A quick side note before I get into Genie+, every ride in Disney World with the exception of Remy's Ratatouille Adventure has a stand-by line if you choose not to purchase Genie+.
This was my first time using it and I can see where it can be confusing for some. The free version of Genie is basically the same My Disney Experience app with some added abilities. You will be able to enter information regarding your ride preferences, type of visiting style you like, place Mobile Food Orders, make dining reservations and check on current wait times just to name a few. You will also be able to see which rides have the Lightening Lane ability and which are Individual Lightening Lane selections.
If you opt for either type of lightening lane it will charge you a certain amount. The Lightening Lane will cost $15 per ticket per day. It will show the next available time to book at certain attractions and will not allow you to pick a ride time or modify the reservation once made. You also cannot choose what time to search for a ride since it is trying to spread out the riders across the entire day. Like the old Fast Pass+, once you scan in for the ride you have a pass for, you can make another pass for a different ride. If you need to change the time you would need to cancel the reservation and try making a new one that would hopefully be the time you want. Resort guests can purchase Genie+ starting at midnight the day of your visit but cannot make reservations until 7am on that day. Also like the old Fast Pass+ system, you can reserve this Lightning Lane for anyone in you traveling party as long as your profiles are linked together.
The Individual Lightening Lane selections are an additional fee based on time of year, theme park and attraction. There are two in each park that fall under this category and this version will allow you to pick a ride time. This is also completely separate from the Genie+ Lightning Lane so you don't need to buy both. This Lightning Lane version needs to be bought by each individual person so everyone in your party needs to be up at 7am or make sure you have access to their account.
There is also the free Virtual Que for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure which is available starting at 7am the day of and again at 1pm that day (you need to be in the park for the 1pm que). This virtual que will reserve a spot for everyone in your party as long as you are all linked together.
In the next post we are going to travel to Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, and Epcot.