After Paying $20 to Skip One Line at Disney, Guest Stuck Waiting 1 Hour to Evacuate

in Disneyland Resort

Rise of the Resistance stormtroopers

Credit: ITM

One of the newest implementations at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland is Disney Genie. Disney Genie is a new way Guests can optimize their day, but it has been met with challenges.

stormtroopers rise of the resistance
Credit: ITM Rebekah B.

Disney Genie+, the paid aspect of the system, allows Guests to use the Lightning Lane when their return time strikes — which has replaced the previously free FastPass lane. Then both theme park resorts have a la carte options where Guests must pay varying costs per ride, per person to ride the attraction. Disney Genie+ costs $15.00 per person per day for Disney World Guests and $20.00 per person per day at Disneyland. The cost for Disney Genie+ is slightly more expensive at Disneyland, and so are the a la carte options. Rise of the Resistance has hit costs of $20.00 per person per ride, which would essentially double the daily cost of Disney Genie+ if Guests wanted to Lightning Lane the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge attraction, as well as use the paid system for other attractions.

rise of the resistance stormtrooper room
Credit: ITM Rebekah B.

For costs that rise so high, many Guests expect to be in and out of the ride quickly. Unformatnely, this means missing part of the queue which, in my opinion, heavily adds to the attraction, but will cut down the hour+ wait that comes with it. Ride of the Resistance, although technologically amazing, tends to break down quite often which can pose as an issue for Lightning Lane Guests looking to hop on at their return time, especially after paying $20.00 per person for one single ride.

rise of the resistance crowds
Credit: Inside the Magic

One Guest recently took to Reddit with complaints after their expensive Lightning Lane tickets left them waiting in line for nearly 1 hour. It seemed that the ride broke down three times while they were in line, which extended what should have been a quick wait, to something much more. The Guest ended up being evacuated and not riding the attraction, it is unclear if they Guest was refunded.

This is as far as we got on Rise of the Resistance before it broke down. We paid for lighting lane, too. It broke down 3 times in the last hour.

This is as far as we got on Rise of the Resistance before it broke down. We paid for lighting lane, too. It broke down 3 times in the last hour. 😒 from Disneyland

And it seems this is a common occurrence. Doorless Chambers also commented on what happened when they were stuck in their Lightning Lane line for the ride for 45 minutes. It seems that the Guest brought up the issue to Guest Services, but it does not seem a refund or compensation was awarded.

We paid for the Lightning Lane a few weeks ago and skipped this preshow and the first transport ship. Went to ask Guest Experience Services what our options were, and they told me that those experiences are “considered a part of the queue, and my Lightning Lane purchase only covers the attraction, which is once we are seated in a ride vehicle.”

I then asked, if that is the case why I had to wait over 45 minutes from the time I tapped my Lightning Lane to when I was seated on the ride vehicle… they didn’t have an answer for that one.

At least they came up with a creative “company line,” albeit one with many holes.

bagofbones80, however, was once evacuated and got money back after talking to Guest Relations.

They refunded our LL in Disney World when it broke. We had to ask Guest Relations.

Rise of the Resistance
Credit: Disney

More on Disney Genie

Disney Genie was recently added to the My Disney Experience app, which is a new way for Guests to plan their day. Disney Genie is meant for those who are unsure on what they should do while at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and gives them a variety of specifically catered options. On top of that, Disney Genie also has a Disney Genie+ feature. For $15.00 per day per Guest, you can skip the long standby queue by making a Lightning Lane reservation (new FastPass) and returning at that time.

genie disney phone mobile
Credit: Disney

At each Park, however, there are two attractions that Guests would need to purchase a separate Lightning Lane ticket for if they wanted to skip those lines. Those attractions are: 

  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
  • Space Mountain
  • Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
  • Frozen Ever After
  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
  • Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
  • Avatar Flight of Passage
  • Expedition Everest
Disney genie
Credit: Disney

Now, Disneyland Resort has finally rolled out the system. Things work the same however the price for Disney Genie+ is $20.00 per Guest, per day here. There are only three “a la carte” options for Guests at Disneyland Resort: 

Disneyland Park

  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Disney California Adventure Park

  • Radiator Springs Racers
  • WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure

More on Rise of the Resistance 

An Attraction on a Scale That Is Impressive, Most Impressive
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is a massive attraction with multiple ride systems that is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced at the Disneyland Resort… or anywhere else in the galaxy!
Accept a Mission from the Resistance
The Resistance needs your help! Hidden in the forest outside Black Spire Outpost, the Resistance is gathering recruits for a secret mission.

rise of the resistance stormtroopers
Credit: Disney

With the First Order desperate to extinguish the spark of the Resistance, the mission is bound to have unexpected twists and turns. When your transport is captured by an imposing First Order Star Destroyer filled with legions of stormtroopers—and even Kylo Ren!—you’re going to need all the help you can get. Fortunately, a covert team of Resistance fighters—including Rey and BB-8—is at the ready to give you a fighting chance to escape… and a chance for the Resistance to rise.

Prepare for a thrilling, first-of-its-kind adventure!

What do you think of Lightning Lane at Disney? 

Let the expert team at Academy Travel help you plan your next magical vacation to Disneyland Resort, including Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, and the Downtown Disney District. Or what about Walt Disney World Resort’s 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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