food IS a theme park
Planning a Walt Disney World vacation can be complicated. Especially when it comes time to figure out how to plan your touring days at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. And if you hate waiting in line, you might be interested in the paid service — Genie+ — that allows you to skip some of the standby queues.
Disney Genie
But when (and how!) can you purchase Genie+?
First, a little background information.
So you’re planning a Disney World trip, and you think you’ve got it all down!
Cinderella Castle
You might have those hotel reservations booked and the dining reservations made, and maybe you’ve even got a packing list all ready to go. But what about Disney Genie+?! The skip-the-line system is notoriously confusing with it’s plethora of rules and fluctuating prices. Thankfully, we’re here to help! Today, we’re sharing the best (and worst!) days in May 2023 to purchase Genie+.
When Disney World introduced Genie+, EVERYTHING changed.
Have you used Genie+ in Disney World?
We suddenly had to learn the ins and outs of how best to use Genie+, help you decide if it’s worth it, and learn all about every tip and trick we could figure out. But Genie+ has actually changed a LOT since it was first introduced in 2021, so we’re going to go over those changes to make sure you’re as up to date as possible on ALL of the features of the service.
Disney Genie can be a complicated system, but if you know how to use it, it can be a lifesaver on your trip.
Expedition Everest Lightning Lane
From stacking Lightning Lanes to outsmarting Genie+, there are a lot of ways that we make the most out of this extra in the parks. Sometimes that even looks like skipping Genie+ in some parks. But if you’re going to buy Genie+ for your trip to Magic Kingdom (and it is a good park to get it for), you’re going to want to know what to prioritize. So we’re giving you the scoop on how to make your selections. Let’s jump in!
Planning a Disney World vacation can be daunting.
Crowds before Happily Ever After
There are Advanced Dining Reservations to get, Genie+ rides to research, and tons of Disney hotels to choose between. On top of all that, things are changing regularly in the parks — it’s a lot to stay on top of! But don’t worry, we’re here to remind you about some of the biggest changes you need to keep in mind to have a smooth trip.
UPDATED July 24, 2024
BUCKLE UP, FRIENDS — we’re in for a rough ride.
OH BOY
We’ve seen our fair share of ups and downs with Genie+ in Disney World, but this week was a doozy. From selling out day after day to reaching an even higher record price, we’re telling you what you need to know about using Genie+ at Disney World.
It’s a BIG day in Magic Kingdom today — TRON Lightcycle / Run has officially opened!
TRON
The highly anticipated coaster held some Annual Passholder and DVC Member previews, and then it had a soft opening for a couple of weeks, but now it’s officially open and ready to welcome guests. With the new ride opening in Magic Kingdom, however, it looks like a major price increase has hit Genie+ — the paid way you can skip the lines at some of the most popular Disney rides.
If you’ve been to Disney World around spring break, you know the crowds are NO. JOKE.
Walt Disney World!
Not only are schools on break, but there are a lot of exciting things happening in Disney World right now which is why park passes have pretty limited availability this week. The EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival is in full swing, TRON Lightcycle / Run is officially opening with a new pop-up shop and interactive experience, and so much more. We’re showing you what the crowds are like in Disney World at this time of year and how Genie+ broke a record today!
Genie+ can be a necessity in Disney World sometimes — but when?
Lightning Lane at Kali River Rapids
You could rope drop, take advantage of Early Entry and Extended Evening Hours, or even hop on your favorite ride while everyone else is watching parades and fireworks, but sometimes ponying up the extra dough to skip the line can be worth it. If you’re heading to Disney World soon, here’s when you might still need Genie+.
Not all Disney World rides are created equally.
Expedition Everest
We see this every day by keeping an eye on wait times and Genie+ data, and we love being able to bring you tips on how to make the most of your time in the parks. We pulled the latest numbers, and figured out the first Lightning Lane you should grab in each park!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
