Plan Ahead with Lightning Lane Entry at Walt Disney World Starting July 24

[123SA]

To get more into the weeds....
While Disney is never super clear, it looks to me like tiers no longer matter when making the 4th ride reservation and beyond. If your first two attractions are tier 2, you could be holding 3 tier 1 reservations (if any are still available the day of). What if 3 family members actually tap into a tier 2 ride but it is cancelled for the 4th (sleeping in)? Can all 4 try to get a tier 1 ride or is the 4th person only allowed a tier 2 ride since they did not actually tap in?

If they didn’t tap in, then they should still have their 1st one available


ETA. No…I didn’t answer your question right


I think this is another one of those who knows until someone reports back.

 

[Karalee402]

But right now, everyone who buys genie + can pick one at 7am, before parks open and there are some left over Why does picking one at a different time before parks open (3 or 7 day or more days before) mean that there will be less available?

This is a good point. Right now, there's plenty of "tier one" availability at MK with Genie, even well into the afternoon apart from things like Peter Pan and Jungle Cruise. Even those can go into the afternoon on less busy days. May be very true that availability stays very similar to what we see now with Genie.

 

[HopperFan]

What I find hard to believe is that so many people are "ok" with paying more money on top of an already expensive park ticket for either just a single ride or for a faster line to get on an attraction.

Just wondering does everyone hate Universal, Six Flags, Cedar Point, Dollywood, Knott's Berry Farms, Carowinds?? .... all of which have more expensive "Fast Passes" than Disney's has been.

Sadly it is how theme parks are operating now, not sure why Disney is supposed to be any different.

Do I like it NO, do I blame them NO. So what do I do ...... we take it out of the food budget. Guests are spending that much on ONE table service meal each day and don't blink. I'd rather get Lightning Lane for the day for that same amount of money.

 

[carlyannek]

Once you tap in, can you just modify your tier 2 picks to tier 1?

If you don’t preselect, can you select 3 tier 1 day of?

If you preselect one tier 1 only, can you arrive at park and then select two more tier1?

My suspicion would be that if you went to modify your tier 2’s it would only give you a list of tier 2’s. Purely a guess though. I am curious if you tried to modify, if it would let you choose a different park. Or if you outright cancel your second and third picks after scanning in to your first, could you then choose a different park. Lots of questions i’m sure we won’t have answered until the influencer strategy videos start rolling out.

 

[DisneyFive]

Because speculation is what we do best!

What do you folks think the availability will be like for first tier attractions after the initial pre-booking one is redeemed?

I will be disappointed if all that can be expected is the initial Tier 1. I'm used to being able to ride BTMR, Space Mountain, Peter Pan, Jungle Cruise, etc all in one day under the Genie+ system.

I'd be interested in particular to hear the past experiences with FastPass in this regard, as it may be somewhat of a predictor of what we can expect.

I don’t think you will have any problem getting the rides you want in Magic Kingdom. There are so many attractions that availability was never a big issue for us in that park.

 

[carlyannek]

Just wondering does everyone hate Universal, Six Flags, Cedar Point, Dollywood, Knott's Berry Farms, Carowinds?? .... all of which have more expensive "Fast Passes" than Disney's has been.

Sadly it is how theme parks are operating now, not sure why Disney is supposed to be any different.

Do I like it NO, do I blame them NO. So what do I do ...... we take it out of the food budget. Guests are spending that much on ONE table service meal each day and don't blink. I'd rather get Lightning Lane for the day for that same amount of money.

I think the frustration comes from reinventing the wheel to make it more complicated each time, while using language like “for your convenience”. When you have people making a living off of making videos on how to use the product that gets reinvented, renamed, and rewritten every two years, it becomes a little exhausting.

We are the minority that comes on these boards, and we’re somewhat of unofficial experts (in our own minds) but the majority of folks who visit are going for that once in a lifetime trip, and it’s a daunting thing to try and explain. Imagine googling it and depending if you land on an article from 2019, 2021, 2023 or 2024 getting completely different information and names of the product. I don’t think there would be nearly the outrage if it were as simple as buying a pass to skip the line a la Universal.

 

[Tom_E_D]

My suspicion would be that if you went to modify your tier 2’s it would only give you a list of tier 2’s. Purely a guess though. I am curious if you tried to modify, if it would let you choose a different park. Or if you outright cancel your second and third picks after scanning in to your first, could you then choose a different park. Lots of questions i’m sure we won’t have answered until the influencer strategy videos start rolling out.

