Are you wondering if it’s worth it to buy Genie+ Lightning Lane at Disney World? I recently went on a family vacation with my kids and spent 8 days at Disney World. We visited every park at Disney World and used Lightning Lane at all the parks. Here is my review on whether or not Lightning Lane is worth it. I broke my reviews down park by park to see if it’s worth it to buy Lightning Lane. And which Disney World park is worth the added Lightning Lane upcharge.
What is Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane?
Before we start, let’s just go over the basics of what Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane is. Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane is similar to the old Fast Pass system. It is a ride reservation system at Disney. The purpose of Lightning Lane is to cut down the amount of time you spend standing in line. You can book Lightning Lane reservations at most rides at Disney World.
Check out our Beginner’s Guide to Lightning Lane
Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane should not be confused with Individual Lightning Lane passes. Individual Lightning Lane passes are Lightning Lane that can be used to make reservations for one ride only.
Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane costs $15 per person per day while Individual Lightning Lane passes will vary depending on the ride. Individual Lightning Lane can cost between $10-$15 per ride.
I purchased Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane for all 8 days we were at Disney World and I also purchased Individual Lightning Lane passes for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Ride at $15 per ride. So for my family of 4, it costs me $480 plus $60 for Individual Lightning Lane adding up to a grand total of $540 just on Lightning Lane passes! So was it worth it?
Is the Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane Worth It at Magic Kingdom?
Yes, I think Lightning Lane is worth it at Magic Kingdom. Below I break down how many Lightning Lane rides I was able to book per day at Magic Kingdom. I also priced out how much it costs per Lightning Lane ride at Magic Kingdom. We used Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane for 2 days at Magic Kingdom.
Six Lightning Lane Rides at Magic Kingdom on Day 1
I was able to book Lightning Lane reservations for 6 rides on our first day at Magic Kingdom. I slept in on our first day at Magic Kingdom so I did not wake up at 7 am to book our first Lightning Lane ride. I booked our first Lightning Lane ride at around 9 am and was able to get our first Lightning Lane ride for 10:20 am.
Eight Lightning Lane Rides at Magic Kingdom on Day 2
On our second day at Magic Kingdom, I was able to book Lightning Lane reservations for 8 rides. I did set my alarm so I could book our first Lightning Lane ride at 7 am (Space Mountain).
Cost Per Lightning Lane Ride at Magic Kingdom
For the 2 days at Magic Kingdom, I was able to book a total of 14 Lightning Lane rides. That means each Lightning Lane ride costs $2.14 per ride ($30/14=$2.14).
Conclusion: Is Lightning Lane Worth It at Magic Kingdom?
Yes, I think Lightning Lane is worth it at Magic Kingdom. For $2.14 per ride, it saved me hours of standing in line. It’s worth it to be able to get on rides without having to stand in line. I basically booked back-to-back rides at Magic Kingdom using Lightning Lane. For the 2 days we were at Magic Kingdom, we only got in line a few times. In fact, my kids became spoiled that they only wanted to stand in line if it was 25 minutes or less!
Is the Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane Worth It at Animal Kingdom?
No, I don’t think Lightning Lane is worth it at Animal Kingdom. Below you I break down how many Lightning Lane rides I was able to book per day at Animal Kingdom. I also priced out the cost per Lightning Lane ride at Animal Kingdom. We used Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane for 2 days at Animal Kingdom.
Four Lightning Lane Rides at Animal Kingdom on Day 1
I was able to book Lightning Lane reservations for 4 rides on our first day at Animal Kingdom. I woke up early to book Lightning Lane rides at 7 am and was annoyed to find out Avatar Flight of Passage was an individual Lighting Lane ride. That means it will cost me $44 extra for my family of four. Nevertheless, I did not buy Avatar Flight of Passage Individual Lightning Lane.
