Comparing Genie+ at Walt Disney World and Disneyland (including Individual Lightning Lane)

Before we had Disney Genie+, there was FastPass+ at Walt Disney World and FastPass/MaxPass at Disneyland.

But, those system are completely out the window, meaning we’re stuck with Genie+ (and still learning so much about it).

The new paid FastPass-style service launched on October 19, 2021 at Disney World and on December 8, 2021 at Disneyland.

While Genie+ operates basically the same on both coasts, there are some noteworthy differences that you should definitely read about before visiting the parks.

We go over all of that in detail below, including pricing, how to purchase, when to make selections, available attractions, and more.

So, let’s compare Genie+ at Disney World and Disneyland!

How does Genie+ work at Disney World and Disneyland?

At both Disney World and Disneyland, Genie+ gives you the ability to skip the Standby Line at select attractions across all theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Disneyland Park, and Disney California Adventure).

After you purchase Genie+ (more on this below), you’ll be able to choose the next available arrival time for a variety of attractions and other experiences.

When your return time is called, you’ll enter the attraction via the “Lightning Lane,” the new name for FastPass lines.

How is Genie+ accessed at Disney World and Disneyland?

At Disney World, you access Genie+ in the My Disney Experience app. At Disneyland, you’ll be able to use Genie+ in the Disneyland app.

How much does Genie+ cost at Disney World and Disneyland?

There is a price difference for Genie+ at Disney World compared to Disneyland.

Here’s how much it costs per ticket per day:

• Disney World: $15.98 (with tax)
• Disneyland: $20 (no tax added)

Note: Disney Genie, the planning service in the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps, is free at both resorts.

How do I purchase Genie+ at Disney World and Disneyland?

While purchasing is similar at both resorts, there are some differences.

At Disney World…

Genie+ can be purchased as an add-on ticket option, valid for the length of your stay.

You can also purchase Genie+ each day you want to use it as an in-app feature purchase. This option becomes available starting at 12 a.m. on the day of purchase. Basically, once the day changes, you can begin purchasing Genie+.

When Genie+ is purchased with a ticket or vacation package ahead of a visit, Genie+ is purchased for the entire length of the ticket.

When purchased on the day of visit, guests purchase Genie+ for a single day.

Keep in mind that single-day purchases of Genie+ are only available directly through the My Disney Experience app on your date of visit. Third party 1-day tickets with Genie+ will continue to be sold through March 1, 2022.

You don’t have to use Genie+ on every day of your visit. You have the option to pick and choose when you want to use Genie+, which is nice for both financial and flexibility reasons.

But, remember, when Genie+ is purchased with a ticket or vacation package ahead of a visit, Genie+ is purchased for the entire length of your ticket (all days of a multi-day visit, but not a 1-day ticket).

Important: You don’t have to buy Genie+ for non-park days. When you purchase Genie+ for the length of your stay, the price is based upon your ticket length, not the number of nights in your hotel.

*Not only do you need to make sure your travel party members are in your Family & Friends list, but they must have valid theme park admission and the same theme park reservation. Otherwise, their names won’t show up or they won’t be able to be added to your individual Lightning Lane selections.

Here is the step-by-step process on how to purchase Genie+ at Disney World.

At Disneyland…

Genie+ can be purchased as an add-on ticket option, valid for the length of your stay.

Or, you can purchase Genie+ each day you want to use it as an in-app feature purchase. This purchase option becomes available once you have scanned you theme park admission and entered the park.

When Genie+ is purchased with a ticket or vacation package ahead of a visit, Genie+ is purchased for the entire length of the ticket.

When purchased on the day of visit, guests purchase Genie+ for a single day.

Keep in mind that you can purchase Genie+ at any time of the day, if you want, but only after you enter the park.

If you’ve already added Genie+ to your ticket/vacation package prior to entering the parks, you do not have to purchase it again. But you will still have to wait until you’re inside the park to make your first selection.

You don’t have to use Genie+ on every day of your visit. You have the option to pick and choose when you want to use Genie+, which is nice for both financial and flexibility reasons.

But, remember, when Genie+ is purchased with a ticket or vacation package ahead of a visit, Genie+ is purchased for the entire length of your ticket (all days of a multi-day visit).