I think modifying to another park is a bigger issue than the others. Remember that you pay a different price based on which park you buy LLMP for. Paying for AK and then modifying everything to MK? Disney could lose money if people start doing that. As it is now, with Genie+, you cannot modify from one park to another (although you can cancel and then book in another park, you can only do so if you paid for the multi-park option).

 

[NYGoofy1889]

For those saying yay no more early mornings, what about the fact that now you can't stack rides in the evening? I feel like if you really want to take advantage of the new setup you need to be in park as soon as possible to make sure you use one of your selected attractions to be able to get another. In the past with Genie+ you could wake up, purchase Genie+, purchase your ILL for later in the day, pick your first LL for later in the day and go back to sleep or wake up get a coffee, chill, go to the pool and head out later in the afternoon and ride everything you stacked throughout the day.

I agree. The new system is much better than Genie Plus only if you are an early arriver. For those of us who like to enter the park late afternoon with 3-4 "tier 1" LL stacked, the new system is now a problem. I don't foresee much availability of tier 1 rides if I can't book another one until I ride something at 3pm. If my devious mind is already thinking up ways to beat the system, I'm sure the Disney pros will by next month.

 

[Tom_E_D]

I think the frustration comes from reinventing the wheel to make it more complicated each time, while using language like “for your convenience”. When you have people making a living off of making videos on how to use the product that gets reinvented, renamed, and rewritten every two years, it becomes a little exhausting.

We are the minority that comes on these boards, and we’re somewhat of unofficial experts (in our own minds) but the majority of folks who visit are going for that once in a lifetime trip, and it’s a daunting thing to try and explain. Imagine googling it and depending if you land on an article from 2019, 2021, 2023 or 2024 getting completely different information and names of the product. I don’t think there would be nearly the outrage if it were as simple as buying a pass to skip the line a la Universal.

The fact that this change is so dramatic from the current system may be one reason they changed the name. They don't want people coming after July 24 to see older videos on Genie+ and then complain when that isn't what they get when they arrive.

 

[HopperFan]

I think the frustration comes from reinventing the wheel to make it more complicated each time, while using language like “for your convenience”. When you have people making a living off of making videos on how to use the product that gets reinvented, renamed, and rewritten every two years, it becomes a little exhausting.

We are the minority that comes on these boards, and we’re somewhat of unofficial experts (in our own minds) but the majority of folks who visit are going for that once in a lifetime trip, and it’s a daunting thing to try and explain. Imagine googling it and depending if you land on an article from 2019, 2021, 2023 or 2024 getting completely different information and names of the product. I don’t think there would be nearly the outrage if it were as simple as buying a pass to skip the line a la Universal.

I understand your POV BUT that is not what I am hearing here.

Folks are calling this a "greedy money grab" for something that used to be free. Folks are acting like Disney is trying to steal their money ~ I wonder if they feel the same way about the other parks doing the same.

It is more complicated than the others, for one because it has a lot more parks and rides. IF they made it a simple one time ride on each ride walk on in ............ the price would be double, triple or more the current price. Then folks will scream about that.

AND honestly I don't feel sorry for folks who "research" and don't use Disney's official site for facts, who don't check dates on articles (I always do about anything). Research is kinda relative to cost. If you are spending thousands of dollars to go somewhere it's on you to do your homework.

The fact that this change is so dramatic from the current system may be one reason they changed the name. They don't want people coming after July 24 to see older videos on Genie+ and then complain when that isn't what they get when they arrive.

I am SO glad they changed the name because the old one was stupid and confusing. These names are clear and very understandable. I think it will help with guests understanding the program.

I only wish they had changed the name of the DAS to something new because the new program is not the old program, and folks are having expectations that are wrong.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I don’t think there would be nearly the outrage if it were as simple as buying a pass to skip the line a la Universal.

Past discussions about skip the line services make me believe that this would not be true. People would be VERY mad if Disney charged $200 to skip lines. It would be called a money grab and another way of pricing people out of the park experience.

 

[Tom_E_D]

I understand your POV BUT that is not what I am hearing here.

