How To Get Disney World Fastpass?

Not having to wait in lines at Disney World makes enjoying the magic that much easier. 

Disney’s theme parks have always had a way to skip the line at rides and attractions, allowing guests to get on their favorites more quickly. 

In recent years, Disney has changed its skip-the-line process, leaving parkgoers slightly confused about how things work. 

Fastpass, Fastpass+, and Maxpass are no longer available at Disney World or any other Disney theme park. Instead, visitors must choose between Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane Entry to skip the lines for their favorite rides. Unlike the Fastpass system, which was a free service, Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes come with a fee.

This article explains the new Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane systems at Disney World and compares both options to help visitors figure out what’s best for them.

Does Disney World Have Fastpasses?

Originally with Fastpass, guests would go to a bank of kiosks to get a ticket with a reservation time that allowed them faster entry onto rides and attractions. 

In 2014, Fastpass was transitioned online, and guests were given their return time through the My Disney Experience App.

As of 2021, Disney no longer offers Fastpasses, Fastpass+, or Maxpass and has since replaced them with Lightning Lanes. 
Lightning Lanes are essentially Fastpass lines that require special access via Genie+ Service or Individual Lightning Lane Entry.

Does Every Ride Have a Lightning Lane?

Similar to the Fastpass system, only some rides and attractions have a Lightning Lane. 

However, most of Disney World’s popular rides do have a “skip the line” option, such as: “it’s a small world,” Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Frozen Ever After, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, and the Haunted Mansion.

How Do You Use Lightning Lanes?

Lightning Lanes can be accessed using Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane Entry via the Genie Service section of the My Disney Experience App. 

These options function similarly to Fastpass, making them an easy transition for guests who have used “skip the line” services in the past.

To use Lightning Lanes, visitors must have a valid Disney World ticket as Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes must be linked to an existing reservation. 

Once in the park, guests book a return window for their ride of choice by purchasing Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lane Entries. 

When it’s time to return to the ride, visitors tap their ticket, Magic Band, or Disney Magic Mobile to the touchpoint at the entrance to the Lightning Lane. 

There is another checkpoint further in the line for guests to tap as well, and if both turn green, they are good to go through. 

How is Genie+ Different From Individual Lighting Lane Entry?

The differences between Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane Entry are price and access. 

Genie+ is an add-on that is purchased for a full day and allows guests access to the Lightning Lanes at participating rides. 

Genie+ Lightning Lane selections (reservation times/return windows) must be made one at a time and can only be booked once the previous selection has been redeemed or two hours after the last reservation was made.

On average, guests with Genie+ can use two to three Lightning Lanes daily.

Individual Lightning Lane Entry is Disney’s a la carte skip-the-line service and is only available for rides not covered by Genie+.

Guests can only reserve two Individual Lightning Lane Entries per day following the same reservation rules as Genie+.

How Do You Get Genie+?

Guests must have a valid Disney World ticket to purchase Genie+. 

After downloading My Disney Experience App, find “My Disney Genie Day” on the main menu. 

Click on the “My Day” tab, then select “Get Disney Genie+ for Today.”

Prices for Genie+ vary by date, so check the My Disney Experience App for up-to-date information.

How Do You Get Individual Lighting Lane Entry?

Individual Lightning Lane selections are also made through the My Disney Experience mobile app. 

Download the app, then select “Tip Board” from the main menu. 

Choose an Individual Lightning Lane experience and follow the instructions for how to purchase. 

Like Genie+, prices for Individual Lightning Lane selections vary.

Is Genie+ Better Than Individual Lighting Lane Entry?

There are upsides to both skip-the-line options provided by Disney World. 

The biggest benefit of Genie+ is that it covers more rides and is a great option for guests who are visiting on peak dates and are looking to enjoy as many rides as possible.

Individual Lightning Lane selection is limited to twice per day and is only offered on rides not covered by Genie+.

The advantage of Individual Lightning Lane selection is that it allows guests to purchase one or two entries instead of a fixed price for a full day of entry through Genie+.

Guests should download the My Disney Experience App and look at the rides offered by each service on the date of their visit.

They can then do the math to determine which option is right for them.

Conclusion

Disney World recently transitioned away from its complimentary Fastpass system in favor of new paid digital options. 

Fastpass lanes are now called Lightning Lanes, accessed through Genie+ Service or Individual Lightning Lane Entry on the My Disney Experience App.

Genie+ is a full-day pass to skip the lines at participating rides, and Individual Lightning Lane Entry is a one-time purchase at attractions not covered by the other. 

Guests need a valid Disney World ticket to make Lightning Lane selections, and prices vary by date. 

Which option is best for your group depends on how busy the park is and the number of times you intend to use Lightning Lanes. 

Parkgoers should download the My Disney Experience App to confirm current pricing and which rides are offered on their visit date.