Disney is aiming to improve its guest experience with Lightning Lanes. The company is revamping its skip-the-line program at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. Out is the near-universally disliked Genie+ program and in its place will be a new program known as Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass.
The program is an improvement over the complicated Genie+ program. However, guests are still required to use the MyDisneyExperience app. Additionally, the program will still cost a fee, like Genie+, this will likely vary based on demand and park.
The program has two parts: Multi Pass and Single Pass. What these programs will look like when they go into effect on July 24th? While they allow guests to reserve attractions in advance, they also offer the additional perks of receiving digital downloads of some attraction photos and videos, and those captured with the Disney PhotoPass Service. Additionally, it includes access to Disney PhotoPass Lenses.
Lightning Lane Multi Pass
The Lightning Lane Multi Pass is designed for guests who aim to visit many attractions. It allows holders to select multiple attractions in advance and reserve specific time slots for each. This is similar to the old FastPass+ program. This means guests can plan their day more efficiently, ensuring they have guaranteed access to their favorite attractions.
Using the MyDisneyExperience app, resort guests can choose their three attractions seven days before their check-in day. Non-resort guests will select their attractions three days before their park day. Eligibility begins at 7:00 am EST, and a valid ticket must be linked to the MyDisneyExperience account.
In the app, visitors will browse available time slots, choose their preferred attractions, and schedule three advanced Multi Pass Lightning Lane reservations. Once visiting the park, guests schedule additional Multi Pass Lightning Lane reservations once their first reservation is redeemed. Additionally, Lightning Lane passes only allow use on each attraction once a day.
The Single Pass Lightning Lane
Alternatively, with a Single Pass, visitors can select one of the most popular attractions per day in advance and reserve a specific time slot for that attraction. This will be an additional fee from the Multi-Pass Program. Single Pass replaces the Individual Lightning Lane program formerly used in conjunction with Genie+. These 5 attractions’ Lightning Lane passes can only be purchased individually for resort guests seven days in advance and three days in advance for non-resort guests at 7:00 am EST.
Attractions that must be purchased using a Single Pass Lightning Lane include:
- TRON Lightcycle / Run
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- AVATAR: Flight of Passage.
Is This The Right Choice?
Guests have despised Disney’s Genie+ since its inception. We previously provided ideas for how the Genie+ could be improved. The complicated system, while well-intentioned, did not make for a smooth and enjoyable park experience for all. Disney’s Multipass and Single Pass programs represent a step forward in Disney’s work to better visitor satisfaction by allowing guests to make advanced reservations. While guests still have to wake up at 7:00 am to book these reservations, at least they can sleep in during their vacation days.
While many wish that the skip-the-line program price would be as free as it used to be with FastPass+ and even Paper Fast Passes, no other theme parks offer free skip-the-line programs, and many remain much more expensive than Disney. Hopefully, this new program will be more accessible and easier to understand than its predecessor. We will keep you updated on the pricing and logistics of the new program when it launches!
