26 Best Genie+ Tips to SKIP the Line like a PRO at Disneyland

[@thetoddkeith]

Geez man I remember when Disneyland wasnt like this. It used to be so mellow and dreamlike. I'm talking 70's. Now it's like you need to have a strategic plan of attack to maximize your visit.

[@kev6t9]

yeah man you can replace the world disneyland with anything else. Housing, stocks, jobs, banks, everything is complex now man!

[@jeffsmith1269]

I would love for you to do a tier-list-style video for the rides at Disneyland. Perhaps a video “don’t wait longer than X minutes” for each ride would be fun?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I do plan to do put something like that together. I meant to have one out earlier this month, but my plans changed and I wasn't able to. But it's on my list!

[@hollybabyyy]

@@SoCalDisneyDadplease do

[@inkwadnito966]

In those rankings, I feel like you could discuss the value of the lightning lane. IE, where in the queue it gets combined with the standby line (like how the LL feeds in at the door).

[@michellee1190]

Another thing about phone charge, loosing cellular/Wi-Fi connection can cause your phone to constantly look for a connection, which drains battery faster. So when you get deep into some of those rides where you loose connection anyway (like Indiana Jones or Mansion), go into airplane mode until you get out of the show building.

[@Clee0109]

Omg thank you, Trevor and Amy! This is the most helpful Genie+ tutorial out there! You guys are the sweetest and cutest family! Thank you! ❤❤❤

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Thank you!

[@seancottrell5258]

Tip one: don't get it 😂

[@stevenwinterhill3623]

Lol

[@RickiMinaj23]

Great video guys! I haven't been to Disneyland in over 4 years due to moving across the country and then that global shutdown but I'm currently at the airport about to board my flight to LAX for Disneyland's Pride Night tomorrow. Watching you ride Thunder at night gave me all the feels. I CANT WAIT TO RETURN HOME 🥰😍

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I hope you have such an amazing trip!

[@elburro215]

Man oh man this advice is PURE GOLD!! Thank you for the thorough information I feel like I finally understand Genie+

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I’m glad you found it helpful! If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Always happy to help.

[@19kKittenKiddo]

I appreciate the information and tips as you were utilizing them. So much useful information to the point in this video. Loved it!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I’m glad you found it helpful!

[@waxifari5528]

Another bonus of the MEPs is they don’t expire (for the day - so you aren’t restricted to a specific return time window) and they don’t count as a LL (in that you can stack them without limitation and you can book an additional LL as soon as your previous LL was converted to MEP even without using that MEP).

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Yes! Thanks for all the additional info.

[@waxifari5528]

@@SoCalDisneyDad PS per your follow-up request 😉 Walt’s Main Street Story was very worth it for us. Mom balled. Felt like the Sistine Chapel tour ie almost felt like we were on ground so holy perhaps we shouldn’t even be allowed to be there - if that makes sense. Anyway, for the asking price it’s a pittance for any serious fan.

[@waxifari5528]

Also the CM working the tour had been there for ever. She was describing working Inner-space which I only got ride once as a 5 year old before they gutted it. So that also made it very cool - meaning all that knowledge and historic continuity.

[@lisabostrack24]

Their is always something to learn on Genie + Just when I think I know it. You tell something about it I didn't know. Thank you for all the tips. And hopefully when and if I go in early September. I can use all your tips. You and Amy would make great travel agents. I know you mentioned it in your live.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

If you have any questions about Genie+, drop them below and I’ll do my best to answer them.

[@user-tdhukasbfjcl]

Thank you for doing this! We already pre purchased genie plus so this is very helpful. We also reserved for Fantasmic Dining at River Bell Terrace so I’ll be looking forward to that video! Lastly, I asked this question during the live stream but not sure it was answered so I am asking here again if you don’t mind... “We are planning to go to Disneyland the week of Memorial Day. Do you know what the weather is typically like at that time?” Thank you!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

May is wishy washy. I’ve had to wear a jacket in the morning often as it can be a bit brisk. The marine layer of clouds in the morning usually keeps mornings cooler. But we are talking like 60. So if 60 sounds like paradise from wherever you are, then all good. The cloud cover will burn off by midday and you can expect temps in the 80s with clear blue skies. It might get cooler again in the evening for those nighttime spectaculars, so again, a jacket is helpful. It’s a dry, arid climate. We have no humidity. So if you’ve been to Disney World, it does not stay warm in the evenings after dark.

[@philiptom2799]

Once i went in a cool post rainy February. When my friends and i arrived at the park, we jumped on 4 rides within the first hour. At one point i was on Star Tours 3 times getting off and getting back on within 45 minutes. I still love Disneyland but these days It feels like more work to have fun.