Important: You don’t have to buy Genie+ for non-park days. When you purchase Genie+ for the length of your stay, the price is based upon your ticket length, not the number of nights in your hotel.

*Not only do you need to make sure your travel party members’ tickets are linked under your account in the Disneyland app (more on this below), but they must also have valid theme park admission and the same theme park reservation. Otherwise, their names won’t show up or they won’t part of your Genie plans.

Here is the step-by-step process on how to purchase Genie+ at Disneyland.

What attractions are available via Genie+ at Disney World and Disneyland?

Seeing as Disney World has 4 theme parks, there are more available attractions and select experiences to use Genie+ compared to Disneyland.

• Disney World has a total (across all 4 parks) of 53 attractions available via Genie+
• Disneyland has a total (across the 2 parks) of 19 attractions available via Genie+

Below is a visual breakdown of the attractions that you can use Genie+.

Open PDF version

Magic Kingdom (21 attractions)

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Festival of Fantasy
• Haunted Mansion
• “it’s a small world”
• Jungle Cruise
• Mad Tea Party
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Splash Mountain
• The Barnstormer
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
• See Cinderella and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
• See Princess Tiana and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
• See Mickey at Town Square Theater

Epcot (10 attractions)

• Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
• Journey into Imagination with Figment
• Living with the Land
• Mission: SPACE – Green
• Mission: SPACE – Orange
• Soarin’
• Spaceship Earth
• Test Track
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends
• Turtle Talk with Crush

Hollywood Studios (14 attractions)

• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
• Disney Jr. Dance Party
• For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Muppet*Vision 3D
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Star Tours
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Toy Story Mania!
• See Disney Stars at Red Carpet Dreams
• See Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight

Animal Kingdom (8 attractions)

• Celebration of the Festival of the Lion King
• DINOSAUR
• Feathered Friends in Flight!
• It’s Tough to Be a Bug!
• Kali River Rapids
• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Naʻvi River Journey
• The Animation Experience

Disneyland Park (12 attractions)

• Autopia
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• Haunted Mansion
• Indiana Jones Adventure
• “it’s a small world”
• Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

Disney California Adventure (7 attractions)

• Goofy’s Sky School
• Grizzly River Run
• Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
• Incredicoaster
• Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
• Soarin’ Around the World
• Toy Story Midway Mania

How are Genie+ selections booked at Disney World and Disneyland?

You are able to book Genie+ selections in the My Disney Experience app (for Disney World) and the Disneyland app (for Disneyland).

But, when you can begin making selections differs.

At Disney World…

Everyone (both onsite and offsite guests) with Genie+ can make their first selection starting at 7 a.m. EST.

You have to redeem a Genie+ selection before you can book another one — or you’ll have to wait 120 minutes from time of booking, whichever comes first.

When booking a Genie+ selection at 7 a.m. — before park opening — the 120-minute rule applies here as well. If you book a selection at 7 a.m. and the park doesn’t open until 9 a.m., you’ll have to wait until 11 a.m. to make another selection.

Most of the time, you can book another Genie+ selection as soon as you enter the Lightning Lane. But, if you don’t scan into a ride, you’ll be able to make another selection at the end of the arrival window for the current selection.

Important: Some attractions require you to scan your MagicBand (or card) at two touch points. If this is the case, you may have to wait to make another Genie+ selection until after the second scan.

If your first Genie+ selection is farther out than 2 hours from park opening (like 1 p.m.), you’ll be able to make another selection 120 minutes following the official park opening time and will most likely be able to grab a return time earlier than 1 p.m.

To see the next available time that you can start booking another Genie+ Lightning Lane selection, go to the Tip Board tab and select an attraction or experience that you haven’t booked.

As for using Genie+ and park hopping at Disney World…

You must have a Park Hopper benefit in order to make Genie+ Lightning Lane selections at different parks.

Keep in mind that you can’t park hop until the afternoon, starting at 2 p.m., so your reservation must be after this time.

And, to park hop, you must have first visited the park where you held your Park Pass reservation for that day.

Tip: When park hopping, you don’t have to wait until exactly 2 p.m. to enter a park — you can get in starting at 1:47 p.m.

