Hi Cory and Welcome to planDisney! Thanks so much for sending me your question.
How exciting that you will be at the Disneyland Resort next week! There are some new things that you can look forward to since your last visit!
Disney Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes are add-ons that can be purchased in addition to your theme park ticket.
Let's talk about these so you can make the most of your time. If you already added Disney Genie+ to your theme park ticket, you will. be all set to use it once you enter either
Disneyland Park or
Disney California Adventure Park. If you didn't add it when you purchased your tickets, you will be able to add it using the
Disneyland Mobile app once you have scanned into the theme park. This time-saving feature is a per-person add-on, so everyone in your travel party must have it to use it. Once in the theme park, you can make your first attraction selection using the app. My advice would be to talk to your family about what their must-do attractions are and choose those first throughout the day. I would also suggest choosing the earliest arrival window possible so that you can start enjoying attractions. I think one of the best ways to manage and maximize Genie+ is to set an alarm on your mobile device so you can continue to make ride selections as you are eligible. You’ll be eligible to make your next selection after your currently selected arrival window has either started or been redeemed. You’re also eligible to make another selection if you’re currently holding on to a selection that has an arrival window that’s more than two hours from the time the prior selection was made. I'm happy to say that
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is one of the attractions you can select as part of Genie+!
If you decide there are some attractions you wish to experience that aren't included with the purchase of Genie+,
Individual Lightning Lanes are available for select attractions. The availability of Lightning Lanes can be limited, so I wouldn't suggest waiting to purchase if you are interested in this option.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge can be experienced by either joining the standby entrance or by purchasing Lightning Lane. If you decide to join the standby line, I highly recommend being at Disneyland Park at opening and heading straight to the line. This attraction is extremely popular, but worth the wait. It's an out-this-world experience!
One other thing I want to make sure you know is that you can enjoy unlimited
Disney PhotoPass digital downloads for each day that you purchase Genie+. All of the photos you want to have taken are included and you can find Disney PhotoPass photographers throughout the theme parks. It's the perfect way to capture all of the magical memories!
If you think of any other questions before you arrive, please feel free to send them my way. I'm wishing you a great vacation full of fun memories at The Happiest Place on Earth!
Smiles,
Lisa