What is a Lightning Lane? A Disney Genie+ Primer

by | Aug 26, 2021 | Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, WDW Blog, WDW News

We can show you the world… of Lightning Lanes. What is a Lightning Lane, anyhow?

OK, so once upon a time, there was this Genie… and he had these lanes. Lighting Lanes. The lanes opened up magical worlds that you’d otherwise have to wait an eternity for.

But Genies love gold, so you’ll need to pay the price. Here’s everything you need to know to get yourself in a Lightning Lane:

What are Lightning Lanes?

Purchase screen for Genie Plus, including the terms and conditions of the service

Courtesy of Disney

All FastPass+ Lanes will be renamed Lightning Lanes. No word yet on if Lightning McQueen will usher us all in.

Just like FastPass+, the Lightning Lane program is designed to get you on your rides faster and help structure your day.

How Do I Get in a Lightning Lane?

Lightning Lane Individual Selections Disney Genie+ Service_DPB

To get in a Lightning Lane, guests will first have to do one of two things.

  1. Unlock access to Lightning Lanes when you pay for Disney Genie+ Service
  2. Pay a la carte for Individual Lightning Lane selections (one at a time of your choosing) to get in the Lightning Lane

Lightning Lanes via Disney Genie+

Disney Genie Service Tip Board, showing standby line times and Lightning Lane availability for The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Spaceship Earth, and Turtle Talk with Crush

👉 No more picking FastPass selections ahead of your trip.  The Genie is thousands of years old, he loves old-school: We are back to the age day-of ride selections.

👉 Lightning Lanes act a bit more like the old paper FastPass system in that you need to wait till the day of your trip to pick your first one.

The good news? You don’t have to be in the park to pick your first Lightning Lane selection!

If you have purchased Disney Genie+, here is the process to use your Lightning Lane Access:

  1. Wake up before 7:00 AM
  2. Get on the My Disney Experience app
  3. Refresh the Lightning Lane selection screen until 7:00 AM
  4. As soon as 7:00 AM hits, pick your first Lightning Lane selection. It will be automatically scheduled for the next available time, so your first ride may be early!

You don’t have to be staying at a Disney World Resort to get your first Lightning Lane selection at 7:00 AM.

Individual Attraction Selections

Splash Mountain Lightning Lane_Lazar

Not sure you want to commit to a full day of Genie+? Maybe you just want to keep your day loose, options open. That’s some big Loki energy, we get it.

How to get in a Lightning Lane via the a la carte—Individual Lightning Lane attraction selection—system:

  1. Wake up before 7:00 AM
  2. Get on the My Disney Experience app
  3. Refresh the Lightning Lane selection screen until 7:00 AM
  4. As soon as 7:00 AM hits, pick your first Individual Lightning Lane attraction (you can buy up to two a day)

Yep, that’s the same process as the guests who bought Genie+. But you, an agent of chaos, don’t have to wake up at 7:00 AM if you don’t want to… that’s for the hardcore planners who want to make sure to score a ride.

You can also be strolling through the park and make the executive decision to not stand in line for Mine Train.

Will Lightning Lane Space Run Out?

Lightning Lane Selections in Disney Genie+ Service_DPB

So with all the 7:00 AM action happening, it begs the question… are Lightning Lane spots limited?

Given past FastPass logic, the answer is yes.

There are only so many time slots per day, so the most popular rides will fill up. Once spots are full, Lightning Lane ala carte purchases will not be available for the ride.

How Much Do Lightning Lanes Cost?

Magic Kingdom Lightning Lanes Monsters Laugh Floor_Lazar

For all-day use of Lightning Lanes, the cost starts at $15.00 per guest per day. This is the cost to upgrade Disney Genie to Disney Genie+.

Individual Lightning Lane attraction selection pricing varies by ride and day.

Which Rides Will Have Lightning Lanes?

Lightning Lane access of Disney Genie+ Service_DPB

More than 50 rides at Walt Disney World have Lightning Lanes. Some are accessible through Genie+ while others cost extra through Individual Lightning Lane attraction selection.

⚡ Full List of Genie+ Attractions ⚡
⚡ Full List of Individual Lightning Lanes ⚡

What Else Is Included in Disney Genie+ Service?

Disney Genie+ Service Audio Experiences in the App_DPB

PhotoPass Lenses, Audio Experiences, and PhotoPass Downloads.

For more info on everything that Disney Genie+ has to offer, see our big giant explainer.

What Happened to FastPass+?

FastPass lanes are now Lightning Lanes Judd Helms

FastPass lanes are now Lightning Lanes. Photo by Judd Helms

FastPass and FastPass+ have been sunset.

And the Genie can’t bring anyone back to life, it’s against the three wishes rules, so let’s all take a moment of silence and then move on. We’ve got rides to ride.

Need Help? Our friends at Destinations to Travel have done all the studying for you. Their services are free and they can talk to you individually to break down all the Lightning Lane, Genie+, and more.


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

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We get that Disney Genie+ Service means learning a whole new world of possibilities, and we’re here to help.


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Written by Rain Blanken

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Rain Blanken is a published author and leader in digital media. A DVC Member, WDW Annual Pass holder, and former Disney Vacation Planner, Rain would live inside Boma if they would just stop checking under the tables at night.
Rain Blanken

Written by Rain Blanken

Rain Blanken is a published author and leader in digital media. A DVC Member, WDW Annual Pass holder, and former Disney Vacation Planner, Rain would live inside Boma if they would just stop checking under the tables at night.