Hi there, Jennifer! I'm so happy you found us here at planDisney. We love helping fellow Guests plan their vacations to the Happiest Place on Earth, and it sounds like you are in for some forever memory-making with some friends and family this summer!
I'm so glad to hear your group will be using
Genie+! When it comes to
Lightning Lanes, each Guest will need to have Genie+ in order to access them whether or not they plan to actually board the attraction. When you make a selection and it is time to use it, you will select "redeem" within the
Disneyland Mobile App and a barcode will pop up. Each guest will need to scan their barcode at the entrance to gain access, so your expecting friend would need one as well even if she is not planning to actually ride the attraction. If she has Genie+, she is more than welcome to stand with you in the queue and opt-out of experiencing the attraction once you've reached the boarding area.
I understand this is likely not the answer you were hoping for, but the good news is that there is so much that your friend will be able to experience. There are lots of attractions that are safe for expecting Guests. You can always ask a Cast Member or visit City Hall when you enter the parks to get a list of attractions with any ride restrictions. I know when I was expecting, I enjoyed sailing through
"it's a small world" and
Pirates of the Caribbean and flying through the air on
Dumbo the Flying Elephant! If even just one person in the party has Genie+, they will have unlimited digital downloads of all the
Disney PhotoPass photos taken each day ... and everyone can participate in some fun photos! This is a great way to capture and remember those memories, so be on the lookout for PhotoPass photographers who are sprinkled through both parks. I just returned from a weekend at Disneyland myself and we had a blast capturing all those pictures ... and don't forget to ask for a Magic Shot, trust me! Lastly, maybe suggest making a special lunch or dinner reservation; a time for your group to slow down from the park hustle and bustle and spend some time together.
Reservations can be made 60 days out from the calendar date so you have some time to consider your options!
Jennifer, the magic awaits! I know you've sent in a few questions, and we are working on those answers for you! If you need anything else, come back to see us at
planDisney. You always have a friend in us!
Keep wishing on those stars,
Tara