Our information to the Genie+ at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure solutions continuously requested questions concerning the paid FastPass & MaxPass alternative, data & ideas concerning the line-skipping Lightning Lanes, experience reservations, and itinerary instruments. (Updated March 3, 2023.)
Genie+ and Lightning Lanes have now been in use at Disneyland and DCA for over a yr, and the system has developed throughout that point just a little bit. Naturally, the replace for the Florida parks have overshadowed the California ones, and questions concerning the former outnumber the latter by roughly 1,971 to 1. No shock, since Walt Disney World planners are much more hardcore. There’s additionally the sensible actuality that Disneyland locals skilled an identical system with MaxPass. It additionally helps that, like nearly all the pieces else, Genie+ is less complicated to make use of at Disneyland Resort.
Nevertheless, there are some issues price addressing concerning the DLR incarnation. Even although it’s extra simple and easier at Disneyland, there’s nonetheless a studying curve. Going into your days at Disneyland and DCA armed with data of the ins and outs of Genie+ and Lightning Lanes could make an enormous distinction, assist you to get extra executed, wait in strains much less, and be capable of re-ride your favourite sights. With that in thoughts, right here’s our FAQ to Genie+ at Disneyland…
Let’s begin with some fast updates about Genie+ for Spring 2023. First, the bottom price of the Genie+ add-on is now $25 per particular person per day at Disneyland Resort, which is up from final yr’s price of $20. In addition to this, Disneyland has launched ‘surge pricing’ meaning the service might be much more costly on peak season days. Thus far, Genie+ has hit $30 on a number of events final vacation season and this yr. We count on Genie+ to succeed in $30 per day with regularity throughout Spring Break 2023.
As such, we extremely advocate buying tickets now to lock-in present Genie+ pricing when you have an upcoming journey to Disneyland. Not solely will shopping for respectable low cost Disneyland tickets prevent cash on admission, however you may as well purchase Genie+ on the base worth, relatively than paying the same-day surge costs.
The last replace is that Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is now open in Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland, and presently is promoting Individual Lightning Lane entry. The digital queue for this new experience has already been retired, and we wouldn’t be stunned if it strikes to Genie+ someday within the subsequent a number of months. Probably not earlier than spring break, and possibly not earlier than summer season. But it’s not in style sufficient to maintain the Individual Lightning Lane standing.
On an identical be aware, WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure was “downgraded” from Individual Lightning Lane standing to the Genie+ service late final yr. The following FAQ and Genie+ information have been up to date in March 2023 in mild of the aforementioned adjustments.
Since the Genie system launched, we’ve been within the parks extensively testing it out and sharing outcomes in addition to all the newest information and adjustments in our posts about Genie+ and Lightning Lanes.
One factor you may discover in perusing these posts: there’s nothing for Disneyland! This isn’t a conspicuous omission or us overlooking Genie+ at Disneyland and DCA. To the opposite, we’ve examined the paid FastPass service quite a few instances in 2023 already–together with as not too long ago as March 2023. It’s merely a matter of not many materials variations at Disneyland.
Not a lot has modified, both through tweaks to the Genie+ service or its usefulness. We have observed some minor issues, however not sufficient to benefit fully-fledged updates. That’s excellent news, as Genie+ has labored nicely from the beginning at Disneyland and DCA and that continues to be the case. The overwhelming majority of the issues and complaints about Genie+ at Walt Disney World don’t apply at Disneyland (save for UI points).
With that mentioned, we do have a couple of updates to share…
What occurred to the free FastPass system?
Paper FastPass has been retired, and now resides in Yesterland alongside Superstar Limo. In addition to changing the paid MaxPass, the free FastPass can also be completely retired at Disneyland. Genie+ is the everlasting alternative for each.
What are Lightning Lanes, the paid Genie+ service, free Genie function, and particular person or a la carte attraction choices?
