Are you planning to visit a Disney park in the near future. You may have heard of Disney FastPass. This add-on allows you to skip the lines. Given the sheer number of attractions, it seems like a nice perk to spend less time in line.
What is FastPass? How does it work? And most importantly, is it worth the cost? Let’s take an in-depth look.
1. It has been replaced
FastPass was an option that Disney offered to all guests in the past. FastPass was a complimentary program that allowed guests to make reservations for rides and attractions, and then skip the lines.
The FastPass was removed from Disney’s parks after the pandemic closed, and everyone had to wait in line.
Many people hoped FastPass would return quickly, but guests waited over a year to see the new FastPass version. Genie+ was the official name of the service, which went live at Walt Disney World on October 19, 2021. Both Disneyland and Disney World guests can now use it.
2. It is expensive
What are the new FastPasses from Disney? Genie+ is more expensive than its predecessor. Prices for single-day passes will vary depending on the demand and where you are located.
Genie+ is available at Disney World starting at $15 per person per day. Genie+ at Disneyland will cost you minimum $25 per person per day.
Genie+ is a different tool than Genie, the free artificial intelligence tool on Disney’s App. Genie provides a breakdown of your day using information such as predicted crowd levels and the rides you want. Genie+ acts as a FastPass system and allows you to reserve rides for later in your day.
Tip
Use a card that maximizes your spending if you plan to purchase Genie+. For example, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit card will give you 2 miles for every dollar spent on all your purchases.
Genie+ can be expensive if you travel with more than one guest. If you plan to use Genie+, a family of five will need to budget an additional $75 per person (at minimum) when they travel to Disney World.
3. You are at the front of your line
FastPasses are Disney’s way of getting around. Yes, in a sense. Genie+ at Disneyland and Disney World allows you to use the Lightning Lane, a separate lane for rides. While this doesn’t guarantee you will get to the front of the line immediately, it does mean that you can bypass the entire standby line.
Although you will still have to wait with other Lightning Lane guests for a while, this can save you time and let you squeeze more attractions into one day.
For some of the most popular rides, Disney may use a virtual queue. Virtual queues work in the same manner as Lightning Lanes. They allow guests to return to the attraction at a specific time and are free. Virtual queues are available at all times.
4. It does not include all rides
Genie+ offers a robust Lightning Lane offering, including shows, rides and character meetings. However, it does not allow access to all rides. There are some rides at Disneyland and Disney World that use the Individual Lightning Lane system. These are the most popular, newest and largest rides.
Lightning Lane will charge an additional fee to get access to these rides. This fee will vary and could exceed $20 per ride. This is a significant cost, especially considering that you have already paid for Genie+ access for the day.
You don’t have to purchase Genie+ to get Individual Lightning Lane passes. Both of these items can be purchased separately.
Each guest can purchase up two Individual Lightning Lane passes per daily. This means that you won’t have to wait in line for your favorite ride again and again.
5. You can find it in multiple parks
How do I get a FastPass at Disney World It doesn’t matter what Disney park you are visiting, the process is the same.
Genie+ can be used at all its US parks, including Disneyland, California Adventure, and all four parks in Florida. Although the initial process can seem complicated, once you become familiar with Genie+ you will be able use it anywhere.
6. It is possible to sell it
You’re not the only one wondering how to add FastPasses to Disney tickets. FastPasses used to be available immediately after you purchased your tickets. Genie+ makes FastPasses available only to guests who plan to visit the park on the day it becomes available. Lightning Lane reservations are available at 7 a.m.
Individual Lightning Lanes follow a different process. Individual Lightning Lane access can be purchased by guests staying at Disney resorts. This allows them to ride starting at 7 a.m. the day they visit. Individual Lightning Lane can be purchased by other guests for rides that open at the parks on the day of their visit.
Disney FastPass, recapped
Genie+ is the successor to Disney’s old FastPass. Genie+ gives you priority access to many rides and attractions in Disney’s parks. Genie+ is more expensive than FastPass. You won’t be able to access all the rides in the park with Genie+. Instead, you will pay an additional fee for Individual Lightning Lane rides.
Disney’s Genie+ is a great way to save time and maximize your day. Be sure to budget for this extra expense.
Featured photo courtesy Walt Disney World Resort.
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