Magic Kingdom is the most effective park for getting Walt Disney World’s Genie+ service. The paid FastPass substitute affords Lightning Lane line-skipping entry to 23 points of interest and character sightings in Magic Kingdom, and our information ranks the rides and leisure by way of time-saved and the way shortly reservations refill. (Up to date June 30, 2024.)
The objective of this put up is providing you with the instruments and information to construct your individual Magic Kingdom itinerary with Genie+, slightly than counting on our 1-Day Magic Kingdom Genie+ and Lightning Lanes Plan. We’d advocate a better of each worlds method, consulting that pre-made plan and the rankings right here so that you perceive the why of it, and may make your individual itinerary.
Since crowds, climate, attraction downtime, and extra can all closely influence how an precise day at Walt Disney World performs out, it’s virtually sure {that a} pattern itinerary can’t be replicated step-for-step with the very same Lightning Lane time slots, and many others. As such, this equips you to place collectively your individual dynamic plan of assault for utilizing Genie+ in Magic Kingdom…
After all, this assumes that you just need to ‘pay to play’ and can use Genie+ slightly than merely doing standby traces. In Magic Kingdom, that’s usually our suggestion. Mainly, it boils right down to the experience depend. With 23 points of interest providing Genie+ at Magic Kingdom, it has virtually double the variety of points of interest as different parks at Walt Disney World.
With that mentioned, Genie+ will not be all the time strictly needed. That is very true through the low season, akin to many dates previous to spring break season, in addition to after that ends and summer time begins. It’s additionally true throughout Get together Season–from mid-August by means of December on days when Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Get together or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together is held. Mainly, each time crowd ranges drop beneath 4/10, you don’t must pay additional for Lightning Lane entry. It nonetheless could be good to have, but it surely’s hardly important.
Our subsequent massive caveat is that this record expires on July 24, 2024. Starting on that date, Genie+ can be changed by Lightning Lane Multi Move and Single Move, which is an advance experience reservation system. Some have categorized this as a renaming, which is inaccurate (it is true for Disneyland, which could be the place the confusion is coming into play).
Though the Lightning Lane identify is being retained, Genie+ is lifeless as of that date. For all intents and functions, the brand new system may have extra in frequent with FastPass+ than it does Genie, which means that the moniker “paid FastPass” actually is coming true. In any case, these rankings can be irrelevant for anybody visiting beginning July 24, 2024. There’s no level in studying any additional in the event you’re visiting on or after that date–we’ll have a brand new record within the coming weeks for Lightning Lane Multi Move.
For now, you may learn our Lightning Lane MultiPass and Single Move at Disney World FAQ.
Our remaining asterisk is that this information affords experience priorities for Lightning Lanes through Genie+ and not Particular person Lightning Lanes (ILL), that are pay-per-ride. At current, the ILL points of interest in Magic Kingdom are Seven Dwarfs Mine Practice and TRON Lightcycle Run.
We aren’t eager on shopping for a la carte entrance of line entry, so we advocate doing Seven Dwarfs Mine Practice proper earlier than Magic Kingdom closes (or within the early night, in the event you can’t keep till park closing). Sadly, TRON Lightcycle Run doesn’t have a standby line, so that you’ll need to seek the advice of our Digital Queue Information to TRON Lightcycle Run for ideas & tips on driving that, together with our velocity technique.
One factor to contemplate with regard to TRON Lightcycle Run is that it’s a really totally different expertise after the solar goes down, and also you may need to do it within the night because of this. To perform this, you may both gamble and take a look at for the later digital queue entry time, or be a part of the 7 am VQ, after which buy a Lightning Lane for the night. (A better of each worlds method is doing it through the VQ earlier, seeing how a lot you take pleasure in it, after which shopping for the ILL if you wish to do it once more.)
Now, on with the present & experience rankings for Genie+ at Magic Kingdom…
The Better of Genie+ at Magic Kingdom
1. Tiana’s Bayou Journey – That is the reimagined experience that replaces Splash Mountain, which was normally a prime 3 Lightning Lane in Magic Kingdom, however by no means the #1 precedence. The variations are two-fold. The primary being that Tiana’s Bayou Journey actually simply opened and something new or redone is common. (Jungle Cruise is nonetheless seeing renewed reputation following its enhancements a number of years in the past!) The brand new experience scent will finally put on off, but it surely’ll most likely take a yr or so for that to happen.
Second, Tiana’s Bayou Journey is struggling reliability woes and intensive every day downtime because of this. That is arguably the larger challenge (not less than on some days), and exacerbates the aforementioned elevated reputation with decreased every day capability. Consequently, Tiana’s Bayou Journey is working out of Lightning Lanes inside seconds or minutes of seven am.
