Disney recently announced changes to their “Skip the Line” or “FastPass” scheme, which allows park visitors to forego lengthy queue times for rides and attractions. The updated program, now rebranded as Disney Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selections services will replace the previous free-of-charge system, and will have park guests paying extra for the privilege.
Disney Genie+ will cost $15 per ticket, per day, in Walt Disney World Resort and $20 in Disneyland Resort. This service allows park visitors to choose the next available time to arrive at a variety of attractions and experiences making use of the Lightning Lane entrance, a rebranding of the old FastPass entrance. It’s designed to save time in lines and heighten your park enjoyment with reduced wait times.
Additionally, the program will offer Individual Attraction Selections that enables guests to pay for access to one or two highly demanded attractions each day using the Lightning Lane entrance. Prices for these selections will vary by date, attraction and park, and range between $7 to $15 per attraction.
However, the most notable feature is the introduction of their highest-priced park pass called the Lightning Lane Pass. This is separate from the Disney Genie+ service and comes with a hefty price tag of up to $449. The Lightning Lane Pass enables guests to bypass the regular lines at the most popular rides and attractions without any restrictions.
This new system was likely introduced in response to the park’s increasing demand and to manage overcrowding at popular rides. However, it has received a mixed response from regular customers who were used to the old, free FastPass+ system.
Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel can also enjoy early access to purchase these options before other guests. The launch of these services is expected to drastically transform the guest experience at Disney Resorts.
With all these changes, it will be vital for visitors to plan their Disney park visits ahead of time. As always, the focus for Disney remains on enhancing the overall park experience for all their guests.
