Hey Again, Teresa!
I'm glad you stopped by planDisney with another question. Disney Genie and the Disney Genie+ services are amazing tools for navigating your day at Walt Disney World theme parks, but they can be a little confusing before you've had a chance to try them out for yourself. Let me share a little bit about how these services work, as well as some details about Early Theme Park Entry, so you'll be ready to go when you arrive for your first morning at the parks!
Early Theme Park Entry allows Guests of
Disney Resorts Collection hotels and other select hotels to enter Walt Disney World theme parks 30 minutes before they open to the general public each day. While 30 minutes might not seem like much, in my experience, this is a great way to experience 1-2 of the most popular attractions at each park with very little wait. In November, my family was even able to ride
Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway,
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith,
and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror before Disney's Hollywood Studios officially opened –– it was AWESOME! And if rides are your priority, I suggest heading to the park before the early entry window begins. Cast Members often allow you to line up before the clock starts and have even been known to open some rides before that 30-minute mark (although this isn't guaranteed). If you want to get the most bang for your buck, don't sleep on arriving early at the park!
Each morning, you'll also be able to book your first
Lighting Lane selection with the Genie+ Service beginning at 7 AM and you'll be able to book a new Lightning Lane selection every two hours, after that. While the standard Lightning Lanes that are included with the Genie+ service only allow you to book the next available time slot, you have the options to choose your arrival window when you make Individual Lightning Lane purchases. You can purchase access for up to two
Individual Lightning Lanes per day, in addition to the Genie+ Lightning Lanes (note that you don't need to purchase the Genie+ service for Individual Lightning Lanes). You'll be able to begin making Individual Lightning Lane selections when the park opens each day.
I'm so glad you made your way back to planDisney, Teresa, and I'm wishing you lots of pixie dust during your upcoming Walt Disney World Resort visit!
See Ya Real Soon,
Amy