Hello, Lida.
Thanks for stopping by planDisney with this excellent question. Your magical Disney day is right around the corner, so I'm happy to provide some clarity.
Disney Genie service, Disney Genie+ service and Individual Lightning Lanes are three of the newest offerings at Walt Disney World Resort that allow you to customize your magical vacation. I'm excited to hear you will be trying this out on your trip this week. My husband and I have used Disney Genie+ service and Individual Lightning Lanes on several occasions now and feel they truly allowed us to maximize our time in the theme parks.
Lightning Lanes are especially handy when park hopping like you plan on doing. You can purchase Disney Genie+ Service in your
My Disney Experience App starting at 12 a.m. midnight. I suggest you go ahead and make your purchase then or at least by 6:00 a.m. on the day you plan to use it so you aren't trying to purchase it at the same time you can start making your initial selections.
Starting at 7:00 a.m., Disney Resorts Collection hotel Guests can make their first Disney Genie+ service Lightning Lane selection in the "My Plans: Tip Board" section of the app. I strongly encourage you to be ready to refresh your Tip Board page at 7:00 a.m. on the dot since some selections sell out quickly.
Since you are beginning your day at
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, you will be able to book your next Disney Genie+ service Lightning Lane selection two hours after the
official park opening time that day. In other words, if Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park opens at 8:00 a.m. on the day you visit, you will be able to book your next selection at 10:00 a.m.
Alternatively, you can book another Disney Genie+ service Lightning Lane selection as soon as you redeem your initial selection. Let's say your first Lightning Lane is for DINOSAUR from 8:15 a.m - 9:15 a.m., and you use it in the Lightning Lane Entrance at 8:30 a.m. You will be able to book your second Disney Genie+ service Lightning Lane selection at 8:30 a.m.
I know that seems like a lot to manage, but you can always check your Tip Board in the My Disney Experience App to verify when you are able to book your next selection or set a timer on your smart device or watch to help you remember. My suggestion is to book your initial selection for early in the morning so you can redeem as many Lightning Lane entrances as possible. Keep in mind that if you make a selection for
EPCOT, you cannot park hop until after 2:00 p.m., so it's best not to set up a Lightning Lane at EPCOT until closer to that time.
Remember, Guests staying at an off-property hotel will not be able to make their first Individual Lightning Lane purchase or Disney Genie+ service Lightning Lane selection until the
park open time of the theme park their initial park reservation is at for the day.
As with any change, it can take some time to get used to all the
ins-and-outs of new systems like these, but I think you'll find that you love it as much as I do if you give it time. Have a wonderful vacation to The Most Magical Place on Earth!
Alyssa