At the end of 2021, Disney launched its replacement for FastPass. Guests can now pay extra to jump the line by utilizing a Lightning Lane on certain attractions. One of the best tips and tricks for Disneyland is to use the Disney Genie service and consider upgrading to Disney Genie+ or purchasing Lightning Lane on days when the parks are busy.
Using lightning lane and genie plus is a great way to spend less time waiting in line at Disneyland. However, there is much confusion among guests about how does individual lightning lane work at Disneyland, how much does the lightning lane cost at Disneyland, or how often you can book a lightning lane at Disneyland?
In this guide, we will explain everything you need to know about how lightning lane works at Disneyland. As well as providing our lightning lane tips for your family.
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How Does Genie Plus Lightning Lane Work at Disneyland?
There are three main components of the Disney Genie app:
- The basic Disney Genie – which is free
- Disney Genie+, which is a paid feature
- Individual Lightning Lane Entrance, available to purchase on some highly demanded attractions, this additional fee is not included as part of Disney Genie+
What is Disney Genie?
The Disney Genie service is built into the Disneyland mobile app. The complimentary Disney Genie service builds and maps out your perfect day at Disneyland based on what you told it you’re most interested in doing. It will also consider any dining or entertainment reservations you might have. Disney Genie will continue to offer updated suggestions throughout the day, so you can make the most of your time at Disney.
What is Disney Genie Plus?
You can upgrade from the free Disney Genie service to the new Disney Genie+, which starts at $25 per ticket per day. Disney Genie Plus is a great way to make the most out of your visit so you can spend less time in line and more time enjoying the magic. When you enter the park on the day of your visit, you can start selecting the next available arrival window for a Lightning Lane attraction, one at a time. By upgrading to Disney Genie Plus, you can access the Lightning Lane for over 20 attractions all day long. It also includes unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital downloads from your day!Â
How often can you book Lightning Lane at Disneyland?
Disney Genie+ allows you to choose the next available arrival window for Lightning Lane entrance at select attractions. Entrance is allowed once per day. To re-ride an attraction or see a show again within the same day, you can use the regular standby line.
Which attractions are included in the Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane Entrance?
Here is a list of the typical attractions included in the Disney Genie Plus Lightning Lane entrance.
Disneyland Park:
- Autopia
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
- Haunted Mansion
- Indiana Jones Adventure
- “it’s a small world”
- Matterhorn Bobsleds
- Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
- Space Mountain
- Splash Mountain
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Disney California Adventure:
- Goofy’s Sky School
- Grizzly River Run
- Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
- Incredicoster
- Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
- Soarin’ Around the World
- Toy Story Midway Mania!
- WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man AdventureÂ
Please note that attractions may vary by date, are subject to change, and may not be available at all on the day of your visit or at the time that you are making a selection. Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane availability can change throughout the day.
Click here to see a current list of attractions included in the Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane Entrance.
What is Individual Lightning Lane Entrance?
To spend less time waiting in line, another option is to purchase Individual Lightning Lane selections. This is available for some of the most popular attractions. This option will be available for all Disneyland guests with or without Disney Genie+ service.
How does Individual Lightning Lane work at Disneyland?
Guests may select an arrival window one at a time for up to two attractions a day.
How much does the Lightning Lane cost at Disneyland?
Individual Lightning Lane pricing and availability will vary by date, park, & attraction. Average pricing for a Lightning Lane entrance ranges from $12 to $25 per person, but it could be higher or lower than this throughout the year.
How does the Lightning Lane work at Disneyland?
All Disneyland guests can make their first purchase of an Individual Lightning Lane at the park opening time on the day of their visit. Guests use the Disneyland app to purchase and select an arrival window one at a time for up to 2 attractions a day. You will have an hour-long arrival window to use your Individual Lightning Lane selection.
Which attractions are included in the Individual Lightning Lane Entrance?
Here is a list of the typical attractions included in the Individual Purchase for Lightning Lane Entrance.
Disneyland Park:
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Disney California Adventure:
- Radiator Springs Racers
Click here to see a current list of attractions included in the Individual Purchase for Lightning Lane Entrance. Please note that attractions are subject to change and may vary by date.
