ORLANDO, Fla. — Looking to skip the line at a Walt Disney World attraction? Starting in July, there will be a new way to quickly board the Millennium Falcon or Tiana's Bayou Adventure with the theme park's new Lightning Lane Pass.
According to Disney, the Genie+ ride reservation service will sunset by July 24, 2024, and the Lightning Lane Pass system will take its place. Genie+ was launched back in 2021, replacing the old FastPass system that debuted back in 1999 and evolved over the years.
At the time of its launch, Genie+ was touted for its convenience because the service was a built-in option for the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps. Now, less than three years after its debut, Genie+ is being replaced, or at the very least rebranded.
Here's what you need to know about the new Lightning Lane Pass, launching on July 24.
What's the difference between Genie+ and Lightning Lane Pass?
You might be thinking that the Lightning Lane isn't really a new thing — there's already a single-attraction Individual Lightning Lane option that exists. And that isn't going away but is rather getting a rename to Lightning Lane Single Pass.
A Lightning Lane Multi Pass will replace Genie+ and operate similarly: select the attractions you want ahead of time and then join the virtual queue before getting on the ride.
Aside from a name change, there's not too much that is different. Both options for the Lightning Lane Pass must be bought through the My Disney Experience app. Prices, like Disney tickets and existing Genie+ passes, vary depending on the day and park.
You can buy both a Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass for the same day at the park since there isn't overlap with attractions.
What has changed: According to Disney, you can buy Lightning Lane passes days in advance of your trip, choose the attractions and arrival times before buying the pass and make plans for multiple days at the same time.
Why are they getting rid of Genie+?
There's no official answer as to why Genie+ is transitioning to the Lightning Lane Pass system.
How the Lightning Lane Pass works
Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Ahead of your trip to Disney, each guest who purchases a Lightning Lane Multi Pass will have the option to choose up to three select attractions to use the express pass. Disney says after guests ride their first selected attraction, they have an option to add one more ride to the Lightning Lane Multi Pass, if there's availability.
Disney says it will suggest times for each attraction based on your already-scheduled itinerary but will provide other available time slots for guests to choose from.
Lightning Lane Single Pass: The Lightning Lane Single Pass is for some of Disney's most popular and in-demand attractions at each park, including the Tron Lightcycle/Run, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Avatar Flight of Passage and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
These attractions are not offered as an option for the Lightning Lane Multi Pass. However, you can buy up to two Lightning Lane Single Passes per day and use them in addition to the Multi Pass.
For more information and a full list of Lightning Lane eligible attractions, click or tap here.