So if you’ve been on the internet at all in the last week, and looked at anything Disney-related, you probably noticed a lot of screaming and yelling about Disney Genie. Some might even think the world is ending. So let’s break it down: WHAT IS DISNEY GENIE?

Disney Genie is a new, complimentary service that Disney will be rolling out for consumer use “in the fall.” We don’t have an exact date yet, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see it active on or before October 1, 2021. Again, that is pure speculation. So the service will be available in the United States, at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

The free service will combine what you currently get with the My Disney Experience apps for both parks. You will still be able to track wait times, place mobile orders, view your photos, check-in for dining, etc. But where the “Genie” comes in is this: you will be able to tell Genie what rides, shows, and attractions you want to do and see, and Genie will tell you the best times to do each based on historical and real-time forecasting. Basically, Touring Plans, but without paying for it and hoping for the best. You’ll get it as part of your trip and it will be current literally to the minute. You can be more spontaneous in your trips and not have to plan every minute of everyday months in advance, like the FastPass+ system in Walt Disney World previously. Plus, with the wait times forecasting, Genie has the potential to move the crowds in different ways, making the morning rush at, say, Fantasyland more palatable because the Smith family might see that going to Adventureland for rope drop is way less crowded. Personally, I think this part alone is going to make the lines SO much more tolerable and doable.

So let’s talk about what all the yelling and screaming is about: Disney Genie +. Disney Genie + is going to be a paid service that will replace FastPass+ at Walt Disney World and MaxPass at Disneyland. Now, Genie+ will be A LOT like MaxPass. You will be able to book your first ride via Genie+ at 7:00 am (for Walt Disney World Resort guests) or park opening. Once you use that pass, you can book the next one. And so on, and so on. Basically, the original paper FastPass system but without having to sprint all over the parks pulling paper passes. Best part of all? YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT. Think it’s a waste of time because you’re there in January and it’s not busy? Don’t buy it! Think you won’t need it for EPCOT but you’ll definitely need it for Hollywood Studios? Just buy it on your Hollywood Studios day! It provides so much more spontaneity and flexibility for your trip. BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!!! Now, you can also purchase “Lightning Lane” lines for certain big rides. And you won’t need to have Genie+ to do it. But you can only purchase 2 max per day. So no, rich people won’t be able to buy their way onto every ride. Well…..I mean, they can, if they take a VIP Tour, which has been available for ages now, but I digress….

So how do you ride rides if you don’t pay for this stuff? THE SAME WAY YOU’VE BEEN RIDING THEM FOR THE LAST YEAR!! Stand-by queues will still be free and Virtual Queues will still be free. There are just now FOUR ways to ride your favorite rides!

So there you have it. What do you think about this new service? I think it’s going to be really great and will really open up a great deal of time and enjoyment at both US Parks! Ready to book your Disney Vacation? Contact me today!!