[@Eunity16]

I appreciate this video. I am an AP at WDW, so I have never purchased Genie+, as there's no urgency to ride the rides, since we're there all the time. However, I have my 3rd trip booked to DL in August, and my 15 y/o Nephew's first time going, so I would like to use the feature, so he can ride as many rides as he can. Very informative! Thanks!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I totally understand! We hardly use it here, but buy it every time when we visit WDW. If you have any questions (about anything Disneyland really), feel free to ask. Always happy to help.

[@ryanb.6881]

Let’s say I got a multi experience pass for Autopia because it broke down. Would I still be able to book for Autopia again after it reopens?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Yes. The multi-experience you receive from a broken attraction will always work for the attraction it broke on and other similar caliber rides. It just likely won’t work for BETTER attractions.

[@lymanjoy]

So you can book more than one lightening lane at a time

[@meganbrownfield7195]

Do these tips still apply to 2024?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Yes! There haven’t been any major changes since this video, except that Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is on regular Genie+ now. As is Pirates of the Caribbean with the refurb of Haunted Mansion.

[@CarolCap131]

Appreciated this especially for the buddy pass information! Also the free advice on the frozen Mickey sandwich. Lol Have you ever done a video on using the photopass you get with the genie+ throughout the day? I’m trying to catch up on your past videos and actually got this video when I asked you tube about photopass information. We have three reservations for Disney rope dropping but based on some research my daughter did we will actually be rope dropping the castle picture one of the days cause my daughter read that even though the line is very long in the morning it actually goes faster than later in the day because there are much more photographers. Since we can’t do a lot of the genie + rides because of motion sickness we think that using genie for both faster lines for the few rides we do want and photopass will make buying genie+ worth it for us. I’ve also been planning on disregarding your advice to not start reserving rides at 8 because, since at 76 I have a lot of time on my hand, and I’ve been practicing for months trying to maximize getting as many experience passes as possible. This way.i can say grab a Matterhorn, sky school, or incredicoaster reservation in the morning, even though I wouldn’t ride them and hope they are temporarily closed first thing in the morning and I’ll get an experience redemption pass (or two or three) that I can use on things like fantasyland rides that don’t have lightning lanes. I inadvertently was successful doing this on an all too short visit two years ago when I got a pass from Indiana jones that we were able to use on jungle cruise. My 80 year old, California native cousin was really impressed! lol

[@karenladd808]

Every time we get ready to go to Disneyland, I load up on all your content. Thanks for all the great tips!!

[@jasonreimer930]

Hey Traver, if I rope drop space mountain, and book a LL for Indiana, then I get get to indie and see the stand by is short. Can I cancel it and book it later with no penalty? Love your channel ❤️

[@jessicascraps4010]

Heading to Disneyland in 10 days and your videos have been so helpful

[@victoriaperea7860]

Question: We have early entry to Disneyland on Sunday is it an exception to the rule of rope dropping Rise?!

[@mg.phblog]

We're coming all the way from Asia and this is our first time, so we just want to make the most out of the trip. Currently binge-watching all of your videos! Thank you so much for this!!!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Glad to hear this! If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Always happy to help.

[@michaelbferroni2631]

Great video. Reminds me of how I used to do it with the paper fast passes and max pass. Convinced me to buy the Genie+

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

It’s pretty similar in execution. Yes!

[@lymanjoy]

How do tou do mobile orders?

[@SoCalSurfer69]

Radiator Springs is always a pain and now an extra 20 bucks if you want LL.

[@SparKlyStaRzBliNg]

If u buy Genie+ is it only good for 1 day or can it be used everyday of ur trip or do u have to buy it for everyday of ur trip?

[@kfetter9046]

O-M-G! I really appreciate the content of this video. You are great at explaining things. I feel like you practically need a Ph.D to understand Genie +! The very thought of constantly having to check your phone is bad enough. I understand how it can be a useful, yet expensive tool ($25-$30/day/person???!), but for those of us who don't get to go all that often, there is a big learning curve. Thanks a lot Disney (not)! You must walk at least 10 miles a day when you do these videos. No wonder you are so tired, LOL! The things you do for your viewers, hahaha! Thank you!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I did 27,000 steps on Monday. 😅 I’ve had a few days go above 30k, but 25k is an average.

[@tiffanylong-1974]

I've already purchased Genie + , will it automatically be available in my app as soon as I scan in to the park?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I would assume so? Having never done it, I’m not 100% certain but that would make sense. Yes. If you linked your reservation to your app.

[@erikabell88]

Thank you guys for posting all this wonderful content! I’ve been hooked since I found this channel 2 months ago 😀my husband & I are going 2nd week of May, 1 park per day passes. Haven’t gone since pre-Covid so this is very helpful info. ! Will definitely get Genie +for Disneyland. Since DCA is a smaller park do you recommend we get Genie + for DCA also?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Whether you get it or not probably depends on how many days you're going. If you're only going two days, one per park, I'd just get it. It's convenient to have. Even if you don't maximize it's potential. It's just one less thing to stress about (lines). We hardly use it, but we're local. If we can't ride something, oh well, we'll rope drop it next time or something. But when we go to WDW, we always buy it at least on the first day in every park. If we have repeat days, we generally don't purchase Genie+ on repeat days.

