Disney Announces Big Changes Coming to Genie+ Lightning Lane Entry Process

by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 3:25 PM ET, Tue June 25, 2024

If you’re among the many Walt Disney World visitors who has long wanted to be able to do more advance planning before arriving at the popular park, there’s good news.

The entertainment giant announced today that it will be making changes to its Disney Genie+ service, as well as to its Lightning Lane entry program.

In a new blog post, Walt Disney World explained that those changes will roll out on July 24 and will include new, simpler names for the programs to make their functions clearer to visitors.

For instance, Disney Genie+ will soon be called Lightning Lane Multi Pass. Separately, the individual Lightning Lane pass will become known as the Lightning Lane Single Pass.

But those aren’t the only changes in the works at Walt Disney World. Additional updates will include the ability to:

Make Lightning Lane plans before arriving at the park for added confidence. 
Being able to choose experiences and times prior to purchasing, so you know what you’re getting.
The ability to book Lightning Lane passes for multiple vacation days, all in a single day.

Visitors who have long used these programs and passes and experienced the frustrations with not be able to have more control, feel free to engage in a collective sigh of relief.

Here are additional key details on the changes.

Lightning Lane Pass Changes

Lightning Lane Multi Pass 

When purchasing the Lightning Lane Multi Pass, visitors can make up to 3 Lightning Lane selections in a theme park, in advance of a visit. Visitors will also be able to choose available times when making selections.
In addition, on the day of a visit, once a selection is used, check the My Disney Experience app for availability to make an additional selection.

Lightning Lane Single Pass 

Lightning Lane Single Pass will work much like it currently does, according to the Walt Disney World blog post. Visitors will be able to secure a time to ride one of the park’s top attractions, but will now be able to make the purchase and plan in advance.  

How to Plan Ahead

Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel and other select hotels will be able to plan Lightning Lane passes up to seven days in advance, for an entire stay (up to 14 days). All other guests can plan up to 3 days in advance, the Walt Disney World blog explains.

“These advance purchase windows will let guests secure some of their must-do rides and experiences after they’ve had some time to decide what dining reservations they want to book and any other plans they may need to consider,” says the blog post.

Guests may purchase a Lightning Lane Multi Pass, a Lightning Lane Single Pass or both.

In addition, the app will be updated to make it quicker and easier to purchase and plan, with fewer steps and a new option to purchase Lightning Lane Single Pass and Lightning Lane Multi Pass in one transaction.

Lightning Lane passes will also blend features from its current services and the previously offered FastPass+ service, giving guests the choice to plan ahead and removing the hassle of planning during their vacation.

Additional Details

The complimentary features of Disney Genie service will continue to be available in the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps, according to Walt Disney World.

“Both apps have also gotten a series of upgrades over the last year to make features easier to use, including making dining reservations, mobile food ordering, and more,” adds today’s blog post.

“We deeply value the trust families place in Disney to create lasting memories and that is why we are dedicated to making updates that improve and simplify their experience,” the post concludes.