Just when we had the hang of it…
Ever since Disney World introduced the Genie+ service in 2021, many guests, reporters, and Disney aficionados have had to go on an intense learning curve to learn how Genie+, Lightning Lane, and Individual Lightning Lanes worked as compared to the former FastPass System. Now Disney has gone and changed the whole thing!
In late June of 2024, Disney dropped a Genie+ bombshell: Beginning on July 24th, many elements of the system — INCLUDING its name — are changing! According to Disney, the Disney Genie+ service will become Lightning Lane Multi Pass, while Individual Lightning Lane will now be known as Lightning Lane Single Pass.
The new system will “blend features from our current services and the previously offered FastPass+ service, giving guests the choice to plan ahead and removing the hassle of planning during their vacation.”
Here’s how the changed system will work:
Lightning Lane Multi Pass
You will now be able to make 3 Lightning Lane selections in a theme park, in advance of your visit (yes, that does sound familiar) and choose available times as you make your selections. From there, as you use each selection on the day of your visit, you can use the My Disney Experience app for availability to make an additional selection.
Lightning Lane Single Pass
Lightning Lane Single Pass will remain similar to Individual Lightning Lanes, today in concept. You’ll still be able to “secure a time to ride one of (Disney’s) most highly demanded attractions” for an additional charge. However, you’ll now be able to make said purchase and plan in advance.
Timing-wise, “Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel and other select hotels will be able to plan Lightning Lane passes up to 7 days in advance, for their entire stay (up to 14 days). All other guests can plan up to 3 days in advance.”
The My Disney Experience App will also be improved to better take advantage of these changes. According to Disney, you’ll be able to purchase a Lightning Lane Multi Pass, a Lightning Lane Single Pass, or both. They further claim that “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 says these changes were spurred on by guest demand. According to the company, “guests have told us they would prefer to have the option to do more of their planning before their theme park day.”
Disney’s revamp of the Lightning Lane system will change how you approach a Walt Disney World vacation yet again, hopefully for the better. Stay tuned to AllEars for further Lightning Lane updates.
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How do you feel about these Lightning Lane changes? Let us know in the comments below.
It seems like this system won’t be available to people in Canada or other international locations. You have to be in the US to reserve I was told by a Disney rep. Does Allears have insight into why this is and whether it might change?
Will they continue the virtual queues after the Lightning Lane Single or Multi pass changes? Or will we always have to either wait in long lines or pay for ILLs for those premium attractions?
Hi Jess! Virtual Queues will still be a thing. The new Lightning Lane Single is just replacing the Individual Lightning Lane selections.
This is great! Now can we finally get rid of the AP park reservations?!!!