Disney just broke some BIG news about the future of Genie+. For starters, it’s not called Genie+ anymore. Disney’s paid skip-the-line service has been simplified (well, at least according to Disney) to be called the Lightning Lane, and you can purchase either the Lightning Lane Multi Pass or the Lightning Lane Single Pass (or both!).
The way the Lightning Lane Multi Pass works is essentially a combination of the old Genie+ service and the old (free) FastPass+ service. On the other hand, the Lighting Lane Single Pass is basically the same as the Individual Lightning Lane (pay-per-ride) service. We have TONS of information to help explain all the changes, but in our research, we’ve noticed something odd about the new rules.
UPDATE: There has been a change for Canadian Disney World visitors. Learn all about the changes here.
OK, so the biggest change now that Disney has rebranded Genie+ is that you can now plan your Lightning Lane reservations ahead of time.
If you’re staying at a Disney World hotel, you can make up to three reservations seven days in advance. If you’re not staying in a Disney World hotel, you can make up to three reservations three days in advance.
FULL Guide: NEW Rules Coming to Disney World As Genie+ Becomes Lightning Lane Multi Pass
But there’s one group of people who may find themselves at a disadvantage. If you do NOT live in the U.S., you cannot book those Lightning Lane reservations ahead of time. In fact, Disney explained, “Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass features will be available to Guests from other countries, they will be able to begin their pre-arrival planning on the My Disney Experience Mobile App after they reach the United States.”
Disney clarified that as long as you are in the U.S., you can start the prearrival planning. So, even if someone living in the U.K., for example, books a reservation at a Disney World hotel, they cannot make their first three Lightning Lane selections until they arrive in the U.S.
If you happen to arrive in the U.S. seven days BEFORE heading to Disney World, you can take advantage of the pre-planning service.
So, what’s the big deal? Well, this puts international visitors at a bit of a disadvantage! Let’s say Disney only has a set number of Lightning Lane reservations for those popular rides, like Peter Pan’s Flight or Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Well, the longer you wait, the more likely it is that those popular rides will get booked up!
Now, we still don’t know exactly how many Lightning Lane reservations Disney will provide on any given day; they may save some reservations for people who did not make their selections seven days in advance.
Disney also noted more information could be shared at a later date, so we’ll be sure to keep our eyes out for updates.
Several of our readers have already expressed their concerns with this change, so when the new policy goes into effect on July 24th, we’ll be sure to test things out so you know what to expect. In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.
Disney World Reveals NEW 30% Hotel DISCOUNT!
Join the AllEars.net Newsletter to stay on top of ALL the breaking Disney News! You'll also get access to AllEars tips, reviews, trivia, and MORE! Click here to Subscribe!
Are you planning a trip to Disney World? Let us know in the comments!
Coming from the UK in August, I loved the old FREE fast pass way. This is mostly good news except us internationals are heavily penalised which saddens me as I bet we make up a huge proportion of annual visitors. Let’s see what’s left when we touchdown or rope dropping it is…….
Please Disney no more greed, Not what Walt was about……
Kinda nice to have a benefit that those outside the US can’t get until they get in the US. I’ve seen a lot of deals international guests can get but us USA folks cannot.
Wow, as a Canadian resident, this takes away any incentive to stay on site if I don’t have the seven day or even a 3 day window before getting to Florida. If I m paying the same price for the hotels and park tickets but don’t get the advance booking, that is really unfair!
Actually there are two groups of people. Those without Smart Phones, since there is no computer access to reserve this. They have to wait until they are in the park and go to the Blue umbrellas, which puts them DAYS behind instead of hours behind.
That’s a pretty massive “one group of people”
True…but it’s kind of nice to have some sort of home team benefit, if u will. You are already at a disadvantage if you don’t stay at one of thier hotels let one not splurging for genie/lightning lane. And mostly overseas guests will probably be staying at a Disney hotel anyway