As a seasoned Disney-goer with more years (and dollars) spent within its magical realms than I care to admit, I must say that the latest changes at Walt Disney World have been a breath of fresh pixie dust. The new Lightning Lane Multi-Pass system is like going from standing in line for hours to getting front-row seats at a Taylor Swift concert – without the ear-piercing screams and questionable fashion choices.
Vacations should ideally be enjoyable and help you unwind. However, planning a trip to Disneyland or Walt Disney World can sometimes turn into more work than relaxation. You might find yourself pondering questions like, “What items should I pack for Disneyland?” or “Where is the best place to eat at Walt Disney World?” Luckily, some changes in the last few months have made things a bit easier, particularly at Walt Disney World.
As a frequent gamer at Disney World, I’ve seen the evolution of line-jumping options, from FastPass in the past to the current Genie+. After the global pandemic, they reintroduced it under the name Genie+, allowing guests like me to choose rides and skip the lines straight from our mobile phones – just like trying to nab those elusive concert tickets! However, after experiencing every version of this system, I must admit that Genie+ didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
How Genie+ Was Like A “Taylor Swift Concert”
The primary concern with Genie+, aside from no longer being free like FastPass+, was its consistent daily launch time. This led to a situation where many Genie+ users were trying to reserve popular attractions simultaneously at the same time each day. As Len Testa of Touring Plans explained to Bloomberg, this resulted in… (the rest of the sentence is the same)
A Taylor Swift concert-level competition kickstarting each morning of your vacation.
As one can imagine, that level of stress, sitting on your phone getting ready to click through a menu every single morning of what was likely a multi-day Disney World vacation, isn’t the way people want to start their day when taking time off. People want to relax and take their time.
Despite many preferring to kick-start their day by queuing up for Disney World’s latest attractions, failing to secure a preferred time with Genie+ could lead to dismay for some, as they might not get to experience their desired rides at their chosen moments.
Lightning Lane Multi-Pass Is Better, But Only At Walt Disney World
It’s fortunate that there have been some adjustments at Walt Disney World. The new Lightning Lane Multi-Pass system resembles the old FastPass+ system in its operation, having been brought back after it was discontinued. Now, guests are allowed to reserve up to three Lightning Lanes before they actually visit the park. If you’re staying at a Disney World hotel, you can make these reservations seven days prior to your check-in date. For those not staying at a Disney hotel, reservations can be made three days prior.
Testa finds this change as a significant step forward in the right direction, which I wholeheartedly concur with. There’s still a competitive edge in terms of securing Lightning Lanes daily, but planning ahead will alleviate some stress during your park visits, and that’s definitely beneficial.
As an ardent fan, I must clarify that while Disneyland Resort has adopted the name “Lightning Lane Multi-Pass,” similar to Walt Disney World, the functionality remains distinct. In both parks, the system doesn’t allow for advance booking of multiple return times. Instead, you book a return time for each attraction on the day of your visit at Disneyland Resort.
As a devoted enthusiast, I wish there was a way to completely eliminate the stress from visiting Disney Parks – alas, that dream may remain elusive for now. In the meantime, all we can do is immerse ourselves in the magic and try not to dwell on the expense of having so much fun.
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2024-08-02 05:07