Disney Announces New Fast Pass System!!!
This afternoon (June 25, 2024), Disney announced a new and improved Fast Pass/Genie+ system to help coordinate your day in the park! The new name for the Genie+ service will be called Lightning Lane Multi Pass and the new name for the Individual Lightning Lane will be called Lightning Lane Single Pass.
Prior to Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane, Disney called the skip the line services
Fast Pass: This was the first version where a guest would go up to a kiosk and get a paper ticket with a printed return time. (I get nostalgic about this because it’s the system I knew and loved as a kid). I do admit that it was kind of like playing the lottery to get a good return time.
Fast Pass+: This is The Casual Disney Mama’s favorite system because she is a planner! She likes to know what park we’re hitting on each day of our trip, and what to expect during our time there, and Fast Pass+ allowed that. This system let you secure three skip the line ‘passes’ for each park day. However, you could book these 30 days in advance of your trip. We, like many others, set our alarm clocks and logged onto the My Disney Experience App by 7AM in order to get the best possible combinations of rides for your upcoming trip! Now let’s fast forward a few years…
Genie+ and Individual Lighting Lane came about a few years back when Disney decided to follow the all mighty dollar (The dreaded Chapek era)! Disney now charges a daily fee that varies based on demand, per day and per person to get this version of their skip the line service.
Now, if you are like us and can only get down to Disney once per year then you most likely reluctantly purchased the product in order to maximize your time in the parks. It also is super helpful when visiting during the hotter months to avoid standing outside in long queues, and also if you have small children who have trouble waiting for long periods of time like ours.
I do admit that ultimately it was a good financial move for the company to start charging for this service. On top of that, Genie+ and ILL worked pretty well for us when we have used it the past 2 trips.
I am excited and hopeful for the new Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass systems. It’s well documented that Walt Disney used to have a belief of “plussing” anything in his parks or animations that could be improved upon. Even if it meant Roy Disney and other financial partners would have to scramble to accrue more money in order to get his Plussing projects done!
I know The Casual Disney Mama will appreciate the ability to secure three attractions 7 days prior to that park day! I also think this will alleviate the feeling of needing to constantly be on your phone to look for your next ride. This is great for the entire family to be more “in the moment” and create more of those core memories.
We want to know what you think of todays announcement and if you are looking forward to the changes coming to Genie+ (I did like the name and the nod to one of the best characters in film history).