I made the mistake of not booking Na’vi River Cruise in the morning, as a result, it sold out later in the day. My kids did not want to wait in line for 65 minutes to ride Na’vi River Cruise (they got spoiled and only wanted to wait less than 25 minutes), so we did not ride Na’vi River Cruise on our first day at Animal Kingdom.
Three Lightning Lane Rides at Animal Kingdom on Day 2
On our second day at Animal Kingdom, I was able to book Lightning Lane reservations for 3 rides. I did set my alarm so I could book our first Lightning Lane ride at 7 am and I booked Na’vi River Cruise.
Cost Per Lightning Lane Ride at Animal Kingdom
For the 2 days at Animal Kingdom, I was able to book a total of 7 Lightning Lane rides. That means each Lightning Lane ride costs $4.28 per ride ($30/7=$4.28).
Conclusion: Is Lightning Lane Worth It at Animal Kingdom?
No, I don’t think Lightning Lane is worth it at Animal Kingdom. For $4.28 per ride, it’s almost double the price of what Lightning Lane costs at Magic Kingdom. The problem with Animal Kingdom is there are very few rides to book for Lightning Lane. There are only 10 attractions that can be booked as Lightning Lane attractions at Animal Kingdom and only 5 are actual rides and the rest are shows/experiences. I don’t really count the shows, because you don’t need Lightning Lane to get in. So really you are looking at 5 rides for $15. The problem is some of these rides sell out if you don’t book them in the morning, which leaves you with even fewer Lightning Lane ride options to choose from.
I think for Animal Kingdom, the Individual Lightning Lane for Avatar Flight of Passage is worth it at $11 per ride. The line for Avatar Flight of Passage is typically 80 minutes long so to be able to bypass that is worth the $11. I don’t think it’s worth it to get both Disney Genie+ Lightning and to buy Individual Lightning Lane at Animal Kingdom. The total for both types of Lightning Lanes is $26 or $104 for a family of four. That is too expensive just to ride just 3-4 rides in one day!
Check out my Tips for Families Visiting Animal Kingdom
Is the Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane Worth It at Hollywood Studio?
Yes, I think Lightning Lane is worth it at Hollywood Studios. Below I break down how many Lightning Lane rides I was able to book at Hollywood Studios. I also priced out how much it costs per Lightning Lane ride. We used Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane for 2 days at Hollywood Studios.
Three Lightning Lane Rides at Hollywood Studios on Day 1
I was able to book Lightning Lane reservations for 3 rides on our first day at Hollywood Studios. I slept in on our first day at Hollywood Studios so I did not wake up at 7 am to book our first Lightning Lane ride. I booked our first Lightning Lane ride at around 8:30 am and was able to get our first Lightning Lane ride (Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run) for 10 am.
I was disappointed to find out Star Wars Rise of the Resistance was an Individual Lightning Lane ride. Which meant, I had to pay an extra $15 per ride. The total for Individual Lightning Lane was $60 for my family of four. I did not book Individual Lightning Lane on the first day but I did on our second day at Hollywood Studios after realizing that the line for Star Wars Rise of the Resistance can be 2-3 hours long! Now, that is worth $15!
Three Lightning Lane Rides at Hollywood Studios on Day 2
On our second day at Hollywood Studios, I was able to book Lightning Lane reservations for 3 rides. I did set my alarm so I could book our first Lightning Lane ride at 7 am (Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run). I also purchased Individual Lightning Lane for Star Wars Rise of the Resistance.
Cost Per Lightning Lane Ride at Hollywood Studios
For the 2 days at Hollywood Studios, I was only able to book a total of 6 Lightning Lane rides. That means each Lightning Lane ride costs $5 per ride ($30/6=$5).
Conclusion: Is Lightning Lane Worth It at Hollywood Studios?
