It has been seventeen long years since my last visit to Disney World. I wonder how much has changed since then? The parks are still as fantastic as I remember. However, gone are the days of aimlessly hopping from one ride to another. A successful trip to Disney World now involves strategic planning, utilizing the park’s technology, and ensuring your mobile phone has a reliable battery life.
One essential tool for navigating Disney World efficiently is the Genie+ service. While there are numerous strategies available online to avoid lines, purchasing access to shorter lines through Genie+ is the best option for infrequent visitors, families with young children, or those who are not interested in delving into the realm of Disney blogs. To take full advantage of Genie+, download the My Disney Experience app and keep it readily accessible on your phone’s home screen.
Genie+ allows visitors to book “Lightning Lanes,” which provide one-time access to shorter lines for most attractions. The service starts at $15 per person per day, according to Disney’s website. During my recent trip over the Memorial Day weekend in May, we averaged around $24 per day for Genie+. Some may find this cost to be steep, but considering that it saved us at least four hours in line per day, I believe it is well worth the investment. Take note that for a family of six, the daily cost for Genie+ amounts to approximately $145.
After purchasing Genie+, designate a point person in your group to handle reservations for attractions. This person’s role is crucial for maximizing the use of Lightning Lanes. Booking begins promptly at 7 a.m., and even a few minutes’ delay can result in hours of waiting. The point person must carefully consider waiting times, ride popularity, and proximity to determine the best use of each Lightning Lane. Remember, you can only use each Lightning Lane once or every two hours. While this may lead to bypassing beloved rides, the time-saving benefits make up for it.
Be prepared for plenty of walking. By prioritizing Lightning Lanes, you may find yourself taking longer routes through the park to avoid crowds and save time in line. On some days, we averaged 25,000 steps. However, I personally prefer walking over standing still any day.
A helpful tip is to book your next Lightning Lane as soon as you check into a ride. There’s no need to wait until the previous ride is completed. By keeping this strategy in mind, you can make the most of your time at Disney World.
Consider skipping virtual queues to simplify your schedule and save time. Currently, only two attractions utilize virtual queues: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Tron Lightcycle/Run. The competition for virtual queue spots is fierce, and they often fill up within seconds. During my trip, we struggled to secure slots for Tron. As a result, we abandoned virtual queues and opted to purchase Individual Lightning Lanes for these two rides and four others where the service is available. This strategy allowed us to choose specific ride times, freed up time spent monitoring our phones, and was easier to navigate than virtual queues.
If you have the budget for it, comparing the cost of these services to booking a private VIP tour is worth considering. VIP tours offer access to private entrances and shorter lines, along with transportation between parks. The cost ranges from $450 to $900 per hour, with a seven-hour minimum. Keep in mind that park tickets are not included in this price.
We saw almost every attraction in the four parks during our five-day trip, but we only waited in five standby lines, with the longest wait being around 30 minutes. We strategically entered these lines when we were between Lightning Lanes or wanted to ride the same attraction twice. We took advantage of opportune moments, such as early park openings or during nightly firework displays, to minimize wait times. Staying at a Disney Resort gave us a 30-minute head start in the mornings, allowing us to tackle major attractions before the crowds arrived.
If you want to save even more time, consider purchasing MagicBands. These bands enable quick access to Lightning Lanes, as well as expedited purchases for food and merchandise. They also serve as a memorable souvenir for the kids to wear even after leaving the parks.
In conclusion, a trip to Disney World nowadays requires strategic planning, utilizing technology like Genie+ and the My Disney Experience app, and being willing to adapt to changing circumstances. With the right approach, you can minimize time spent waiting in lines and maximize your enjoyment of the parks.
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