How Much Does Disneyland FASTPASS Cost? 2024 Breakdown

How Much Does Disneyland FASTPASS Cost? This is the 2024 breakdown of Disneyland’s FASTPASS system (aka “Disney Genie Plus”). 

How Much does disneyland fastpass cost

Disneyland’s FASTPASS suite imade up of several terms:

  • Disney Genie in use 2024
  • Disney Genie+ in use 2024
  • Lightning Lane in use 2024
  • Individual Lightning Lane in use 2024
  • Virtual Queue in use 2024
  • Disney MaxPass retired in 2021
  • FASTPASS discontinued in 2021

In this article we’ll go over each aspect of what once was Disneyland FASTPASS, current FASTPASS terms, pricing and more.

Disneyland first introduced FASTPASS in 1999, but retired the name as it became a generic term for line-skipping privileges at theme parks around the world. 

While we no longer use the term “FASTPASS” as official Disney lingo, most people are familiar with the basics of this service. As such, understanding the basic term FASTPASS serves as an excellent starting point for breaking down the cost of Disneyland FASTPASS.

 

FASTPASSES at Disneyland
Disneyland FASTPASS paper ticket from 2015

 

What is FASTPASS? Known by various terms at Disney and other theme parks, these services (whether paid or free) allow guests to skip long lines at some of the most popular attractions. FASTPASS is also referred to as FastPass, FastPass+, Express Pass and more.

Can I Skip the Line with Free Disney Genie FASTPASS

First, let’s breakdown this common question, “Can I Skip the Line with Free Disney Genie FASTPASS?” 

  1. You cannot skip the line with free Disney Genie.
  2. There is no longer a free FASTPASS option.
  3. The only “free” thing is waiting in the standby lines, which are open to all guests with a valid theme park ticket and reservation, subject to height restrictions and attraction availability. 

Disneyland FASTPASS no longer exists in its original form. There is no equivalent to free FASTPASS at Disneyland Resort. But Disney wants you to think the equivalent is the free Disney Genie. 

 

disney genie concept art.png
Disney Genie’s free option offers minor assistance for your theme park day.

 

You can get Disney Genie for free, but it’s basically the Disneyland app providing wait times and sad attempts at ride strategy. 

  • Price Point: Disney Genie is complimentary. Anyone can access Disney Genie on the Disneyland app via your smart phone. But it’s main “perk” of helping you strategize your day isn’t worth your time. In fact, it’ll likely waste your time. I recommend a Disneyland Plan full of step-by-step ride strategies here.
  • Discounts: None needed, but download the Disneyland app in advance and instead purchase Disney Genie+ with your discount theme park tickets.
  • Includes: Free wait times on the Disneyland app, free ride suggestions based on nothing but steering you in the wrong direction. Can you tell I’m not a big fan? The free version is really just trying to upsell you to the paid version which is 100% worth it. 
  • Bonus Feature: Free comical suggestions on what to ride next. Love thrill rides? Want to prioritize Guardians of the Galaxy and Indiana Jones? Select those as your top picks and watch in awe as Disney Genie suggests riding King Arthur Carrousel, then heading to Tom Sawyer Island even though it hasn’t opened yet.

How Much Does Disneyland FASTPASS Cost 

Disneyland FASTPASS no longer exists in its original form. The most similar equivalent at Disneyland Resort is Disney Genie+.

Sometimes people use the phrase “Disney Genie+” the same way they use the term “FASTPASS.” For example, “Do we have a Genie+ for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run?”,  “Let’s get a Disney Genie+ for Space Mountain later tonight!” or “We should get a FASTPASS reservation for Toy Story Midway Mania.”

 

Disney Genie Plus Cost
Disney Genie+ prices fluctuate based on daily attendance.

 

You can get Disney Genie+ for as low as $30 per person, per day when you buy discount tickets with Disney Genie+ in advance here.

  • Price Point: Disney Genie+ dynamic pricing starts at $30 per person, per day. If you did not pre-purchase Genie+ with your theme park tickets, you will purchase it the day of visit (after you scan your ticket at the gate). We have seen it go as high as $35 per person, per day and it could go plenty higher on in demand days.
  • Discounts: Lock in Disney Genie+ at $30 per person, per day when you purchase in advance with your discount theme park tickets.
  • Includes: Access to Lightning Lane queues (aka FASTPASS or “shorter line” queues) at about 20 different attractions across Disneyland Resort, subject to availability. One Lightning Lane access per attraction.
  • Bonus Feature: Free, unlimited Photopass downloads.

How Much Does Disneyland Lightning Lane Cost 

Disneyland FASTPASS is now Disney Genie+. When you use Disney Genie+, you gain access to the Lightning Lane queue.

Sometimes people use the phrase “Lightning Lane” the same way they use the term “FASTPASS.” For example, “Do we have a Lightning Lane for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad?”, “Let’s get a Lightning Lane for Haunted Mansion later tonight!” or “We should get a FASTPASS reservation for Incredicoaster.”