The excellent news is that, if the experience is dependable and has below-average downtime, Walt Disney World is dropping extra Lightning Lane availability all through the day. The dangerous information is that you’ve got actually no manner of realizing at 7 am whether or not it’ll be dependable or not on the day of your go to. As such, it’s crucial that Tiana’s Bayou Journey is your #1 decide going ahead, for not less than so long as Genie+ exists. Each different experience ought to be accessible together with your #2 decide–there’s a very good probability this won’t. All will depend on how usually (and for a way lengthy) it breaks down all through the day of your go to.
2. Peter Pan’s Flight – Not an enormous shock for individuals who booked FastPass+ reservations previously! Peter Pan’s Flight is much and away the most well-liked of Magic Kingdom’s iconic Fantasyland darkish rides, with wait instances frequently exceeding 90 minutes. Its Lightning Lane reservations go quick early on, however there’s normally availability into the night. However, it’s a wise first decide. That’s very true in case you have young children who might not make it previous 7 pm. (Or for anybody who needs to look at the fireworks.)
3. Jungle Cruise – This one may come as an enormous shock, however Jungle Cruise has seen an enormous resurgence in reputation because it’s latest reimagining. This yr, it has the third-longest common wait time in Magic Kingdom, behind solely Peter Pan’s Flight and Seven Dwarfs Mine Practice. (It will even be behind TRON Lightcycle Run, however that doesn’t put up a wait time.)
4. Meet Ariel at Her Grotto – The Little Mermaid meet & greet has extraordinarily restricted Lightning Lane availability. If going solely by how shortly reservations ebook up, this might be the #1 Genie+ Lightning Lane at Magic Kingdom on many dates. Nevertheless, the common wait time for the Princess Ariel meet & greet doesn’t even start to justify giving it the highest slot.
5. House Mountain – The primary of two consecutive Magic Kingdom Mountain Vary rides, it ought to be unsurprising to see House Mountain crack the highest 5. House Mountain has seen even increased demand within the final year-plus, as its next-door neighbor–TRON Lightcycle Run–attracts crowds to this facet of the park.
6. Massive Thunder Mountain Railroad – One other Magic Kingdom Mountain Vary entry, so this one most likely doesn’t want a lot rationalization. If something, you may marvel why Massive Thunder Mountain Railroad ranks this low. It’s all a matter of common wait instances–which have been reasonable–and Genie+ availability–which has been ample. Each of these issues might change, however for now, there’s no must prioritize BTMRR any earlier.
7. Haunted Mansion – Since Hatbox Ghost debuted, Haunted Mansion now has one of many prime 5 common wait instances in Magic Kingdom. The one cause it doesn’t rank increased is as a result of Haunted Mansion additionally has perpetual Lightning Lane availability–till park closing on most days–so there’s actually no sense of urgency right here.
8. Meet Cinderella and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Corridor – Each of the following two princess meet & greets at Princess Fairytale Corridor in Fantasyland rank increased throughout Get together Season as a result of staffing shortages. We gained’t go too deep into how the sausage is made, so to talk, however extra characters through the exhausting ticket events means fewer for different shifts. Consequently, there are longer traces throughout regular hours.
9. Meet Princess Tiana and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Corridor – Cinderella’s meet & greet has the slight edge on Tiana, with barely increased wait time on common. In actuality, prioritize whichever of those issues extra to you. This actually holds true for picks #6 by means of #9. All of those are character-centric leisure that aren’t that far aside from each other by way of precedence.
10. Pageant of Fantasy Parade – All of those are clearly non-compulsory, however that is much more circumstantial. You may simply watch Pageant of Fantasy Parade and not using a Cinderella Citadel-facing view. As such, this Lightning Lane doesn’t essentially save any time–it affords a reserved viewing space, which could be priceless to households with young children. If you wish to do that one, be aware of showtimes for Pageant of Fantasy Parade. You may want to maneuver this one up a number of spots relying upon crowd ranges.
11. Meet Mickey & Minnie at City Sq. Theater – Late final yr, this climbed to #1 on our rankings. That was as a result of social gathering season, which pulled meet & greet “sources” away from the Mickey Mouse meet & greet. Throughout Get together Season, this Lightning Lane spikes in reputation. All different instances, it has solely reasonable reputation/precedence.
12. Pirates of the Caribbean – Related story to Haunted Mansion with Pirates of the Caribbean. Standby waits have been lengthy as a result of common downtime, so that you’re probably bypassing a prolonged line when utilizing the Lightning Lane for PotC. On the plus facet, it seldom runs out of reservation availability in Genie+, besides through the busier seasons.
