Have you ever wished you had a “Genie” that could grant you any wish you want? Well Disney is “kinda” doing just that with the introduction of Genie Service and Genie+.
Yes, FastPass+ is being retired. And the new way to “skip the lines” is coming this fall and yes there will be a cost. However, there are some new features we think you may really enjoy and they are free!
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?
What do you need to know about this new service? Here we are breaking down the highlights, and as soon as we are able to experience it first hand, we will share our feedback, and how you can use this tool to help you plan a great Disney Vacation.
There is no substitute for your awesome Travel Advisor who specializes in Disney. They take the time to get to know YOU and YOUR FAMILY’s unique need to plan your park days, where to dine, the best resort, and how to pace yourself at the parks. The app will complement the services of your Travel Advisor. Best of all, your Travel Advisor can show you HOW to get the most from the app and use the enhanced features.
The Genie service can be an asset during your trip, and we are actually pretty excited about how it can help you during your park days to help you fit in more experiences.
Both Disney Genie Service and Disney Genie+ Service will be part of the My Disney Experience app and Disneyland app.
WHAT IS DISNEY GENIE? – The Complimentary Portion
Most of what is included in the free part is already part of the existing apps. They will just be repurposed.
- Personalized day optimizer – new feature
- Based on your interest, Genie will come up with a park plan to help you optimize your time in the parks.
- Real-time tip board – new feature
- Forecasted wait times
- Mobile Order
- Restaurant wait lists, check-in and reservations
- Virtual Assistant (i.e. chat function)
- Standby Attraction Queues
- Virtual Queue for Select Attractions (i.e. Rise of the Resistance & Ratatouille)
WHAT IS DISNEY GENIE+? – The Paid Portion
This is the new part that comes with a price tag and is the replacement for FastPass+ and MaxPass. It is 100% optional so don’t feel like you HAVE to use it. The price tag however is really not bad when you compare it to other “express” pass options at other theme parks.
Additional purchase – $15/ticket per day at WDW and $20/ticket per day at Disneyland
There will be a list of attractions that will have a Lightning Lane (ie. formerly FastPass) – you will be able to select one ride at a time and enter the Lighting Lane during your return time, once you have entered that lane, you can then select your next attraction. It will work very much like the old paper tickets used to for FastPass but using the app.
Additional features include:
– Audio Experiences: fun guides and behind the scenes audio tales
– Disney PhotoPass Lenses at Walt Disney World only (i.e. cute photos you can grab where they virtually put characters in them – think snap chat filter)
– PhotoPass Downloads (Disneyland Resort only)
INDIVIDUAL ATTRACTION SELECTIONS
Genie+ will also allow you to purchase two different attractions per Guest, per day at a per ride fee that has yet to be announced. These will be rides like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Radiator Springs Racers. NOTE: These attractions will NOT be part of the Lightning Lane option. If you choose this option, the two attractions you purchase do not have to be in the same park. So that’s good news, right?
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR DISNEY RESORT GUESTS??
Walt Disney World
The main benefit is for the Individual Attraction Selections, if you are staying on site you can purchase those rides the day of your visit starting at 7am. Everyone else can purchase starting at the Park opening time.
Disneyland
Disneyland Resort Guests can purchase on the day of their visit, starting once they enter a Theme Park… so a little different, no advantages really
WHAT ABOUT ANNUAL PASSHOLDERS OR MAGIC KEY HOLDERS?
At the launch of the program, WDW AP and DL Magic Key guests will be able to purchase Genie+ on the day of their visit. There will be no discounts either for Genie+ of Lighting Lane purchases.
PRO TIP:
We are excited to try out Disney Genie and Genie+ when it is officially released.
If you have booked a vacation package, you will be able to add it to your reservations for all of your park ticket days. This will also help you budget and plan for your trip knowing you already have it included with your vacation package.
As always, if we can help you plan your upcoming Walt Disney World or Disneyland trip, please contact your Creating Magic Vacations Travel Advisor and let’s help you get a magical vacation on your calendar.
ATTRACTIONS with Lighting Lane — the full list has not been officially released by Disney and we don’t want to spread any rumors…. for the most part we anticipate that any attraction that previously had a FastPass lane, will be part of Lighting Lane with the exceptions of select rides that will be same day purchase for Individual Attractions. The only ones we know for sure are Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Radiator Racers because they used those in their examples.
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