PAID FastPass, Buffets Return, and More Disney News You Missed This Week!

Disney dropped a TON of bombshells on us this week, at least as far as news goes.

Is Genie confused about Disney Genie, too? ©Disney

And we’re keeping track of it all so you don’t have to. And in case you missed the biggest news of the week, we’re here to get you updated as quickly as possible. So here’s the biggest Disney news you might have missed this week!

Disney Reveals More Details About Genie

Disney shocked a lot of fans when it announced that FastPass would not be returning to the Disney Parks. Instead, Disney has unveiled a paid FastPass system that starts with the Genie digital service, which will be added to My Disney Experience for Disney World guests and the Disneyland app for guests of that park.

There was a lot of confusion about how Genie will work, but here’s a quick breakdown: Disney Genie is a free service that will allow guests to better plan their days at the parks.

However, for an additional fee, guests can “upgrade” Genie to Genie+ and have access to book Lightning Lane passes for specific attractions. The fee for Disney World will be $15 per day, while the fee for Disneyland will be $20 per day (the same as the current Maxpass, which is also being discontinued). The Disneyland version will include PhotoPass photos (like Maxpass did), while the Disney World version will not, but will offer some fun augmented reality and audio features.

But for rides that Disney considers top-tier (including those that require boarding passes like Rise of the Resistance), guests can pay an additional fee per ride to get Lightning Lane access for those (even if they don’t have a boarding pass for those that require it).

Breaking Down Disney Genie in the Easiest Possible Way

The First Buffet Returns To Disney World

Boma, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, has reopened, and it is officially the first buffet to reopen at Disney World. Other buffets have reopened as family-style all-you-can-care-to-eat, but Boma is bucking the trend by bringing back buffets to Disney World.

We’ll be visiting Boma and filling you in on what to expect, so be sure to keep checking AllEars for all the updates.

MENUS Released for Boma in Disney World

Transportation Mask Mandate Extended

The global health crisis is still having an impact on the travel industry. Currently, there is a mask mandate for travelers on airplanes, trains, and buses and at airports and train stations. That mandate was originally set to expire in September.

However, the mandate was recently extended by President Joe Biden’s administration until January 18th, 2022.

NEWS: U.S. To Extend Transportation Mask Mandate Into 2022

Disney World Updates its Mask Policy Again

Meanwhile, at Disney World, the facial covering policy has changed again. Recently, Disney World did reinstate the requirement of masks indoors and on attractions, but that requirement has now changed.

There is still an Indoor Mask Requirement at Disney World

Now, face coverings are optional for guests on all outdoor attractions, in outdoor lines, and outdoor theaters.

NEWS: Disney World Updates Mask Policy For Outdoor Attractions and More

NBA Experience Has Closed

At Disney Springs, the NBA Experience, which opened in 2019, has remained closed since Disney World closed due to the global health crisis. It has not reopened since.

Now, though, Disney has confirmed that the NBA Experience has permanently shut down.

NBA Experience Has Closed Permanently in Disney Springs

Those are the biggest Disney news stories of the week, but we’ll keep covering ALL Disney news, so be sure to keep an eye on AllEars for more breaking stories!