August 2021 – Jump The Park

BIG news coming this fall!

Unfortunately, Disney’s FastPass+ and MaxPass services are officially retired – R.I.P

But, Disney will be having a new pass system to give guests the flexibility to schedule ride times and it comes with a few extras! So let’s dive in!

This new free service is called Disney Genie. It is a convenient digital service designed to create the best day possible for you. This new technology will guide you through the theme parks with tips that can help them reduce their wait times and help plan the rest of your day.

Disney Genie will be part of the My Disney Experience app and the Disneyland app. You do not need a separate app to access Disney Genie. This includes a personalized itinerary feature that can map our your entire day. This includes park attractions, food experiences, entertainment, character interactions like Disney Princesses and Star Wars characters, thrill rides and more!

You will receive itinerary updates all throughout the day. You’ll also be able to see current and forecasted wait times for attractions. With this, you will be able to enter a virtual queue for certain attractions, make dining reservations and mobile order food. This Disney Genie service is at no cost to you.

To add to the flexibility, Disney is adding two options to enjoy attractions.

Disney Genie+ Service

This add-on service will cost $15 per person per day at Walt Disney World and $20 per person per day at Disneyland. You will then be able to choose the next available time to use the Lightning Lane entrance (essentially the FastPass lane). You’ll only be able to select one ride at a time, but can claim passes throughout the entire day. Arrival times for the Lightning Lane will be an hour-long window.

Disney Genie+ will also include Disney parks-themed audio experiences and photo features to capture your memories – augmented reality lenses for those visiting Walt Disney World Resort and unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads from your day if you are visiting Disneyland Resort.

Individual Attraction Selection

You can schedule a time to arrive at up to two highly demanded attractions each day using the Lightning Lane entrance.

What attractions can be booked with the Individual Lightning Lane entrance? Right now we know Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Radiator Springs Racers. These are most likely attractions not included with Disney Genie+. More info will come shortly!

Lightning Lane selections will be made on the same day of your visit at 7am. Day guests can access these features once they enter the park. These can also be used across multiple theme parks, which is convenient for park hoppers.

Note that Star Wars: Rise Of The Resistance will continue to have their virtual queue system.

Disney is also making some enhancements to their Disability Access Service (DAS) program, including new options to enroll in the program pre-arrival and for DAS participants to select arrival windows for attractions directly in the app. These options will be available in addition to their existing, in-person DAS program.

Now it’s time for some FAQs!

When will you launch Disney Genie?

Disney Genie will launch this fall at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.

What is the difference between Disney Genie and Disney Genie+?

Disney Genie is a complimentary digital planning service with personalized itineraries, tips that can help reduce time in lines and other features to help you plan your best Disney day. The Disney Genie+ service is an add-on option available for purchase that will let Guests choose the next available arrival time for the Lightning Lane entrance – one at a time, throughout the day – at a variety of attractions (attractions subject to limited availability). The service also includes photo features and audio experiences. Arrival times for the Lightning Lane entrance will be an hour-long window.

Can Guests purchase Disney Genie+ service for just one day of their multi-day visit?

When purchased with a Guests’ ticket or vacation package ahead of your visit, Disney Genie+ service is purchased for the length of stay (all days of a multi-day visit). When purchased on the day of visit, you will purchase Disney Genie+ for a single day

Do Guests have to purchase Disney Genie+ to have access to attractions?

No. Attractions will continue to have a traditional standby queue, or a virtual queue at certain attractions.

Do all Guests need to pay to ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Radiator Springs Racers or WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure?

No. Guests can join attractions offering a virtual queue via Disney Genie in the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps. If Guests are unable to secure a place in the virtual queue, purchase of the Lightning Lane entrance may be an additional option to experience the attraction, subject to limited availability. There is no traditional standby queue for these attractions at this time.

Will Annual Passholders or Magic Key holders receive discounts on Disney Genie+ service and individual attraction Lightning Lane purchases?

At this time, there are no discounts available for Disney Genie+ or individual attraction Lightning Lane purchases.

Without the advanced FastPass+ booking window, are there any benefits for Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels?

