Genie+ is a big part of a Walt Disney World vacation. It can be a great feature to help navigate the crowds in the Disney Parks. We have used it a few times, and there are a couple of tips we wished we had known before heading down. We will share this information with you now so you can be more prepared.
What Is Genie+
First, briefly review what Genie+ is and how you use it. Genie+ is a paid feature found on My Disney Experience, the official Walt Disney World app. At midnight, Guests can add Genie+ to their day through this app.
The cost of Genie+ is date based and ranges from $15 to up to $35 per person per day. Not a cheap investment for many families.
So what does Genie+ get you with the purchase? By purchasing Genie+, Guests can access over 40 Lightning Lanes at the four Disney Parks. Lightning Lanes are the fast-tracked entrance to rides, shows, and meet and greets.
Typically, Lightning Lanes see lower wait times compared to the standby lines. Guests usually wait only 10- 15 minutes for most experiences and can even walk right onto many.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to My Disney Experience
How Does It Work?
At 7 a.m., Guests can book their first Genie+ reservation. Guests choose the ride of their choice and are given the next available return time. This is a specific hour window where Guests are can return to the experience.
Guests can continue to book experiences via the app throughout the day. This can save hours in line throughout a day in the Park.
So what do you need to know about Genie+? We have a few essential tips that we wish we had known before using it during our trip.
Related: Must-Know Genie+ Facts for Walt Disney World
Genie+ Is Available for Meet and Greets
If you have characters that are a must-see for your trip, use Genie+ to avoid those long lines. All four Parks have meet and greets where Genie+ can be used.
Some of those areas are in the Magic Kingdom for Princess Fairytale Hall and Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theatre. At Adventures Outpost at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Genie+ can be used to visit Mickey and Minnie in their adorable safari outfits.
Look at what characters are available via Genie+ on My Disney Experience. Use this to avoid those long lines that build throughout the day.
Related: Genie+ Rides to Book Quick at Disney
You Can Modify
When booking Genie+, you are given the next available time slot. Because of this, you might not get the return time that works best for your schedule. We are grateful that Disney has updated Genie+, and Guests can now modify it.
Once you have booked your Genie+ experience, you can modify the experience and the time. This is a fantastic update to the app. Guests can now adjust their experience so it works the best for them. We love being able to modify when a new time or experience comes up that fits better.
Ensure you use this feature to get the most out of Genie+ during your trip.
When You Can Book Another One
There are three times when Guests can book another Genie+ reservation. Knowing when you can make new reservations is essential to get the most out of your Genie+ reservation.
The first two ways are extremely easy to remember. You can make new reservations after using your Genie+ reservation or after your one-hour window has passed.
The final way that indicates that you can book another Genie+ is the two-hour rule. You can book an additional one two hours after you book a Genie+ reservation. This means that if at 10:00 a.m. you get a Genie+ for Space Mountain at 6:00 p.m., you don’t have to wait until 6 pm to book another Genie+. Instead, you can book another Genie+ for two hours at 10:00 am. This means at noon; your window will be ready.
This can be tricky when booking in the morning, as your two-hour window doesn’t start until the Park officially opens. If you book Slinky Dog Dash at 7:00 am, you can’t book another Genie+ until two hours after Disney’s Hollywood Studios opens.
Luckily, the My Disney Experience app tells you this information. You will find your next available time at the top of your app. This is a great way to know when you can book next. Don’t miss out on this because it is the best way to get the most out of Genie+.
Ride Early to Book Early
Another tip that we figured out when using Genie+ is scanning in early. You are given an hour to use your Genie+; however, if you choose to use it early that hour, you can book your next Genie+ return time earlier.
Although this might be a small deal, hour to hour, it can significantly impact how many Genie+ experiences you can use throughout the day. The sooner you scan in, the soon you can book, and the more rides you can get in using Genie+.
Genie+ is a substantial financial investment. Make sure you know how to use it before you arrive to get the most out of your investment. Use these tips and tricks to help you be a Genie+ expert before your Walt Disney World vacation.
With the growing crowds, having ways to navigate them is a good tool for a successful Disney trip. Genie+ is one of those tools that can help you manage them during your trip if you choose to use them.
