By now, you’ve probably heard all the rules and everything else you need to know about Genie+ — but have you truly become one with the service yet?

Lightning Lane

It seems as though Genie+ is here to stay whether you like it or not, but if you ask us, it’s a great way to see and do everything on your Disney World bucket list if you know what we’re doing. And since we know what we’re doing — we’re sharing our genius with you!

Pay LESS for Genie+

Disney Genie+ is a paid service that allows you to bypass standby lines and make reservations for the Lightning Lane at over 50 attractions across Disney World for one base price starting at $15 per day, per ticket at Disney World — but that price changes based on demand.

Genie+

Depending on the circumstances, that price could skyrocket — over spring break and the Easter holiday earlier this year, Genie+ reached its highest price yet at $35 per ticket. The same is true for Individual Lightning Lanes, which are priced per ride. You could pay just $10 to hop on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train one day and $15 the next.

Expedition Everest Lightning Lane

But, you can avoid paying more for Genie+ by planning carefully! Almost every time Genie+ has skyrocketed to its peak prices, it’s been on a Saturday. The cheapest days tend to be Tuesdays and Thursdays, which is when we sometimes see fewer crowds altogether.

If you truly want a better chance at buying Genie+ in Disney World (or Disneyland) for the cheapest possible price, try planning your trip so that you’re there during the middle of the week instead of the weekend.

Lightning Lane sign for Tower of Terror in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

It’s also a good idea to look at pricing for tickets and hotels on the Disney World website around the time you’re thinking of visiting — since prices for both of those expenses also range depending on the time of year. If you notice ticket and hotel prices are at their peak costs during certain times of the year, assume Genie+ prices will also be high around then. And if prices drop, assume Genie+ prices will also be more reasonable around those same times, too.

Use the 120-Minute Rule To Score MORE Lightning Lanes

According to the Disney World website, you can book your next Lightning Lane when one of three things happens:

1. You have used the first one you booked;
2. Your first return time window has ended (if you miss it); or
3. 120 minutes have passed since you booked your last one* (or 120 minutes after park opening, depending on the situation).

Peter Pan’s Flight Lightning Lane

That last rule — #3, is what we’re talking about now. Essentially, you can book another Lightning Lane 2 hours (120 minutes) after reserving a previous one if the return time for the first Lightning Lane is more than 2 hours away. This was sort of an unofficial rule when Genie+ first debuted, but Disney has since set it in stone.

You can find Lightning Lanes at many attractions within the parks!

Let’s say that at 9AM you booked a Haunted Mansion Lightning Lane with a return time of 2PM. You don’t have to wait until 2PM to make another Lightning Lane reservation. Instead, 2 hours after you made that reservation, you can make another one. So at 11AM, you can choose another attraction AND you’ll still have the 2PM Haunted Mansion reservation.

Switch Up Your Selections (To Get on BETTER Rides)

What happens if you find a Lightning Lane selection you want more than one you already have booked? In the past, Genie+ users couldn’t modify Lightning Lane selections in the My Disney Experience app without canceling their reservation first — and that meant their 120-minute countdown would start over.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Lightning Lane

But, that all changed back in December 2022. Disney updated Genie+ so that you can modify your Lightning Lane reservations WITHOUT having to cancel them completely!

So, even if you modify your Lightning Lane for a different return time or a different ride entirely, you still won’t lose your 120-minute countdown! Modifications are super easy to make. Just tap on your current Lightning Lane selection to pull up a box of options. You’ll find one of the listed options to be “Modify Plans.” (See? Told ya it was easy.)

Frozen Ever After Lightning Lane sign in EPCOT

There you go — you’re a Genie+ PRO now. You’re welcome. But seriously, we know that planning a Disney World trip is A LOT. And this Genie+ thing can be so confusing – which is why we bring you posts like this so often But we’ve also put together a complete guide in ebook format that gives you all of the info you need, all in one place! Use code WDW2023 for 25% off our DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World.

Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World planning tips and tricks!

Check Out Our FULL Genie+ Guide Here

Do you like Genie+? Tell us in the comments.