After weeks and weeks (and weeks) of anticipation, Disneyland has confirmed that it will launch the Disney Genie and Genie+ services on Dec. 8.

What’s that? You’ve been trapped in a magical bottle for the past several months and don’t understand what any of that means? No problem! Here’s what you need to know about Genie and Genie+ before the next time you hit up Disneyland.

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What Is Disney Genie?

Disney Genie is a totally free service that’s included with the Disneyland app. Once you have the DL app on your phone, turn on notifications and location services and you’re good to go.

The My Tip Board feature blocks out your day at Disneyland. Photo courtesy of Disney

What does this complimentary service get you? Lots of handy features, in fact. Tell the Genie what kind of rides, entertainment, and restaurants you like, and it’ll put together a flexible itinerary to build your day around.

Because things can change on a dime at Disneyland, the Genie lets you adjust your itinerary as the day goes on. You can use the My Tip Board feature to see what you’re looking at as far as wait times and available reservations so that you can adapt on the fly.

If you want to see into the future, you don’t need a crystal ball. Disney Genie can even forecast attraction wait times so that you spend more time riding and less time biding.

Disney Genie also helps you maximize your time by streamlining dining reservations and check-ins, mobile ordering, and virtual queues for select attractions into one service.

And you can even chat with a Cast Member in the Disney Genie app and have all your burning questions answered.

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What’s Disney Genie+ (and How Much Does It Cost)?

Disney Genie+ can be purchased prior to your visit or while you’re at the park

The next step up is Disney Genie+, which lets you make even more out of your day at Disneyland. This service costs $20 per person per day and comes with its own unique perks.

Buy Genie+, get Unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads. Photo courtesy of Disney

On top of all those handy tools from the free tier, Genie+ earns you Unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads for your day at the park.

Hear the stories behind your favorite attractions with Genie+. Photo courtesy of Disney

And you’ll get to listen to rad Audio Tales inspired by the Imagineering Field Guides, giving you a behind-the-curtain look at how the magic is made.

But the biggest perk of using the paid Genie+ service is getting access to Lightning Lane entrances at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. This means you can get quick access to 19 rides across both parks.

What Attractions Have Lightning Lanes at Disneyland?

Grizzly River Run is one of 19 Disneyland Resort attractions with a Genie+ Lightning Lane. Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

If you’re worried about getting your money’s worth with Genie+, the list of Disneyland attractions with Lightning Lane access shows the kind of value the service offers.

Disneyland Park Attractions with Lightning Lanes

Disneyland Park Genie+ Lightning Lane attractions

• Autopia
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• Haunted Mansion
• Indiana Jones Adventure
• it’s a small world
• Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

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Disney California Adventure Attractions with Lightning Lanes

Disney’s California Adventure Genie+ Lightning Lane attractions

• Goofy’s Sky School
• Grizzly River Run
• Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
• Incredicoaster
• Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
• Soarin’ Around the World
• Toy Story Midway Mania

Lightning Lane access to WEB SLINGERS must be purchased individually. Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

It’s worth noting that this is separate from attractions with individual Lightning Lane entrances. The following have Lightning Lanes that require an “a la carte” purchase with prices varying by date and attraction

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Disneyland Park)
• Radiator Springs Racers (Disney California Adventure)
• WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure (Disney California Adventure)

If you use Genie+ and individual Lightning Lane access in conjunction, you’ll have more power to optimize your time around the parks. Of course, you can also stick with the complimentary Genie service and use those tools to make the most of your day.

Both Disney Genie and Genie+ go live at Disneyland on Dec. 8. Stay tuned for any changes or upgrades that might come to the services in the weeks ahead.

Have you used Disney Genie or Genie+ at Walt Disney World? Visit the DLR Magazine Facebook page and share your experience with these new services.

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Not sure if you’re going? You can just get more information about a potential Disney vacation.

Know your dates?

Just need advice for now?

Disney Genie Service and Genie+: Everything You Need to Know

How Much Does Genie+ Cost? It’s Time to Bust Out That Magic Lamp …

We Tested The Disney Genie App: How to Get a Genie at Disney World

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