Page 17 - AAA Every Day – AAA Hudson Valley – March/April 2022

It’s been two years since guests have been able This next part is super important. Disney Genie+
to utilize the FastPass+ system or make dining reservations easily at Walt Disney World Resort.
When the parks shut down in March 2020, many changes in policies and procedures were put into place to help ensure that guests would remain safe upon reopening,
as well as additional amenities and precautions. Since
the reopening in July 2020, guests have had to adapt to new concepts like capacity limitations, social distancing in stand-by cues, mask mandates, etc. Another big change upon the reopening was the elimination of FastPass+ and the inauguration of the date-specific Park Reservation System. As capacity increases and the wait times get longer, it was inevitable that a FASTPASS-like solution would need to be reintroduced.
On Oct. 19, 2021, Disney premiered a new “re- imagined” experience called Disney Genie. The technology was built to fit seamlessly inside the already existing and well-used MyDisneyExperience app. Using
a customized Tip Board tab in the app, Disney Genie helps maximize individual experiences throughout the day including suggestions based on preferences, wait times and available dining options. To help map out a guest’s itinerary in advance, they can select preferred attractions and other interests that may help Disney Genie when making suggestions for their upcoming trips. From here, guests also can use this tool to make dining reservations, place mobile food orders and join virtual cues. Guests can even take advantage of a customized map that highlights their existing plans. The usage of this planning portion is complimentary.
is an upgrade to standard Disney Genie with a per-day cost associated. Disney Genie+ in essence has replaced FastPass+ at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Guests can choose from approximately 40 of the most popular attractions in WDW and select the next available time slot using the Lightning Lane entrance. Unlike the previous systems like FastPass+ where guests could book up to three reservations per day in advance, the new system only allows one attraction to be booked at a time and selections must be made day-of park visit starting at 7 a.m. Examples of eligible attractions are Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. On the plus side (no pun intended), Lightning Lane reservations can be made for different parks on the same day, which benefits people using the Hopper pass. Disney Genie+ service is available for $15 each day in WDW. This add-on also includes enhanced audio experiences and “Augmented Reality” lenses.
NOT ALL ATTRACTIONS ARE INCLUDED in the Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane service. Some of the attractions only offer either stand-by and/or virtual cues. The other big thing to note is that select VERY POPULAR attractions are not included in the daily add-on price but are available for individual purchase of Lightning Lane entrance (up to two per day). Examples include Seven Dwarves Mine Train in Magic Kingdom and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in Epcot.
Want to add Disney Genie+ to your package? Contact your AAA Hudson Valley Travel Agent at 518-426-1000 or booktravel@aaahv.com.
Please note that prices and details of Disney Genie Service, Disney Genie+ Service and Individual Lightning Lane attractions are subject to change at any time. Information was correct at the time of publication. All Lightning Lane attractions’ time slots are subject to availability. Cost of Individual Lightning Lane Access entry varies by date, attraction and park.
Emily Gnacik is the editor of AAA Every Day Magazine.
MARCH/APRIL 2022 I 17
TRAVELER’S GUIDE
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