If you’re planning a trip to Magic Kingdom, you should absolutely know the ins and outs of the Magic Kingdom Genie+ and Lightning Lane Rides! Magic Kingdom has tons of fun rides and the Genie+ and Lighting Lanes will let you save on wait times so you can have more time for other things at Disney!
The changes that lead to Genie+ can be a bit overwhelming at first, but we’ve got you covered to make sure you know all there is to know about Magic Kingdom Genie+! Here we will go over some of the best (and worst!) rides that utilize this new tool!
This way you are prepared to conquer your Disney trip! By having all suggestions for Magic Kingdom Genie+ and Lightning Lane in your back pocket, you are sure to use your time wisely and enjoy every magical second here!!
20 Best (And Worst!) Magic Kingdom Genie+ And Lighting Lane Rides
What is Genie+ at Magic Kingdom?
Magic Kingdom Genie+ is a paid service that grants you access to most Lightning Lanes at Disney World. In particular, it grants you access to all Lightning Lanes except for TWO rides at each park.
Genie+ costs about $15 plus tax. This is per day! You can purchase this in advance as part of a vacation package. If you do this, please make sure to purchase it for every day of your ticket. If you don’t, you won’t have Magic Kingdom Genie+ or access to Lightning Lanes and will have to wait in standby lines.
And please note! Magic Kingdom Genie+ is not an “upgrade” Genie. It is a different service entirely! But to make it easy, it is in the Disney World app, in the Genie portion.
When you purchase Genie Plus, you are essentially paying for fast passes. You can skip the line for some attractions, book time slots for said attractions, and do more! Genie+ also offers “audio experiences” and augmented filters. So, it goes beyond just skipping the lines. It is much more interactive!
For more information on this, please don’t be afraid to learn more about Magic Kingdom Genie Plus through our article Disney Genie: Tips for Genie Plus, Lighting Lane and More! The more you know about the basics, the easier it will be to learn about Magic Kingdom Genie+!
What is Lightning Lane at Magic Kingdom?
Now that we’ve talked about what Genie+ is, we have to talk about Lightning Lanes so you know the best Lightning Lane rides at Magic Kingdom! When you break it down, Lightning Lanes is just the new names for FastPass Lanes!
This means they are the shorter lines for attractions, but unlike the original FastPass, there is a fee to access these lanes. For those attractions that are most in-demand, there will be Lightning Lanes that having Genie Plus DOESN’T get you into.
To use the Lightning Lanes for these rides, the fee will be based on the ride, time of year, and day being used. You need to pay per person per ride fee. And you can use a max of 2 selections per day.
When using Magic Kingdom Genie+ you can hold ONE Lightning Lane reservation at ONE time. And always remember, not all attractions are included in Genie+, so be wise with your purchases and be aware of where Lightning Lanes are and are not!
When Can You Book Genie+ and Lightning Lane at Magic Kingdom?
Before purchasing Magic Kingdom Genie+ it’s important to know strategy about how to approach using them so you know if it is worth it for you and your trip! Magic Kingdom Genie+ (or just Genie+ in general) will be available for purchase at midnight the morning of your park visit.
You can also purchase it in advance as part of your vacation package if that is of interest to you! In any case, do purchase it by 7 AM at the latest. This is when Magic Kingdom Genie+ selections will open for all guests.
Now it is super important to know that there are two rides at each park that are not a part of Genie+. This means there will be two rides for Magic Kingdom Genie+ that you should consider purchasing Lightning Lanes for individually. At Magic Kingdom, those rides are Seven Dwarves Mine Train, Space Mountain, and TRON Lightcycle Run.
If you decide to purchase individual Lightning Lane access at Magic Kingdom, you’ll need to buy them at 7 AM if you’re a guest of a Disney Resort, or at the time the park opens if you’re not a guest of a Disney Resort!
Is it Worth It to Buy A Lightning Lane for Seven Dwarves Mine Train or Space Mountain?
This is up to you! Prices for individual Lightning Lanes can range depending on the time of year and day. So you can pay between$7-$15 per person per ride.
In general, guests who are visiting the parks and don’t have access to early entry or extended hours should consider a Lightning Lane Purchase. However, if you are torn between getting Lightning Lanes or Magic Kingdom Genie+ do really consider your options.
Magic Kingdom Genie+ is more expensive that individual Lightning Lanes for the Seven Dwarves Mine Train by a few dollars, so the time you make up with Magic Kingdom Genie+ may allow you more time to wait in the longer standby lines of Seven Dwarves or Space Mountain.
Again, this is up to you! Just remember that if you arrive around 45 minutes before Early Entry, you can be one of the first on Mine Train regardless. It all depends on how much you want to worry about hitting the best rides or more popular rides in the park! The Lightning Lanes and Magic Kingdom Genie+ give you a variety of opportunities to hit these in-demand rides, you just have to pick what order you want to ride them in and do your best to time it out for the day! And for more information on early entry and rope drop, check out our article on How to Do Disney Rope Drop!
