When planning a trip to Disney World or Disneyland, one of the biggest decisions is whether to invest in Disney Genie Plus. Long wait times for popular attractions can take up hours of your day, and Disney Genie Plus claims to help cut that time significantly by offering Lightning Lane access to select rides.
But is it worth the extra cost? This guide will break down everything you need to know about Disney Genie Plus, including its benefits, costs, ride availability, limitations, and whether it fits your travel style.
What is Disney Genie Plus?
Disney Genie Plus is a paid upgrade to the free Disney Genie service, which is available through the My Disney Experience app (for Disney World) and the Disneyland app. The free version of Disney Genie provides basic planning recommendations, but Genie Plus allows guests to skip the standby lines for certain rides by booking Lightning Lane access.
It essentially replaces the old FastPass+ system but is now a paid feature, meaning you’ll need to budget for it in addition to your park tickets. Unlike the previous system, Genie Plus does not allow guests to pre-book attractions before their visit, making real-time decision-making crucial. Additionally, the most popular rides may have limited availability, so planning and booking early is essential for making the most of the service.
How Much Does Disney Genie Plus Cost?
The price of Disney Genie Plus varies depending on the park and demand.
- Disney World (Florida):
- Prices range from $20 to $29 per person, per day, depending on crowd levels and the park you visit.
- Each park has separate pricing, meaning the cost can fluctuate daily.
- Disneyland (California):
- Pricing starts at $30 per person, per day but can increase on high-demand days.
- Unlike Disney World, Disneyland allows guests to use Genie Plus across both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure.
What Rides are Included in Disney Genie Plus?
While the ride lineup can change, here’s a general breakdown of attractions available through Genie Plus.
Disney World (Florida):
- Magic Kingdom: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Space Mountain, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- EPCOT: Soarin’ Around the World, Test Track, Mission: SPACE, Frozen Ever After
- Hollywood Studios: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Toy Story Mania, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Animal Kingdom: Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Dinosaur, Na’vi River Journey
Some high-demand rides like Tron Lightcycle / Run, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance require Individual Lightning Lane purchases and are not included in Genie Plus.
Disneyland (California):
- Indiana Jones Adventure
- Haunted Mansion
- Space Mountain
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
At Disneyland, major attractions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Radiator Springs Racers require separate Individual Lightning Lane purchases.
How Does Disney Genie Plus Work?
- Purchase Disney Genie Plus – You can buy it on the Disney app on the day of your visit. Sales start at midnight each day.
- Make Your First Selection – Guests at Disney World can start booking at 7:00 AM, while at Disneyland, reservations open when the park does.
- Book One Ride at a Time – Once you use a Lightning Lane reservation (or wait two hours), you can book another ride.
- Repeat Throughout the Day – You can continue making reservations until all available ride slots are gone.
Pros and Cons of Disney Genie Plus:
| Pros | Cons |
| Shorter Wait Times – Skip long standby lines and experience more attractions in a day. | Additional Cost – Genie Plus adds an extra expense on top of already expensive park tickets. |
| More Attractions in Less Time – This allows you to maximize your time by fitting in more rides. | Limited Availability – Popular ride slots fill up quickly, meaning you might not get all your desired selections. |
| Convenient & Easy to Use – Manage all reservations through the Disney app, making planning easier. | Not All Rides Are Included – Some of the most in-demand attractions require separate Individual Lightning Lane purchases. |
| Good for Peak Seasons – Essential for holidays, summer, and busy periods when wait times are excessive. | Requires Constant Phone Use – You’ll need to frequently check and book rides, which can take away from the experience. |
| Includes Disney PhotoPass at Disneyland – Enjoy free digital ride photos when using Genie Plus at Disneyland. | Only Allows One Ride at a Time – You can only book one ride at a time (or after two hours), limiting flexibility. |
| Helpful for Short Trips – If you have limited time in the parks, Genie Plus helps you maximize efficiency. | May Not Be Necessary on Low-Crowd Days – If standby lines are short, Genie Plus may not offer much benefit. |
| Stack Lightning Lanes – Smart booking strategies can help you hold multiple ride reservations at once. | No Guarantee for Top Rides – Some high-demand rides may be unavailable by the time you try to book. |
Is Disney Genie Plus Worth It?
The value of Disney Genie Plus depends on a few factors:
It’s Worth It If:
- You want to ride as many attractions as possible in one day.
- You’re visiting during peak season (holidays, summer, spring break) when lines are long.
- You dislike waiting in standby queues for hours.
- You’re visiting for a short trip and need to maximize your time.
It May Not Be Worth It If:
- You’re visiting during a low-crowd time when standby lines are manageable.
- You prefer a more relaxed experience and don’t mind waiting.
- You are on a strict budget and would rather save money for other park expenses.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Disney Genie Plus:
- Purchase Genie Plus Early – Availability is limited, so buy it as soon as possible on the day of your visit.
- Book Your First Ride Right Away – At 7:00 AM (Disney World) or park opening (Disneyland), book a high-demand attraction.
- Prioritize Popular Rides – Use your first reservations on Jungle Cruise, Slinky Dog Dash, or Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run as they fill up fast.
- Stack Lightning Lanes – Because of the two-hour rule, you can hold multiple reservations at once.
- Use Standby for Less Popular Attractions – Save your Lightning Lane selections for the longest queues.
Conclusion:
Disney Genie Plus can be a valuable investment for those looking to maximize their time, skip long lines, and experience more rides during their trip. If you’re visiting during peak seasons or have a limited time in the parks, it can significantly enhance your experience. However, if you’re on a tight budget or visiting during low-crowd periods, standby lines may be manageable without it.
Next step? If you’re planning a Disney trip, check the latest Genie Plus pricing and availability on the Disney app and decide based on your itinerary and crowd levels.
FAQs:
Disney Genie Plus is ideal for visitors who want to maximize their time and experience as many rides as possible, especially during peak seasons. However, if you’re visiting during low-crowd times or prefer a more relaxed experience, it may not be necessary.
At Walt Disney World, Genie Plus can only be purchased on the day of your visit, starting at midnight. At Disneyland, you have the option to pre-purchase it when buying tickets or add it on the day of your visit.
No, some of the most popular attractions are not included and require Individual Lightning Lane purchases. These rides vary by park but typically include Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and Tron Lightcycle / Run.
You can book one ride at a time throughout the day. Once you use a reservation (or after two hours have passed), you can book another. Availability depends on demand, so high-demand rides may fill up early.
If a ride is temporarily unavailable during your reserved time, Disney will automatically convert your Lightning Lane pass into a flexible pass that can be used for the same ride later or for select alternative attractions in the same park.
Hi, I’m Smrithi! As an avid writer, I specialize in entertainment and streaming services. I love guiding readers through the complex world of digital media with simple, engaging advice. Join me to discover the best in entertainment and how to stream it seamlessly!