Mastering the Art of Securing Virtual Queues, Lightning Lanes, and Individual Lightning Lanes at Disney World
Planning a trip to Disney World is exciting, but the thrill comes with the challenge of navigating the virtual queues, Genie+ Lightning Lanes, and Individual Lightning Lanes. These systems can significantly enhance your experience by reducing wait times and allowing you to enjoy more attractions. In this guide, we'll break down what each of these options are and provide a detailed strategy to secure them all at the crucial 7:00 AM mark.
Understanding the Essentials: Virtual Queues, Lightning Lanes, and Individual Lightning Lanes
Virtual Queues: Virtual queues are used for some of Disney World's most popular attractions, such as "Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind" and "TRON Lightcycle / Run." Instead of standing in a traditional line, you join a virtual queue and receive a boarding group number. When your group is called, you return to the attraction within a designated time window.
Genie+ Lightning Lanes: Genie+ is a paid service that allows you to book access to Lightning Lanes for a variety of attractions across the parks. Lightning Lanes are expedited queues that significantly reduce wait times compared to the standby lines. You can book one Lightning Lane reservation at a time throughout the day.
Individual Lightning Lanes (ILL): These are pay-per-ride options for the most sought-after attractions, such as "Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance" and "Seven Dwarfs Mine Train." They are separate from Genie+ and require an additional fee per ride, typically ranging from $7 to $25 depending on the attraction and time of year.
Strategy for Securing All Three at 7:00 AM
Preparation is Key
Ensure you have the My Disney Experience app downloaded and updated on your device.
Purchase Genie+ before 7:00 AM. You can buy it starting at midnight on the day of your visit.
Log into multiple Disney accounts on multiple devices if possible. Assign one person to focus on the virtual queue, another on Genie+ Lightning Lanes, and a third on Individual Lightning Lanes. Your accounts must all be connected as Friends and Family for this to work.
Securing Virtual Queues
Watch the World Clock: Timing is everything for virtual queues. Open a world clock on your device and refresh it as the time approaches.
Join at 6:59:58 AM: Be ready to click "Join Virtual Queue" precisely at 6:59:58. Even a two-second delay can mean missing out.
If you miss it: Move on. Genie+ and individual lightning lanes are waiting and you don’t want to miss those too. Another VQ opportunity opens up at 1:00 pm. You must be physically in the park to join the 1:00 queue.
Booking Genie+ Lightning Lanes
Book Immediately After Virtual Queues: or do this first if visiting parks that do not have virtual queues.
Focus on Popular Rides First: Popular attractions like "Slinky Dog Dash" often sell out within minutes. Have a list of your top priorities and be ready to book immediately after securing your virtual queue.
Navigate Quickly: Use the search function or the Genie Day Planner to find your desired attractions quickly. Confirm your selections swiftly to ensure you secure your spot. Don’t be afraid to get familiar with the app before your trip!
Purchasing Individual Lightning Lanes
Know Your Options: Be aware of which attractions offer Individual Lightning Lanes and their approximate costs. For example, "Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance" might cost around $15-$25 per person.
Book Immediately After Genie+: Once you've secured your Genie+ reservations, proceed to book your Individual Lightning Lanes. These also sell out quickly, so prioritize them immediately after Genie+. However, as an onsite guest that is able to book ILLs at 7:00 AM, you are already ahead of those staying offsite as they cannot book them until the park opens.
Detailed Steps to Book in the My Disney Experience App
Virtual Queues:
Open the My Disney Experience app and navigate to the "Virtual Queues" section.
Select the desired attraction and ensure you have all your party members linked.
Precisely at 6:59:58 AM, tap "Join Virtual Queue." Follow the prompts to complete the process.
Genie+ Lightning Lanes:
Ensure Genie+ is purchased before 7:00 AM.
At 7:00 AM, open the My Disney Experience app and navigate to "Tip Board" or use the "My Day" tab.
Select your desired attraction and choose the earliest available time slot.
Confirm the reservation and ensure it's successfully added to your plans.
Individual Lightning Lanes:
Navigate to the "Tip Board" in the My Disney Experience app.
Select the desired Individual Lightning Lane attraction.
Choose your preferred time slot and complete the purchase.
Confirm the booking and ensure it appears in your itinerary.
Recommended Attractions for Each Category
Virtual Queues:
"Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind"
"TRON Lightcycle / Run"
Genie+ Lightning Lanes:
"Slinky Dog Dash"
"Big Thunder Mountain Railroad"
"Peter Pan's Flight"
"Haunted Mansion"
"Jungle Cruise"
Individual Lightning Lanes:
"Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance"
"Seven Dwarfs Mine Train"
"Avatar Flight of Passage"
"Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind" (when not in Virtual Queue mode)
Final Tips for Success
Practice Makes Perfect: Familiarize yourself with the My Disney Experience app before your trip. Practice navigating to the sections for virtual queues, Genie+, and Individual Lightning Lanes.
Multiple Devices Strategy: Use multiple devices and multiple people to handle each booking type simultaneously.
Stay Calm and Persistent: If at first you don't succeed, stay calm and keep trying. Sometimes refreshing the app or trying again after a minute can yield success.
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Navigating Disney World’s reservation systems can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re ready to book your trip and want expert guidance, contact us for free vacation planning. byHannah Vacations will gladly walk you through the complexities of Genie+, Virtual Queues, and Individual Lightning Lanes, ensuring you have the most magical Disney experience possible. Let us handle the details so you can focus on the fun!