If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland or thinking about planning a vacation, you’ve probably heard about Disney Genie, Disney Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selections. You might also be thinking “what is it and how do I handle all of this?” I’m here to help you out with this Guide to Disney Genie.

To get started, be sure you have downloaded the My Disney Experience (MDE) app. MDE is where you will you be able to access many offerings available through Genie, Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selections. Once you’ve downloaded MDE, you’re all set to get started using Disney Genie.

So let’s talk about the different terms you’ll need to know . . .

• DISNEY GENIE: Complimentary service that suggests daily plans based on your preferences.
• DISNEY GENIE+: Paid service that allows you to purchase and make arrival window selections for Lightning Lane entrances.
• LIGHTNING LANE: The line you will enter through.
• INDIVIDUAL ATTRACTION SELECTIONS: Paid access to individual high demand attractions

What is Disney Genie?

Think of Disney Genie as your starting point. Every guest who has a valid ticket and park reservation will have access to Disney Genie on their My Disney Experience App. When you open MDE, be sure you are signed in, and then you’ll see a section called “My Plans.” This section will auto-populate for the current day, so if you are taking a look at MDE prior to the day of your visit, you may have to select “My Day” and then click “Change Day” to navigate to a day that you have a ticket and park reservation.

Once you have navigated to the correct day, select “Get Started.” You will be brought to a calendar that will highlight the day you previously selected. Click “Continue
and you will be brought to your friends and family list (My Party). Be sure to select anyone who will be joining you while you are in the park. Please note that all guests will need a valid ticket and park reservation in order for you to include them in your Genie plans.

You’ll then be able to select your “Top Picks” – remember, this is not a reservation for any of these attractions or experiences. Genie is going to provide you a suggested itinerary for the day, but all reservations will still need to be made by you. Once you’ve selected your Top Picks, you will navigate to “My Interests.” You can select from categories such as “Disney Favorites” (Princesses, Villains, Star Wars, etc.), “Park Interests” (Fireworks, Parades, Events & Tours) and “Dining Interests” (Quick Service, Table Service, Character Dining).

The last piece of information you’ll provide is whether you’d like Genie to display information about height requirements and accessibility. This is helpful for parties with children and those who might need assistance at certain attractions and experiences.

Click “Display My Day” and take a look at what Genie has suggested for you and your party. Once again, remember that these are not reservations. If you’d like to reserve dining, you’ll need to do that through the “+” icon at the bottom of the app and click “Check Dining Availability.”

What is Disney Genie+?

Disney Genie+ is a paid service that allows you to purchase and make arrival window selections for Lightning Lane entrances. Ok, so what is a Lightning Lane? Lightning Lane is the queue that used to be for those with a Fastpass. It allows you to skip the standby queue and get to the front of the line faster. If you remember Fastpasses, Genie+ is similar, but it is paid and there are a few differences in terms of how and when you can book.

Genie+ can be purchased for $15 a day plus tax at the time I am writing this. When booking a vacation or ticket package, you can add-on Genie+ for the duration of your visit. If you’d like to purchase Genie+ for a single-day, you will have to purchase it beginning at midnight on the day of your visit. If you are booking a vacation or ticket package, I highly recommend purchasing Genie+ at the time you purchase your ticket. It will be one less thing that you have to remember to do each day.

How does Genie+ work?

All guests will be able to make their first Lighting Lane reservation through Genie+ at 7 AM on the day of your visit. The next available return time will be provided to you for the attraction or experience that you select. You will only be able to make one reservation at a time, so be sure to prioritize “must do’s” when selecting.

At your arrival time, you will need to scan in at the entrance of the attraction. Be sure all guests in your party scan in.

You will be able to make your next Genie+ Lighting Lane reservation when:

• You have redeemed your first selection
• Your first selection’s arrival window has ended
• 120 minutes after you made your first selection

What attractions are included in Genie+?

Genie+ includes over 40 attractions across the 4 parks in Walt Disney World. Attraction offerings are subject to change, so be sure to check the app and Disney’s official website.

Magic Kingdom

• The Barnstormer
• 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
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Splash Mountain
• 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
• Soarin’
• Spaceship Earth
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends
• Test Track
• Turtle Talk with Crush

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• The Animation Experience
• 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
• Na’vi River Journey

What is Lighting Lane?

The first thing to know about Lighting Lane is that it is actually the queue you will be using when you enter the ride with your purchased return time. Guests have been using the term interchangeably as the name of “Individual Attraction Selections” (doesn’t really roll off the tongue does it? Lol!), but don’t get confused when you come up to the entrance and see “Lighting Lane” if you purchased through Genie+.

Individual Attraction Selections are available for two attractions in each park that are not a part of Genie+. These attractions are the most popular attractions in the park and reservations are an additional cost on top of Genie+.

How do I book a Individual Lighting Lane?

Disney Resort guests and those staying at the Swan and Dolphin Resort, Swan Reserve or Shades of Green may purchase available Individual Lighting Lane reservations at 7 AM on the day of your visit through your MDE app. All other guests may purchase Individual Lighting Lane reservations at park opening.

Guests may purchase a total of 2 Individual Lightning Lane reservations per day. Please note that you are not able to purchase the same attraction twice in the same day and you DO NOT need to purchase Genie+ in order to purchase Individual Lighting Lane selections.

Prices vary based on attraction, season and day of the week. So far, it has seemed that the prices have stayed between $7 and $15 per person.

What attractions are available through Individual Attraction Selections?

Two of the most popular attractions are available as Individual Attraction Selections at each park. These attractions are subject to change.

Magic Kingdom

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Space Mountain

EPCOT

• Frozen Ever After
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• Avatar Flight of Passage
• Expedition Everest

Get Help Using Genie+

If you’ve read through this guide and are feeling overwhelmed, know you are not alone. There are lots of changes taking place each day in the “Disney World,” but that’s where I can help! As a Travel Agent who specializes in Disney, I can be your resource each step of the way as we book your dream Disney vacation.

If you’d like information about how I can help you, visit my Travel Planning page and complete the interest form so we can start chatting!