Hello Sonya,
Thanks for stopping by planDisney with your question!
Disney Genie+, is it worth it, and how does it work seem to be popular questions for everyone heading to Walt Disney World these days. I've asked the same things while planning for my own family's vacation.
What I love about Disney Genie+ is that it's customizable. You can choose to purchase it in advance for your entire vacation, or you can purchase it on a day by day basis. Each day of your vacation, beginning at midnight, Disney Genie+ becomes available for that day. Starting at 7:00 a.m., resort guests can make their first Genie+ selection. As soon as they enter the Lightning Lane for that attraction, or 2 hours after park opening (whichever comes first), guests can make another Genie+ selection. It's possible to access Lightning Lanes for several attractions throughout the day, freeing up time that you would spend in standby lines, to watch parades and shows, do some shopping, or enjoy a relaxing meal.
Having mentioned the benefits of Genie+, not every guest is going to love it. You can only access the Lightning Lane for each attraction one time per day, so it doesn't allow you to skip the line to ride
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad repeatedly. Also, you may be traveling at a time when the wait time for rides and attractions is relatively low and not needed. Finally, although Genie+ allows you to make reservations at over 40 attractions throughout Walt Disney World, the most popular attractions in each park are not included. For attractions like
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in Hollywood Studios or
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in Magic Kingdom, you'll need to pay separately for the opportunity to skip the lines by an Individual Lightning Lane selection.
Prices for Individual Lightning Lanes vary, but generally cost between $7 - $15 per person per ride. The good news is that you don't have to purchase Disney Genie+ in order to be able to purchase Individual Lightning Lanes. They are completely separate. If you are heading to Animal Kingdom Park for the day, and riding
Avatar Flight of Passage is your top priority, you might decide to purchase the Lightning Lane access for that and wait in standby lines for everything else.
There are so many options when it comes to Disney Genie+. If you are undecided, I recommend touring the parks without it for a day, and then if you decide you want it for a day or two of your vacation, you can get it as needed.
Hope this helps. Have a magical vacation!
Diane