[@jacquelinebugna1201]

Excellent tips and tricks! Can't wait to use them all on my Disneyland trip in a few weeks!

[@StellarumCreative]

We went at the end of June last year and my husband, being the major Star Wars fan he is, wanted to rope drop Smuggler's Run every day we were there. It was super cool - everyone went to Rise of the Resistance so we got to walk through the rest of Batuu when it was completely empty. Then we'd dart over to Hyperspace mountain (since they kept it longer last year) and then do Star Tours for our rope drop. Then we'd start using Genie+ for the day. Normally I'd pick something while we were in line for Star Tours. We had a LOT of breakdowns during our times but it was cool because we got a freebie every time it happened. All in all, Genie+ is absolutely worth it!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

We got a few multi-experience passes in August when we used it last. This time, we had to force it to give us one. Surprisingly, nothing broke on us all day.

[@VersatileRaps]

Is there a limit on how many people can get genie plus ?

[@NicoleC-w1w]

Hi. Just to clarify, what are the TIMES you are putting in the video? “POSTED WAIT” is the STANDBY wait time posted outside of the ride and not LIGHTNING LANE wait time right? Then “ACTUAL WAIT” is your actual wait time?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Correct. Posted is Standby Wait. So it’s showing you how much time you saved by using Genie+ instead of waiting in the standby.

[@52185mertlich]

Question: when you use a multi experience pass on a non genie+ ride, where do you go to enter the ride? Since they don’t have a lightning lane to enter through.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

You’ll have to speak to a cast member at the attraction. They all run a little differently.

[@casualgamer91]

Hi Traver, this will be 1st time going to Disneyland with a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 young kids). Thank you so much for your videos, I've been learning a lot! A couple questions for you. For Genie+, is it possible to get lightning lanes reserved with one account logged into the Disneyland app? I have a 2 year old as well who's ticket is free. Will he be able to join the LL rides as long as there are no height requirements?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Yes to both. And I actually recommend you use only one device to manage the Genie+ reservations. You’ll just have to have all tickets linked to your account. And your 2 year old won’t need Genie+ to join you on rides like Pirates and Small World. Since there’s no ticket, there’s no problem.

[@teresamunoz91]

I'm going to DCA and Disneyland with my daughter today and these tips are so helpful!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Hope you have an awesome day!

[@candid9100]

Feb 2024- Just went to Disneyland and it was the last time I’ll go. It’s now a battle of haves v have nots. You already spend a fortune to enter the park but now you have to spend an additional fortune to have access to the rides. It was an extra $30 EACH for 3 of us to get genie plus! And if we didn’t want to stand in line for 90 mins to ride Rise of Resistance, it was another $30 each for the lightning pass. I could’ve paid the extra but We chose to stand in line. What an absolute scam. I feel sorry for those who can’t afford to pay the extra. The only magic at Disneyland is the disappearing cash. It’s an absolute scam.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

If you think Disney is bad, don’t go to Universal. Last time I thought about purchasing express they wanted $199/person just for express, and that didn’t include your ticket. That was on top of it. Disney is pennies compared to that. I’ll count my blessings. But I also go to Disneyland 99% of the time without Genie+ and can still ride everything I want to, and my channel is dedicated to helping people learn how to do it too, because it’s just a matter of knowing what rides to go to in what order and when so you can avoid lines.

[@ph090583]

Thanks for this video

[@VersatileRaps]

Is it better to go on a sunday or monday lol

[@rpeterson9770]

Ok. I had no idea you could do non genie plus attractions with a multi experience pass. Thanks for the tip.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I just learned it when I was looking at what was available to use it on! 😂

[@sophiadoll4793]

if you buy a fuel rod in one park on your first day can you use it in another park. Like I buy it at downtown Disney Sunday and keep swapping it in and out in both DCA and Disneyland till Tuesday.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Yes! You can swap it anywhere FuelRod machines are, including the airport. But they’re only free to swap on Disney property I believe.

[@Shirl_RN_2.08]

You said to book genie for high disappearing rides.Which rides usually go first?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Indiana Jones at Disneyland. Toy Story at DCA. For the others, you really just need to keep an eye on it. It fluctuates by day, but the more popular the ride (Space Mountain, Matterhorn, etc) the faster it disappears.

