Disneyland Resort Lightning Lane Guide
What is Lightning Lane?
Lightning Lane is Disneyland Resort’s express line system. It allows you to bypass the regular line at select attractions, thereby reducing your time in line.
Lightning Lane is available in two forms: through the Disney Genie+ service or as Individual Lightning Lane (á la carte), depending on the attraction. Both Disney Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane attractions utilize a Lightning Lane entrance despite being separate services; this overcomplexity often causes confusion. Think of it this way: Lightning Lane refers to the name of the line guests using Disney Genie+ and/or Individual Lightning Lane will utilize; however, the two services—Disney Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane—are not the same service. Disney Genie+ is not valid at Individual Lightning Lane attractions, and Individual Lightning Lane is not valid at Disney Genie+ participating attractions. Unlike the old FASTPASS service, Lightning Lane is not complimentary.
What is Disney Genie+?
Disney Genie+ is a paid feature in the official Disneyland app, available on the App Store and the Google Play Store, that allows you to make Lightning Lane reservations for available attractions and provides a few other perks. On the app, you can choose an available arrival window at participating attractions, one at a time, all day long. The system, essentially, works similarly to Disney’s previous MaxPass ride reservation system. During the arrival window, you then head back to the attraction using a separate Lightning Lane line. Disney Genie+ attraction selections are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are not guaranteed. Disney Genie+ is not valid at Individual Lightning Lane attractions. Individual Lightning Lane is not valid at Disney Genie+ participating attractions.
Be aware that Disney Genie+ should not be confused with Disney Genie, which is a free service that is completely different and beyond the scope of this topic; however, you can learn more about the regular Disney Genie service by clicking here.
What is Individual Lightning Lane?
Individual Lightning Lane is a paid feature also in the official Disneyland app, which is available on the App Store and the Google Play Store. Individual Lightning Lane is typically used for Disneyland Resort’s most highly demanded attractions; attractions utilizing Individual Lightning Lane will not be available through Disney Genie+. With Individual Lightning Lane, you can purchase and select the next available arrival window for up to two attractions per day. During your arrival window, you can head to the attraction and use the Lightning Lane line. Individual Lightning Lane is not valid at Disney Genie+ participating attractions. Disney Genie+ is not valid at Individual Lightning Lane attractions.
Unlike Disney Genie+, which gives you the chance to make multiple Lightning Lane reservations a day for a single price, Individual Lightning Lane is purchased individually (à la carte) and is only valid at the attraction it was purchased for.
How Do I Make Lightning Lane Reservations?
You should download the official Disneyland Resort on the App Store and the Google Play Store. After purchasing your tickets, you must link them to your Disney account in the app, if you haven’t already. You should link all of your party members’ tickets to the same account so that one member can make reservations for the entire group. In the app, you can purchase the Disney Genie+ service, which will then grant you the ability to make Lightning Lane reservations for participating attractions. In the app, you can also purchase Individual Lightning Lane for attractions that utilize the service.
Do I Need a Phone to Make Reservations?
In order to make Disney Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane selections, you must have a device with access to the Disneyland app. There is no paper-based or non-phone way to use either service.
How Much Is Disney Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane?
Disney Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane do not have flat charges. Prices for both services may vary by date, attraction, and park. Throughout the year, prices may be lower on some days and higher on other days. You can view exact prices during the date of your visit on the Disneyland app.
It’s important to note that both Disney Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane are per-person charges. Disney Genie+ must be purchased for each person wishing to take advantage of the service, and Individual Lightning Lane must be purchased for each member wishing to use the service. You are not required to purchase Disney Genie+ in order to purchase Individual Lightning Lane and vice versa.
Should I Purchase Disney Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lane?
The answer to that really depends on your budget, crowd levels, and how much time you have in the parks. In some cases, you may want to purchase Disney Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lane, or even both. If you’re visiting the same park at least twice and wait times are manageable, however, we advise against it.
What Attractions Are Included With Disney Genie+?
The following attractions participate in the Disney Genie+ service. You can click on an attraction name to learn more about that attraction.
Disneyland Park
- Autopia
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
- Haunted Mansion
- Indiana Jones Adventure
- "it’s a small world"
- Matterhorn Bobsleds
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
- Space Mountain
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Disney California Adventure
- Goofy’s Sky School
- Grizzly River Run
- Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
- Incredicoaster
- Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
- Soarin’ Around the World
- Toy Story Midway Mania!
- WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
What Attractions Use Individual Lightning Lane?
The following attractions offer Individual Lightning Lane. You can click on an attraction name to learn more about that attraction.