Folks are calling this a "greedy money grab" for something that used to be free. Folks are acting like Disney is trying to steal their money ~ I wonder if they feel the same way about the other parks doing the same.

It is more complicated than the others, for one because it has a lot more parks and rides. IF they made it a simple one time ride on each ride walk on in ............ the price would be double, triple or more the current price. Then folks will scream about that.

AND honestly I don't feel sorry for folks who "research" and don't use Disney's official site for facts, who don't check dates on articles (I always do about anything). Research is kinda relative to cost. If you are spending thousands of dollars to go somewhere it's on you to do your homework.

Unfortunately, the "facts" on Disney's official website are often incorrect or incomplete, and many blog articles and vlog videos are undated.

 

[hes122]

Frankly I would've preferred Disney switching to a Universal-type model where you can pay one price and get to ride each ride with a LL once at whatever time you want.

 

[HopperFan]

Unfortunately, the "facts" on Disney's official website are often incorrect or incomplete, and many blog articles and vlog videos are undated.

With regards to Genie+ I found that the Disney website was easy to understand and offered correct information. But in the end it is the only OFFICIAL information. The only other is on the ground operation CMs and you can't plan for that.

And that is why I rarely watch, read or listen to any of the Disney fan sites, more often than not they are wrong. There are a couple that are solid sources of information ~ most are just looking for clicks and cash. And if you want truthful reviews, stay away from any on Disney's media list.

Frankly I would've preferred Disney switching to a Universal-type model where you can pay one price and get to ride each ride with a LL once at whatever time you want.

Will you be okay with $150 per person per day?

Last time DS bought Universal top pass (he had one day and job was paying for it) is was $199. And that is for a lot less rides. Disney would have to charge more.

 

[FuzzyPeach]

Frankly I would've preferred Disney switching to a Universal-type model where you can pay one price and get to ride each ride with a LL once at whatever time you want.

The pricing on this to properly function at Disney would have to be outrageous. Think approaching VIP tour guide levels of cost.

People have said this for years but I personally think it’s very be careful what you wish for.

 

[hdrolfe]

Just wondering does everyone hate Universal, Six Flags, Cedar Point, Dollywood, Knott's Berry Farms, Carowinds?? .... all of which have more expensive "Fast Passes" than Disney's has been.

Sadly it is how theme parks are operating now, not sure why Disney is supposed to be any different.

Do I like it NO, do I blame them NO. So what do I do ...... we take it out of the food budget. Guests are spending that much on ONE table service meal each day and don't blink. I'd rather get Lightning Lane for the day for that same amount of money.

I'd much rather have it work the same as Universal or those other places, you purchase it for the day and go through the "fast lane" for whatever ride you want, in whatever order you want, at whatever time you want. All day. Not "pick 3 and then hope you get another one after that" or "use only once per ride!". Yes you have to choose to buy it for the day, I probably would, but after that decision, you are done until you get to the park.

 

[TeamSy]

Yes, the lists of rides in tier 1 and tier 2 are available, probably earlier in this thread.

At least at MK, there are actually some good Tier 2 rides, like Haunted Mansion and Pirates.

Thanks, so it's official then I guess that none of the character meets are included in any tier.

 

[TeamSy]

According to the various analysis I have read, the two hour rule is gone, and effectively stacking is gone.

Well that is a huge, huge bummer. LOVED stacking!!

Do we know if we can continue to book a new ride after one is used or if we are only allowed a 4th booking once the first is used and then have to use the other 2 up to get a 5th, 6th, so on?

 

[FuzzyPeach]

I'd much rather have it work the same as Universal or those other places, you purchase it for the day and go through the "fast lane" for whatever ride you want, in whatever order you want, at whatever time you want. All day. Not "pick 3 and then hope you get another one after that" or "use only once per ride!". Yes you have to choose to buy it for the day, I probably would, but after that decision, you are done until you get to the park.

This exists at Disney and per their website costs $450-900 per hour per group (with a minimum number of hours I believe). VIP tour guides offer a bit more than just the line entry, but that’s their primary function.

 

[hdrolfe]

This exists at Disney and per their website costs $450-900 per hour per group (with a minimum number of hours I believe). VIP tour guides offer a bit more than just the line entry, but that’s their primary function.

Yes but that's not the same thing as purchasing Fastlane or Express Pass at Universal and being able to use it all day, or getting it free when you stay at a Deluxe resort.