UPDATED SUMMER 2024 with new guidelines and a name change to the “FastPass” and “Genie+” system! There is SO much to learn about visiting Walt Disney World Resort and how to “skip the line” and lower wait times is at the top of that list.

It can be hard to keep up because things change so often. But, that’s where we come in. In this article, we'll be detailing everything you need to know about Lightning Lane—and what used to be called FastPass+ and Disney Genie+ at Walt Disney World.

When planning a Walt Disney World vacation, there is a lot to keep in mind. Like the previous versions of Genie+ or FastPass+, Lightning Lane aims to reduce wait times for select attractions. Beginning July 24, 2024 guests can once again make advance bookings of select attractions before you leave on your trip.

While learning a new system might seem overwhelming at first, there’s no need to worry! In this article, we’re going to detail everything you need to know about Lightning Lane before your Walt Disney World vacation.

The term “Lightning Lane” was put in place at Walt Disney World Resort in 2021 in conjunction with Disney Genie+. But for trips on or after July 24, 2024, the Genie+ term will be retired. Lightning Lane is the brand that will stick, for now.

When we say “Lightning Lane”, we’re typically talking about two different things; Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass.

Here is a brief definition of each of these terms:

• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: A paid service that gives you access to Lightning Lanes (skipping the standby queue) for select attractions. You may make up to 3 Lightning Lane selections in a theme park, in advance of your visit. You’ll also be able to choose available times as you make your selections.
• Lightning Lane Single Pass: A paid service that gives you access to one ride on one attraction. You can secure a time to ride and make your purchase before your vacation.

Yes, Lightning Lane replaced the Disney Genie+ and FastPass+ systems. Some things, like lowering your wait time remain the same, but many things have changed at Walt Disney World with this new feature.

The terms to know for the new Lightning Lane program are outlined below.

Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Guests who purchase the Lightning Lane Multi Pass service have access to select Lightning Lane entrances that are offered through the service.

Simply purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass on the My Disney Experience app, make a selection from available attractions before your trip, then arrive at the attraction during your appointed time frame, and access your queue via the marked “Lightning Lane” for optimal wait times.

Individual Lightning Lane: Individual Lightning Lanes—or à la carte—entry selections for specific attractions that are not offered through Disney Genie+. Buying an Individual Lightning Lane allows you access to the Lightning Lane queue (one time) for the selected attraction.

Lightning Lane: Queues are set aside for guests who purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass and/or Lightning Lane Single Pass. The goal with every Lightning Lane entry is to skip long lines and spend more time riding top Walt Disney World attractions.

Lightning Lane Single Pass: Individual Lightning Lanes—or à la carte—entry selections for specific attractions that are not offered through the Multi Pass system. Buying a Lightning Lane Single Pass allows you access to the Lightning Lane queue (one time) for the selected attraction.

Standby Queue: This is the traditional queue or line quests wait in for attractions. All guests have access to the standby line during theme park operating hours.

Virtual Queue: Occasionally, a virtual queue may be used for select attractions or experiences. When a virtual queue is in place, you can request to enjoy that attraction or experience through the My Disney Experience app. The virtual queue holds your place in line so you can experience other attractions while you wait.

Not like the one you remember. Instead, you can find the free “Disney Genie” on the My Disney Experience app which aims to provide free tips on planning your day, it does not offer access to Lightning Lane or expedited entry for lower wait times.

Check the My Disney Experience app for the daily pricing. But here are some important tips:

• Lightning Lane prices vary by date
• Lightning Lane prices vary by theme park
• Lightning Lane typically costs between $25 and $35 per person, per day.

There are some similarities on each coast, but it is important to note key differences between the two Disney Resorts. Here is where you can find everything to know about Disneyland Resort’s Disney Lightning Lane system.

Here are important things to note that make Walt Disney World’s Lightning Lane system unique:

• Pre-purchase options are available.
• 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 purchase and plan up to 3 days in advance.
• The earliest you can buy Lightning Lane is at 7:00 am ET on the date your booking window opens in the My Disney Experience app.
• If you do not pre-purchase you can still buy Lightning Lane when you arrive.
• Lightning Lane works for attractions and select character meet and greets
• Prices vary by date, and will be shown in the My Disney Experience app.
• Ride photos and photo lens are included with Lightning Lane at Walt Disney World.

Walt Disney World has retired the tiered FastPass and now every park is under the Lightning Lane umbrella.

Additionally, you may notice that a few entertainment or meet-and-greet options are listed under Lightning Lane. This doesn’t mean that you can’t watch the show or ride the attraction if you don’t have Lightning Lane, but a Lightning Lane reservation means that you’ll be able to get priority access and/or seating for some of the Resort’s most popular entertainment.

Below, we give you a full breakdown of the Walt Disney World Disney Lightning Lane offerings for each Park.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass Attractions

Choose one experience and arrival time from this group:

• DINOSAUR
• Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
• Feathered Friends in Flight!
• Festival of the Lion King
• Finding Nemo: The Big Blue...and Beyond!
• It’s Tough to Be a Bug!
• Kali River Rapids
• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Naʻvi River Journey

Once you redeem a selection on the day of your park visit, you can choose another multi pass experience from either group (subject to availability). If you have valid admission with the Park Hopper option, you could even choose a multi pass experience in a different theme park (subject to availability).