Disney Genie (Free) – A function within the Disneyland app that’s mainly a customized itinerary function. Think of it as Disney’s reply to Google Maps–if Google Maps informed you to drive your automotive right into a lake each 5 minutes–it tells you the place to go, however doesn’t give you any line-skipping.
Disney Genie+ (Paid) – This supplies precedence entry to 19 sights at Disneyland and DCA. You select the subsequent out there time to reach, and might make one choice at a time all through the day. Genie+ prices $25 per day and in addition contains audio experiences and limitless PhotoPass downloads out of your day at Disneyland Resort.
Individual Lightning Lanes (a la carte purchases) – Choose a particular time to reach at as much as 2 completely different extremely demanded sights and bypass the standby line. There are 2 sights at Disneyland Resort providing this, and they don’t seem to be included in Genie+. Pricing for this feature varies by date and attraction.
Lightning Lanes (actual world infrastructure) – The title for former FastPass entrances. These are the bodily queues within the park by way of which Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lane purchases can bypass standby strains.
Which sights can be found for Individual Lightning Lane (ILL) buy?
Here’s the official record of ILL sights at Disneyland Resort:
Disneyland
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Disney California Adventure
Again, these two sights should not out there through the Genie+ service. Guests can solely purchase Individual Lightning Lane choices for each per day.
Which sights can be found through the Genie+ service?
Here’s the official Genie+ record of sights at Disneyland Resort:
Disneyland
- Autopia
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
- Haunted Mansion
- Haunted Mansion Holiday (Halloween & Christmas Seasons)
- Indiana Jones Adventure
- “it’s a small world”
- “it’s a small world” vacation (Christmas Season)
- Matterhorn Bobsleds
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Space Mountain
- Splash Mountain
- Star Tours — The Adventures Continue
Disney California Adventure
- Goofy’s Sky School
- Grizzly River Run
- Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT!
- Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark (Halloween Season)
- Incredicoaster
- Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
- Soarin’ Around the World
- Soarin’ Over California (Spring Season)
- Toy Story Midway Mania
- WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
Which Genie+ choices are the “best” ones?
After extensively Genie+ and Lightning Lanes extensively at Disneyland Resort, we’ve ranked one of the best Genie+ Lightning Lane picks for each parks primarily based upon time saved and the way shortly return instances replenish and run out. This is useful for selecting the order to guide your experience reservations, particularly on busier days at Disneyland. Here are the lists for every:
In addition to consulting these lists prior to creating your Genie+ Lightning Lane choices, we’d advocate following a savvy rope drop technique and good itinerary. There are numerous nice sights at Disneyland Resort that do not have Lightning Lanes, and also you’ll need to beat the crowds to take pleasure in low wait instances at these.
Is Genie+ definitely worth the cash at Disneyland and/or DCA?
We suppose so, particularly if you happen to use it neatly.
We Did Every Genie+ Ride at Disneyland & DCA In A Day covers how we did 32 sights in a single day, and how one can obtain comparable “success” by leveraging Genie+ plus sound technique. It’s actually not that tough–a lot simpler than at Walt Disney World!
I’ve seen complaints about Genie+ on-line, what’s up with these?
There have been numerous complaints, however largely about Genie+ at Walt Disney World. In Florida, there have been points with company solely having the ability to reserve 2-3 Lightning Lanes per day, or worse in some instances. This is for a variety of causes, however largely that extra vacationers are shopping for Genie+ at Walt Disney World and 3 of the 4 parks there have far fewer rides. This creates an imbalance of provide and demand–extra competitors for fewer Lightning Lanes.
By distinction, extra locals go to Disneyland and that viewers is much less more likely to buy Genie+ as a result of they don’t have the identical sense of urgency to repeat sights. On prime of that, each parks at Disneyland have higher attraction density. In different phrases, there’s much less competitors for extra sights. All informed, that makes for a extra laid again and simpler expertise with Genie+ at Disneyland.