Each day at 7 a.m., Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels will have the first opportunity to purchase up to two individual attraction selections for the Lightning Lane entrance (subject to limited availability), before other Guests who will be able to do so upon park opening. Guests staying at Walt Disney World hotels will also have more time in the parks during the 50th anniversary, with new early theme park entry and extended evening hours benefits.

Do Guests need a separate app to access Disney Genie?

No. Disney Genie service is complimentary for all Guests visiting Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort via the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps.

How does this impact Disability Access Service?

Disney is making some enhancements to their Disability Access Service (DAS) program, including a new option to enroll in the program pre-arrival and select return times for attractions directly in the app. This option will be available in addition to the existing, in-person DAS program.

More information will be released soon! Hit that subscribe button to receive notifications for all the latest Disney info.

If you’re looking to plan your next trip, or just need guidance with an upcoming trip, Email me at kira.burns@magicalvacationplanner.com.

Disneyland has just announced it’s new Magic Key program that will essentially replace the Annual Pass system. Hopefully this program will offer choice, flexibility and value for all park guests.

Lets check out the brief overview for each level of the Magic Key Program.

At the top level, we have the Dream Key. The Dream Key comes out to $1399 per person making it the most expensive key in this new system. California residents have the option to may month-to-month at $102, after making a $179 down payment. When selecting the Dream Key, you can also enjoy park access every single day of the year.

Perks of this level are…

Up to 6 park reservation holds at one time
20% off select merchandise
15% off select food and beverages
Theme park parking included
No block out dates

Next level is the Believe Key. This Key comes to $949 or $65 per month for California residents after a $179 down payment. You can also enjoy park admission to most days of the year.

Perks of this level are…

Up to 6 park reservation holds at one time
10% off select merchandise
10% off select food and beverage
50% off theme park parking

The next level is the Enchant Key. This Key is $649 or $40 per month for California residents after a down payment of $179. With the Enchant Key, you can enjoy park admission on select days of the year.

Perks of this level are…

Up t0 4 park reservation holds at one time
10% off select merchandise
10% off select food and beverage

The last level in the Magic Key program is the Imagine Key. This Key is for Southern California residents only. Pricing comes to $19 per month after a $179 down payment. Park admission is also available on select days of the year.

Perks of this level are…

Up to 2 park reservation holds at one time
10% off select merchandise
10% off select food and beverage

Magic Key Theme Park Reservation System

Magic Key holders will make advanced reservations to enjoy Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park on available dates, and be able to hold a certain number of upcoming reservations depending on the pass type.

Additional Offerings and Benefits

Magic Key holders will have access to an array of special offerings and many features that Guests will love, such as valuable saving opportunities for merchandise and food & beverage. Throughout the year, you may also be able to enjoy special benefits such as a dedicated dining experience and custom menu items at the Magic Key terrace, special offerings at our festivals just for Magic Key holders, a Magic Key holder celebration month, plus other unique surprises!

What’s more, Disneyland will be introducing an all-new Magic Key portal on the Disneyland app to more deeply engage directly with their community of Magic Key holders in the future.

Be Among The First

For a limited time, Disneyland will celebrate the charter members that become Magic Key holders within the first 66 days (as we celebrate 66 years of Disneyland Resort). These Guests will receive a special welcome package that will include unique items such as a premium branded pin, celebratory button, magnet, and more! Plus, Magic Key holders who enter Disneyland park will also be celebrated with access to a limited-time experience at Starcade in Tomorrowland (which begins on Sept. 1), where they can enjoy charging stations, a special photo opportunity, and other fun surprises.

Purchasing a Magic Key Pass

Starting August 25, 2021 (no earlier than 10 a.m. PT), Guests will be able to purchase their preferred Magic Key pass type. Your first opportunity to “unlock” a visit to Disneyland park or Disney California Adventure park with a theme park reservation will be that same day!

Looking to plan your next visit to the parks? Email me at kira.burns@magicalvacationplanner.com to start planning your next Disney vacation!

Month: August 2021

Disney Genie Service to Come to Walt Disney World and Disneyland

Disneyland Resort’s New Magic Key Program