Here we go with the breakdown of our experience with the app and Genie+ how we did the park, managed our time and energy levels, what we brought for the day and a quick review of the rides we loved!

The My Disney Experience App:

If you’re planning a trip to Disney the sooner you get to know the app, the better. It is a hub for literally everything: your tickets, reservations (park and dining) room access, photos, mobile food orders etc. There’s probably a ton more within the app we didn’t access and there are certainly sites that will give you that deep dive into all it’s benefits. As first-timers we used it with the Genie + to book Lightening Lanes, check out ride wait times and to navigate the park. The walking directions are super helpful! The night before our park visit, we went into the app and selected our top rides and attractions and the app populated them into the “My Day” section which was super helpful. I didn’t love the idea of being on our phones so much as I was worried it would take away from being in the moment but it’s not that consuming once you get the hang of it.

Tip: The App kills your battery so close it when you’re not using it. And definitely pack a portable battery.

Genie + and Lightening Lanes:

We paid for Genie+ and as much as it was an added expense on top of already expensive tickets, for us it was worth it. I think the price fluctuates because I’ve seen people say it was $20/day per person. We bought the Genie+ at 6am the day of our park visit and it was $35 USD per person. Basically, Genie+ allows you to book rides every 2 hours in what they call a “Lightening Lane.” Booking a Lightening Lane means booking a window of time at the ride/attraction. You then enter the Lightening Lane line and wait just a few minutes before getting on the ride. The Lightening Lanes are what you pay for with Genie+.

Individual Lightening Lanes:

Now to really confuse things some rides also offer “Individual Lightening Lanes.” These are the typically the most popular rides and the ILL allows you to pay (on top of your ticket and Genie+) to book that ride. The advantage is that you can book both your first Lightening Lane and your (paid for) Individual Lightening Lane first thing in the am and start riding faster with less waiting around. We bought the ILL for the Seven Dwarves Mine Train and it cost $12 USD per person. As an unexpected bonus we got photos and a video of us on the ride delivered to our Disney app!

Tip: Add your tickets to your phone’s wallet. Once you’re in the Lightening Lane line, you’ll need to “tap in” twice to confirm you’re booked for that time. We don’t have magic bands so we found the wallet was the easiest way to have our tickets at the ready.

The Gear:

We packed ultra light for our day at the park. We brought our Yoyo2 stroller (the BEST travel stroller IMO) for Marigold. Bea was happy on foot for most of the day although there were times they both crammed into the stroller. We threw some refillable water bottles, sunscreen and hats in the bottom of the stroller and that was it. We opted out of a backpack because it was so hot and instead I wore a small belt bag with my phone, lip balm and a phone charger. In hindsight we should have packed at least a couple snacks (Goldfish for Marigold, mainly) but we managed just fine without them. I would say if you can do it, lighter is the way to go.

Our day:

At 7am with Genie+ we booked:

Lightening Lane “Peter Pan’s Flight”

Individual Lightening Lane “Seven Dwarfs Mine Train”

Then we hit the park at 8:30!

Tip: If there’s only one thing you take away from these first-timer posts I hope it’s this:

That if you stay at a “Select Disney Resort” you get to enter the park 30 mins early. This was an absolute dream because we were able to walk onto our first ride with zero wait.

We knew couldn’t wait in lines longer than 25 mins with Marigold, so in between Lightening Lane bookings we chose rides the girls would like that had short wait times. Worked like a charm!

A quick review of the rides in order we did them:

Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid

Possibly my favourite ride. Magical and beautiful and you sit in a little clam shell and we all absolutely loved it. I cried lol.

Dumbo

Goldie LOVED it. I loved riding it with her. It’s the perfect ride for her age. Bea said it was a bit “baby-ish” for her which is fair.

Tomorrowland Speedway

5 stars from the kids who both felt like they were actually driving cars.

Mad Tea Party

The kids loved this one! Rg and I needed gravol afterwards.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

When I asked, this was at the top of everyone’s must ride list. And we paid extra to ride this one, too with the Individual Lightening Lane. Did our girls love it? No. Too scary they said. Did RG and I have the best time and do we die laughing at the pics? Absolutely yes.

The additional costs for the Individual Lightening Lane for this ride were 100% worth it for this pic

Peter Pan’s Flight

Magical, beautiful and so special. It feels like you’re flying. Bea’s favourite ride!

Mickey’s PhilharMagic

Don’t sleep on this show! For all of you who recommended it, thank you! It is delightful! It was the girls first experience with 3D and they’re still talking about it. Plus, it’s a “sitting down in a comfortable chair in air conditioning” experience which we parents were thankful for.

Haunted Mansion

This was a nostalgic one for Randall as he loved it as a kid! There were times the girls were a little creeped out, but they quickly moved on from the spookiness and enjoyed it.

Festival of Fantasy Parade

We were all smiling during the entire parade. It is Disney at its finest. Singing and dancing and princesses and floats. While we heard Elsa is in the parade at the Magic Kingdom that was not the case when we were there and Bea was a little disappointed, understandably.

Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor

This was just ok compared to everything else. It had a short wait time and we needed something to do while waited for our next ride. It’s ok as a time filler and for a chance to again, sit in some AC.

Mickey’s Magical Friendship Fare

This is where we witnessed actual Disney Magic. Goldie wanted to see Mickey and Minnie again so we headed here to say our goodbyes. As we’re watching the performance, which is in front of the castle, I hear THE MUSIC. I look at Bea who hasn’t realized what’s happening yet. Moments later out come Elsa, Anna and Olaf who put on a whole Frozen show. I have never seen my girl so elated. I cried, again.

It's A Small World

This was our last ride and it was the perfect way to wrap up our day. The ride allows for 4 people to ride together which we all loved. We were all singing the song for days afterwards.

Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade

We caught this parade on our way out and it was another chance for the girls to see their favourite characters and to enjoy the singing and dancing along with them. Mirabel from Encanto was there and it was the only time we saw her during our time so that was extra special.

I hope this helps anyone venturing to Disney for the first time!

A huge thank you to all of you who answered my questions leading up and chatted with me over dm’s to help me figure this whole Disney thing out! It such a wonderful few days and for us, the perfect amount for our first time. We’ll most definitely be back! (In a couple years lol)

Big love,

Danielle

Disney First-Timers Part 2: My Disney Experience App, Genie+, Individual Lightening Lanes, What We brought, Ride Reviews (and all that jazz)