That may change throughout the busy vacation season, however we doubt it. Genie+ debuted final Christmas at Disneyland, and there have been no points throughout peak vacationer season dates. Despite this, the Disneyland app has pushed out a warning notification (see above) for some dates.
How will we incorporate Genie+ into our day with standby strains?
For step-by-step single day itineraries utilizing Genie+ and standby at Disneyland Resort, see our step-by-step plans:
Like all of this, these pattern itineraries could be overwhelming and discouraging. Just remember that a regular touring plan may additionally be overwhelming and discouraging for first-timers. Walt Disney World is likely one of the most intricate and convoluted trip locations on the planet, and it solely turns into “easy” with data and expertise.
Can we buy each Genie+ and particular person Lightning Lane entry?
Yes.
Since there isn’t any overlap between what’s lined by Genie+ and by the person or a la carte line-skipping, chances are you’ll buy each.
Can a time slot be chosen for Individual Lightning Lane returns?
No.
Unlike at Walt Disney World, Individual Lightning Lane purchases at Disneyland don’t enable the collection of a time slot—it’s the subsequent out there time for these, similar to Genie+ Lightning Lane choices.
When can we purchase Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lanes?
At Disneyland Resort, you should buy Genie+ and make your Lightning Lane reservations after you enter one of many parks. This is true for each Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes.
You can even buy Genie+ previous to visiting as a length-of-visit ticket add-on. This is feasible through Disneyland.com, licensed third occasion ticket sellers, or journey brokers. See our Guide to Discount Disneyland Tickets for suggestions.
When can company be capable of make Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lane choices?
Disneyland company are be capable of make their first Genie+ choice or Individual Lightning Lane buy upon coming into the park. Unlike Walt Disney World, nothing might be booked at 7 am. It’s all as soon as contained in the park, and there’s no on-site benefit.
This works precisely how MaxPass labored, which means that you would be able to make reservations instantly upon scanning into the turnstiles. Even if the park isn’t but formally open otherwise you go away, you’ll be capable of make reservations.
Can one particular person enter the park and make Lightning Lane reservations for everybody?
No.
Unfortunately, every particular person must scan into the park for the system to view them as an “active” visitor. On the plus aspect, there isn’t any robust incentive to make Lightning Lane reservations ASAP upon coming into Disneyland or DCA. To the opposite, it’s usually strategically advantageous to do standby strains first and make your first Lightning Lane experience reservation round 10 am. (This relies on crowds, your priorities, and so forth.)
How many Individual Lightning Lane attraction reservations can every visitor guide per day?
Two, and people reservations should be at completely different sights. (In different phrases, no doing both attraction twice.)
What do Individual Lightning Lane sights price at Disneyland?
The beginning worth is $12 per attraction, with the best worth being $25–for now. Disneyland didn’t point out that $25 is the ceiling for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. To the opposite, the corporate indicated it could use “variable” date-based pricing, which suggests ILL prices may go even greater throughout peak season dates.
However, that didn’t occur throughout final yr’s vacation season and it hasn’t occurred so far in 2023. That may change throughout spring break or summer season season, however we’re beginning to see much less demand for Individual Lightning Lane entry, so we suspect that $25 might be the height worth.
Can the identical attraction be booked a number of instances with the Genie+ service at Disneyland and DCA?
No, re-rides should not presently potential.
As with something, that is topic to alter because the system evolves. MaxPass did enable re-rides and had no challenge, so we wouldn’t be stunned to see this coverage quietly change in California.
How many experience reservations might be made at a time with the Genie+ service?
Guests are capable of make one reservation at a time–with the flexibility to make a subsequent reservation instantly upon tapping into an attraction.
Is anything included with Genie+ at Disneyland?
In addition to Lightning Lane entry, buying Genie+ at Disneyland entitles you to the next:
- Enjoy Unlimited Disney PhotoPass Digital Downloads from the Day – Download and share digital pictures from choose eating places, sights, iconic settings and extra.
