Changes Are Coming to Disney World’s Lightning Lanes

There are changes coming to Disney World’s Lightning Lanes this summer and it is important to understand the what, when and how. These changes will take effect on July 24th, so the My Disney Experience app will experience some changes as of that date.

 

If you have a trip during those dates or coming soon after, it will be very important to understand the new system. One of the great parts of the new system is that you will now be able to pre-plan all of your Lightning Lanes BEFORE your trip! This is something that guests have been asking for for a long time, so it is nice to know that Disney has been listening to that feedback. This should help to relieve some of the stress guests have been experiencing using the Genie+ system over the last few years. 

 

Let’s go over what we know so far and how you can be prepare to use it as of July 24th!

 

New Names and Lingo

 

Genie+ will be switching over to a new name called Lightning Lane Multi Pass, and the current Individual Lightning Lanes will be renamed Lightning Lane Single Pass.

 

You will be able to purchase the Multi Pass, which will give you access to most of the Lightning Lanes in the parks. There are a few select rides that are not available with the Multi Pass, and you can purchase those individually with the Single Pass. So for each park day, you will have access to purchase the Multi Pass and up to 2 Single Passes per person.

 

 

Lightning Lane Multi Pass

 

The Multi Pass is just a new name for Genie+, except now it gives you the option to pre-plan. When you purchase Multi Pass for a park day, you will have access to pre-book up to 3 Lightning Lanes for one park per day. The 3 advanced selections can only be in one park, you cannot spread them out over multiple parks.

 

For each park (except Animal Kingdom), there are tier levels. That means you can make 1 selection from Group 1 and 2 selections from Group 2 (or you can make all 3 selections from Group 2 if you’d like). Below are the different group levels for the rides at each park:

 

 

So as an example, here are 3 selections you could pre-book in advance with the Multi Pass at Magic Kingdom:

• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Haunted Mansion

 

Once you are at the park and you have used your first Multi Pass Lightning Lane, you can go in the app and select another one. Every time you use a Multi Pass Lightning Lane, the app will let you book another one. Easy peasy!

 

If you plan to park hop, then your first 3 pre-booked rides must all be in the same park. Once you arrive at the park and start using your Lightning Lanes, the ones you will subsequently book while in the park can be for a different park you plan to park hop to later in the day.

 

Lightning Lane Single Pass

 

The Single Pass Lightning Lanes are an additional purchase you can make outside of the Multi Pass. There are 5 rides in total that qualify for the Single Pass and if you would like to access the Lightning Lanes for those rides, then you can also pre-purchase and schedule those rides in advance. You are able to purchase up to

 

With both the Multi Pass and the Single Pass, you will be showing up to each park with either 5 (Magic Kingdom) or 4 Lightning Lanes already booked and ready to go!

 

When can you Pre-Plan?

 

If you are a Disney Resort Guest, then you will have access to start pre-planning 7 days prior to your check-in day at 7am EST. You will have access to book for all of your park days up to a maximum of 14 days.

 

If you are not staying at a Disney Resort, then you will only have access to pre-plan as of 3 days prior to the first date on your tickets. You will have access to book for all the days on your ticket for the validity period of your ticket.

 

This is a great reason to stay at a Disney Resort, because then you will get first pick of the Lightning Lanes. This is one of the best on-site perks I have seen since 2020!

 

It is important to note that Disney has said that international guests will not have access to pre-book Lightning Lanes, and they will only have access once they enter the US. We shall see how that plays out on July 24th.

 

Need Help?

 

All of these changes can seem overwhelming, but there is help! If you are looking to book a trip to Disney and need help/guidance on how to plan your trip, don’t despair. Just click on the link below to request a quote with Click the Mouse and I will be able to guide you through the entire planning process!

 

 

Our preferred travel agency is Click the Mouse. They specialize in Disney destinations and will help you plan out all the little details. Best part is that their services are FREE when you book your vacation with them. Personalized service at no extra cost to you! To get a quote from a Click the Mouse travel agent, simply click on the quote button below and they will be back in touch with you:
 
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