Hi Sarah Jane, welcome to planDisney!
It sounds like you've done your research and determined
Disney Genie+ service is a smart purchase for select park days during your upcoming
Walt Disney World Resort vacation. On a recent vacation, my family also chose to purchase Genie+ on just a couple of our park days.
In my experience, the ability to access
Lightning Lane entrances at over 40 attractions across all
four theme parks with a minimal wait time feels like way more than three wishes!
As you've discovered, Sarah Jane, Disney Genie+ service can only be purchased in advance for the duration of your ticket. For the same price per person per day, you can purchase Genie+ in the My Disney Experience mobile app as early as 12:00 a.m. on each park day. The thumb choreography is as follows:
1. Log into your
My Disney Experience mobile app.
2. Click the three small lines at the bottom right of the app's home screen and select "My Genie Day."
3. Scroll down to the purple banner and click "Get Disney Genie+ for Today."
You can purchase Disney Genie+ service for all individuals that appear on your
Family and Friends list with
valid admission linked in
My Disney Experience.
I recommend purchasing Genie+ by 6:45 a.m. on each park day so you can be on the Tip Board in your My Disney Experience mobile app ready to book your first Lightning Lane attraction at 7:00 a.m. on the dot (three small lines --> Tip Board --> scroll to attraction and select the "LL Disney Genie+" rectangle).
Before your park days, you can use the complimentary Disney Genie service to customize your park preferences. Start by making sure you have
theme park reservations, then click "Get Started" on the My Disney Experience app home screen. Customizing your preferences will bring your preferred attractions to the top of your Tip Board when it comes time to book Lightning Lanes.
I hope Genie+ helps you and your party maximize the magic at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park and Disney's Hollywood Studios. Hope to see you at planDisney again soon!
Choose magic,
Jennifer