- Enhance Your Photos with Disney PhotoPass Lenses – Unlock a particular assortment of Disney-themed lenses to your cell gadget, permitting you to discover augmented actuality results.
- Listen to Audio Tales – Discover the parks in cool new methods by way of fascinating enjoyable details and behind-the-scenes insights throughout your go to.
The PhotoPass Lenses and Audio Tales are taste-specific; some individuals will these to be good additions to their day, however most company won’t ever use them. We’ve used these PhotoPass Lenses extensively at Walt Disney World, and so they’re typically fairly enjoyable as a value-add, however positively not the first and even secondary purpose to purchase Genie+ at Disneyland.
Additionally, augmented actuality is a HUGE battery drainer. We discovered our cellphone batteries going from nearly-full to the pink zone after round half-hour of use. Genie+ already entails numerous display screen time, so make sure you pack a conveyable battery charger regardless–however contemplate a larger battery if you happen to’ll be spending any period of time utilizing the PhotoPass Lenses or need to cost a number of gadgets.
By distinction, most individuals will discover the PhotoPass picture downloads to be an enormous plus. We’ve heard from some households who’ve one particular person buy of their occasion buy Genie+ only for the sake of the on-ride picture downloads. Given that Disney PhotoPass+ One Week prices $78, you come out forward by merely shopping for Genie+ for journeys which are 3 days or fewer!
What if the return time for that choice isn’t till a lot later within the day?
Guests are capable of make one other reservation 120 minutes after their first reservation even when they haven’t but redeemed the primary Genie+ choice.
Does this imply I can really maintain a number of Genie+ choices concurrently?
Yes, when utilizing the 120 minute rule. Disneyland’s official wording is complicated, nevertheless it’s potential to stack Genie+ choices. In reality, there are quirks to the system that make it potential to build up Lightning Lane reservations through Genie+ later within the day.
What if the return instances battle with each other or different reservations?
Genie+ won’t cease you from making overlapping plans, so that you must monitor this your self and ensure it doesn’t occur. It will merely offer you a ‘warning’ message that you’ve overlapping plans (see screenshot above).
If a particular attraction’s return time conflicts together with your schedule, both choose a distinct attraction with a return time that isn’t problematic, or wait 5-10 minutes till the clock strikes ahead on return instances and eliminates the overlap.
How do teams make Genie+ reservations?
Guests can hyperlink tickets and choose household and buddies within the Disneyland app throughout the experience reservation course of.
Do Genie+ and/or particular person Lightning Lane sights work with Park Hopping?
Yes.
You are capable of reserve sights after 1 pm in a distinct park than the one the place you began your day and have reservations. Park Hopping with Genie+ or particular person Lightning Lane attraction purchases comply with all the traditional guidelines of all three (Park Hopping, Genie+ and Lightning Lanes).
What occurs if I need to Park Hop however the return time for the attraction I guide with Genie+ is earlier than 1 pm?
Genie+ robotically accommodates Park Hopping. If the return time displayed is earlier than 1 pm, the system robotically modifies your reservation window to 1-2 pm if you happen to’re not already in that park.
What if not everybody in our occasion needs to do a sure experience?
You can select to solely make Genie+ reservations for some company inside your occasion.
Alternatively, you may make the reservation for everybody, and a few individuals in your group can experience a number of instances by scanning the redemption belonging to another person (preserving in thoughts that every one is legitimate as soon as). Certain thrill rides are too intense for Sarah, so I scan her Genie+ Lightning Lane entry code after utilizing mine.
Can solely sure company inside a celebration select to buy Individual Lightning Lanes?
Yes–similar thought. You can select amongst linked company within the Disneyland app from whom you need to buy the ILLs.
Can company select to buy Genie+ solely on particular days?
Yes.
Only shopping for on particular days will provide you with the choice to have “commando touring” days and extra laid again ones, as a substitute of merely shopping for during a Disneyland ticket or trip bundle–saving cash within the course of.