*Note about TRON Lightcycle Run: right now, in order to ride Disney’s newest roller coaster, you have to either use the Virtual Queue or buy an Individual Lightning Lane. There isn’t a stand-by option yet, so you will have to buy an ILL if you must ride this ride.
Genie+ Refresh Strategy
Planning your day with Magic Kingdom Genie+ can be a bit stressful! Especially if you are not seeing the attraction or time window you are looking for on the app. But that is okay! Just go ahead and keep refreshing the app!
To do this, drag your finger down the screen. This will reset the page and show additional options (but only if they are available!). Many people tend to overlook this, and it can save you stress! Take advantage of this Magic Kingdom Genie+ refresh strategy.
And don’t forget or assume that what is shown is the final offer! As individuals use Magic Kingdom Genie+ and bounce in and out of different times and attractions, what they were looking at goes back into a pool of choices so definitely refresh! Magic Kingdom Genie+ gives you the chance to always update and look for those updates so you can accommodate and be flexible during your day at the park. Refreshing is your best friend! And if you are only there for one day, check out our One Day in Magic Kingdom advice that you may want to use in addition to refreshing!
Rides at Magic Kingdom with Genie+
There are a total of seventeen attractions that are a part of Magic Kingdom Genie+. They are:
- Barnstormer
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Dumbo
- Haunted Mansion
- It’s a Small World
- Jungle Cruise
- Mad Tea Party
- Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic
- Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Splash Mountain
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- Under the Sea- Journey to the Little Mermaid
Rides at Magic Kingdom With Lightning Lanes
Now as explained already there are at least TWO rides at EACH park that are not included with Genie+. There are THREE rides that are not available with Magic Kingdom Genie+. For Magic Kingdom, this includes three popular rides that we’ve already touched on. They are:
- Seven Dwarves Mine Train
- Space Mountain
- TRON Lightcycle Run
Best Magic Kingdom Genie+ Rides
So when you are debating what rides are the best rides for Genie+ at Magic Kingdom, there is a lot to consider. The Magic Kingdom Genie+ rides that we recommend, or the ones we want you to be aware of when using Magic Kingdom Genie+ are listed below! This way you get the most bang for your buck and don’t waste time in line! Utilize Magic Kingdom Genie+ as much as you can on these popular rides with long wait times. We promise it is worth it because Magic Kingdom Genie+ can save you time, stress, and allow you to be more flexible throughout the day with refreshes and updates!
Splash Mountain
Disclaimer: Splash Mountain is down for refurbishment and will reopen as “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” in late 2024.
When considering Genie+ rides at Magic Kingdom, add Splash Mountain to your list! This is a classic ride as it follows the adventures of Briar Patch of Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox down a boat ride, along to the song Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Da.
Most love this shockingly big drop and the log flume floats on the river leading up to it. This means the wait time is always long for this beloved water ride. This is why we suggest this is one of the best rides for Genie+ at Magic Kingdom.
Peter Pan’s Flight
Peter Pan’s flight is a family attraction that is short in duration and great for small children. It is one of the most important rides to use Magic Kingdom Genie+ on because the line is always long! Wait times have always been known to exceed an hour or two.
This classic story unfolds as you take a flying pirate ship above Neverland with Peter and his crew. You may even spot some hidden Mickey’s on this ride! Nevertheless, with the long wait times, this is one of the best rides for Genie+ at Magic Kingdom.
Jungle Cruise
Of all Magic Kingdom Genie+ rides, make sure to check out Jungle Cruise because you know it is worth it! This classic boat ride is an attraction that features top-notch humor. It is family-friendly, but the line is always long! Like 60-120 minutes long!
This riverboat ride takes you through the jungle and takes you back in time to the 1930s. Here you will explore hippos, planes, and of course, the iconic dad jokes and puns. So add this to your list of Magic Kingdom Genie+ rides so you won’t wait too long but can enjoy all the fun.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
If you are a thrill seeker, make sure to use your Magic Kingdom Genie+ on one of the best rides in Magic Kingdom: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. This is one of the best rides for Genie+ at Magic Kingdom because of its popularity. This coaster has the best hills and turns, so we understand why many use Magic Kingdom Genie+ to secure a shorter wait for it.
But don’t let the term “coaster” scare you– Thunder Mountain is good for families and ranges in intensity between Seven Dwarves and Space Mountain. It is a fun introductory coaster that also offers wonderful views of Tom Sawyer Island the the back of Cinderella’s Castle. So make sure to hit this ride with your Magic Kingdom Genie+! And if you want to know more about the coasters at Disney in general, check out our article on the Best (and worst!) Coasters at Disney!