EPCOT Lightning Lane Multi Pass Attractions

Choose one experience and arrival time from this group:

• Frozen Ever After
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• Soarin' Around the World

Choose two other experiences or all three from this group:

• Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
• Journey into Imagination with Figment
• Living with the Land
• Mission: SPACE
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends
• Spaceship Earth
• Turtle Talk with Crush

Once you redeem a selection on the day of your park visit, you can choose another multi pass experience from either group (subject to availability). If you have valid admission with the Park Hopper option, you could even choose a multi pass experience in a different theme park (subject to availability).



Disney’s Hollywood Studios Lightning Lane Multi Pass Attractions

Choose one experience and arrival time from this group:

• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
• Slinky Dog Dash

Choose two other experiences or all three from this group:

• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
• Disney Junior Play & Dance!
• For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
• Muppet*Vision 3D
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Star Tours - The Adventures Continue
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™
• Toy Story Mania!

Once you redeem a selection on the day of your park visit, you can choose another multi pass experience from either group (subject to availability). If you have valid admission with the Park Hopper option, you could even choose a multi pass experience in a different theme park (subject to availability).

Magic Kingdom Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass Attractions

Choose one experience and arrival time from this group:

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Jungle Cruise
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Space Mountain
• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Choose two other experiences or all three from this group:

• The Barnstormer
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Haunted Mansion
• “it’s a small world”
• Mad Tea Party
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Mickey’s Philharmagic
• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid

Once you redeem a selection on the day of your park visit, you can choose another multi pass experience from either group (subject to availability). If you have valid admission with the Park Hopper option, you could even choose a multi pass experience in a different theme park (subject to availability).

During your visit to Walt Disney World, you can choose to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass and/or Lightning Lane Single Pass. You do not need to purchase both, but you can. Each system operates independently, helping you to maximize your day at the Parks.

There are two important things you need to know about securing your Lightning Lane Single Pass attractions:

1. Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel (including Guests of Walt Disney World Swan Hotel, Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, and Shades of Green Resort®) may begin booking Lightning Lane Single Pass arrival windows at 7:00 am ET seven days prior to your first day in the parks.
2. All other Guests with valid admission are eligible to purchase Lightning Lane Single Pass at 7:00 am ET three days prior to your first day in the parks.

Below, we give you a full breakdown of the Walt Disney World Disney Lightning Lane Single Pass offerings for each Park.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane Single Pass Attractions:

• Avatar Flight of Passage

EPCOT Lightning Lane Single Pass Attractions:

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (also available via Virtual Queue)

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Lightning Lane Single Pass Attractions:

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane Single Pass Attractions:

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• TRON Lightcycle Run (also available via Virtual Queue)

Lightning Lane Multiple Pass pre-planning is only available in one theme park per day. However, once your first selection is used, you may make another selection in any of the theme parks as long as you have a Park Hopper ticket. Lightning Lane selections are always subject to availability.

You can select an attraction for Lightning Lane entrance once per day. After that, you may ride it again via the standby line. Lightning Lane Single Pass purchases are limited to 2 attractions per day.

Yes, the systems allow overlapping reservations so be sure to confirm your arrival time in the My Disney Experience app so you don't miss your return window.

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 purchase and plan up to 3 days in advance.

Yes! Our first tip is to always book your Lightning Lane selections as soon as they become available. Guests who visit Walt Disney World are serious about getting their Lightning Lane reservations and will log in as soon as they become available.

We always recommend checking the My Disney Experience app prior to your vacation to make sure everyone’s tickets are linked and ready to go for your first morning. We’ve also found that more Lightning Lane selections might open up throughout the day, even if they’ve appeared sold out earlier. Because of this, always be sure to check the My Disney Experience app before and during your vacation. You never know what you’ll be able to find!

Yes! One of the most popular selections is Avatar Flight of Passage. It’s no surprise that this is frequently one of the Lightning Lane selections to sell out each day. However, to give you the best chance of scoring a Lightning Lane Single Pass for this ride and other add-on attractions, we recommend trying daily as soon as your booking window opens as some people might change plans.

To help you determine what Lightning Lane selections are going to sell out fast, we’ve provided a list of the most popular attractions in each Park (based on wait times) below:

Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

• Avatar Flight of Passage
• Na’vi River Journey

Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

• Slinky Dog Dash
• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Toy Story Mania

EPCOT:

• Frozen Ever After
• Remy's Ratatouille Adventure
• Test Track

Magic Kingdom:

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Big Thunder Mountain

To make your Walt Disney World Lightning Lane reservations, you’ll need to log in to My Disney Experience app. This is the same place you reserve dining, personalize your MagicBand, create a family and friends list, link tickets, manage your vacation plans and more prior to your trip. The next available time will appear on the app before you purchase.

Yes, to make it easier to change plans on the go, guests are now able to modify Lightning Lane selections without having to cancel and rebook their selection. You can now quickly search for and select other available attractions or arrival windows without canceling and rebooking.

Of course! We understand that Walt Disney World can be, well, a whole new world for our guests. Because of this, we offer a complimentary Walt Disney World concierge service for guests who book any 2-night or longer Walt Disney World Resort hotel stay that also includes Park tickets.

Our concierge services include:

• Dedicated Concierge Email
• Free Concierge Planning Appointments
• Dining and Experience Reservation Assistance (Deluxe/Deluxe Villa Guests)
• Assistance with Special Event Tickets and VIP Tours
• My Disney Experience Assistance
• Transportation Assistance
• Dining Alert Assistance (set up your dining alerts here)

So, what are you waiting for? To book your Walt Disney World vacation, give us a call at 855-GET-AWAY or view our discount Walt Disney World packages online. As a reminder, booking with Get Away Today is completely FREE! Our travel experts are here to help, so let us help you have the best vacation yet.