Disney World dropped a lot of news on us this past week!

This past week we got lots of information about the holidays at Disney World during Halfway to the Holidays, and we also got information about new changes coming to Disney World’s paid skip-the-line service. It feels like we finally just got Genie+ down after saying goodbye to the FastPass+ system, but now that is all about to change again on July 24th. 

Lightning Lane is still going to exist in Disney World, but it will no longer be called Genie+. Although the system will still work in a similar manner where you can pay to skip the line, you will now be able to make your selections in advance, kind of like how you used to with FastPass+. Although the system has not debuted yet, here is what we know so far.

Genie+ will now be Lightning Lane Multi-Pass and Individual Lightning Lanes will now become Lightning Lane Single Pass. Beginning July 24th, 2024, you will be able to make Lightning Lane selections before you are in the parks. Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass are still both optional services that cost extra. Standby lines will still be available, but if you wish to experience attractions with a shorter wait time, you can purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Lightning Lane Single Pass, or both. 

With the introduction of this new service, Disney World is bringing back the tier system. When you purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass in advance you will be able to pick three rides from the two tiers. One ride from tier one and two rides from tier two. Disney’s Animal Kingdom only has one tier, so you won’t have to worry about deciding between rides in the top tier. However, in the other theme parks, you will need to choose which rides are your biggest priority. Many of the most popular rides are in tier one, and you will only be able to select one of those in advance. 

Lightning Lane Single Pass will be similar to Individual Lightning Lane as an a-la-carte service. However, you will now be able to make your selections in advance. You will be able to book up to two Lightning Lane Singles Passes per day, and this service is for the most in-demand rides in the parks. The rides that are a part of Lightning Lane Single Pass are Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, TRON Lightcycle / Run, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and Avatar Flight of Passage.  

Booking in advance, the tier system, and being able to hold three Lightning Lane Multi Passes at a time are the biggest differences with the new system. Disney World hotel guests and guests of other select resorts will have the opportunity to choose their Lightning Lane Multi-Pass selections and Lightning Lane Single Pass selections up to seven days before their check-in day. You will be able to begin booking your selections at 7AM ET. 

This is where the bad comes into play for those who are not staying at one of the select hotels that allow you to make your selections seven days in advance. For others, like local Annual Passholders or those who are not staying at Disney World hotels (or other select hotels), they will only be able to make their selections three days in advance of their first park visit. That means that anyone staying at one of the select hotels will have already been able to make their selections, and it is likely that there will not be as many options available. 

As well, Annual Passholders who don’t plan their trip very far in advance may find a limited selection of time slots available if they do choose to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Single Pass. However, Standby Lines will still be available so Annual Passholders or last minute planners can always utilize those instead of purchasing Lightning Lanes if they are planning a last minute trip. Those staying at a Disney World hotel or other select hotel will find that they have the most options available if they book right when their window opens seven days in advance.

One of the perks of being an Annual Passholder is being able to go into the parks whenever you please. This got a little dicey with park pass reservations and park hopping rules, but these rules have started to be relaxed, giving Annual Passholders more freedom again. Local Annual Passholders who wish to use this new service will have to plan their park visit three days in advance. This can take away from the spontaneity of owning an Annual Pass and being able to make trips on a whim. There are so many things at Disney World that seem as if they need to be planned out ahead of time and now that is the case once again with the updated Lightning Lane system. 

We have not had an opportunity to test the system since it rolls out officially on July 24th, so we will have to wait and see if this new system makes planning a trip to Disney World easier. No pricing has been announced for the updated system but we will make sure to keep you updated as more details roll out! And don’t worry we already have updated information about this new system on our site to help you be prepared for these new changes!

Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World news and updates as this new service rolls out in July!

We answered your biggest questions about Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass!

What are your biggest concerns in regards to the new Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass services? Let us know in the comments!

The post The Bad News About Disney World’s New Lightning Lane Multi Pass Skip-The-Line System first appeared on the disney food blog.