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Disney Genie, Genie+ & Lightning Lane Launch Date & Details Revealed

Disney Genie
Credit: Disney

Big news coming out of Disney today, Disney fans! We previously shared the news that Disney will soon be introducing the Disney Genie service to Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Today, Disney has announced the official launch date for Disney Genie, Disney Genie+, and Lightning Lane at Walt Disney World Resort is Tuesday, October 19, 2021. While yes, there has been much confusion about what these three new experiences are and why it is replacing the former complimentary FastPass system, we’re hoping to break down the information as shared by Disney during a media preview. Keep in mind, Disney only covered news about the Genie at Walt Disney World. Disneyland launch date and information will be shared at a later day.

Credit: Disney

RELATED: Disney Discusses Incoming “Disney Genie”: New Mobile Service for the Parks

Complimentary Disney Genie

We say “Disney Genie”, but you’ll want to understand that when you hear “Genie”, Disney is really speaking of three parts. First, all Guests will have the opportunity to use the Complimentary Disney Genie in their My Disney Experience App. There is no separate Disney Genie App, it’s all through the My Disney Experience App. This free service will be available to help Guests optimize their time in the Parks while maximizing the fun. With this special feature, Guests will have a chance to simplify and personalize their Park experience by telling Genie what you want to do and allowing Genie to create a personalized itinerary that provides control, flexibility, and is able to re-optimize when plans change (for example, when rides close due to inclement weather). This service is free and can be used by anyone in the My Disney Experience App. It works to really match Guests’ desires with what’s available, focusing on wait time awareness and pointing Guests in the right direction so they can spend less time waiting in the line for attractions. Have you ever used a navigation app on your phone? Disney Genie is similar to that experience as it re-optimizes whenever you are on the screen. Keep in mind, the Disney Genie does not constantly ping your phone like a navigation app to lessen battery use. One feature we especially like with the Disney Genie is the ability to see all table-service and quick-service restaurants, dining reservation availably, and mobile order options right on one screen as you scroll through the Park options.

Credit: Disney

Disney Genie+

Moving on! The second part is the Disney Genie+. Disney Genie+ is basically the former FastPass system with some changes, and yes – it is no longer complimentary. The cost will be $15 per person per day. By purchasing the Disney Genie+, you’ll have an individual attraction selection from 40 plus experiences to choose from. You start your day by selecting one Disney Genie+ attraction. Disney Genie+ will give you an available time. You choose that option, go to the Lightning Lane entrance of the attraction at the scheduled time, enjoy the ride, and then select another Disney Genie+ attraction to go to next. Much like FastPass, some rides may not have availability for your desired time so you will have to select accordingly. The list of Theme Park attractions available on Disney Genie+ are as follows:

Magic Kingdom Park:

  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  • Haunted Mansion
  • “it’s a small world”
  • Jungle Cruise
  • Mad Tea Party
  • Magic Carpets of Aladdin
  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic
  • Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Splash Mountain
  • The Barnstormer
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • 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 – Green & Orange
  • Soarin’ Around the World
  • Spaceship Earth
  • Test Track
  • The Seas Nemo & Friends
  • Turtle Talk with Crush

Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

  • Alien Swirling Saucers
  • Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
  • Disney Jr. Play and Dance!
  • Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
  • Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
  • Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
  • Muppet*Vision 3D
  • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
  • Slinky Dog Dash
  • Star Tours – The Adventure Continues
  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
  • Toy Story Mania

Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

  • A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King
  • DINOSAUR
  • It’s Tough to be a Bug!
  • Kali River Rapids
  • Kilimanjaro Safaris
  • Na’vi River Journey
  • The Animation Experience
  • Feathered Friends in Flight!
Credit: Disney

RELATED: It’s Really Happening Disney Fans: Lightning Lane Signs Appear!

Lightning Lane

And now, introducing Lightning Lane. This is the third part of the new Disney Genie experience that has had us all on the edge of our seats. Disney World attractions that are considered Lightning Lane experiences can be purchased a-la-carte, with a maximum purchase of two per day. For example, if you want to Lightning Lane Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom, you can pay to do so right in the app, and even select what time you would like to ride. Keep in mind, if you plan to Park Hop, you can only purchase two individual Lightning Lane attractions per DAY. So, if you pay to Lightning Lane Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom, you won’t be able to pay to Lightning Lane Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in EPCOT. Some sample pricing of four attractions has been shared which we have included with the list of attractions available with Lightning Lane selections as follows:

Magic Kingdom Park:

  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: $10 per person on Oct. 19, $12 per person on weekend (Oct. 23)
  • Space Mountain

EPCOT:

  • Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (also available via Virtual Queue) $9 per person on Oct. 19, $11 per person on weekend (Oct. 23)
  • Frozen Ever After

Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance: $15 per person on Oct. 19, $15 per person on weekend (Oct. 23)
  • Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

  • Avatar Flight of Passage
  • Expedition Everest: $7 per person on Oct. 19, $7 per person on weekend (Oct. 23)

RELATED: Reduced Pricing Debuts for Premier Access Attractions at Disneyland Paris

Credit: Disney

AR Lenses Addition

On top of the launch date and details shared for Disney Genie, Disney Genie+, and Lightning Lane, Disney has also officially announced the addition of AR Lenses coming to the app. This will allow Guests to experience the Parks in fun ways with AR filters featuring characters like Remy, Genie, Lady and the Tramp, and even allow Guests to release their inner Disney Villain. Some AR lenses will be Disney Park specific, while others will be available right from home.

RELATED: Genie+ Will Reportedly Feature AR Technology to Recreate the 25th Anniversary Cinderella Castle Cake in Photos

Credit: Disney

What are your thoughts about the new Disney Genie, Disney Genie+, and Lightning Lane additions? Are you willing to pay for the new paid FastPass system (AKA Disney Genie+) and for individual Lightning Lane access? We’d love to hear your thoughts! In the meantime, we’ll be preparing for the big October 19 launch and will keep you updated on any additional information Disney shares about the new Disney Genie coming to Walt Disney World, as well as when news is announced for Disneyland Guests!

About Jamie Sylvester

I'm a Disney nerd! A kid at heart who loves the magic and memories of Walt Disney World. I follow all things Disney and enjoy the vacations, day trips, and weekend getaways, and geek out over the planning of such events. My goal is to experience as many Disney desserts and cocktails as possible! Married to another Disney nerd and blessed with a daughter and son, we thoroughly enjoy the magic at Disney and are here to help others experience the magic as well.

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