[@petejedi100]

I see you and other people in the park are wearing sweatshirts. Some people were wearing coats and hats. So it looks cold. We are going middle of October. Will we need coats and hats then?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

This video was back in April I believe. It’s 94 degrees here today. I’m sweating buckets. 😅

[@sarahs8575]

What battery charger do you have? I would like one that would charge my phone twice.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

This is the one I use. I love it because it's magnetic, so I don't have to deal with cords. But it's iphone Mag-safe specific, so newer models only and of course only iphones. amzn.to/48AxhJq But another option is the Fuel Rods throughout Disneyland. Buy once for $30ish and you get free swaps as often as you need them. My wife has one for her phone and she doesn't use her phone as much as me so generally only needs to charge it once throughout the day, but then she just exchanges the fuel rod for a fully charged one on our way out of the park so she has a full one for either use when she's out and about back at home, or the next time we come to Disneyland.

[@directoru6-997]

This lightening lane thing intimidates me 😅

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

It just has a lot of tiny nuances and rules for obscure scenarios. At its most basic, you get one time on each lightning lane ride. You book one and can’t make another until you’ve ridden the first one or 2 hours elapses, whichever comes first. Rinse and repeat all day.

[@BlackBeardPirate]

Yay 🎉 I was so looking forward to this video thank you!! 😊

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Enjoy. And get a pen and paper ready. There’s a lot of notes to take. 😂

[@taylors221]

Is Indiana Jones closed??

[@janemaisch9312]

I found your channel recently as my family is heading to Disneyland for the first time despite being savvy veterans of Disney World and Universal Orlando. Besides my fave Molly of Mammoth Club, (❤ her!) you have been the most helpful in my planning that I’ve found. Thank you!

[@Kseb1212]

I’ve never used Genie plus but it seems like you are doing a lot of walking and going to different lands. We tend to do one land at a time to completion before going onto the next land.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

If your goal is the least amount of steps, that’s a fine plan. But you’ll waste a lot of time standing in long lines that will probably be shorter some other time of the day. Plus, with Genie+ you can’t always do the land by land thing. For instance, if you start in Tomorrowland and you try to book for Space Mountain, but it’s return time is 10 AM, you’ll either have to come back, or stand around Tomorrowland for 2 hours waiting for the available time slot to come up.

[@MissMiaAfroGoddess]

@@SoCalDisneyDadhow do you navigate the different areas & traverse the park quickly? Do you study a map first? Trying to figure out how to use this strategy with a group of noobs (myself included 😅)

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

@@MissMiaAfroGoddess The Disneyland app is also invaluable for this too. It functions like Google Maps and shows you on the map along with a visibility cone to indicate direction. So you can just point the right way and walk. That’s probably the easiest. But you can study it too. Disneyland is a wheel. With the Hub at the center, all the lands, except a few, separate from it like spokes.

[@MostMagicalGuides]

Thank you so much for this video! I am coming to Disneyland from the UK in November and my last trip there was 6 years ago so it was so helpful to have so many tips for how to visit the parks now!

[@sammyshreibati]

Do you have a certain number of lightening lanes you can do per day?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Once per ride. So as many as there are rides with LL if you can do them all in a day. If you stick to one park, it’s possible. Hard to do if you’re trying to cover both parks in a day. But it’ll help you out for sure.

[@Sunshinenbeaches]

Hi Amy. Can you tell me which Loungefly bag you’re carrying here? I love the color!

[@jillhoffman1753]

All this is amazing information but sounds like so much work and thinking, two things I desperately try to avoid on vacation! 😂

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I completely understand! Honestly, it’s pretty simple to use. A lot of the tips we are providing are like the fine print on the service. The bottom line is you can only use Genie+ to ride something once. As soon you book something, you can’t reserve another ride until you’ve ridden the first or two hours elapses. That pretty much boils everything down into the simplest of functions.

[@jillhoffman1753]

@@SoCalDisneyDad We are getting ready for my grandson's very first trip to Disney, so we have been binge watching your videos and he gets SO excited when he sees you come on the screen! We appreciate all that you have to share!

[@AnaGarcia-z9q]

Thank you for these amazing videos you make. I have little ones and would love to hear tips on meeting characters (royal hall), shows, and no height requirements rides.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Doing a character video is on our to-do list! As is redoing my video on rides with no height requirement (I do have a video, it’s just really old). The show one, if you check out my “Disneyland without rides” video from a few weeks back, it’ll list everything in both parks that covers things like shows.

[@AnaGarcia-z9q]

​@@SoCalDisneyDad that's awesome, were always trying to come up with a strategy that works.🤯

[@mariazapata6375]

You are such a sweet family! thank you so much for all your content and tips! i am planning my first trip to disneyland with my 4th year son. Very valuable content as this visit can feel really overwhelming and confusing. Thank you!