Haunted Mansion
If you are all about the spook but not about the wait, Haunted Mansion is one of the best rides for Genie+ at Magic Kingdom. The story that comes to life in this ride is so much fun: foolish mortals hop on board a “doom buggy” to take a tour of a mansion that has 999 ghostly residents. (And they have room for 1 more resident if you want to stay! But consider not staying– you don’t want to waste the rest of your Magic Kingdom Genie+!).
This is one of the longer rides at Disney– about 10 minutes– so we promise it is worth the use of your Magic Kingdom Genie+! This ride is unique, fun, and detailed. Plus it is inside and a great way to cool off! Enjoy some spooky time no matter when you visit the park with this ride!
Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean is another of those indoor story-based rides. Here you will enjoy sailing on a boat and making your way around islands and while floating by a town under siege. There is a tiny splash and drop on this ride, but you won’t get soaked like on Splash Mountain. We love suggesting this ride for Magic Kingdom Genie+ because many people love this ride as it calls their attention back to the iconic movies!
Keep an eye out for the details, canons, and more on this ride! Wait times usually average around 45 minutes for Pirates, so it is one of those rides at Magic Kingdom that we suggest using your Magic Kingdom Genie+ on! Hop on a boat with the use of Magic Kingdom Genie+ and say hi to Jack Sparrow!
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Last but not least, definitely use your Magic Kingdom Genie+ on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin! This is a fun, interactive ride for the whole family. It is super popular, so make sure to use it when considering Genie+ rides at Magic Kingdom.
In this arcade style ride, you are helping Buzz and Star Command Headquarters take down Evil Emperor Zurg. Shoot lasers as you twirl through the galaxy, and don’t worry about waiting too long thanks to Magic Kingdom Genie+. We even have some tips on getting a high score on this ride. So bring your A-game and use your Magic Kingdom Genie+ to show off your skills and help buzz!
Great Secondary or Bonus Genie+ Options
If you noticed, we didn’t list all of the rides Magic Kingdom Genie+ offers when talking about the best rides for Genie+ at Magic Kingdom. That is because there are a few rides that you can use for later in the day. This is because their wait times are usually shorter, and their popularity isn’t as demanding! But this doesn’t mean you should avoid these rides or not ride them at all! We just know that you can book these rides with Magic Kingdom Genie+ easier later in the day. These rides include:
- Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Under the Sea- Journey of the Little Mermaid
- Barnstormer
- It’s a Small World
- Tomorrowland Speedway
Worst Magic Kingdom Genie+ Options and What to Skip
If you are worried about wasting your time and money with Magic Kingdom Genie+, these are some rides you may want to avoid. These rides really do have shorter wait lines and aren’t worth the waste.
So, when you are planning and refreshing that app, here are some of the Genie+ rides at Magic Kingdom that you really don’t need to use Magic Kingdom Genie+ for or can skip all together! (Or, if you want, you can wait in the standby line!). These rides are:
- Dumbo
- Mad Tea Party
- Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor
- Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Best Time to Make a Genie+ Reservation at Magic Kingdom
After talking some of the best Genie+ rides at Magic Kingdom (and some of the worst), it is important to talk about planning. You should know, going in, how to put together a day at the park when using Genie+.
First, consider what Magic Kingdom Genie+ Reservation you should grab first! Peter Pan’s Flight and Jungle Cruise typically run out of time slots SUPER fast. By the time you make your second pick, return times for these two rides can be more than two hours away. This may be the perfect opportunity to purchase a Lightning Lane though!
Remember that there are also Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane rides that you want to take advantage of! Try to fit Peter Pan in your morning schedule, and then consider adding a Lightning Lane or even booking a Magic Kingdom Genie+ for later in the day.
If you have Early Park Entry, do make sure to get on Seven Dwarves mine Train! Then you can head west with the rest of the park opens. After this, you’ll want to try to use Genie+ to book Thunder Mountain, Pirates, and Haunted Mansion. Even through Splash Mountain in there too!
Once you have done your first reservation, however, you may want to consider the dilemma you’ll face: pick something with a time slot that starts sooner or later. If you’ve got a few popular rides through we suggest being strategic. Keep your eyes on the return times of the most important rides. And don’t wait too long to book anything!
And there you have it, folks! Some of the best rides to ride using Magic Kingdom Genie+. We even mentioned some of the worst rides to avoid using with Genie+. There really is no right answer for approaching this system, especially because everyone wants to see and do different things at the park. (Speaking of, if you want some suggestions on shows while waiting for your Genie+ times, check out our article on the Best and Worst Disney Shows!).
Either way, we hope this has helped you determine how you want to approaching using Genie+ and the Lightning Lanes! We hope it makes your trip smoother, but no matter what, we know it will be magical.
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