Magic Kingdom is the most effective park for getting Walt Disney World’s Genie+ service. The paid FastPass alternative 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 rapidly reservations refill. (Up to date June 30, 2024.)
The objective of this publish is providing you with the instruments and data to construct your individual Magic Kingdom itinerary with Genie+, somewhat than counting on our 1-Day Magic Kingdom Genie+ and Lightning Lanes Plan. We’d suggest a better of each worlds strategy, consulting that pre-made plan and the rankings right here so that you perceive the why of it, and might 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 nearly sure {that a} pattern itinerary can’t be replicated step-for-step with the very same Lightning Lane time slots, and so forth. As such, this equips you to place collectively your individual dynamic plan of assault for utilizing Genie+ in Magic Kingdom…
In fact, this assumes that you simply wish to ‘pay to play’ and can use Genie+ somewhat than merely doing standby traces. In Magic Kingdom, that’s sometimes our advice. Principally, it boils right down to the experience depend. With 23 points of interest providing Genie+ at Magic Kingdom, it has nearly double the variety of points of interest as different parks at Walt Disney World.
With that stated, Genie+ isn’t all the time strictly vital. That is very true through the low season, equivalent to many dates previous to spring break season, in addition to after that ends and summer time begins. It’s additionally true throughout Social gathering Season–from mid-August by way of December on days when Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Social gathering is held. Principally, every time crowd ranges drop under 4/10, you don’t must pay additional for Lightning Lane entry. It nonetheless might be good to have, nevertheless it’s hardly important.
Our subsequent huge caveat is that this record expires on July 24, 2024. Starting on that date, Genie+ can be changed by Lightning Lane Multi Go and Single Go, 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 title is being retained, Genie+ is useless as of that date. For all intents and functions, the brand new system may have extra in widespread 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 Go.
For now, you possibly can learn our Lightning Lane MultiPass and Single Go at Disney World FAQ.
Our remaining asterisk is that this information affords experience priorities for Lightning Lanes by way of 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 Prepare and TRON Lightcycle Run.
We aren’t eager on shopping for a la carte entrance of line entry, so we suggest doing Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare 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 wish to seek the advice of our Digital Queue Information to TRON Lightcycle Run for suggestions & methods 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 would possibly wish to do it within the night consequently. To perform this, you possibly can both gamble and take a look at for the later digital queue entry time, or be part of the 7 am VQ, after which buy a Lightning Lane for the night. (A better of each worlds strategy is doing it by way of 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 often 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 well-liked. (Jungle Cruise is nonetheless seeing renewed recognition following its enhancements just a few years in the past!) The brand new experience scent will finally put on off, nevertheless it’ll most likely take a yr or so for that to happen.
Second, Tiana’s Bayou Journey is struggling reliability woes and in depth each day downtime consequently. That is arguably the larger situation (not less than on some days), and exacerbates the aforementioned elevated recognition with decreased each day capability. Because of this, Tiana’s Bayou Journey is operating 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 method of understanding 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 out there together with your #2 decide–there’s an excellent likelihood this is not going to. All relies on how typically (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 prior to now! Peter Pan’s Flight is much and away the preferred of Magic Kingdom’s iconic Fantasyland darkish rides, with wait occasions recurrently exceeding 90 minutes. Its Lightning Lane reservations go quick early on, however there’s often availability into the night. However, it’s a sensible first decide. That’s very true when you’ve got young children who could not make it previous 7 pm. (Or for anybody who needs to look at the fireworks.)
3. Jungle Cruise – This one would possibly come as an enormous shock, however Jungle Cruise has seen an enormous resurgence in recognition because it’s current reimagining. This yr, it has the third-longest common wait time in Magic Kingdom, behind solely Peter Pan’s Flight and Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare. (It might even be behind TRON Lightcycle Run, however that doesn’t publish 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 rapidly reservations e book 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. Area Mountain – The primary of two consecutive Magic Kingdom Mountain Vary rides, it ought to be unsurprising to see Area Mountain crack the highest 5. Area Mountain has seen even greater demand within the final year-plus, as its next-door neighbor–TRON Lightcycle Run–attracts crowds to this aspect of the park.
6. Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad – One other Magic Kingdom Mountain Vary entry, so this one most likely doesn’t want a lot clarification. If something, you would possibly marvel why Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad ranks this low. It’s all a matter of common wait occasions–which have been average–and Genie+ availability–which has been considerable. 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 occasions in Magic Kingdom. The one motive it doesn’t rank greater 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 subsequent two princess meet & greets at Princess Fairytale Corridor in Fantasyland rank greater throughout Social gathering Season because of staffing shortages. We gained’t go too deep into how the sausage is made, so to talk, however extra characters through the arduous 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 greater wait time on common. In actuality, prioritize whichever of those issues extra to you. This actually holds true for picks #6 by way 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 elective, however that is much more circumstantial. You possibly can simply watch Pageant of Fantasy Parade and not using a Cinderella Fortress-facing view. As such, this Lightning Lane doesn’t essentially save any time–it affords a reserved viewing space, which might be precious to households with young children. If you wish to do that one, be conscious of showtimes for Pageant of Fantasy Parade. You would possibly want to maneuver this one up just a few 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 because of celebration season, which pulled meet & greet “sources” away from the Mickey Mouse meet & greet. Throughout Social gathering Season, this Lightning Lane spikes in recognition. All different occasions, it has solely average recognition/precedence.
12. Pirates of the Caribbean – Comparable story to Haunted Mansion with Pirates of the Caribbean. Standby waits have been lengthy because of common downtime, so that you’re probably bypassing a prolonged line when utilizing the Lightning Lane for PotC. On the plus aspect, 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 a giant method over the course of the previous few months, and though 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 average precedence Lightning Lane. The explanation for that’s pretty easy: the Lightning Lane doesn’t prevent a lot time.
14. Buzz Lightyear’s Area Ranger Spin – Strains can fluctuate dramatically for Buzz Lightyear’s Area Ranger Spin, with waits some days exceeding 60 minutes and it being a close to walk-on different days. For those who’re visiting when it’s busier, scoring a Lightning Lane reservation right here can be essential–particularly because the overflow queue is open air and affords minimal shade. Happily, Genie+ typically has nearly instantaneous return occasions and it nearly 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 communicate from expertise). Nevertheless, Genie+ availability has been considerable, and the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is extra skippable because 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 occasions traditionally, however they’ve spiked in current 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 generally is a 45 to 60 minute wait. More often than not, this ‘people-eater’ attraction may have fairly brief waits, although. Nonetheless, it’s straightforward to seize a nearly-immediate return time by way of 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 might be lengthy, however so can also Lightning Lane waits in the event you get unfortunate. However, we’d suggest 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 this point, we’ve discovered Genie+ to supply nearly no benefit right here. Get it in the event you can, however don’t sweat standby.
Mad Tea Social gathering – The enduring spinning teacup is enjoyable, however averages wait occasions underneath quarter-hour. Once more, use Genie+ in the event you can (as a result of why not), nevertheless it’s not an enormous deal in any other case.
Magic Carpets of Aladdin – This is sort of a knock-off county truthful model of Dumbo. We don’t suggest doing it in any respect–we’d wait in an extended standby line for Astro Orbiter if actually needing our spinner repair.
Monsters Inc. Giggle Ground – Utilizing Genie+ right here on busier days would possibly 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 – Until car exhaust-induced cognitive impairment and the loud putter of engines is your factor, you’ll wish to be out and in of line as rapidly as doable right here. That additionally makes it an excellent sleeper decide to be used of Genie+ and the Lightning Lane. Proper now, that’s not vital, however on a busier day, this might sneak into the highest 10.
In the end, it’s best to be capable to knock out all 23 points of interest by way of Genie+ utilizing Lightning Lanes on a good day in Magic Kingdom. On a foul day, you would possibly solely be capable to do the highest 10. On an terrible day, it could be the highest 5. So plan accordingly primarily based on the crowds whenever you’ll be visiting, and likewise give your self as many different benefits as doable–like Early Entry, rope drop, or Prolonged Night Hours.
No matter whenever you’re visiting, Genie+ will prevent extra time at Magic Kingdom–and mean you can have a extra leisurely day–than at another Walt Disney World park. That is what makes shopping for it our advice for most individuals and on most days of the yr. Even when it requires a little bit of a splurge, reduce the price out of your Walt Disney World trip finances elsewhere.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Resorts Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces it’s essential to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
How would you rank your experience priorities utilizing Genie+ and Lightning Lanes in Magic Kingdom? Shocked 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 will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!