Planning a trip to Walt Disney World can be daunting and overwhelming. Let us help you navigate the ins-and-outs of planning your vacation with helpful tips.
There is some confusion with the new Disney Genie+ service. We are going to break it down as quickly and easily as possible.
FASTPASS+ is no more. Lightning Lane is the new FASPASS+. The biggest difference is now you need to pay for it.
There are two choices when purchasing:
- Pay $15.00 for Genie+ per person per day and have access to 40+ attractions OR
- Buy the Individual Lightning Lane for a higher demand attraction. It can cost between $7 to $15 per person per attraction, depending on the busyness of the day.
How do I get it?
First you will need to purchase your park ticket (through Disney or Travel Agent), then you will need to download the My Disney Experience Mobile App.
When can I pick my attractions?
Unlike FASTPASS+ which guests could choose their attractions months in advanced, Genie+ & Individual Lightning Lane is day of.
I purchased the Genie+, how many Lighting Lane passes can I choose at a time?
ONE at a time folks! The day of your visit, starting at 7:00 AM for guests staying at the resort or 9:00 AM for all other guests, open up the app and choose the first attraction you want to ride. The earlier the better. Once you ride the attraction or the time window passes, you can get back on the app and choose another experience!
Sooo how many total can I choose?
That is up to you and your schedule. Make your first time as early as possible. You have until the park closes to choose times.
Can I choose any ride I want?
No, not every attraction is available for Lighting Lane. But not to worry, here is a list for you!
Magic Kingdom
- 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
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic
- Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Splash Mountain
- The Barnstormer
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- 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
- Mission: SPACE – Orange
- Soarin’ Around the World
- Spaceship Earth
- Test Track
- The Seas with Nemo & Friends
- Turtle Talk with Crush
Hollywood Studios
- Alien Swirling Saucers
- Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
- Disney Junior Play & Dance!
- For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
- Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular – returning Dec 19, 2021
- Millennium Flacon: Smugglers Run
- Muppet*Vision 3D
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Star Tours- The Adventures Continue
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™
- Toy Story Mania!
Animal Kingdom
- Celebration of the Festive 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
- The Animation Experience at Conservation Station
Got it. So how does the Individual Lightning Lane work?
The Individual Lightning Lane is basically an á la carte for the higher demand attractions. You only pay for the ones you want.
Is there a limit for how many I buy?
Yes! Like the Genie+, you can only choose one at a time for a max of two attractions a day.
Do I have to purchase Genie+ to use it?
Nope!
Can I choose any attraction I want for an individual purchase?
No, there are only a few attractions at each park that are available for Individual Lightning Lane purchase. Here they are!
Magic Kingdom
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Space Mountain
Epcot
- Frozen Ever After
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Hollywood Studios
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Stars Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Animal Kingdom
- Avatar Flight of Passage
- Expedition Everest- Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
How much does the Individual Lightning Lane cost?
That all depends on the day. If it is high peak season (holidays, Spring Break, Summer, etc.) the cost per attraction will be higher. Prices range from $7 to $15.
Can I book my Individual Lightning Lane early?
Just like Genie+, you are able to purchase an attraction pass the day of your visit.
Can I purchase Genie+ AND Individual Lightning Lane?
You sure can! Since they are separate, you can be flexible with the times you choose.
Can I use Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lane to ride the same attraction over and over?
No- if you want to ride an attraction again, you will have to use the regular Stand-By line.
I already bought my park tickets for a future trip. Can I still add Genie+ or purchase Individual Lightning Lane?
You sure can! You can purchase the services now or day of. Just remember, you cannot select the attraction times until the day of your visit at 7:00 AM if you are staying at a Disney Resort, or 9:00 AM if you are just visiting the park.
Wow, a park ticket already costs so much and this is just an added expense.
True, that true. You are easily looking at $150 per person per day with park ticket purchases, the Genie+ and both Individual Lightning Lane passes. The services are just an added bonus. If you are traveling during a busy time, you may want to just spend the money on the Individual Lightning Lane. It is something you can always decide when you arrive at the park. IF you are a Disney novice, there is an added benefit of purchasing Genie+- the service helps guests to build itineraries based on their interests. This will help maximize park time.