At Disneyland…

Everyone with Genie+ can make their first selection as soon as they enter either theme park. You must be inside a park to start making Genie+ Lightning Lane selections.

You have to redeem a Genie+ selection before you can book another one — or you’ll have to wait 120 minutes from time of booking, whichever comes first.

Most of the time, you can book another Genie+ selection as soon as you enter the Lightning Lane. But, if you don’t scan into a ride, you’ll be able to make another selection at the end of the arrival window for the current selection.

To see the next available time that you can start booking another Genie+ Lightning Lane selection, go to the Tip Board tab and select an attraction or experience that you haven’t booked.

The “Confirm Your Party” screen should show up. Scroll down and it will tell you when you can make your next selection.

As for using Genie+ and park hopping at Disneyland…

You must have a Park Hopper benefit in order to make Genie+ Lightning Lane selections at different parks.

Keep in mind that you can’t park hop until the afternoon, starting at 1 p.m., so your reservation must be after this time.

And, to park hop, you must have first visited the park where you held your Park Pass reservation for that day.

You also cannot choose a return time, but only select the next available spot in the Lightning Lane, so make sure it’s after 1 p.m.

Tip: If you arrive at Disneyland Resort after 1 p.m., you don’t have to enter the park where you’ve made your theme park reservation. You can go to the opposite park, if you’d like.

Below are respective Genie+ timelines for both Disney World and Disneyland breaking down the Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane booking times.

Disney World Genie+ Timeline

Open PDF version

Disneyland Genie+ Timeline

Open PDF version

At both Disney World and Disneyland, you can only use Lightning Lane once per attraction per day (for both Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane).

For example: If you want to make a Genie+ selection for Pirates of the Caribbean, you can only use Genie+ once to ride Pirates of the Caribbean on that particular day.

At both Disney World and Disneyland, you can’t pre-select your return time. You can only snag the next available spot in the Lightning Lane.

Sometimes more inventory becomes available, so keep checking. You never know what will open up.

We also have a complete guide on Genie+ priorities at Disney World, along with a detailed breakdown of when you can make your next Genie+ selections at Disney World.

How does Individual Lightning Lane Selections compare at Disney World and Disneyland?

Similar to Genie+, Individual Lightning Lane Selections at Disney World and Disneyland have both similarities and differences.

It’s important to note that Genie+ and pay-per-ride Lightning Lane passes are separate from one another.

But, both are built into the Disney Genie system that’s available in the My Disney Experience and Disneyland app.

Essentially, this pay-per-ride option allows you to purchase a time to ride select popular attractions at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood, Animal Kingdom, Disneyland Park, and Disney California Adventure.

Once your return time is called, you can board the attraction using the “Lightning Lane,” the new name for FastPass lines.

Important Update to Genie+ & Individual Lightning Lane Selections at Walt Disney World

How much do Individual Lightning Lane Selections cost at Disney World and Disneyland?

Pricing depends on several factors at both resorts, specifically the date, the attraction, and the park.

• At Disney World, Individual Lightning Lane pricing ranges from $7 to $15
• At Disneyland, Individual Lightning Lane pricing ranges from $7 to $20

How do I purchase Individual Lightning Lane Selections at Disney World and Disneyland?

While purchasing is similar at both resorts, there are some differences.

At Disney World…

Individual Lightning Lane Selections are purchased within the My Disney Experience app.

Onsite Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests (including those staying at Shades of Green and Swan and Dolphin) can start making individual Lightning Lane selections starting at 7 a.m.

Guests staying offsite can’t start making selections until park opening — but, they don’t have to be inside the park to do so.

You can choose from a list of available times throughout the day, which comes in handy for those who have dining reservations, Genie+ selections, or want to park hop.

There is a maximum of 2 purchases per guest, per day. The 2 selections must be for 2 different individual Lightning Lane attractions. They can be made for the same park or different parks.

*Not only do you need to make sure your travel party members are in your Family & Friends list, but they must have valid theme park admission and the same theme park reservation. Otherwise, their names won’t show up or they won’t be able to be added to your individual Lightning Lane selections.

