Genie+ is Dead! Everything you need to know about Lightning Lane Multi Pass
Disney World is set to revolutionize the way guests experience its parks with the introduction of the Lightning Lane Multi Pass, starting in July 2024. This brand-new program promises to make your Disney adventures even more magical by significantly reducing wait times for popular attractions. In this blog post, we'll dive into how the Lightning Lane Multi Pass works, how it compares to the existing Genie+ service, and what this means for your next Disney vacation. We'll also cover the Lightning Lane Single Passes and highlight the new benefits of staying onsite.
What is the Lightning Lane Multi Pass?
The Lightning Lane Multi Pass is a new program designed to provide guests with the ultimate convenience by allowing them to skip the lines at multiple attractions throughout Disney World. This service offers a more streamlined and flexible way to enjoy the parks, minimizing the time spent waiting in line and maximizing the fun.
How It Works
Purchase: Guests can purchase the Lightning Lane Multi Pass only through their myDisney Experience app. It cannot be purchased at the same time as making resort/ticket reservations. For onsite guests, the Lightning Lane Multi Pass can be purchased 7 days before their check-in date. For offsite guests, it can be purchased only 3 days before their first park day. Purchases open up at 7AM Eastern time. If you are a guest from outside of the United States, you cannot purchase the Multi Pass until you enter the US.
Pre-Vacation Selection: On the day that Lightning Lane Multi Pass opens up for purchase before your vacation, you can preschedule up to 3 rides per day of your vacation. This is a huge benefit compared to Genie+ as you can do a lot more of your planning beforehand and not be stuck using your phone all day on vacation. Rides/attractions will be broken into different groups. Group 1 will be comprised of Disney’s most popular rides. Group 2 will hold everything else. For your advance lightning lanes, you may book a return time for only 1 attraction from group 1 and then 2 from group 2. You may also book all 3 from group 2, if you wish. When it comes to park hopping, your 3 prescheduled lightning lanes must all be from the same park. However, Lightning Lane Multi Pass is still park hopper friendly as you can book day of lightning lanes at other parks. More about that in step 4.
Access: At the parks, simply arrive at your selected attraction during your scheduled return window and enter through the Lightning Lane for a significantly reduced wait time.
During-Vacation Selection: Once you scan into a lightning lane, you may then schedule another based on availability. These can be scheduled from any group or at any park. This is how Lightning Lane Multi Pass allows for park hopping. While all 3 of your original Lightning Lanes might be for EPCOT, you could replace those with rides from Hollywood Studios once you start checking in for those rides. Using this system, you may hold up to 3 lightning lane reservations at a time and can continue to replace those as you use them until park close or until all availability is gone.
Lightning Lane Multi Pass vs. Genie+
While both the Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Genie+ are designed to enhance your Disney experience by reducing wait times, there are some key differences between the two services.
Genie+
Booking Window: Genie+ attractions can be booked starting at 7:00 AM on the day of your visit, with no advance booking options.
Single Selection: With Genie+, guests can select one attraction at a time for Lightning Lane access, booking the next one once the previous reservation has been used.
2-hour rule: If you have not booked a new lightning lane within the past 2 hours, you are able to book another one whether you have scanned into a previous lightning lane or not.
Availability: With Genie+, you could not see lightning lane availability before purchasing Genie+. This left guests frustrated that they couldn’t get return times for the rides they were interested in.
Lightning Lane Multi Pass
Advance Booking: Unlike Genie+, up to 3 lightning lanes per park day can be booked in advance of your trip with onsite guests being able to do so 4 days earlier than offsite. You will no longer have to wake up at 7:00 AM on your vacation in order to book lightning lanes.
Multiple Selections: Guest can pre-book up to 3 lightning lanes at a time in advance of their trip for each day of their trip. So, if their vacation has 5 park days, they can book up to 15 lightning lanes in one sitting.
2-hour rule: No longer exists. Since prebooking is allowed, there is no longer a confusing 2 hour rule. You can simply book another ride as soon as you scan into a previously booked one.
Availability: With the new Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you will be able to see what Lightning Lanes have availability before purchase. That way you know exactly what you can get before you spend the money. A huge improvement to Genie+!
Lightning Lane Single Passes
In addition to the Multi Pass, Disney will also offer Lightning Lane Single Passes, which allow guests to purchase access to individual attractions that are not included in the Multi Pass. This replaces what is currently called Individual Lightning Lanes. So what’s changing between ILL and the single passes?
Advanced Booking: Lightning Lane Single Passes can be purchased at the same time as Multi Passes, ahead of your vacation. Much like with individual lightning lanes, guests are allowed to purchase up to 2 lightning lanes per day.
Other than advanced booking and the name, not a whole lot is changing with the Single Passes, formerly known as Individual Lightning Lanes.
Virtual Queues Remain Unchanged
While the Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Passes offer new ways to experience Disney World, the Virtual Queues for certain attractions will remain unchanged. Virtual Queues are used for the most popular rides, allowing guests to join a queue via the app and receive a return time, reducing the need for physical lines.
How It Works: Join the Virtual Queue through the My Disney Experience app at designated times throughout the day.
Attractions: Currently used for select high-demand attractions, such as Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
No Additional Cost: Virtual Queues are included with park admission and do not require an additional purchase.
The Onsite Advantage
One of the most significant benefits of the Lightning Lane Multi Pass is the advantage it provides to guests staying at Disney World resorts. Onsite guests can book their Lightning Lane selections up to 4 days before other Disney World guests, giving them a head start over those staying offsite. This is in addition to the benefits onsite guests already have such as early entry, easier dining reservation booking, free transportation to parks, free parking, early access to special event tickets, and, for some resorts, extended evening hours.
Conclusion
The introduction of the Lightning Lane Multi Pass at Disney World marks a significant enhancement to the park experience, offering guests more flexibility, convenience, and shorter wait times. Whether you're a seasoned Disney traveler or planning your first visit, the Lightning Lane Multi Pass, combined with the advantages of staying onsite, promises to make your trip even more magical.
Ready to plan your Disney World vacation and take advantage of the new Lightning Lane Multi Pass? Let byHannah Vacations help you create the perfect itinerary. Our expert travel agents will assist you in selecting the best accommodations, dining options, and attractions to ensure an unforgettable experience. Contact byHannah Vacations today to start planning your magical Disney adventure!