I hope this question and answer session with myself helped! This entire system is brand new and a learning process for everyone, even Disney. Be sure to keep up with the latest news prior to your trip to account for any changes.
If you or your spouse is in the military, it is always recommended to call the Walt Disney World Resort to see what deals they may currently be offering. Oftentimes they will have discounted rooms at various resorts or special prices for multi-day tickets.
Tickets:
Military guests may purchase tickets from:
- the Walt Disney World Resort by visiting online or in person at the parks.
- Shades of Green: save 3%-12% and pay no tax when purchasing at the resort.
- Travel & Ticket Office at guest’s local base.
Another resort option for military families is the Shades of Green resort. It is owned by the United States Department of Defense and available to all military and their families. When staying at this resort, a military guest or spouse can sponsor up to three rooms for extended family. The caveat is that the guest sponsoring the room must be present at arrival/departure and while purchasing park tickets. The benefit of staying at Shades of Green is that room cost is based on rank. It is also conveniently located across from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, putting it in close proximity to the Magic Kingdom Park. The downside is that Shades of Green does not participate in the MagicBand or Disney Dining Programs. For more information on Shades of Green call (407) 824-3400.
Shades of Green
Amenities: self-service laundry rooms, ticket services, The Exchange, complimentary cribs
Dining:
Bars:
- Evergreen’s- gastropub with family friendly foods
Table Restaurants:
- Garden Gallery- buffet breakfast dining with a different theme each night.
- Mangino’s- steakhouse
Quick Service:
- Express Café- sandwiches, pastries, salads, etc.
- Java Cafe- brews Starbucks coffees & Tazo teas
- Bistro to Go- ideal for take-out or room service
Dog Friendly: no
Fitness: 24 hour fitness center
Parking: Overnight guests can pay a $9 per night self-parking fee or a $14 per night valet parking fee.
Pools:
All Ages: two outdoor heated pools- Magnolia & Mill Pond Pools
Kiddie: splash park located at the Mill Pond Pool
Hot Tubs: 1 at the Magnolia Pool
Waterslides: 1 located at the Mill Pond Pool (must be 47 in. to use)
Recreation:
Complimentary: playground tennis
Additional Fee: arcade & pool tables, Princess & Pirate makeovers, two PGA golf courses- Disney’s Palm Golf Course, Disney’s Magnolia
Golf Course and 9-hole walking course, Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course.
Rates:
There are 3 rate categories based on rank:
Cat 1 = E1-E6
Cat 2 = E7-E9, WO1-CW03, O1-O3, Widows/100% DAV
Cat 3 = CW4-CW5, O4-O10, DoD Civilians, Foreign Military
Each room rate is based on 2 adults. Each additional adult will be charged $15, children under 18 stay free
Room Options:
Standard: sleeps up to 5
- 2 queen beds and a sleeper sofa
- Cat 1 = $154, Cat 2= $184, Cat 3 = $194
Poolside Room: sleeps up to 5
- 2 queen beds and a sleeper sofa
- Cat 1 = $164, Cat 2= $194, Cat 3 = $204
Junior Suite: sleeps up to 6
- 1 king bed and 2 queen sleeper sofas
- All categories = $349
Garden Suite: sleeps up to 6
- 1 king bed and 2 queen sleeper sofas
- All categories = $379
Family Suite: sleeps up to 8
- 1 king bed, 2 queen sleeper sofas, queen murphy bed and 2 bathrooms
- All categories = $379
Palm Suite: sleeps up to 10
- 2 bedrooms, 4 queen beds, 2 single sleeper sofas and 2 bathrooms
- All categories = $519
Magnolia Suite: sleeps up to 10
- 2 bedrooms, 4 queen beds, 2 single sleeper sofas and 2 bathrooms
- All categories = $569
Spa: Magnolia Spa- massage treatments, facials, nails & hair and kid friendly services.
Transportation: buses are available for travel to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon & Blizzard Beach Water Parks. Buses are NOT available for travel to the Magic Kingdom Park or EPCOT. Guests staying at Shades of Green may take a bus or walk (2 mins) to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to catch the monorail.