Skip to Content

Guide to Using Genie+ Lightning Lanes at EPCOT (Priorities for 2024)

Guide to Using Genie+ Lightning Lanes at EPCOT (Priorities for 2024)

Want to learn how to maximize Genie+ at EPCOT?

In this guide, we’ll walk you through all the rides at EPCOT that use Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, and we’ll go over which rides at EPCOT are priorities with Genie+ and which ones really aren’t worth wasting a reservation on.

We’ll also cover the Individual Lightning Lane selections and the virtual queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and explain how both of those work when touring with Genie+.

And don’t worry if you’re new to Genie+ – we’ve got you covered! We’ll give you a quick overview to make sure you’re up to speed on everything you need to know

Genie+ Guides for the Other Parks

Looking for help maximizing Genie+ at the other Walt Disney World theme parks? Here’s where you can find our guides:

And if you are new to Genie+, make sure you start with our Complete Guide to Genie+ or skip down below where we go over some of the EPCOT Genie+ basics.

What is the best way to use Genie+ in EPCOT?

We sometimes think that Genie+ is worth it at EPCOT, but we also think deciding when (or even if) you should buy it here has gotten a bit more nuanced.

During slower times of the year, it is possible to tour all the best attractions at EPCOT without Genie+. You can even get a lot done during busier times of the year if you don’t take a break.

But, during the busiest days of the year or if you plan on taking a break for a while during the day, purchasing Genie+ can make touring without waiting in long lines more feasible.

If you want to make things as easy on yourself as possible and avoid any long lines, or if you would like to have a late start day and skip rope drop, or if you are traveling during a busy time of the year, then Genie+ might make sense at EPCOT

Below we have 3 lists: Level 1 Priorities, Level 2 Priorities, and Level 3 Priorities.

We recommend that your first Genie+ selection of the day come from that Level 1 list.

After that, you should focus on Level 2 priorities, and then fill in any gaps in your touring with Level 3.

Note: We used information from Thrill-Data.com to help put together the recommendations below.

Level 1 Priorities: Book These Rides First at EPCOT

Level 1 priorities are attractions that run out of Genie+ return times quickly. At EPCOT, there are 3 attractions that typically see their Genie+ spots disappear the fastest: Test Track, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and Frozen Ever After.

To help you decide which one will be your first choice, here are some things to keep in mind:

  • If you are staying at a resort within walking distance of the International Gateway entrance to Epcot, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure would be a good option to Rope Drop, leaving you to choose between Test Track and Frozen Ever After for your first Genie+ selection.
  • If your party doesn’t mind splitting up, there is a Single Rider Line at Test Track that can significantly cut down on waits which would free you up to choose between Frozen Ever After or Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure for your 1st selection.
  • Both Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Frozen Ever After do not have height requirements, making them good options for families with little ones.

Note: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is only available by purchasing an Individual Lightning Lane selection OR by securing a spot in the virtual queue.

Level 2 Priorities

Level 2 attractions tend to see their Genie+ spots last a bit longer into the afternoon or evening, making them good options if you are planning to try to stack multiple Genie+ reservations together later in the day.

If the available times aren’t working with your plans, keep refreshing the Tip Board in the My Disney Experience app. On Apple devices, you can do that by pulling down on the screen. You can also modify your return time, too.

Level 3 Priorities

After you have had a ride (via the Standby Line) or snagged a Genie+ reservation for Test Track, Frozen Ever After, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and Soarin’, it is easy to fill in the rest of your day with a combination of the remaining selections.

But – we highly recommend you be strategic about how you book.

Epcot is a huge park and it can be a long walk to go from one side of the park to the other.

Whenever possible (at any park!), we recommend trying to group nearby attractions together.

But, keep in mind that when booking Genie+ spots, you can’t choose your return times.

Instead, you’ll just need to keep an eye on the My Disney Experience app and book things as the times and the locations make sense for how you are planning to tour.

How long do the Genie+ selections last at EPCOT?

Because there aren’t as many Genie+ options at EPCOT compared to a park like Magic Kingdom, you may see all available Genie+ reservations running out faster.

We looked through the info from Thrill-Data.com and used that to put together a list of averages, so you can see about how long Genie+ spots last at each attraction:

Genie+ and Lightning Lanes at EPCOT

Ok, now that we’ve gone over the priorities at EPCOT, let’s backtrack a bit and go over the latest info you need to know about Genie+ and Lightning Lanes at EPCOT.

As you are probably already aware, Genie+ is the name for the former FastPass+ service at Walt Disney World. Instead of being free like the old FP+ service, Genie+ is not free; it does cost extra.