Are any digital queues in use at Disneyland Resort?
Yes.
At Disney California Adventure, World of Color – ONE makes use of a digital queue. This is reserved viewing for the nighttime spectacular, and doesn’t work in fairly the identical manner as prior digital queues for sights.
What’s up with the digital queues for rides?
As of March 2023, no digital queues are in use for rides at Disneyland or Disney California Adventure. The parks have shifted to standby strains for all sights that beforehand used them, however has reserved the flexibility to make use of the digital queues when demand is excessive.
Thus far, this has but to occur. Given that it didn’t happen throughout the peak vacation weeks of Christmas and New Year’s Eve, we doubt that the digital queues will ever be introduced again. At least, till one other new experience opens.
What adjustments with standby strains?
Nothing.
Regular ole walk-up standby strains are nonetheless out there on all sights.
Can Magic Key Passholders be capable of buy Genie+ or particular person Lightning Lane entry at Disneyland?
Magic Keyholders are capable of buy Lightning Lane or add Genie+ on a per-day foundation, similar to common theme park ticket holders.
There’s now a 20% off low cost on the Genie+ service on days when Magic Keyholders use their cross for park admission.
Is there an annual add-on for Magic Keymasters?
No.
There isn’t a yearly add-on possibility for Genie+ for Disneyland Resort Magic Key Passholders. It’s potential one will probably be added down the street, however we wouldn’t count on that till pent-up demand fizzles out. So possibly 2023?
Is there a Disney Vacation Club Member low cost?
No.
Will these methods pressure me to be glued to my cellphone all day?
Using the Genie methods will certainly require cellphone use all through the day–there’s no manner round that. However, it could possibly be as little as a few minutes each 90 to 120 minutes, or shortly after coming into an attraction queue. It received’t be essential to be always in your cellphone.
With that mentioned, simply as earlier than with MaxPass, it’s doubtless that these company who refresh the app compulsively and are diligent about making reservations will probably be better off.
Are there a number of choices for time slots when reserving Genie+ experience reservations?
The solely possibility is the subsequent out there time slot.
Does Genie+ work with MagicBands at Disneyland Resort?
Yes. Genie+ work with the MagicBand+, which has now debuted at Disneyland.
With that mentioned, MagicBands should not required. You can use your park tickets or cellphone as a substitute if you happen to don’t have MagicBands.
Is refreshing and rebooking experience reservations potential with Genie+?
That was the case with MaxPass, nevertheless it’s tougher with Genie+ as a result of there’s no modify button–this implies you must cancel and rebook, which is a cumbersome course of.
Generally talking, count on options and performance to be added to Genie+ over time.
How does this influence Single Rider or Rider Switch?
It doesn’t.
Keep in thoughts that regardless that Genie+ and Lightning Lanes have now launched in California, the system remains to be in its infancy. Beyond that, Disney is clearly targeted on the Walt Disney World model of the Genie system first as that’s the money-maker. Disneyland’s incarnation is on the backburner, and can doubtless evolve post-release primarily based on the distinctive operational wrinkles of the California parks. Our expectation is that Genie+ and Lightning Lanes will proceed to be tweaked in California.
This ought to reply many of the questions that readers have been asking concerning the Genie+ app function and Lightning Lanes which are coming to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. In some instances, these “answers” are merely our greatest guesses and hypothesis, however in numerous instances that’s one of the best we will provide. There have been numerous questions, so if we didn’t tackle yours, we apologize. Please publish within the feedback under and we’ll reply extra as they’re requested!
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets. Learn about on-site and off-site lodges in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings. For the place to eat, take a look at our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide. Finally, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and tons of different locations!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have any questions we didn’t reply with the above FAQ? Still confused by how Genie+ or Lightning Lanes work at Disneyland and DCA? Think that is an sufficient alternative to the FastPass and MaxPass methods, or do you want Disneyland would’ve simply left these alone? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Other ideas or considerations? Any questions we might help you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!