Disney Officially Clarifies the Most Confusing Genie+ Rule

in Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World

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Credit: Disney

Recently, The Walt Disney Company has come under fire for “berserking” price hikes amid lower quality service than Disney Park-goers are typically used to.

mickey proposing to minnie in front of cinderella castle at disney world
Credit: Disney

Related: Disney Now Limiting Genie+ Sales, Guests Can No Longer “Plan Ahead”

From getting rid of free FastPasses in favor of paid Lightning Lanes to the controversial Genie+ platform to reducing food portion sizes throughout Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort to seemingly cutting corners in regard to theme park merchandise quality to charging $6,000 for a two-night stay on the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel, Disney is overcharging and underperforming in many fans’ minds.

As noted, the Genie+ service has been a specific area of contention as Guests flock to Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort now that the height of the COVID-19 pandemic has passed.

sleeping beauty castle crowd feature
Credit: ITM Rebekah B.

Related: Disneyland Guest Experiences Unusable Genie+ Issue, Told “Nothing We Can Do”

Now, Disney has officially clarified one Genie+ rule — the “120-minute rule” — that has been particularly confusing to Guests.

Let’s back up and explain exactly what this regulation is for those who may be unfamiliar. Genie+ is priced at $15 per Guest per day. Lightning Lane reservations on the platform become available at 7 a.m. each day of a Disney Parks trip — similar to the old virtual queue systems for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure.

Guests are allowed to make one Genie+ reservation at a time, beginning at 7.am. — but this is where the 120-minute rule can come into play.

web slingers a spider-man adventure ride vehicle
Credit: Disney

Related: Lucky Guests Experience RARE Finn Easter Egg on Rise of the Resistance

Guests cannot make a second reservation until one of the following occurs:

  • The existing Genie+ Lightning Lane reservation has been scanned and used
  • The Genie+ Lightning Lane return time has passed and the reservation was skipped
  • Two hours — 120 minutes — have passed since the initial Genie+ Lightning Lane reservation made

For reservations made before Park opening, however, the 120-minute countdown doesn’t begin until rope drop. This has led to all manner of confusion for Guests who try to make two reservations — 2 hours or more apart — before their theme park of the day opens.

pluto with sleeping beauty castle disneyland
Credit: Disney

Related: Voice of Tiana Confirms When ‘Princess and the Frog’ Attraction Will Officially Open

Disney has now formally outlined this project on the official Walt Disney World Resort website for the first time — however, it is important to note that the rule has NOT changed:

What Are the Rules?

Make sure you have valid admission and a theme park reservation to the same park on the same day.

  • Disney Genie+ service Lightning Lane selections can only be made one at a time. You must redeem an existing Disney Genie+ service Lightning Lane selection or wait 2 hours—whichever comes first—before making another Lightning Lane entrance selection through Disney Genie+ service. Please note: the 2-hour wait to make another selection begins when the park opens, even if you made your first booking at 7:00 AM.

  • All attractions and experiences are subject to availability.

  • Guests may be able to purchase Disney Genie+ service the day of their park visit and make their first Lightning Lane selections at 7:00 AM.

What do you think about the Genie+ and a la carte Lightning Lane system?

Visit the official Disney World website to plan your next magical vacation to 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 OR the official Disneyland website to plan your trip to Disneyland Resort’s two theme parks — Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park — and the Downtown Disney District!

in Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World

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