane)

Toy Story Mania!

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Magic Kingdom

The Barnstormer

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Festival of Fantasy Parade

Haunted Mansion

“it’s a small world”

Jungle Cruise

Mad Tea Party

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Meet Cinderella at Princess Fairytale Hall (currently with Elena of Avalor)

Meet Mickey at Town Square Theater

Meet Princess Tiana at Princess Fairytale Hall (currently with Rapunzel)

Mickey’s PhilharMagic

Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor

Peter Pan’s Flight

Pirates of the Caribbean

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – Individual Lightning Lane

Space Mountain

Tomorrowland Speedway

Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid

While the basics of Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane are important to know, it’s also important to have a game plan going in. Attractions that you book will entirely depend on the ages and interests of those in your party; however, there are some attractions that you’ll want to prioritize if you’d like to experience them without having to wait in the stand-by line. If you’d lie to plan your strategy around character meet and greets, find that list here.

Have any information about Genie+ or ILL? Please add it in the comments.