Lightning Lanes

Instead of FastPass+ lines, Genie+ uses “Lightning Lanes”. Lightning Lanes are secondary entrances to attractions, and the Lightning Lanes ideally have a much shorter wait.

Basically, when you buy Genie+ you purchase the option to reserve entry times into the Lightning Lanes.

test track entrance

Unlike similar services at parks like Universal, with Genie+, you select your attractions one-by-one, and although we think with a little planning it is definitely possible to accomplish a lot more, Disney states that with Genie+, guests on average can expect to use it to access 2-3 Lightning Lanes per day.

How much does Genie Plus Cost at EPCOT?

Currently, Genie+ starts at $15 per ticket, per day (plus tax) but that price can go all the way up to $39 per ticket, per day.

But here’s the kicker:

There is no way to know ahead of time how much Genie+ is going to cost. Instead, you will see the price when you go to purchase it inside the My Disney Experience app.

disney genie+ screenshot to show cost

In general, though, you can expect the busier the time of year, the more expensive it will be. For example, during Christmas 2023, Genie+ reached $39 per day (plus tax).

How do you buy Genie+ at EPCOT?

Everything that has to do with Genie+ takes place inside the My Disney Experience app. It is way too much to go into details here (otherwise this post would be a million words long), but we cover exactly how to purchase it – including screenshots – in our Complete Guide to Genie+.

How to use Genie+ at EPCOT

Genie+ works the same across all 4 parks:

Every day, beginning after midnight, you can purchase Genie+.

Then, beginning right at 7:00 a.m. you can make your first Genie+ selection.

Because the first selections of the day are highly competitive, we recommend that you never, ever wait until 7 a.m. to purchase Genie+. Ideally, you should be purchasing it no later than 6:45 a.m. because Disney technology is notorious for being glitchy and just all around difficult – especially in the mornings.

You don’t get to choose your return time when you make a Genie+ selection. Instead, you can only get the next available time. That can make it a little bit more difficult when putting together EPCOT touring plans that include Genie+.

And, you can only make one selection at a time. But, it is possible to hold more than 1 Genie+ reservation at a time.

remy's ratatouille adventure

You have to redeem a Genie+ selection before you can book another one — or you’ll have to wait 120 minutes from time of booking, whichever comes first.

When booking a Genie+ selection at 7 a.m. — before park opening — the 120-minute rule applies here as well. If you book a selection at 7 a.m. and the park doesn’t open until 9 a.m., you’ll have to wait until 11 a.m. to make another selection.

And, if your first return time is greater than 2 hours after park opening, you can still make your next Genie+ selection even if you haven’t yet used the first.

Most of the time, you can book another Genie+ selection as soon as you enter the Lightning Lane. But, if you don’t scan into a ride, you’ll be able to make another selection at the end of the arrival window for the current selection.

Finally, you can only use Genie+ on an attraction once per day. If you want to ride something again, you’ll have to use the Standby Line.

Churning and Stacking are 2 popular methods for touring with Genie+. When touring EPCOT, you’ll likely find yourself doing a bit of both.

How to Purchase Individual Lightning Lanes at EPCOT

EPCOT has 1 attraction with a Lightning Lanes that is NOT a part of Genie+.

  • Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

If you want to ride this attraction by using the Lightning Lane there, you’ll need to purchase an à la carte entry.

guardians of the galaxy cosmic rewind - nova corps starblaster

How much does a Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Individual Lightning Lane cost?

The price of the pay-to-ride attractions varies depending on demand. The busier the parks, the more expensive they will be.

You can expect to pay anywhere from $14-$17 per person for an Individual Lightning Lane at Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Every day, you are allowed to purchase up to 2 of the Individual Lightning Lane selections. You can purchase both in 1 park (if 2 are available, like at Magic Kingdom), or you can split them between 2 parks. You can only purchase a ride on each attraction once per day.

Just like with Genie+, you purchase Individual Lightning Lanes through the My Disney Experience App.

Should you buy an Individual Lightning Lane for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind?

Right now, the only way you can ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is by either getting a spot in the virtual queue OR by purchasing an à la carte Individual Lightning Lane reservation. There is no Standby Line at Cosmic Rewind.

Both of those options are extremely competitive, with spots gone within a minute or two.

guardians of the galaxy cosmic rewind - standby and lightning lane

If you are lucky enough to snag both a spot in the virtual queue and purchase an Individual Lightning Lane, you could ride twice.

