Best Rides To Use Genie+ at Magic Kingdom

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Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort is a one-stop hub for all things enchanting. With lights, fireworks, amazing rides, as well as music and dancing with all your favorite characters, it’s a no-brainer why the place is called the most magical place on Earth!

However, the most magical place on earth is also home to some of the most absurdly long lines and busiest crowds you’ll ever see, spread out all throughout the park. Waiting times for popular rides can range between 30 minutes and one hour long, which is enough to leave you wishing there was some way to skip the lines and enjoy the ride already.

Lucky for you, there is! Genie+, Disney’s skip-the-line service, allows those who are willing to splurge a little extra to zip right to the front of the line.

With Genie+, you’ll be able to save a lot of time and energy, and make the best of your Disney day out! If you’re wondering how, when, and where you can use this amazing feature, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a quick guide on the ABCs of Genie+ and a compilation of the best rides to use Genie+ at Magic Kingdom. A more detailed but easy guide to Genie+ is here also.

What is Disney Genie+?

Guests often get confused between Genie and Genie+, both of which are newly integrated services made available through the My Disney Experience app. Disney Genie is a trip-planning service provided by Disney that is available to all visitors free of cost.

Disney Genie+, on the other hand, is a paid feature that allows visitors to bypass long queues at certain rides through a separate entrance called the Lightning Lane. This facility helps save time by allowing visitors to pick a dedicated slot beforehand to show up and hop right in without any waiting time!

Disney Genie+ is available to purchase as an add-on with new tickets and packages or as a single-day purchase for existing ticket holders. It can only be bought on the day it is to be used. It is available to purchase from 00:01 on the day of your park reservation.

Genie+ and Lightning Lane

You can choose Lightning Lane services in two ways – through Disney Genie+ or as an a la carte purchase for individual rides. An a la carte purchase limits you to two experiences a day, one at a time. Guests may purchase this option with or without Disney Genie+ service.

Genie+ Lightning Lane allows you to use this feature an unlimited number of times throughout the day on selected rides. Rides or experiences on the a la carte Individual Lightning Lane Option are NOT available on Genie+ service.

With that being said, it’s still important to note that you are required to finish one Lightning Lane selection before you can move on to the next one. Just choose the earliest available window (cancelable any time) at one of the select rides, redeem the slot provided to you, and then carry on to the next!

Keep in mind that a la carte purchases are available to all visitors, both Genie+ users and others. However, onsite Disney Guests can choose to select Individual Lightning Lane from 7am and off site guests from when park opens. Slots at rides are subject to availability, so plan your itinerary accordingly!

Rates for individual ride selections vary between rides and time slots. Disney Genie+ starts at $15 plus tax, per day, per ticket, subject to availability, but prices may vary on different dates and go for double that or more.. For those willing to spend a few extra bucks, Genie+ is an amazing add-on that helps save time, especially at the more popular rides.

Genie+ Rides at Magic Kingdom

The rides and experiences below are available if you purchase Genie+ for your day at Magic Kingdom

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Haunted Mansion
• “it’s a small world”
• Jungle Cruise
• Mad Tea Party
• Meet Cinderella and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
• Meet Mickey and Minnie at Town Square Theater
• Meet Princess Tiana and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain Closed January 2023 for refurbishment to Tiana Princess and the Frog theme.
• The Barnstormer
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid

Best Rides To Use Genie+ at Magic Kingdom

The first thing you’ll need to maximize your time at Magic Kingdom is a list of all the rides you absolutely cannot miss. Keep reading to see which of Magic Kingdom’s attractions need to make it onto your own Genie+ rides list.

Jungle Cruise

One of the most popular rides at Magic Kingdom. Ready for a cross-continental boat trip that takes you through the Nile all the way to the Amazon? Popular more recently for being the inspiration for the movie, Jungle Cruise, this ride is a riverboat cruise through the marshy forests of the world that is guided by a witty crew.

Guaranteeing giggles and laughs along the way, this amusement ride is set on an expertly designed British outpost on the Amazon River with attention to detail that is simply unparalleled. 

The period artifacts, tools, and gear that are set up for display on the way to the riverboat will get you in the mood for a cruise that takes you back in time. Once you’re on the boat, you are immediately greeted by the fun skipper, a Disney Cast Member with a long list of quippy and silly jokes. 

Sit back and take in the river as you meet gentle mammals in the water and on the shores of the waterways. Your kids will love watching the hippos in the water, lions guarding the shores, and elephants that try to spray water on you!

Don’t let the long lines at Jungle Cruise stop you from experiencing the wild and wonderful; put your Genie+ to good use and cruise away. The best Lightning Lane slot to choose for this ride is first thing in the morning at around 7 a.m., way before the rush kicks in. 

