On October 19th, Disney World is introducing a new planning system called Disney Genie, along with the paid replacement for FastPass+, Disney Genie+.

©Disney

Disney Genie+ will cost guests $15 per ticket per day in Disney World ($20 per ticket, per day in Disneyland Resort when it arrives later on) and will allow guests to skip the long waits for select attractions by using the Lightning Lanes. But, if you’re used to using Disney’s FastPass+ system, there are some differences with Genie+ that may surprise you!

The Way That You Schedule Your Selections

Let’s start out with the way that you schedule your Genie+ selections. With the old FastPass system, guests were able to pick up to three rides/attractions at a time initially 30 or 60 days before their trip, then book additional attractions one by one after their initial selections were used. However, with Disney Genie+, you’ll only be able to do one at a time…well, sort of.

Lightning Lane Entrance ©Disney

Genie+ will operate similar to how many folks might remember old paper FastPasses. Guests can book a Lightning Lane for the ride of their choice. They can book another 2 hours later or after they use up the pass they booked. How many Lightning Lanes you hit in a day will be dependant on how fast you get through the ones you’ve selected and book additional ones.

©Disney

We’re definitely interested to see how this works in practice. Will we be able to knock out more rides throughout the day using Genie+, or was the FastPass system more efficient? We’ll have to find out on October 19th!

Some Rides Aren’t Included

Another big thing that’s different about Disney Genie+ is that certain rides aren’t included in the $15 charge. The two most popular rides at each park will be part of a separately priced option called the Individual Attraction Selections.

©Disney

With these rides, you’ll pay individually to use their Lightning Lanes, with a limit of purchasing access to two per day. The pricing changes depending on the ride and season, but ranges between $7-$15 per person, per ride. The rides that offer Individual Attraction Selections (and are NOT included with Genie+) are:

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Space Mountain
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• Frozen Ever After
• Rise of the Resistance
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Expedition Everest
• Avatar Flight of Passage

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Lightning Lane

This is very different when compared to the FastPass system, which included most attractions, although the more popular options were placed into “tiers” that were limited to just one per day initially.

You Won’t Be Booking Quite as Much in Advance

With FastPass+, Disney resort guests were able to make selections up to 60 days in advance of their trip, but Disney Genie+ will be switching to offer more day-of planning instead. Now, guests will be making their Genie+ selections on the morning/throughout the day of their visit instead of months ahead of time.

Genie+ ©Disney

The only thing you’ll really do before your trip is purchase the Genie+ add-on for your vacation package. And this time, there isn’t any difference between the process for Disney Resort guests and regular visitors. Everyone will be able to make their Genie+ selections at 7AM on the day of their visit. (Resort guests will get to book Individual Attraction Selections at 7AM, while other guests must wait until park opening time.)

Photo Filters Are Included in the Price

For guests using Genie+ in Disney World, you’ll also get the addition of Disney PhotoPass Augmented Reality lenses. The tech reminds us a bit of taking Magic Shots with a PhotoPass photographer, except you’ll be able to re-create similar effects with your phone. It’s a bit of a random addition, but sounds like it will be fun!

©Disney

However, the bad news is that Memory Maker (access to your PhotoPass photos) won’t be included for Disney World guests. That comes included in the price of Genie+ for Disneyland Resort visitors, but Disney World visitors will have to purchase it separately during their trip.

Genie+ ©Disney

Genie+ will also be offering audio experiences where guests can “hear thoughts from Imagineers and special guests about behind-the-scenes aspects of Disney World and Disneyland attractions and lands.” It’s like a virtual tour of the park!

There Are a Surprising Number of Free Features

And finally, let’s talk about the surprising number of free features that you can get WITHOUT having to purchase Genie+! The free part of Disney Genie (without the plus sign) offers virtual assistant services right in the My Disney Experience app. Here, you’ll be able to check for upcoming dining reservations and Mobile Order windows, see forecasted wait times, and view suggestions for what to do next based on your party’s interests.

©Disney

All of these options will be included for free, so you can still reap the benefits of enhanced planning while you’re in the parks. Scheduling your to-do list and navigating the parks will be easier than ever before. If you’re the type of person who is seriously overwhelmed by all the things to take into consideration at Disney World, this might alleviate a lot of that stress.

©Disney

Those are some of the things that may surprise you about using Disney Genie+! Stay tuned to DFB because we’ll be covering all the Genie news when the system launches in Disney World on October 19th.

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