[@notmalcolmm]

hi Traver! me, my family and cousins' 2nd trip to disneyland is a go this week, yet only problem is that we will arrive at 9 am, not the intended 8:00 Am, missing the whole golden hour. Will the lines by then be a little long or do we still have a few minutes to clutch the fewer wait times? Still planning on going to Splash Mountain first, Big Thunder second, and Splash third for our big 3. And about your previous video "15 things you can get for free at disneyland", you did mention about the Disability Access Service. I'm just wondering if Rise of The Resistance, Mickey and Minnie, and Radiator Springs Racers are included as return time tickets for the service? Sorry if this is a lot of questions to take in, but I really thank you in advance if you can respond soon! Much love, Disney Dad!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Generally speaking, lower wait times hang around until 10 AM. Of course, the best times are 8-9. But up to 10 AM is still good too. Every ride should be included with DAS.

[@notmalcolmm]

@@SoCalDisneyDad thanks so much for answering! just a few more final questions if it's still ok, how long does it take to wait on Rise, Mickey, and Racers on both normal lanes and lightning lanes? specifically on the afternoon from 1 pm - 6 pm.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

@@notmalcolmm All of those rides usually hang around 75 minute standby waits, but can get much higher depending on the day.

[@dennisleonard9901]

Visiting both CA parks for 1 day on August 19th (Monday). We are regulars at DW but first time visiting CA parks. We plan on using Disney+ and entering park at rope drop. Which park would you recommend entering first until park hopper kicks in at 11AM?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Disneyland has more rides, so it’s probably more advantageous for you to start at Disneyland for the precious 8 AM to 10 AM low ride wait window.

[@dennisleonard9901]

Thanks! Just want to make sure we don’t miss out on popular DCA rides like Cars and Avengers that you can’t find in DW.

[@megma1717]

I have a question about the multi experience pass. If we use the hack you said about booking a ride that is down, can you use the multi experience pass for different things for different people? Say we have a family of four and two of the people decide they want to ride the originally booked ride, but the other two do not, can two use it on one attraction and two use it on another?

[@lilliandonaldson8121]

First time coming up July. 5 day pass. Park hop or not? Staying dvc Disneyland Hotel. Thinking 3 at DL and 2 at CA, using early entry.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

If money is tight, no hopper. But it costs $75/person for a hopper for all 5 days. For a family going two days it’s $65 for both days. So for an extra $10 you’ve got it for three additional days than someone taking a shorter trip. It just makes sense to do the hopper for a 5-day because it’s the most affordable in cost per day, and gives you complete flexibility to go and do what you want when you want.

[@lilliandonaldson8121]

@SoCalDisneyDad many thanks. Solo trip so this helps.

[@krisnyc9134]

Yes you would've linked up with the standby line but also you would've badged in and would've been able to book another lighting lane. The difference is, you didn't know if the standby and lighting lane would've linked up when you were booking at 7am.

[@ohlawd7213]

What’s great is if you have some sort of disability, you basically get free genie plus

[@doughastings4005]

Two questions: 1. If you get a Multiple experience pass does it have to be used that day or can you save it for the next day if coming back to the parks.? 2. For the ILL, you mentioned purchasing the max of 2 per day. Can it be for the same ride?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

No to both. MEPs are only good for that day. And ILLs are still one time use. But you can’t purchase more than two attractions on the program in a day. Right now, there are only two. Rise and Radiator. But they had a third a few months ago before it got moved to regular Genie+

[@doughastings4005]

Thank you so much! Your videos are soooooo helpful!

[@elizabethgilman8309]

Do I have unlimited lightening lanes using Genie+?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

No. It’s only single use per ride per day.

[@mindfulfascia]

Thank you for making this video. I need a masters degree in Disney..😂

[@1962Aero]

Do you recommend Genie + if you're not getting into the Park around 2:00 p.m.? Thanks.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

If it’s your only day, yes. But keep in mind that the most sought after rides might be gone already. You could take a look and see what’s available before you purchase it.

[@1962Aero]

@@SoCalDisneyDad I think that's what I will do to see if it would be worth it. It's the only day we are going. Thanks!

[@melodynewell3420]

Family trip next week-thx sooo much!

[@arianemilanellisturaro9375]

When are the top pics available? I have tickets but onlynfor july and I cannot make that selection yet.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I can setup my Genie Day for our March 17th visit right now, but it says the app can’t give me a more tailored approach for another 20 days. So it’s something you really can’t do until like the day before or day of. It’s not a big deal. It doesn’t take long to setup. You could do it while waiting in line for rope drop even.

[@arianemilanellisturaro9375]

Tks...I love your vídeos...

[@ReezA.MP3]

Is the fuel rods to charge your battery pack

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

To charge your cell phone.

[@yoopergamer2121]

Will be going for the first time next week. Great information thanks.

[@olvera411]

You said you can book from your hotel when you left during the day, is that only from disney hotels? Or can you do it from another hotel that might be a little further away?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Distance doesn’t matter, so long as you’ve scanned into the park for the day at least once. It’s not a strictly on property thing, so go back and rest, or maybe you want to grab a bite to eat outside the park at the Garden Walk, you can grab a lightning lane while you’re gone.