Peter Pan’s Flight

A perennial favourite. Fans of Peter Pan are in for the ride of their lives when they board the pirate galleon at Peter Pan’s Flight to soar through the skies above London.

Complete with Big Ben and Tower Bridge lighting up the night sky, this rail-suspended dark ride is modeled after the 1953 classic movie’s animated settings. The art and music are sure to take you back to a simpler time in Disney’s long history of movie magic!

Join Michael, John, and Wendy on a journey that starts at the nursery and takes you all the way through the animated city’s models to the legendary Neverland. It consists of both the Lost Boys camp and Mermaid Lagoon!

Kids and adults of all ages are welcome aboard this mesmerizing ride through an age-old Disney story, complete with cool moments like interactive murals and your own shadow coming to life! 

The older kids will enjoy watching Peter Pan and Captain Hook duel it out on the galleon’s mainsail (don’t let me ruin the ending for you!). This must-visit ride comes with nearly half an hour’s worth of waiting time, so if you or your littles are a fan of the tale, Peter Pan’s Flight definitely deserves a Lightning Lane reservation.

Get your thumbs ready right after checking into Jungle Cruise to grab the earliest Peter Pan’s Flight reservation, because they’re two of the most popular rides that get sold out quick!

Space Mountain

When you’re done with Jungle Cruise and Peter Pan’s Flight, check out the next most sought out ride in all of Magic Kingdom – Space Mountain. Housed in a futuristic dome in Tomorrowland, Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom is the ride for you if you’re in need of a change of “s-pace”!

This ride is a thrilling roller coaster that’s a fan favorite among tweens, teens, and adults alike. The historic ride starts at a launch pad and takes passengers through energy tunnels with flashing lights and atmospheric music to provide an amazing depiction of outer space that is complete with comets and planets. 

This roller coaster is designed for younger kids too, so don’t expect death-defying speeds and turns or even inversions. That said, the ride is not boring or slow, by any means!

You and your family will be transported to another world where you’ll see life-sized astronaut figurines suspended upside down in space fixing their spaceship engines. The rocket-shaped ride takes you through lift hills that go all the way up, before you are dropped into pitch-black darkness, with sharp twists and turns down an already steep rail line! And just when you think it’s all over, your ride vehicle is sucked into a red wormhole as you hold on for dear life before arriving at the unloading station. 

Lightning Lane slots for this ride run out nearly as fast as the ride itself, so be quick! And be sure to check out Astro Orbiter and Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor while here. 

Haunted Mansion

If spooky and eerie is more your speed, Disney has you covered! Head to Magic Kingdom to find an ancient gothic-style mansion tucked away in Liberty Square. Don’t let its impressive appearance fool you, for this estate is home to spirits, phantoms, and a tomb of the “undead”!

Haunted Mansion is a thrilling ride that features a walk-through show in the queue followed by a ride-through tour on “Doom Buggies”. Get taken through a crypt, a graveyard, and more, while you keep your eyes peeled to spot the gate fences lined with head busts of members of a family with a sordid past. The attraction delivers the scariest story with hands-on experiences too! 

From classic theatrical effects to modern animatronics like ghosts popping up from tombstones, Haunted Mansion has everything you could want in a haunted ancient manor. This includes a gallery, a library, plenty of dark secrets waiting to be uncovered, and much more. Do check out the infinite staircase and the invisible pianist while you’re trying to figure your way out of the place.

If jumpscares are a problem, little ones in your group may find the ride a little frightening. While it’s best suited for older kids who enjoy a good fright, the not-so-friendly fiends on this ride don’t get that close to the “omnimovers”, so you shouldn’t worry too much either way. On your way out, you might catch a more light-hearted Muppets presentation on American History in Liberty Square.

Pirates of the Caribbean

Ahoy, me mateys! Put on your pirate hats, slap on your eye patches, and prepare to set sail through some of the most treacherous waters in the world. Pirates of the Caribbean takes you through underground waterfalls and grottos that have bested the lives of many before, some of whom you might spot on your journey.

The ride’s entrance is at the golden fort called Castillo Del Morro. It’s through here that your line takes you to Pirate’s Cove, from where you will board your barges and make your way through the gentle rapids.

The seamen will serenade you with their shanties as you hum along to A Pirate’s Life for Me and pass through Dead Man’s Cove. Uncover the reason for its notorious name with the remains of pillagers of the past. This dark, yet humorous ride, is slow and perfectly appropriate for kids aged three and up. You’ll even find skeletons posed in the funniest of poses and scenarios!