Yes, I think Lightning Lane is worth it at Hollywood Studios. Even though the cost per Lightning Lane ride is the worst of all parks at $5.00 per ride, I still think it’s worth it to buy Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane at Hollywood Studios. There are 2 reasons why I think it’s worth it to buy Lightning Lane at Hollywood Studios despite the high cost. The first reason is the standby wait times are extremely long at Hollywood Studios. Typically 1.5 hours long for most rides- even longer for the most popular rides. The second reason why I think Lighting Lane is worth it at Hollywood Studios is that the rides are superior at Hollywood Studios. I’m more willing to pay extra for high-quality rides like Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway than for mid-tier rides like Na’vi River Cruise.
I also think Individual Lightning Lane rides are worth it for Star Wars Rise of the Resistance, even if it’s the most expensive Individual Lightning Lane pass at Disney World ($15). It’s still worth it for two reasons. The first is the standby wait time for Star Wars Rise of the Resistance is extremely long. In fact, it’s typically the ride with the longest wait time at 2-3 hours long! To save me 2-3 hours I’m willing to pay $60 for my family of four to cut the line! The second reason why I think Individual Lightning Lane is worth it for Star Wars Rise of the Resistance is the ride is epic! Ever since I rode it, it’s become my favorite ride in the park. For that reason, I’m willing to pay to ride it again and again (if they let me!)
Check out my Tips for Families Visiting Hollywood Studios
Is the Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane Worth It at Epcot?
Yes, I think Lightning Lane is worth it at Epcot. Below I break down how many Lightning Lane rides I was able to book at Epcot. I also priced out how much it costs per Lightning Lane ride. We used Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane for 2 days at Epcot.
Five Lightning Lane Rides at Epcot on Day 1
I was able to book Lightning Lane reservations for 5 rides on our first day at Epcot. I woke up early and booked our first Lightning Lane ride at 7:04 am (Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure). Even though it was just 4 minutes later than the 7 am start time, I already got a 4:55 pm Lightning Lane window for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. If I had waited a little longer, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Lightning Lane would have sold out for the day!
Five Lightning Lane Rides at Epcot on Day 2
On our second day at Epcot, I was able to book Lightning Lane reservations for 5 rides. I woke up early again and booked our first Lightning Lane ride at 7:08 am (Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure). This time I was 8 minutes later than the 7 am start time, I already got a 6:20 pm Lightning Lane window for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. You can see how every minute makes a huge difference when booking Lightning Lanes for popular rides. Don’t delay, you need to book the popular Lightning Lane rides ASAP or they will be sold out for the day!
Cost Per Lightning Lane Ride at Epcot
For the 2 days at Epcot, I was able to book a total of 10 Lightning Lane rides. That means each Lightning Lane ride costs $3.00 per ride ($30/10=$3.00).
Conclusion: Is Lightning Lane Worth It at Epcot?
Yes, I think Lightning Lane is worth it at Epcot. For $3.00 per ride, it is the second-lowest-cost park at Disney World for Lightning Lane rides. Another reason why Lighting Lane is worth it at Epcot is that it is home to some of the most popular rides at Disney World with very long wait times. Namely, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Test Track, and Frozen Ever After. I was able to book almost all the rides at Epcot using Lightning Lane. We never had to wait in line at Epcot- now that is worth the $15 Lighting Lane! The only ride we had to wait in line for at Epcot was Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros which was only a 15-minute wait.
Is Lightning Lane Worth It at Disney World?
Yes, I think Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane is worth it at Disney World for Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios. With Lightning Lane, you will save hours standing in line. Plus, for these 3 Disney World parks, the popular rides are included in Disney Genie+ Lighting Lane.
The only park at Disney World where Lighting Lane is not worth it is Animal Kingdom. Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane is not worth it because there are only a few rides to choose from and the most popular ride (Avatar Flight of Passage) is not even included in Animal Kingdom’s Disney Genie+ Lighting Lane. I think for Animal Kingdom, you are better off buying the Individual Lightning Lane for Avatar Flight of Passage.
Disney World Parks Lighting Lane Tips:
Epcot Lighting Lane Strategies
Magic Kingdom Lighting Lane Strategies
Hollywood Studios Lightning Lane Strategies
Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane Strategies
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