Here’s what we recommend:

  • If you want to ride twice, and you are traveling with at least 2 people who can use the My Disney Experience app, we recommend splitting up the duties and having 1 person attempting the virtual queue while the other purchases an Individual Lightning Lane selection.
  • If you are solo, or you just want to save some money, try for the virtual queue first. Note: On nights with Extended Theme Park Hours, there is a 3rd drop for the Virtual Queue for guests that are eligible to participate in Extended Theme Park Hours.
  • If you want a guaranteed ride, and you don’t care whether it costs or not, try for an Individual Lightning Lane selection first.

EPCOT Genie+, Individual Lightning Lane Selections, and Virtual Queues: Which one should you book first?

Lots of things have to be done at almost the exact same time. Here’s our recommendations for which order you should do it all:

Epcot

  • Day before: Confirm that everyone in your party has valid theme park admission AND a Park Pass Reservation (if required) for Epcot
  • 12 a.m. — 6:45 a.m. Purchase Genie+
  • 7 a.m. — Join the Virtual Queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (both onsite and offsite)
  • 7 a.m. — Purchase an Individual Lightning Lane for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (onsite only)
  • 7 a.m. — Make your first Genie+ selection; we recommend Test Track, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, or Frozen Ever After
  • 7 a.m. — If you are planning to park hop, purchase your 2nd Individual Lightning Lane Selection at one of the other parks for a return time after your planned park hop time. (onsite only)
  • Park opening — Once a park officially opens, offsite guests can purchase Individual Lightning Lane Selections. (Note: You have to wait for park opening, but you don’t have to be inside the park.)
  • 2 hours AFTER park opening OR after you’ve tapped in for your first Genie+ (whichever comes first) – Make your 2nd Genie+ selection

How many rides use Genie+ at EPCOT?

EPCOT has a total of 12 rides and attractions included with Genie+.

EPCOT Genie+ rides and attractions

But, not all attractions with Lightning Lanes at EPCOT are included with Genie+.

Rides at EPCOT that do not use Genie+

1 attraction with a Lightning Lane at EPCOT requires you to purchase a spot à la carte, separate from Genie+. This is called an Individual Lightning Lane selection.

Plus, there is a list of other attractions that don’t have Lightning Lanes at all and only use Standby Lines.

EPCOT Genie+ FAQs

Does Genie+ let me skip the line?

While Genie+ can significantly cut down on your overall wait times, you will still have to stand in a line – it just won’t be as long as the regular Standby Line.

For example, if you want to ride Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure during the middle of the day, the standby waits there are often over 100 minutes. With Genie+, your wait will be closer to 20. That is a huge chunk of time saved.

Can I use Genie+ at Disney After Hours?

Genie+ is not available during any of the After Hours events, including After Hours at Epcot. The good news is, the waits during After Hours do not necessitate the Genie+ service.

Can I use Genie+ during Early Entry or Extended Evening Theme Park Hours?

Genie+ is not available during Early Theme Park Entry or Extended Evening Theme Park Hours.

Can I Park Hop to EPCOT and use Genie+?

Yes! You can. Genie+ can be used when Park Hopping, just keep in mind that if your park ticket requires a Park Pass reservation, that you must first visit the park your reservation is for before hopping to a different park.

The following products and services give us a commission on sales.

Get our free Quick Start Guide

Have our guide delivered right to your inbox with our 6-step Disney World planning process to make it less overwhelming. Snag our free guide ➡️

Take our course

Check out our course that will help you learn all about Walt Disney World planning with dozens of videos and downloadables for each step along the way. Get access now ➡️

Our recommend travel agency

We partner with Small World Vacations, Diamond Level Authorized Disney Vacations Planners in business since 1996. Get a quote now ➡️

Want to stay deluxe on a moderate budget?

It’s 1 of our top fave ways to save! By renting DVC points, you can stay in deluxe accommodations for a fraction of the price. Check availability ➡️

Private car service

Quicksilver Tours will transport you in style. They assist with luggage at the airport, provide car seats, and include a free grocery stop. Book your car ➡️

Need a stroller, wheelchair, or scooter?

Buena Vista Scooters is a company with a great reputation who offers in-person resort drop off and pick up of strollers, scooters, and wheelchairs. Book your rental ➡️

Amazon recommendations

Check out our Amazon shop with trip essentials we love. Start shopping ➡️

WDW Prep merch

Get WDW Prep merch to show off your Disney knowledge (especially fun for spotting others during your trip!). Check out the WDW Prep merch shop ➡️

Felicia Goodwin