In case you missed it, a couple of fun Disneyland announcements were made yesterday that we want to make sure you know! First up…..the official start date of the Disney Genie System for the Disneyland Resort! On December 8th, Disneyland will be joining Walt Disney World, on the Genie, Genie+, and Lightning Lane adventure! For those that still haven’t experienced this new Disney app upgrade (My Disney Experience for Walt Disney World and the Disneyland app for the Disneyland Resort), here’s the breakdown to help iron out any questions you, our clients, may have.
Let’s start with the basics! What is the Disney Genie System, Genie+, and Lightning Lane?
First, let’s tackle the Disney Genie System
The Disney Genie System is like having your “own personal Genie” in the palm of your hand….. but what does that really mean? Well, simply put, the Disney Genie Service is a continuously updating tip board that can be customized to your personal wants and needs. Its job is to give you the best “Disney Day” possible.
This service is free to all Walt Disney World and Disneyland guests and can be found on your My Disney Experience or Disneyland App.
What can you find on the Disney Genie System? You’ll find things like current wait times, showtimes, and dining information. You’ll also see what “Genie” recommends you ride next and even where to eat if you’re in need of a snack. Not liking the recommendations? No problem! Simply tell Genie it’s not the right recommendation for you and the page will automatically adjust your personalized itinerary. Another great feature is the in-app chat, where you can real-time message a Disney Cast Member with any questions that may arise. Talk about top-notch service!
Next… Genie+
Genie+ is the official replacement to Walt Disney World’s FastPass system and Disneyland’s MaxPass system. Like the MaxPass, this add-on is an additional cost ($15 per person per day at WDW and $20 per person per day at DL).
With Genie+, guests can make Lightning Lane reservations with the click of a button to many of the Walt Disney World and Disneyland attractions. With Walt Disney World, over 40 attractions are available for a Lightning Lane pass using the Genie+ system. With Disneyland, there are over 15 options to choose from. We should note that up to 2 popular attractions at each park are NOT available with Genie+, but we will revisit that topic shortly.
Beginning daily at 7 am EST, onsite guests who choose to purchase Genie+ can hop onto their My Disney Experience or Disneyland app account and make their first Lightning Lane reservation for the day. These selections are made one at a time throughout the day. The My Disney Experience or Disneyland app will automatically show which is the next available time for the ride of your choosing. Also, if your theme park ticket includes the Park Hopper option, you can select Lightning Lane arrival windows across multiple theme parks.
Guests who purchase Genie+ will also have access to 2 new fun features!
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New Disney PhotoPass Lenses- Unlock a special collection of Disney-themed lenses for your mobile device, allowing you to explore magical new augmented reality effects.
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New Audio Tales- Discover the parks in cool new ways through fascinating fun facts and behind-the-scenes insights during your visit.
Check out some of our awesome agents testing the Disney Photopass Lenses! Aren’t they great?!
Let’s call the 3rd part, Lightning Lane (+)
Like we said earlier when visiting Walt Disney World and Disneyland, up to 2 attractions at each park will not be included with your Genie+ purchase. These rides are considered highly demanded attractions. For these experiences, guests can separately purchase Lightning Lane passes. The cost for these lightning lane reservations will vary depending on the day of week and season, but if you’re looking to maximize your time in the parks, these passes will cut your wait time for the top rides…. allowing you more time for fun.
The individually purchasable Lightning Lane passes are:
Walt Disney World
Magic Kingdom:
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Space Mountain
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Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
EPCOT:
Hollywood Studios:
Animal Kingdom:
Dineyland
Disneyland Park:
Disney California Adventure:
Here are a Couple of Other Important Details to Note!
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Disney Genie+ can be added in 2 different ways to your upcoming Walt Disney World and Disneyland vacation. The first option is for your entire stay. With this option, your MMV agent can add Genie+ before you arrive to your Disney Parks destination. This route will automatically add Genie+ for every day of your park ticket. The second option is for individual park days. If you choose to add Genie+ this way, it can be added on the days of your choosing, beginning at midnight the day of!
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Individual Lightning Lane purchases for the most popular attractions can sell out! Onsite Walt Disney World/Disneyland guests have “first dibs” beginning at 7 am. It is important to purchase these as close to the 7 am opening window as possible! Those not staying onsite at Walt Disney World/Disneyland will have access to these purchasable passes once they enter their park for the day.
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Rides that offer the individually purchasable options will still offer a free standard standby line with the exception of one ride. **Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure currently utilizes the purchasable Lightning Lane option, as well as a Virtual Queue option. Make sure to contact your MMV agent about steps to secure your Virtual Queue pass if you choose to go this route.**
Photo and info courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
Also announced yesterday was the return of Disneyland’s beloved Disneyland After Dark nites.
That’s right! Sweethearts Nite, Villians Nite, and Star Wars Nite are headed back to the “house that Walt built” in 2022! Here are the details:
Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite
Taking place Feb. 1, 3, 8, 10, and 14, 2022, at Disneyland Park
Sweethearts’ Nite will be hosted at Disneyland park on five separate evenings in Feb. 2022. There’s sure to be heartfelt fun for everyone as Valentine’s Day is celebrated during Sweethearts’ Nite. Here’s some of what you can expect:
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A special themed fireworks show
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Projection effects on Sleeping Beauty Castle and Main Street, U.S.A.
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A jazz ensemble aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat, plus other live entertainment, including a Royal Ball and a dance party with a DJ
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Spot the most darling Disney couples, and take selfies with your favorites
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Fun photo opportunities featuring romantic scenes from iconic Disney films
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Lovely décor, along with food and beverage offerings around the park
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Plus, early admission to Disneyland park starting at 5 p.m., no theme park reservation is required
Disneyland After Dark: Villains Nite
Taking place March 8 and 10, 2022, at Disney California Adventure Park
At Villains Nite, you’ll get to party with some of Disney’s most mischievous misfits at Disney California Adventure park. These wonderfully wicked events will take place on two separate evenings in March 2022, and include:
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The Cauldron, a cunningly-crafted cabaret featuring a cast of villainous virtuosos showing off their talents through song and dance
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Ursula’s Seaside Sing-a-long, where you can find your voice and sing along
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The Underworld Dance Party, which allows you to bust a move at a dastardly DJ dance party in the Hollywood Backlot
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Special photo backdrops, featuring scenes inspired by some favorite villains
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Some of Disney’s famously nefarious fiends – or their henchmen – at special locations around the park
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Delightfully decadent food and beverage offerings
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Early admission to Disney California Adventure park beginning at 5 p.m., no theme park reservation is required
Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite
Taking place May 3, 4, and 27, 2022, at Disneyland Park
Star Wars Nite will be the ultimate Star Wars extravaganza, packed with galactic fun on three separate nights at Disneyland park in May 2022. Highlights of Star Wars Nite include:
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An amazing pyrotechnical spectacle that will illuminate the skies with a Star Wars-themed fireworks show
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March of the First Order, featuring Captain Phasma and her elite unit of Stormtroopers
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A Galactic dance party
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Sightings of various Star Wars characters throughout the evening
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Star Wars-themed attractions, usually with shorter wait times
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Star Wars-themed eats and treats, merchandise, photo opportunities, and more
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Plus, early admission to Disneyland park starting at 6 p.m., no theme park reservation is required
Tickets for these parties go on sale on January 11th, so make sure to get with your MMV agent to start planning!
Ready for a little Disneyland or Walt Disney World magic? Request a quote today to get planning!
