A Guide to Using Skip-The-Line Passes at Magic Kingdom

A Guide to Using Skip-the-Line Passes at Magic Kingdom

One of the most exciting but challenging aspects of visiting Magic Kingdom is managing the long wait times for its popular attractions. With tens of thousands of visitors daily, the lines can be daunting, especially during peak seasons. Thankfully, Disney offers ways to “skip the line” or shorten your wait times, ensuring you spend less time standing around and more time enjoying the magic. Here’s your complete guide to using skip-the-line options at Magic Kingdom.

What Are Skip-the-Line Passes at Magic Kingdom?

At Magic Kingdom, the skip-the-line feature is primarily managed through the Genie+ service and Individual Lightning Lanes. These options allow you to bypass the standby line at some of the park’s most popular attractions, helping you make the most of your day.

1. Genie+ Service

Genie+ is a paid service that allows you to access Lightning Lanes (faster queue lines) at more than 40 attractions across all four Walt Disney World parks, including Magic Kingdom. By purchasing Genie+, you can reserve a time to visit an attraction and skip the traditional standby line.

How Genie+ Works:

Purchase Genie+: You can buy Genie+ on the day of your visit through the My Disney Experience app, starting at midnight.
Make Lightning Lane Reservations: At 7 AM (or whenever you enter the park), you can make your first Lightning Lane reservation for one of the available attractions.
Use Your Reservation: When your reservation time arrives, head to the Lightning Lane entrance at the attraction and enjoy a much shorter wait time. Once you’ve used your first reservation, you can make another one, or every two hours after park opening.

Best Genie+ Attractions to Reserve at Magic Kingdom:

Peter Pan’s Flight
Jungle Cruise
Haunted Mansion
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Pirates of the Caribbean
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

These rides are known for their long wait times, so booking them with Genie+ is a great way to save time.

2. Individual Lightning Lanes

For the most popular rides in Magic Kingdom, Disney offers Individual Lightning Lane passes. These are separate from Genie+ and allow you to purchase access to a Lightning Lane for specific attractions.

How Individual Lightning Lanes Work:

Select Your Ride: You can choose up to two attractions per day for Individual Lightning Lane purchases.
Pay Per Ride: Unlike Genie+, you pay individually for these rides, with prices varying depending on the date and demand.
Skip the Line: Just like with Genie+, you’ll receive a time to return to the attraction and enter through the Lightning Lane.

Best Attractions for Individual Lightning Lanes at Magic Kingdom:

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
TRON Lightcycle / Run

These two rides typically have the longest wait times in the park, making them worth the individual purchase if they’re a priority for your visit.

3. Virtual Queue for TRON Lightcycle / Run

For the brand-new TRON Lightcycle / Run, Magic Kingdom is using a virtual queue system. This means there is no regular standby line, and you need to join the virtual queue through the My Disney Experience app to secure your spot.

How the Virtual Queue Works:

Join the Virtual Queue: At 7 AM and 1 PM, guests can log into the app and join the virtual queue for TRON Lightcycle / Run. There’s no cost for the virtual queue, but spots fill up quickly, so you need to act fast.
Wait for Your Group to Be Called: Once your group is called, you have an hour to arrive at the ride and enter through the Lightning Lane.

If you prefer not to rely on the virtual queue, you can also purchase an Individual Lightning Lane pass for this ride.

Pro Tips for Maximising Genie+ and Lightning Lanes

Prioritise Popular Rides Early: Rides like Peter Pan’s Flight and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train see long lines all day. Use Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lanes for these attractions as early as possible.
Refresh the App Frequently: Availability for Lightning Lanes can change throughout the day, so if you’re not finding what you want, keep refreshing the My Disney Experience app to see if new slots open up.
Rope Drop Strategy: If you can arrive early (for rope drop), you can often ride one or two big attractions with minimal wait before the park gets crowded. This gives you more flexibility with your Genie+ reservations later in the day.
Plan Around Showtimes: Parades and shows like Happily Ever After often draw large crowds, so wait times for rides tend to drop during these times. Use the lull to hit popular rides while others are watching the entertainment.

Which Attractions Should You Prioritise for Genie+ or Lightning Lane?

Magic Kingdom is full of amazing rides, but some attractions benefit more from skipping the line due to their popularity. Here are the top rides you should consider using Genie+ or Lightning Lane for:

Peter Pan’s Flight: Despite being a slow-moving dark ride, this attraction often has one of the longest wait times in the park.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: A family-friendly coaster that’s always a hit and consistently sees long wait times.
Space Mountain: This indoor roller coaster remains a fan favourite, and the line can easily exceed an hour.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: The wildest ride in the wilderness is another popular attraction that fills up fast.
Splash Mountain (Tiana’s Bayou Adventure): After its re-theming, this water ride will continue to be a top choice.

Conclusion

With Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes, you can skip the lines for some of Magic Kingdom’s most popular attractions, helping you make the most of your visit. Plan ahead, be strategic with your reservations, and use the My Disney Experience app to check ride availability in real-time. Whether you’re tackling fan favourites like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or squeezing in one last ride on Space Mountain before the fireworks, these skip-the-line options will help you maximise your magical day.