Lightning Lane Tips for Disneyland
What are my best Disneyland Lightning Lane tips? Arrive early, at or before park opening, when the rides have short to no wait times. Ride the rides without Lightning Lane in the morning. Focus your first hour at Disneyland on riding rides without Genie+ or the rides that are the most popular on Genie+.
Also, in the morning, use your Lightning Lanes at the end of the one-hour window and take advantage of attractions with short lines while your space in line is secure at a Lightning Lane later.
If you plan on spending the whole day at Disneyland, don’t use all your Lightning Lanes in the morning. Make sure to save some for when the lines are at their peak in the afternoon and evening.
If there are rides you want to ride more than once (such as Guardians of the Galaxy), then use the standby line to ride it first thing in the morning when the line is shorter. Save your Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane to ride it again later in the day when the park is more crowded.
I recommend you use Lightning Lane for Rise of the Resistance. Our family was so excited to experience this ride, and it was the first ride we chose to do on day 1 of our Disney vacation. We thought we arrived at the park early enough and chose to do the standby lane. This was an incredible ride, but it’s very popular, and we waited in line for over 3 hours! It was a rough start to our first Disney vacation day.
Overview of Disney Genie Plus
- Disney Genie+ allows you to choose the next available arrival window for Lightning Lane entrance at select attractions.
- There are over 20 experiences across both theme parks that are eligible.
- Entrance is allowed once per day. To re-ride an attraction or see a show again within the same day, you can use the regular standby line.
- Cost: Disney Genie+ starts at $25 (plus tax) per person per day.
How To Purchase Disney Genie PlusÂ
- Before your Visit – available as an add-on to your ticket via Disneyland.com or an authorized travel agent.
- Same Day of Visit – available for single-day use via Disney Genie service in the Disneyland mobile app.
- Ride selection is available once you enter the Disneyland theme park.
- Once you’ve redeemed your initial selection or the arrival window has passed, you can use the app to see when you’re eligible to make another selection.
- You can make selections until regular park closing time.
- Please note that attractions vary by date, are subject to changes, and may not be available at all on the day of your visit or at the time that you are making a selection. Availability can change throughout the day.
- Click here to see attractions included in the Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane Entrance.
Overview of Individual Lightning Lane Entrance
- Individual Lightning Lane entrance is available for purchase individually for a few of the most highly demanded attractions.
- Guests may purchase and select an arrival window one at a time for up to 2 attractions a day.
- You will have an hour-long arrival window to use your LIghtning Lane selection.
- Available for all guests – with or without Disney Genie+ service.
- Cost: Individual Lightning Lane pricing and availability vary by attraction. The average price ranges from $12 to $25 per person per attraction, but it could be higher or lower depending on the day.
How To Purchase Individual Lightning Lance EntranceÂ
- Use the Disney Genie app to make individual purchases on the day of your visit. You can also use this to check current pricing and attraction availability.
- All Disneyland guests can make their first purchase of an Individual Lightning Lane at the park opening time on the day of their visit.
- Please note that attractions vary by date, are subject to changes, and may not be available at all on the day of your visit or at the time that you are making a selection. Availability can change throughout the day.
- Click here to see the attractions included in the Individual Lightning Lane Entrance.
Watch this Video about Disney Genie Plus and Lightning Lane Explained
For more about family travel, check out these posts:
Top 10 Best Things to do at Downtown Disney
When Is The Best Time To Visit Disneyland?
Disneyland Planning Guide with Printable Worksheets
Games To Play In Line At Disney
Disney Genie Plus Review
Which Is Better, Disney World Or Disneyland?
Can You Bring Food Into Disneyland?
Where To Stay at Disneyland California?
How Many Days in Disneyland?
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Ruth Hutchins grew up in England and now lives in North Carolina with her husband, Doug, and their two young daughters. They always loved to travel, but once having children everything changed because family travel is more complicated. Traveling with a baby may feel overwhelming to new parents. Travel with a toddler can really test your patience, and traveling with kids can lead to utter chaos. However, travel with your little ones doesn’t have to be that stressful or exhausting. On the BE Family Travel blog Ruth shares her parenting wins, and even epic failures about traveling with kids. She provides resources to help you feel empowered to plan a family vacation and travel with your children.