TikTok Shows Disney Genie+ Costs the Same (or More) Than Cast Members’ Salary

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Disney Genie

Background Image Credit: Disney

Are prices at Disney getting out of hand?

Due to the popularity of all of the Disney Parks both domestic and international, one of the biggest problems that Guests face while visiting is the insane wait times. Whether it’s the Seven Dwarves Mine Train in Magic Kingdom, Frozen Ever After in EPCOT, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster in Hollywood Studios, or Flight of Passage in Animal Kingdom, Guests will for sure be waiting in line for a certain amount of time for these attractions and many others.

Disney Genie, Genie+, and therefore Lightning Lane have recently been implemented in the American Parks as a way to cut down wait times, but are the prices for the service too high?

lightning lane safari
Credit: Inside the Magic

The addition of Disney’s Genie and Genie+ services within the parks has been controversial, to say the least. Following a less than enthusiastic release in Walt Disney World for some and a troubled release in Disneyland just last week, it is safe to say these services are not entirely “loved” by the Disney community quite yet. That being said, Disney CEO Bob Chapek noted that there have been rave reviews regarding the system. Now, another issue has been brought up in the form of Disney’s newest solution of its “FastPass” system at both the Disneyland and Walt Disney Worl Resort.

mad tea party lightning lane
Credit: Inside the Magic

Disney’s Lightning Lane allows Disneyland and Walt Disney World Guests to make a one-time purchase through the Genie app allowing them to use a faster queue line and bypass the longer Stand By entrance.

This new replacement of Disney’s FastPass has been slightly controversial within the Disney Parks community since its initial release and some are highlighting the faults in the system. One glaring issue with this system is that the cost to bypass a queue for a single attraction comes close or even exceeds what Disney Cast Members make per hour. The Mouselets (@themouselets) on TikTok shared a video regarding this comparison:

hm.. yeah

@themouselets

hm.. yeah #disneyworld #disneycast #disneyparks #disneycollegeprogram #disneyland #genieplus #lightninglane

♬ Cartoon Eye Blinking Sound – Anna

The TikTok highlights a Tweet by @aleacabri who shares a screenshot of the Genie app offering a Lightning Lane pass for  Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance for $20. The Tweet highlights how this price is more than the average hourly pay for Disney Cast Members which is typically set at $12 an hour. Many ran to the comments to share their opinion on this comparison. User @genericuserga said:

Wait, it’s $20 for one ride?

User @haleyshank1995 said:

I simply did not put two and two together

User @tatlew joked:

I’m still going to pay it

More on Disney Genie here:

Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane Entrance

When you take your day to the next level by purchasing Disney Genie+ service, you may choose the next available arrival window for Lightning Lane entrances at select attractions and entertainment. There are more than 40 experiences across all 4 theme parks that are eligible.

For some of our most highly demanded attractions, Lightning Lane entrance access is available to purchase individually. Guests may purchase and select an arrival window one at a time for up to 2 attractions a day. This option is available for all Guests—with or without Disney Genie+ service.

What do you think of this comparison? Have you used Disney’s Lightning Lane service? What are your thoughts on the current prices at Disney?

Let the expert team at Academy Travel help you plan your next magical vacation to Disney World’s water parks, four theme parks — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios — and the Disney Springs shopping and dining district!

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