Welcome to planDisney, Meade. You certainly came to the right place to ask your question.
First, the short version. The Disney Genie Service is currently a free service that will help you plan your days at the parks. Purchasing Lightning Lane Multi Pass will give you access to a shorter wait time at included attractions. Three can be planned ahead of your visit, and then more can be made, one for each you use, on the day of your visit at available attractions. Purchasing a Lightning Lane Single Pass will get you access to a shorter wait time in the Lightning Lane at some of the most popular attractions at the resort. Two of these single rides can be purchased per person per day. Now, let's get into the details:
Disney Genie Service - This service is currently included with your ticket and allows you to specify your preferences so that it can make a suggested itinerary for that day. While it won't make reservations, it's certainly a helpful tool.
- Once you've purchased your tickets and linked them to your account, open your My Disney Experience mobile app, click "Today's Plans," and select the "Get Started Now" button underneath "Start Here to Plan Your Day!" Then, click "Start Now," find the date of your first park visit, and follow the prompts. Repeat this process with each day of your visit.
- When each day arrives, it will show you your suggested itinerary and give you tips for your best day ever.
Lightning Lane Multi Pass - If you are staying at a Disney Resorts Collection Hotel, you can purchase and make your advanced selections seven days ahead of your trip at 7 a.m. EST. All other Guests can do this three days ahead of the start of their ticket.
- You can purchase the service for as many days as you'd like. Just note that if you have the Park Hopper Option, you can currently only purchase it and make advanced reservations for one park per day.
- When eligible, you can make 3 Lightning Lane reservations at included and available attractions for each day you buy the service. For all the theme parks except for Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, you will be able to choose one experience from Group 1 and two experiences from Group 2 (or all three from Group 2). For Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, there is only one group from which to choose.
- Once the day arrives, for each Lightning Lane reservation you redeem, you can make another one (subject to availability). When making day-of reservations, they can be for another park if you have the Park Hopper Option.
Lightning Lane Single Pass
- Two of these single-ride reservations can be made per person per day.
Lightning Lane Premier Pass - Starting October 30, 2024, this option will be rolled out in very limited quantities as a pilot for Guests staying at Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villa Resorts.
- Eligible Guests will be able to purchase this up to 7 days ahead of their arrival day for the length of their stay (up to 14 days).
- At launch, it will be available to purchase for use at one park (meaning you can't use it at another park if park hopping). It will give you a one-time entry to each available Lightning Lane experience at that park.
Meade, I hope that I've clarified things for you. Since Disney is always looking to improve, follow along with the
Disney Parks Blog for any updates to these services! If you have any other questions,
please feel free to ask.
You ain't never had a friend like me,
Matt