13. Enchanted Tales with Belle – When it reopened, Lightning Lane availability for Enchanted Tales with Belle was extraordinarily restricted. That has modified in an enormous manner over the course of the previous couple of months, and despite the fact that it’s generally passed by mid-afternoon (earlier than many entries earlier on this record), Enchanted Tales with Belle is NOT a excessive and even reasonable precedence Lightning Lane. The explanation for that’s pretty easy: the Lightning Lane doesn’t prevent a lot time.
14. Buzz Lightyear’s House Ranger Spin – Traces can fluctuate dramatically for Buzz Lightyear’s House Ranger Spin, with waits some days exceeding 60 minutes and it being a close to walk-on different days. In case you’re visiting when it’s busier, scoring a Lightning Lane reservation right here can be vital–particularly for the reason that overflow queue is outdoor and affords minimal shade. Thankfully, Genie+ usually has virtually instantaneous return instances and it virtually all the time has Lightning Lane availability proper up till park closing.
15. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – The argument might be made that Winnie the Pooh’s Fantasyland darkish experience ought to be within the prime 5. Its common wait time places it there and, subjectively, the wait within the standby line is excruciating (I converse from expertise). Nevertheless, Genie+ availability has been ample, and the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is extra skippable as a result of its high quality (or lack thereof) than the points of interest above it.
16. “it’s a small world” – This well-known–or notorious, relying upon your perspective–Fantasyland boat experience has not had lengthy wait instances traditionally, however they’ve spiked in latest months. Some days, utilizing the Lightning Lane entrance will bypass a forty five minute (or extra) wait, making this a probably sturdy Genie+ experience reservation. (Different days, it’ll prevent no time in any respect.)
17. Below the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid – It’s a really comparable story right here. If the standby line for the Little Mermaid darkish experience spills out into the walkway, this is usually a 45 to 60 minute wait. More often than not, this ‘people-eater’ attraction may have fairly brief waits, although. Nonetheless, it’s simple to seize a nearly-immediate return time through Genie+, and the potential financial savings make it a really useful decide for late afternoon.
18. Dumbo the Flying Elephant – One other iconic Magic Kingdom rite-of-passage attraction that’s an actual wildcard. Standby waits right here could be lengthy, however so can also Lightning Lane waits in the event you get unfortunate. However, we’d advocate utilizing Genie+ for it on busier days, as there’s strong time-savings potential.
The Remainder of Genie+ at Magic Kingdom
Barnstormer – This kiddie coaster can have lengthy waits on the busiest days of the yr, however to date, we’ve discovered Genie+ to supply virtually no benefit right here. Get it in the event you can, however don’t sweat standby.
Mad Tea Get together – The long-lasting spinning teacup is enjoyable, however averages wait instances underneath quarter-hour. Once more, use Genie+ in the event you can (as a result of why not), but it surely’s not an enormous deal in any other case.
Magic Carpets of Aladdin – This is sort of a knock-off county honest model of Dumbo. We don’t advocate doing it in any respect–we’d wait in an extended standby line for Astro Orbiter if actually needing our spinner repair.
Monsters Inc. Chortle Ground – Utilizing Genie+ right here on busier days may get you in a single present sooner than you in any other case would’ve making this a possible ‘sleeper decide’ for the Lightning Lane.
Tomorrowland Speedway – Except car exhaust-induced cognitive impairment and the loud putter of engines is your factor, you’ll need to be out and in of line as shortly as potential right here. That additionally makes it a very good sleeper decide to be used of Genie+ and the Lightning Lane. Proper now, that’s not needed, however on a busier day, this might sneak into the highest 10.
In the end, it’s best to be capable of knock out all 23 points of interest through Genie+ utilizing Lightning Lanes on a good day in Magic Kingdom. On a foul day, you may solely be capable of do the highest 10. On an terrible day, it could be the highest 5. So plan accordingly based mostly on the crowds once you’ll be visiting, and in addition give your self as many different benefits as potential–like Early Entry, rope drop, or Prolonged Night Hours.
No matter once you’re visiting, Genie+ will prevent extra time at Magic Kingdom–and mean you can have a extra leisurely day–than at some other Walt Disney World park. That is what makes shopping for it our suggestion for most individuals and on most days of the yr. Even when it requires a little bit of a splurge, reduce the fee out of your Walt Disney World trip finances someplace else.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about lodges on our Walt Disney World Resorts Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a novel have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every part you have to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
How would you rank your experience priorities utilizing Genie+ and Lightning Lanes in Magic Kingdom? Stunned to see Jungle Cruise at #1? Are you planning on shopping for Genie+ or skipping it? Do you agree or disagree with our rankings? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