If you consider yourself more daring than that, don’t worry, for the ride has plenty for you too! There’s a sequence where your tattered barge tries to avoid the crossfire between coastal defenses and a 12-gun galleon! If you’re lucky, you may even spot the movie franchise’s favorite captain along the way.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

For the most daring ones among us, here’s a Disney classic that combines the thrills with the chills. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a haunted roller coaster ride that takes you through an old gold mine that was abandoned after supernatural incidents were reported. What were these incidents, you ask? Come see for yourself at Frontierland! 

Through spirals, caves, and a tunnel that is home to bats, the sentient trains will take you on a crazy adventure that’s full to the brim with cool details. There is a part of the roller coaster that takes you through the bony remains of a dinosaur’s rib cage, right before the rusty old tracks seem to give way!

Set in an area of almost 2.5 acres, the track has gentle hill climbs, descents, twists and turns and a waterfall! At one point, you’ll even find yourself making your way through a field of hot springs, dodging deadly geyser steam!

With twists and turns that are not too steep, this is another fun ride for the whole family, unless you have members that are uncomfortable with the dark. Even so, the ride is not the scariest you’ll encounter and is sure to be an enjoyable one for both the adventurous and timid rider. So, gather your wits about you and face your fears at this haunted mine!

Stand by times for this ride can range between 40 and 90 excruciating minutes, so let Genie+ worry about finding you a spot instead. All you have to do is walk right in!

Individual Lighting Lane at Magic Kingdom

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

This ride is the most popular so is not part of the Genie+ extra. You can either ride standby or purchase an Individual Lightning Lane if you wish to skip-the-line.

Anyone who’s watched Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will remember the fun Heigh Ho! musical sequence that takes place at the diamond mines. Now, at Magic Kingdom, you have a chance to ride through the same mines in mining carts!

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is situated in Fantasyland within a very ancient mountain. Once you arrive, use your Lightning Lane reservation to make your way to the front of the line and climb into one of the mine trains that look like they could come apart any minute!

But not to worry, the ride vehicle is actually very safe and the roller coaster is designed for all ages too. Just make sure you are 38 inches or taller and you’re good to go! 

The mine train runs deep into the mineshaft with sharp curves along the incline. Just when you think it’s completely dark, you’ll see the shining gems and jewels within the mine, giving you a treat amid the rush! Once at the summit, savor the view from above while you can, because from here, you’re in for an adrenaline-fueled descent downhill.

Be on the lookout for Grumpy, Dopey, Bashful and the rest of the gang going about a normal day at work to make sure you don’t miss them!

The Mine Train is one of the rides for which Individual Lightning Lane is available and while this is less expensive than Genie+, Genie+ offers a better value for money. A Lightning Lane reservation can be super helpful for the Mine Train, especially if you don’t have Early Entry.

Best Rides to Use Genie+ at Magic Kingdom: FAQs

What Rides should I use Genie+ at Disney World?

Most rides at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World have a Lightning Lane option, subject to availability. The best option is to use your Lightning Lane reservations on the most popular rides in the park, such as Peter Pan’s Flight or Space Mountain, as Lightning Lane spots run out quickly for these rides. With a reservation, the long lines will not ruin the experience and you’ll be able to spend more time at other attractions.

Is Disney Genie+ worth it?

Disney’s genie+ would sing “you ain’t never had a friend like me”, just like Aladdin’s genie, if it could! Disney Genie+ makes all the difference, especially when it comes to skipping long queues under the sun on a luxurious Disney vacation. Disney Genie+ for the family means you’ll be in and out of a ride in no time, allowing you to move on to the next one quickly.

How do you prioritize Genie+ rides?

Since Genie+ gives you unlimited Lightning Lane reservations throughout the day, the trick is to start as early as possible. Book the most popular rides at the earliest slots, preferably early in the morning, so that you can enjoy them before the rush kicks in.

Once you check in to your first reservation, book the next one for the day and keep going for the rest of the day. Alternatively, if arriving a bit later in the day, still log on to the My Disney App and My Genie and start stacking the rides for after your arrival time. Ie book a new one every 2 hours.

What is the 120-minute rule at Disney World?

The 120-minute rule is the only exception to Disney’s “no stacking policy” for Lightning Lane reservations. If your Lightning Lane reservation is more than 2 hours away for a ride, you do not have to redeem the reservation before making another Lightning Lane reservation. Instead, at the end of 2 hours, you can make your next reservation, while the first one is still active and valid.

Does Genie+ sell out?

Lightning Lane reservations can be made either through Genie+ or by choosing individual rides. In both cases, Lightning Lane reservations are subject to that particular day’s rush and availability of slots. Genie+ is not guaranteed, which means there’s always a chance that it may sell out, and quite quickly for the more popular rides, so keep that in mind.

What about the other parks?

Discover:

• The best rides for Genie+ at Hollywood Studios
• The best rides for Genie+ at EPCOT
• The best rides for Genie+ at Animal Kingdom