Genie+ service will no longer be available to purchase in advance with tickets
Copyright Disney Parks & Resorts
Okay Disney parks fans, we have another big change to announce for Walt Disney World. Starting today June 8, Disney Genie+ will only be offered for purchase through the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit. With this change, holders of all ticket types, including Annual Pass, multi- or single-day ticket, will only be able to purchase Disney Genie+ service on the day of the visit via the app, one day at a time, subject to availability. Guests who have already made an advance purchase of Genie+ for 2022 dates will not be affected.
Copyright Disney Parks & Resorts
What is Genie+?
Genie+ is a paid skip-the-line benefit that allows guests to enter through a special line (think of the former FastPass+ lines) rather than the standby line. Not all Disney attractions are available with Genie+, Click here to view the list— but a majority of popular Disney attractions are included with Genie+. All rides continue to operate with either a standby queue or a virtual queue at no additional charge.
How Does Genie+ Work?
Genie+ allows guests to skip the line at the included attractions, once per day. You can begin making your Genie+ reservations beginning at 7 a.m. on the day of your visit (regardless of where you're staying). You can make your selections across all of the theme parks if you have a Park Hopper ticket (look near the bottom of the "My Day" tab where it says, "Plan for Your Next Park" to let Genie know your park hopping plans). These reservations can be made within the My Disney Experience app. One big change for people who have used FastPass is that you can only book a particular ride once per day.
Copyright Disney Parks & Resorts
Why the Change?
Disney World has been in a bit of heat from park guest about this new paid system. The expectation Disney World guest had for this system, was not being met. Most purchased not expecting the system to be so complicated, and there to be a lack of availability for Lightning Lane access. Which lead Disney to make an updated announcement, "on average, guests who purchase Disney Genie+ service will continue to enter 2-3 attractions or experiences each day using the Lightning Lane entrance when the first selection is made early in the day.”
In a post on the Disney Parks Blog the company said, "We're focused on delivering the best possible guest experience, and this adjustment will help manage the incredibly strong demand our guests have shown for Disney Genie+."
So, how will this Effect Future Trips?
Good Question! Honestly it’s all speculation at this point. But here’s what we do know. This latest update raises the possibility of Disney offering variable date-based pricing for Genie+ and giving them more flexibility in managing sales of the Genie+ service. We also understand that Disney has been exploring the possibility of offering discounted Genie+ to some categories of guests. Annual Passholders have been one group who have felt that they should have some level of Genie+ included with their pass, or offered at a discount.
As it stands currently, Genie+ sales will begin at midnight, with Lightning Lane selections beginning at 7am. A notable change in language with Genie+ is "subject to availability." If Genie+ availability does become limited and sells out, guests may be needing to set alarms for midnight and 7am each day of their vacation. Does staying up till 12am and waking up at 6am or earlier to rope drop sound fun? I hope you have no need for a full nights rest(crying a little on the inside)! For the guest that are lucky enough to snag a Genie+, the limiting sales of Genie+ would help Disney with improving attraction availability for those guests who purchase Genie+. It may also decrease the stand-by wait with less Lightning Lane guest.
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