Over the years, Disneyland Resort has offered several programs to help you save time in line. The two latest programs (FastPass and MaxPass) were replaced with the new Genie and Genie+ program in late 2021.
Genie+, which allows you to schedule times to arrive at the lightning lanes, can be a little confusing. In addition, this program comes with an additional fee, so you need to seriously consider whether or not it is worth it for your next Disneyland vacation.
If you are traveling to Disneyland, you may want to consider adding on Genie+. This post will help you learn how to use Genie+, how it can help, and whether or not this paid service is worth it.
Any additional questions? Leave us a comment.
Disclosure: We’ve received complimentary tickets as part of our attendance at a conference, but have also paid our own way. This post contains affiliate links, and a purchase through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us. All opinions are my own.
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Guide to Genie+ at Disneyland
Is Genie+ Worth It At Disneyland?
The biggest question most people have about Genie+ is whether or not it’s worth it. A Disneyland vacation is expensive, even before you add on Genie+ as an extra cost. So, you’ll need to decide if it’s worth the added expense.
For my family vacations to Disneyland, I purchase Genie+ for our tickets. It does help you save time and allows you to experience more attractions in less time. Since I travel to Disneyland from the East Coast, I always want to maximize my time in the parks, and Genie+ helps me do that.
If you are someone who frequently visits the Disneyland parks or who doesn’t necessarily love rides, it may not be worth it to you. You’ll want to ensure you will take full advantage of it to get value out of the extra fee.
Purchasing Genie+
Unlike at Walt Disney World, Genie+ can be purchased as a ticket add-on when you purchase your park tickets. In addition, it may be available as a single-day purchase on the day of your visit.
However, that is subject to availability, and it can sell out. If you want to guarantee you’ll have Genie+ during your Disneyland vacation, you’ll want to add it on when you buy your tickets.
Currently, Genie+ starts at $30 per person per day. The price can vary based on demand.
Individual Lightning Lane
When you make a Genie+ reservation, you will receive a time window when you can return to go through the Lightning Lane entrance. However, there are also Individual Lightning Lanes, which are different.
Individual Lightning Lanes are offered for the most popular rides. Currently, at Disneyland, this is Radiator Springs Racers at Disney’s California Adventure and Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland Park.
You don’t need to have Genie+ to purchase an Individual Lightning Lane, and these attractions are not included with a Genie+ purchase. You’ll have to buy it separately if you want it.
Purchases of individual lightning lanes can be made on the Disneyland app. When you buy it, you’ll see the next available time that you’ll be able to book. Unlike at Disney World, you’ll need to choose the next time offered and can’t pick your time.
Using Genie+
Before using Genie+, you’ll want to ensure you’ve linked all of the tickets for your party on the Disneyland app. You can make Genie+ reservations for your entire group if you are all linked.
Once you scan into your first park of the day, you can make your first selection from the Tip Board section of the app. Keep in mind that you are limited to one Lightning Lane per attraction, per day.
Once you have a Genie+ selection booked, you can’t get another one until you’ve either used it, had it expire, or if more than 2 hours have passed since the time of booking. You can optimize your Genie+ by arriving early in the day and getting times as close together as possible.
What if you don’t decide to purchase Genie+? In that case, you can go through the standby line at the attractions.
Just keep in mind that there may be long lines for the most popular attractions. The single rider line is also an option, but your party members will be split up.
Difference Between Disney Genie and Genie +
The Disney Genie and Genie+ are two separate services. While Genie+ comes with an additional fee, the Disney Genie is a free service.
To use the Disney Genie, you’ll want to go onto the Disneyland app. From there, you can select the dining, attractions, and shows that are most important for you to experience.
Once you’ve chosen everything, the Disney Genie algorithm will show you the best times for you to go to these locations. During the day, it will update times as things change in real time.
This isn’t a return window, however. You won’t have a reservation and can choose to wait in the standby line.
Even if I purchase Genie+, I still use the Disney Genie service. It gives a good backup if there are attractions I want to experience more than once, or for attractions and experiences that don’t use Genie+. Since it’s free, there’s no risk and there’s minimal effort required.
Attractions at Disneyland That Use Genie+
Wondering which attractions at Disneyland currently use Genie+? This list may always change, but at publication time, here’s the list:
Disneyland Park:
- The Matterhorn Bobsleds
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
- Space Mountain
- Autopia
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
- it’s a small world
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
- Pirates of the Caribbean (temporarily offered)
- The Haunted Mansion
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Indiana JonesTM Adventure
Disney’s California Adventure Park
- Incredicoaster
- Toy Story Midway Mania!
- Goofy’s Sky School
- The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
- Grizzly River Run
- Soarin’
- Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
- WEB Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure
- Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
In addition, two attractions utilize Individual Lightning Lanes. These are Radiator Springs Racers at Disney’s California Adventure and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland.
Have you used Genie+ at Disneyland?
