Disney World fixes its biggest problem and gives visitors a gift
When Disney World dropped FastPass+ in late 2021, it created a number of problems and angered some of its theme park visitors.
The biggest change, of course, was that something that used to be free now costs money on top of your theme park tickets. That was a tough pill for some people to swallow, but it's worth noting that Disney World also has kept its overall capacity at its Florida theme parks below their pre-pandemic levels.
Under the old FastPass+ system ticketholders could make three ride, show, or experience reservations before their park visit. People staying at Disney hotels could do that 60 days in advance and those who weren't could do so 30 days in advance.
Once you completed all three reservations, you could make another one, and keep doing that until the day ended. In addition to FastPass+ being free, many Disney World visitors loved being able to plan their visit, at least partly, in advance.
Variations of the old system are coming back, according to a surprise announcement from Walt Disney (DIS) .
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Disney's Genie+ name is going away. Image source: TheStreet
Disney World drops Genie+
The FastPass+ replacement was disliked for a number of reasons. First, it had multiple components. The first, Genie+, was the most direct replacement.
Genie+ is sold on a daily basis at demand-based variable pricing and it allows Disney World visitors to make a ride, show, or experience reservation. When that first reservation has been used, people can make another one.
Some of the newest rides, however, are not part of the Genie+ system. Those can be reserved for a separate fee under the "Lightning Lane" name. To further confuse people, when you use your Genie+ reservation, the special line you get in is called a "Lightning Lane."
It's a less-than-perfect system that Disney World has taken some big steps to correct. The first part of that is the four Florida theme parks will be dropping the Genie+ name.
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This is Disney World's Genie+ replacement
Disney World will be dropping the Genie+ name and leaning into the Lightning Lane branding. On July 24, the Florida theme parks will see Genie+ become Lightning Lane Multi Pass, while individual Lightning Lane will now be known as Lightning Lane Single Pass.
That's a much more simple naming strategy that more accurately reflects the signs in its theme parks. Disneyland will also be adopting the new naming convention, but will not be offering the second change that's happening at Disney World, the chance to make reservations before your visit.
When you purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you may make up to 3 Lightning Lane selections in a theme park, in advance of your visit. You’ll also be able to choose available times as you make your selections.
"When you purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you may make up to 3 Lightning Lane selections in a theme park, in advance of your visit. You’ll also be able to choose available times as you make your selections. On the day of your visit, once you use a selection, check the My Disney Experience app for availability to make an additional selection," the company shared in an email.
The Lightning Lane Single Pass "will work much like it does today, where you can secure a time to ride one of our most highly demanded attractions, but you’ll now be able to make your purchase and plan in advance," the company added.
The advance period for reservations will be shorter than it was in the FastPass+ days. People staying at a Disney resort hotel will be able to plan Lightning Lane passes up to 7 days in advance, for their entire stay (up to 14 days) while everyone else books Lightning Lane passes up to 3 days in advance.
Annual passholders can book Lightning Lane reservations in the 3-day window unless they happen to be staying on property and then they would qualify for 7-day advance reservations.
"Guests may purchase a Lightning Lane Multi Pass, a Lightning Lane Single Pass or both. The app will also 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," Disney shared.