[@olvera411]

Awesome thanks, that's what I was hoping for. Thanks for the quick response. @@SoCalDisneyDad

[@hollybabyyy]

I sure hope the wifi is amazing in disney parks when ur on ur phones all day

[@marcyblandon566]

I have so many questions ☹️

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Ask away! I’m happy to help.

[@mrswhite808]

Thanks for sharing! I’d heard the posted wait times are quite inaccurate compared to actual times. That’s disappointing considering we will have a DAS pass and our return times are based on posted wait times. Do you have any idea how to use Genie+ with a DAS pass? It seems this updated DAS along with Genie+ is loads better than what we had available at WDW in 2019. Thank you!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

The wait times are actually fairly accurate. If anything, I find them to be under if they are inaccurate. I once hopped in line for Radiator Springs at 45 and the wait was 70. Most of the time if something is inaccurate is because it’s actually rather low, lots of people see it, and then rush to the attraction. That fills up the line and the time hasn’t caught up yet. For DAS, if it’s based on current wait, that’s a good thing. You’ll very rarely find a ride say something like 50 minutes and it be 25. Yes, at Walt Disney World, that’s pretty normal. WDW’s goal is to keep people happy. Over there it’s such a powder keg with unhappy guests because of years of planning and significantly more dollar commitment. People get upset about the smallest things. Wait times is one way WDW can counter grumpy guests. What better way to do this than post a wait at 50 minutes and it really be 25. Now the guests are happy they didn’t wait as long. That just doesn’t happen here really. I find them to be very accurate. Except at closing time when they want you to go home.

[@mrswhite808]

@@SoCalDisneyDad thanks for the reply. I guess I’m misunderstanding your graphics with the posted wait times vs. actual wait times and the time saved. Can you explain what you mean? Thank you!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

@@mrswhite808 If we had rode standby a ride was posted at 55 minutes. With Genie+ it only took us 10 minutes. Therefore Genie+ helped us save 45 minutes. A running tally was that at the end of the day, Genie+ saved us 5 hours and 30 minutes. If you had rode everything we did standby, you’d have spent an extra 5 hour and 30 minutes standing in line to ride the same attractions. Does that make more sense?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

@@mrswhite808 Now that I think through it, I can see how the graphic can be misleading. I should have changed “actual wait” to “Genie+ wait” Or something like that.

[@mrswhite808]

@@SoCalDisneyDad oh I see now. Thanks for the clarification! I really appreciate it.

[@scottmacdowall527]

You guys are awesome, always a great channel with detailed information! Thanks for sharing your family adventures 🇺🇸

[@bronwynwhale8814]

Thank you so much for your video, we are visiting Disneyland from Australia for the first time in March '24. I'm so confused about stacking our Genie Plus & booking every 2 hours when I've read on the app you can only have 2 per day, which you mentioned in Tip 14. Maybe they are two separate things but I'm confused. Thanks for explaining @SoCal Disney Dad.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

So you can only have two individual lightning lanes purchases per day. Which at the moment there are only two rides on that program (Rise of the Resistance and Radiator Springs Racers) so it wouldn't matter. But when Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway was on the Individual Lightning Lane program, that was 3, so you would have only been able to purchase 2 of those 3 in a single day. However, MMRR moved to the standard Genie+ service a few months ago. The difference is the standard Genie+ service, which costs around $30-$40/person/day lets you into 20 or so rides. While the Individual Lighting Lane attractions are separate from Genie+, which means if you purchase Genie+ you'd still need to pay an additional fee for those rides. At the same time, guests who have NOT purchased Genie+ can still purchase the Individual Lighting Lane rides even without Genie+ Disney definitely did not make this easy with the similar terms, Lightning Lane and Individual Lightning Lane. Hope that helps? You can cram as many regular Genie+ rides into a single day as you possibly can make happen. It's just that you can only ride each ride once per day on the program. You could standby the ride a second time, though.

[@debbiewilson8993]

You were there 3 days before us in April. Unfortunately the day before we came was the night fantasmic caught fire. I was so bummed. We're going back in October and hoping it'll be back.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Hopefully Murphy is back before October.

