Oh boy, Sandy! Just a few short days until you're hanging out with Mickey and his pals! Thanks so much for sending in a question to planDisney. We're happy to help!
Disney Genie+ is an optional paid service that allows guests to book a return time window to skip the standby line and go through an attraction's Lightning Lane. I find it can be a great way to maximize your time, especially at Magic Kingdom Park and Disney's Hollywood Studios. However, as of June 8, the service is no longer available in advance as an add-on to your tickets. The only way to buy it is on the day of your visit via the
My Disney Experience app. You may purchase it anytime after midnight and you can begin making your Lightning Lane selections each morning at 7:00 AM; you'll need to do this every day that you intend to use it. Thankfully you won't have to stay up until 12:00 AM unless you really want to. I typically buy it by 6:30 AM.
If you are an early bird, Sandy, and you are staying at a Disney Resort hotel, take advantage of
Early Theme Park Entry. While the Lightning Lanes are not open during this time, I enjoy being able to ride a couple of the more popular attractions before the park officially opens. When you combine this strategy with Genie+, you can get a lot done before the afternoon summertime temperatures start sizzling.
Alternatively, if you prefer to go in the afternoon or evening, I recommend being on your mobile device by 7:00 AM to book your first Lightning Lane window. While you cannot book more than one Genie+ reservation at a time, you can hold more than one Genie+ reservation in your My Disney Experience app. Look for return times that are later in the day. Then after 120 minutes, you can book another, even if you haven't redeemed the first.
Here are a couple of extra planDisney tips, Sandy:
*Pack a charger for your phone.
*Set an alarm on your phone for when you can book your next Lightning Lane return time.
*A handful of headliner attractions are considered Individual Lightning Lane selections and are not included with Genie+. They are sold à la carte starting at 7:00 AM for Disney Resort Hotel guests and at park opening for all other guests.
I hope you enjoyed my 101 class on Genie+, Sandy! If you need any more advice, you know where to find us. Have a magical vacation!
Eean