Genie+ is the Disney’s latest offering for expedited line service. And as with its predecessor FastPass, there is a strategy for using it to its fullest potential. I watched Genie+ work in action across all four parks at Disney World and gathered feedback from friends who used it first hand in the parks. This is my guide for the best Genie+ strategy for your trip.

A little look into what Genie+ looks like in the app with Lightning Lane return times

First Selection

Starting at 7 am on the day of your park visit, you can make your first Lightning Lane selection. Not all Lightning Lane selections are equal. Some rides are more popular than others and will sell out more quickly throughout the day. My strategy would be to grab these popular rides first thing in the morning so that you don’t have to wait to get your next Lightning Lane. Here are the rides that I would prioritize in the morning based on how quickly they filled up:

Magic Kingdom

Jungle Cruise
Peter Pan’s Flight
Splash Mountain

Hollywood Studios

Slinky Dog Dash
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Epcot

Test Track

Animal Kingdom

Navi River Journey
Kilaminjaro Safari

Moving throughout the day

Once you’ve made your first selection, I would make additional selections based on the nearest availability and the over all wait time of the rides. Try and grab rides that have the highest wait time with Lightning Lane return windows that are soonest. If you can’t ride right away, fill that time with some lower waits or walk on rides that are available near you or on your way to your next Lightning Lane. Stacking your Lightning Lane reservations like this will maximize your investment in Genie+.

Cinderella castle with Disney World 50th Anniversary decorations

Utilizing the 2 Hour rule

There is a rule with Genie+ that you can book your next Lightning Lane after your current one is redeemed or after 2 hours - whichever comes first. This means that if you book a Genie+ that is more than 2 hours away, you can make another Lightning Lane selection two hours later. This gives you the ability to have two Lightning Lane selections at the same time. Obviously waiting two hours isn’t necessarily ideal. I would suggest using this rule to your advantage when you are stopping to eat lunch or maybe when you are park hopping or standing in line for a top tier Individual Lightning Lane ride. This way you aren’t needing to utilize Genie+ while you are waiting and you’ll be able to have two Lightning Lane selections close together in two hours.

Park Hopping

Genie+ allows you to make selections at other parks after 2 pm. Make sure you make your Genie+ selection prior to switching parks. That way you can begin riding right when you get to your next park! You can also make Individual Lightning Lane selections are multiple parks so keep that in mind. TIP: Using the free Genie itinerary service will give you reminders when its time to park hop!

Early Entrance

I would still take advantage of Early Entrance for resort guests. This will allow you to ride those Top Tier Individual Lightning Lane attractions that aren’t available via genie+ without having to wait too long. It will also allow you to fill in the time between your Lightning Lane with shorter waits. This is a great way to maximize your time in the parks. Then in the afternoon, you can always go back to the hotel for a swim break or rest.

.Space Mountain is not a great value for Individual Lightning Lane Selections.

Individual Lightning Lane Selections?

If you have a good game plan, I don’t necessarily think you will need to utilize the Individual Lightning Lane Selections. If you want to ride Rise of the Resistance without a wait, you will need to purchase this Lightning Lane right away at 7 am (if you are a resort guest) or right at park opening. It sells out within an hour of park opening! Rides that I wouldn’t spend money on are Expedition Everest and Space Mountain. Both rides you will see wait times that aren’t that bad.

Need a refresher on all things Genie, Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane? Read this blog where I break down each new aspect of this service. What to get Genie+ for your next Disney vacation? Read this blog to learn how to add it to your tickets.

The best way to use Genie+ to Maximize your park time at Disney World