[@kimberlyelliott7517]

This information is helpful but I clearly see you are hopping all over the park! From Tomorrowland to Frontierland then back to Tomorrowland... do you have any advice for maximizing Genie+ while avoiding all the back and forth?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

The back and forth is what does the maximizing. We follow this pattern without Genie+ too. You chase the low wait times. We usually strongly recommend against going land by land as this means you'll end up waiting far more to rides than you need to. But if land by land is the only way to go for you, then my only suggestion would be to look ahead and plan ahead. So if you're in Adventureland and you know you're headed to Frontierland next, see if Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is available in the next 20 to 60 minutes. Once your time becomes active, you have a full hour to use it, plus about a 15 minute grace period on the other side. Trouble is, you can't book your next one until you'd used your first (or two hours elapses). So a possible strategy is to book something like Indiana Jones and do that first. Then book Big Thunder, but before moving on to Frontierland, you go back and do Jungle Cruise because Jungle Cruise doesn't have a lightning lane. As opposed to riding Jungle Cruise first, then going to Indy and finding out you the earliest Big Thunder is 60 minutes from now. If you swap it the order, you'll be able to kill time on Jungle Cruise waiting for Big Thunder to become available. Hope that helps.

[@mfwmusuc]

Please do an indepth tutorial on the tools you mentioned.

[@silviaar1585]

Hello! Thank you for your videos. I will be in California in September and I have a couple of days free and are wondering what to do. Would you recommend one park-hopping day from 9 till 00 with DG+, or two easier days, one per park, also with DG+? The difference is 200 dollars (530 one day park hopping vs 730 two days, one day each park).

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I’ll always advocate for more days if it’s in the budget. It’s really up to you on what you can afford. Truthfully, with a single day, I’d probably just stick to Disneyland only unless you visit often and don’t mind missing out on some things.

[@evangoldberg5840]

I'm planning my first trip to Disneyland since Galaxy Edge opened. Is the lightning pass good for Rise of the Resistance? I don't see any of Galaxy Edge in your video

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

There is a individual lightning lane available for Rise of the Resistance, so a separate cost for that besides genie+. Smugglers Run is on the regular genie+ though.

[@igaymer6890]

Instead of listing what you can ride using genie+ lightning lanes, you should list what you CAN'T ride.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

There are more rides you can’t use it on than there are lightning lane rides. There are 20 LL rides throughout both parks. There are 52 rides throughout both parks. So it’s easier to list the rides with LL.

[@gary7647]

If i've already booked my park tickets and haven't added genie plus, can I buy genie plus individually ahead of time and link them to my tickets?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

No. Unfortunately not. If you didn’t select the option when purchasing your ticket, the only way to get it is to buy it the day of when you enter the park.

[@magnolialoves]

I will always refer to Genie+ as fastpasses😩🥴😆

[@scottbeller5301]

So sounds like the rewarded multi experience pass reverts back to the old C,D,E, ticket system.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Yes! That’s a good analogy.

[@Karideplov]

The reduced price with pre purchase is not always true. I am going December 2-7 with park entrance on the 3-6th. I pre purchased genie+ as we are traveling from Spain and will need midday naps (especially my 8 and 5 year old) so I want to take advantage for those hours we are in the park. I paid $30 per person per day for our trip. $120 per person, not $100. I assume that is because it is Christmas but our park days are Sunday-Wednesday, technically some of those days should be $25 if purchased individually…so I’m not sure why we have that price.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

That's strange. Who did you book through? Disney does not currently sell tickets out that far so I can't check on their website. But I just ran your dates through Get Away Today and they were selling the Genie+ for $25/person for those exact dates.

[@sachinmrao]

How can you do 3 rides with LL between 9 to 10 AM as you say here 15:13 ?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

You need to use them right away. As an example: At 9:00 AM you see that Buzz Lightyear is available immediately. So you select the lightning lane and hop in line. As soon as you scan at the ride at say 9:05 AM, you can make another selection. You see that Star Tours is available immediately so you book that one while waiting in line at Buzz, which isn’t long. Say the wait and ride takes 10 minutes. Now it’s 9:15 AM and you’re hopping over to Star Tours. As soon as you scan in there, you book another lightning lane, this time for Autopia because it happens to be available right away as well. Star Tours takes you approximately 15-20 minutes and now it’s 9:35 AM and you’re making your way to Autopia. Scan in there and you’ll likely be on the ride in 5-10 minutes. Of course you have to walk there first, so perhaps it’s 9:55 AM when you finally get on the ride. And since you scanned in at Autopia, you grabbed another lightning lane while standing in line there too.

[@sachinmrao]

Thanks a lot for the reply!

[@vivt3500]

Love your videos! It helps so much with my DL & DCA planning! I have a question!! If we only have magic band but not magic band plus … what’s alternate way to access genie plus, admission, etc for everyone in the family ?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Unfortunately, only MagicBand+ works at Disneyland. Absent that, you’ll need to link everyone’s ticket to the Disneyland app and scan each ticket at each Lightning Lane. You’ll actually need to link everyone’s ticket anyway, even to use MagicBand+ as the MagicBand links through the app and the tickets you have associated with your account.

