If you are visiting Disney World you'll have the option of using Disney Genie (a free service to help you plan your time at the parks), Genie+ (a paid service where you can skip the standby lines to use the faster Lightning Lane on some rides), or you can purchase an individual Lightning Lane ride selection.
Here we'll go over what this means, how to book these rides, and how it works.
At each Disney World park there are 2 rides where you can skip to the front of the line, bypassing the standby queue, and ride with little to no wait.
The catch is that skipping the line comes at a cost. And the rides you can purchase for individual ride selection are NOT included with a Genie+ purchase.
Each park offers at least one ride where you can pay to skip the standby queue and use Lightning Lane.
What rides will be included for Lightning Lane purchase?
Magic Kingdom
EPCOT
Hollywood Studios
Animal Kingdom
Prices will vary based on the ride and the dates you are visiting the parks.
You can expect to pay anywhere between $7-$18 per person per ride.
The more expensive selections tending to be Rise of the Resistance and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
First head in to the My Disney Experience app.
Open the menu and click on "My Genie Day" to open Disney Genie. If you haven't already, you can set up the free version of Disney Genie from here as well.
From there you'll see 2 tabs. One days "Tip Board" and the other says "My Day."
My day is where you can set up your preferences and park information.
Tip Board is where you can see todays wait times and lightning lane availability.
Click on Tip Board and select the park you will be at. From there you will see all rides at the park. Listed will be standby wait times, Genie+ Lightning Lane availability, and Individual Ride Selection Availability.
Once you find the ride you are looking for (and if it has Lightning Lane availability), you can select the ride from here.
You'll be asked to confirm your selection and your party. Then you'll select your exact window, and pay for your selection.
After you have paid for your selection you can head to that ride at your designated time and scan in with your Magic Band or phone.
If you are staying at a Disney World Resort you can book an individual ride starting at 7am on that day.
There is no purchasing ahead of time.
If you are not staying on-site, you can book individual ride selection starting at park opening. But it is important to note that you do not need to be inside the park to purchase. You just have to wait until official park opening time to make a purchase in the app.
There is a maximum of two Lightning Lane purchases per guest per day. And your ride selections must be for two different rides. There is no re-riding rides with Individual Ride Selection.
You will also want to make sure your entire party is linked in the My Disney Experience app before you get started. If you want to ride with your entire group, only one person needs to book, but you will all have to be linked in order for that to work.
Lastly, these ride selections can sell out during the day. So know that there is a limited number available, and if you decide to book later in the day you may not be able to purchase or you may find only later ride times available.
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See you at the parks,
-Julie
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