As for booking Individual Lightning Lane Selections when park hopping at Disney World…

If you have a Park Hopper, you can purchase pay-per-ride selections at parks other than where you have a park reservation. Keep in mind that you have to do it after 2 p.m., when park hopping begins at Disney World.

To park hop, you must have first visited the park where you held your Park Pass reservation for that day.

You can choose from a list of available times throughout the day, which comes in handy due to the park hopping time restriction.

Tip: When park hopping, you don’t have to wait until exactly 2 p.m. to enter a park — you can get in starting at 1:47 p.m.

Here’s a step-by-step process detailing how to book pay-per-ride options at Disney World.

At Disneyland…

Individual Lightning Lane Selections are purchased within the Disneyland app.

All Disneyland guests can make individual Lightning Lane selections as soon as they enter the park.

Tip: You can book your first Individual Lightning Lane Selection as soon as you are inside the park, including if it’s before official park opening time.

Unlike Disney World Individual Lightning Lane Selections, you cannot pick your return time. You can only make a booking for the next available time.

There is a maximum of 2 purchases per guest, per day. The 2 selections must be for 2 different Individual Lightning Lane attractions. They can be made for the same park or different parks.

*Not only do you need to make sure your travel party members’ tickets are linked under your account in the Disneyland app (more on this below), but they must also have valid theme park admission and the same theme park reservation. Otherwise, their names won’t show up or they won’t part of your Genie plans.

As for booking Individual Lightning Lane Selections when park hopping at Disneyland…

If you have a Park Hopper, you can purchase pay-per-ride selections at parks other than where you have a park reservation. Keep in mind that you have to do it after 1 p.m., when park hopping begins at Disneyland.

To park hop, you must have first visited the park where you held your Park Pass reservation for that day.

Remember, you cannot pick your return time, but only make a booking for the next available time, so make sure it’s after 1 p.m.

Tip: If you arrive at Disneyland Resort after 1 p.m., you don’t have to enter the park where you’ve made your theme park reservation. You can go to the opposite park, if you’d like.

Here’s a step-by-step process detailing how to book pay-per-ride options at Disneyland.

Above are respective timelines for both Disney World and Disneyland breaking down the Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane booking times.

What attractions are available via Individual Lightning Lane Selection at Disney World and Disneyland?

Except for Disneyland Park, the rest of the parks at Disney World and Disneyland have the same amount of Individual Lightning Lane Selection attractions.

Below is a visual breakdown of the attractions that you can use Genie+.

Open PDF version

Magic Kingdom (2 Attractions)

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Space Mountain

Epcot (2 Attractions)

• Frozen Ever After
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Hollywood Studios (2 Attractions)

• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Animal Kingdom (2 Attractions)

• Avatar Flight of Passage
• Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

Disneyland Park (1 Attraction)

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Disney California Adventure (2 Attractions)

• Radiator Springs Racers
• WEB Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure

Is PhotoPass included with Genie+ at both Disney World and Disneyland?

Unfortunately, PhotoPass is not included with the purchase of Genie+ at Disney World. However, it is included when you buy Genie+ at Disneyland (a huge perk).

At Disney World, Genie+ users only have access to Disney PhotoPass Augmented Reality Lenses. There are also a few that are complimentary through the Snapchat app.

These are similar to Snapchat filters. They’re Disney-themed and found across the parks, with a few exclusive lenses in specific areas.

You can enjoy some of the lenses up to 45 days after the day you visit with the Genie+ service.

Those who purchase Genie+ at Disney World and Disneyland have access to Audio Tales.

When listening to “Audio Tales,” you’ll learn insider tips, information, and other fun facts about different parts of the theme parks.

A Disney World and Disneyland Genie+ Comparison Chart

Below is a graphic and a chart breaking down how Disney Genie, Genie+, and individual Lightning Lane selections compare between Disney World and Disneyland.

First, the graphic…

Open PDF version

And here is the chart…

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Allyson Koerner

Allyson was able to take her lifelong love of Disney and her education (Bachelor’s Degree in English/minor in writing and a Master’s Degree in Print & Multimedia Journalism) and turn it into a career writing about all things Disney parks. Her writing can be seen in a few places, including her site, Magically Main Street. Email Allyson

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