[@ronaldovilla3]

If I buy the individual lane for “Radiator Springs Racer” as soon as it rope drops but I am in Disneyland park first, I’m I able to pick the time ?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I’m not sure what it will or will not let you do, but you can’t get into the park until 11 AM, so make sure whatever time is currently available is at least after 11 AM. The lightning lane won’t get you into the park early.

[@Kimberlygordon6065]

I don’t understand the difference between the Lightning Lane pass and buying a fast past. Can you explain? We have tickets to DL in June and have the Genie Plus and parking- only there for one day. Appreciate your videos!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

FastPass is the old system. It no longer exists. Some people (myself included) are so used to calling the “line skipping” a FastPass that it just skips out sometimes. The new terminology is Lightning Lane booked through the Genie+ service.

[@gretchendavisson8056]

Tip, you can get Genie plus way in advanced . I booked a Costco package 6 months ago, and locked into genie plus at $25/day. And I will be there during July 4th when its guaranteed to sell out and raise the price!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Yes, I mentioned that about tip 2 or 3. Right towards the beginning. Prepurchasing gets you the cheaper price. The only downside is that you have to apply it to every day of your trip. So a 5 day trip would be expensive if you only planned to use Genie+ for 2 of those days.

[@LoriKessler-i2y]

Hi, I had a question, I’m coming next month with my 2 year old and 7 month old. Since they get into the park free, if I wanted to use lightning lane for our whole family on a ride the kids can go on, how do I account for the kids?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Since the kids don't have tickets, they don't need Genie+. You'll be able to take them just fine on rides like Haunted Mansion and it's a smaller world. All the ones without height requirements that are also on Genie+

[@pamelaswan7214]

Thanks for another great video Traver and Amy.

[@DeniseCapper]

I like your videos. Question on the disney app can it be shared with your adult child on her phone I purchased genie plus for our trip in March.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

It’s recommended that only a single person manage the booking for the whole group. But I imagine so long as the whole group’s tickets are linked to both accounts, then both people could make selections, taking turns or however you want to do it. If the main concern is your adult child may want to split off from the group and do their own thing for awhile, then that should be fine. Genie+ is attached to your ticket, not to your phone/account. So anybody with a Genie+ activated ticket linked to their account can make reservations for that person. Suppose you have a group of 6, and 2 want to go off on their own for a few hours. The primary group will just need to Unselect the two that left whenever they make their own selections. And by the same token, the two on their own will need to be sure they don’t make any reservations for the main group.

[@ashimilie]

Thank you for the tips! Going to Disney next week and definitely was feeling a bit overwhelmed!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I’ll have another video like this out tomorrow. An actual how-to tutorial that walks through every step. I might have had some of that stuff in here. I don’t remember. But the one tomorrow is every single button push and our reasoning behind every decision.

[@azrogue286]

Damn, i haven't been to Disneyland for a while. I seem to remember Fast Passes. Now they're on a whole different level it looks like.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Yeah, I miss the old fastpass simply because it was free and everyone could use it. But this new system actually works to the advantage of visitors like yourself, because the locals, like myself, aren’t buying it. So there’s fewer people using it which means shorter lines for those that do purchase it. And since you’re also now a paying customer of Genie+, they prioritize lightning lanes vs standby usually 8 to 2. That is, for every 2 standby guests, they are allowing in 8 lightning lane guests.

[@senazorlu9967]

I feel like all this causes so much anxiety on one person; the constant planning and running through the day. You have to study maps and rides, seems like an overkill to me.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

You don’t “have” to. You very much can go and just enjoy the day as it comes. Most of my video are for helping you maximize that day to the fullest. But it’s far from necessary.

[@markhurley983]

how do i add my wife's phone to link the accounts? do i add her to my account or does she need to create her own? thanks for the videos it is really helping me to understand this and plan our trip.. in October..

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

My wife just logs into my account on her phone.

[@markhurley983]

@@SoCalDisneyDad thanks... I have a bunch of questions, but i dont want to be a pain.. So we both have it I can just book the LL and we scan just my phone, or hers and mine... and you can link a card to buy the ILL for say Rise and Mickey and Minnie, then the next day buy two more? I forgot to mention It'll be her first in many years and mine in about 10 -12 ish... also what about magic bands with genie plus?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

@@markhurley983 Correct. You only really need one phone to do all the booking/scanning. And if you do get the MagicBands, you’d link those in the app and then you don’t need the phones at all for scanning. You’d still use the phone for booking new lightning lanes, but at each attraction, you’d just scan the magic band.

[@lucianaturchickhakak882]

Thanks for all this information! Question: how do I find out which rides have the "buddy pass", and how do I get them in the park? Thanks again!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

The only ride is Monsters Inc. Toy Story used to have one, but they’ve discontinued it.

[@ph090583]

Question on Genie+ , you can book a time that’s available in the app right and modify (the time later) and it does not change when your two hour window to book the next started?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Correct. Modifying maintains the original two hour window.