Walt Disney World Cast Members begin Disney Genie training ahead of the upcoming launch

Sep 14, 2021 in "Disney Genie"

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Disney Genie overview

Posted: Tuesday September 14, 2021 8:45am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Training is now underway at Walt Disney World for the roll-out of the new Disney Genie service.

Lightning Lane signage at Star Wars Rise of the Resistance

Attractions Cast Members at all four Walt Disney World theme parks are being trained to use Disney Genie, Genie+ and Lightning Lanes.

Walt Disney World is yet to announce an official start date for Disney Genie, but we expect to see it debut in the first week of October 2021, shortly after the start of Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary on October 1.

Lightning Lane sign at Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid

Guests can already see Lighting Lane signage replace FastPass+ signs at the entrance to attractions throughout the Walt Disney World parks. At Magic Kingdom, new Lightning Lane signs are already up at Jungle Cruise, the Tomorrowland Speedway and "it's a small world."

Lightning Lane sign at Tomorrowland Speedway

At EPCOT, Lighting Lane signs have been installed at Soarin' and Living with the Land. At Disney's Hollywood Studios, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is prepped for Genie.

Lightning Lane signs at Magic Kingdom

Disney Genie, part of the My Disney Experience app, is the next generation of Disney's ride reservation system, replacing FastPass+.

Genie+ will be available at Walt Disney World for $15 per person per day, and will include access to the Lightning Lane (previously the FastPass line), for one attraction at a time, with a designated arrival time. In addition, top tier attractions not included in Genie+ will be available for individual purchase at a price to be announced. We understand from various sources that Disney will be asking between $4 and $24 per person, per ride, depending on the category of attraction.

Most attractions that were previously part of FastPass+ will be included in the flat-rate Genie+, but top-tier attractions and new attractions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Remy's Ratatouille Adventure will require an individual purchase for Lighting Lane access.

Disney Genie overview

You can learn more about Disney Genie, and answers to your frequently asked Disney Genie questions.

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Sirwalterraleigh17 days ago

That “difference” is a huge one…is a strong suspicion Just my opinion…none of that matters… It’s the new blankie that fans have begun to hold on to…just like “it’s luxury now” when they Jacked the prices to account for losses of numbers… They operate on only a “Growth no matter what” model now…which means feedback is just PR…it won’t push any management decisions But I’m always wrong 🤪

Sirwalterraleigh17 days ago

Oh ok…you should be alright…jersey week is next week and my advice is to avoid those no good vultures 🤪

LittleBuford17 days ago

Thank you! All of this makes sense to me, and I can absolutely see how the old system favoured experienced users. I don’t think the new system is any better in that regard, though—the main difference is that you now have to pay for it. Moreover, my question about guest satisfaction had more to do with how “ordinary” guests perceived FP+ than with how effectively it actually served them. Did significant numbers of these guests dislike the system, and/or recognise that they were getting less mileage out of it than those in the know? I never had the sense that droves of people were feeling dissatisfied or complaining to Disney about it, but I may well be wrong.

DisneyDreamer0818 days ago

Thank you! I will be there November 16-23 with my 10 year old and (unfortunately) will be purchasing for every day.

Sirwalterraleigh18 days ago

Nobody ever listens to me…so I’ll convince no one… But I am a fan of history…and it’s no secret all the design elements were meant to integrate to take the burden OFF the rides. I like a good whirl on a the low thrill “extreme” rides like Abrams, mine train and the broken Everest as much as the next cat… But if the parks become 100% ride centic…which bad management is pushing it towards…they’ll suck. I am annoyingly predictive…against everyone’s best interests…on these types of things As always…do what works for you

Purduevian18 days ago

Everyone tours the parks differently. Personally I love the rides and maximize my time on them... I can also see why someone could go to MK, never ride a ride, and have a great time (but that's not me). Regarding my attire, my amazon disney shirts, amazon backpack, and my 5+ year old goofy hat was all I needed. I'm a firm believer this is no "right" way to do the parks... but if you are prioritizing rides there is/was an "efficient" way.

Sirwalterraleigh18 days ago

Generally speaking? No I don’t know what jerz week does to that though? 🤔

DisneyDreamer0818 days ago

Just a random question as my LL booking day is approaching. Are there any LLs that currently “sell out” at the 7 day mark? Just wondering if I should do my days in a certain order. We can be fairly flexible with times but will be there during a busy timeframe.

Sirwalterraleigh18 days ago

You weren’t the only one doing it…but none of you were in the right place for it. It was never about park pounding…you lose the design and atmosphere that way. Where you…by chance…wearing the exclusive jolly holiday dress with matching loungelfy bag and ears that day? 🤔 I think I passed you as you ran by…I probably had Nutella smudges from sleepy hollow on my face/shoes 😎

Chi8418 days ago

I guess I do like you that much. I re-watched the video. It begins by noting that long lines have been a problem since the day Disney opened its first park and the problem worsened significantly as attendance spiked. It then details Disney's attempts to address long lines: adding switchbacks, hiding queues, making them interesting and finally fast pass, FP+ and ending at the start of Genie+. The video recognizes the variety of guests visiting the parks and concentrates on three groups: one-time/infrequent guests, regulars who visit every year or few years and AP holders/frequent guests. It uses statistical analysis to show the impact of the standby, fast pass and FP+ on each group. Not surprisingly, FP+ favored regular visitors who stayed at Disney resorts and didn't mind planning and research. If you watch the video, we loved FP+ and are "friends of the monster." One-time/infrequent visitors were disadvantaged by lack of knowledge and AP/frequent visitors were disadvantaged by lack of early access to the system. Obviously this is a very short summary specifically addressed to your question about guest satisfaction. The video is well worth watching if you have an hour and 45 minutes to spare. It is pretty even-handed and sets out the pros and cons of each line-skip system highlighting the differing impacts on each group of guests. No solutions are presented, although legacy fast pass fares the best.

Purduevian18 days ago

Yup... of note... this trip was just my wife/fiance at the time with no kids... so I wouldn't be doing this now, but I'm sure I'm not the only one that was doing this. 16 FP+ in Magic Kingdom was an insane day.

Chi8418 days ago

Satisfied guests return.

Sirwalterraleigh18 days ago

Why does the guest thought matter to current management decisions? It really hasn’t seemed like a thing for 10+ years? It you’re talking philosophically… I get that