 

Lightning Lane small world
Lightning Lane entrance to “it’s a small world” Disneyland.

 

You can get Disney Genie+ for as low as $30 per person, per day when you buy discount tickets with Disney Genie+ in advance here.

How Much Does Individual Lightning Lane Cost 

Individual Lightning Lanes are a different system, running separately and independently of Disney Genie+. When you purchase an Individual Lightning Lane, you gain access to the Lightning Lane queue one time for a specific attraction. 

Attractions offered as Individual Lightning Lanes at a la carte pricing changes. See the full list of Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane attractions here.

Sometimes people use the phrase “Lightning Lane” for short when talking about “Individual Lightning Lane” For example, “Did we buy a Lightning Lane for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance?” or “Let’s get a Lightning Lane for Radiator Springs Racers”

 

Rise Resistance
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is available for Individual Lightning Lane purchase.

 

You can only purchase Individual Lightning Lanes on the day-of, after you walk into the park. Each person who wishes to purchase an Individual Lightning Lane must have scanned into the park first.

  • Price Point: Individual Lightning Lane dynamic pricing starts at about $15 per person, per ride. You will purchase it the day-of, after you scan your ticket at the gate. 
  • Discounts: Prices fluctuate based on internal crowd predictions. There are no discounts available and no way to know for sure what price you will pay the day you arrive. 
  • Includes: Access to Lightning Lane queues (aka FASTPASS or “skip the line” queues) at the specific attraction purchased Disneyland Resort, subject to availability. 
  • Bonus Feature: Skipping the long waits in the regular line like the VIP you are!

How Much Does Disneyland Virtual Queue Cost 

Disneyland Virtual Queue are available on the Disneyland app. When you use the Virtual Queue you gain access to specific areas of the Resort, attractions, offerings and/or entertainment.

Virtual Queues are used on occasion at Disneyland Resort for things like limited-time merchandise offerings, grand openings of new lands (like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge) or attractions, Disneyland Candy Canes and more.

The main page of the Disneyland app is the best place to look and see what’s available via Virtual Queue, most notably World of Color at Disney California Adventure Park.

 

rise sold out
Virtual Queues are often used for new rides, lands and events.

 

You can get in a Virtual Queue only after you have scanned into one of the two Disneyland Resort theme parks that day. It’s ok if you have scanned in and left, as long as you have entered the park.

  • Price Point: Virtual Queues are free, you gain access to it the day-of after you scan your ticket at the gate. 
  • Discounts: None needed for this complimentary service.
  • Includes: Access to to specific areas of the Resort, attractions, offerings and/or entertainment.
  • Bonus Feature: Sometimes the ONLY way to access something exclusive as a regular guest is via the Virtual Queue.

How Much Did Disney MaxPass Cost 

Disneyland’s Disney MaxPass no longer exists in its original form. The most similar equivalent at Disneyland Resort is Disney Genie+. Disney MaxPass system was the first digital form of FASTPASS at Disneyland Resort, phasing out the need for physically walking to a ride to obtain a  FASTPASS return time. 

 

Disneyland MaxPass
Disney MaxPass was the first digital FASTPASS at Disneyland Resort.

 

Here is a brief history of the new system that did not last long, Disney MaxPass:

  • Disney MaxPass started at $15 per person, per day.
  • It increased to $20 per person, per day and was retired at that price point in 2021. 
  • Disney MaxPass was not subject to dynamic pricing.

  • Disney MaxPass included access to FASTPASS line for about 20 different attractions across Disneyland Resort.
  • There was no limit to how many times you could use the FASTPASS queue as long as you secured a valid return time, making repeat rides on favorite attractions a common occurrence. 
  • It also included free, unlimited Photopass downloads.

How Much Did Disneyland FASTPASS Cost 

Disneyland’s FASTPASS system no longer exists in its original form. The most similar equivalent at Disneyland Resort is Disney Genie+. FASTPASS at Disneyland Resort required walking to FASTPASS kiosks at various locations around Disneyland Resort to obtain a physical paper indicating your return time.

 

Disneyland fastpass reminder
As FASTPASS was phased out, a reminder card printed without a barcode.

 

Here is a brief history of Disneyland FASTPASS:

  • Disneyland FASTPASS was a free service.
  • FASTPASS was available for about 20 different attractions across Disneyland Resort.
  • FASTPASS kiosk would print out your return time for the next available time period.
  • There was no limit to how many times you could use the FASTPASS queue as long as you secured a valid return time (aka FASTPASS ticket), making repeat rides on favorite attractions a common occurrence. 
  • The term “FASTPASS runner” was often used among Disneyland goers. It referred to sending one person in your party with everyone’s ticket in hand to a FASTPASS kick to obtain FASTPASS return times. 
  • Giving away unused FASTPASS tickets was also a fun way to spread the magic at Disneyland. 

Now that you know the definition and pricing of each system, which program has been your favorite FASTPASS at Disney Parks? Or do you wish you had been to Disney Parks when it was free or didn’t exist at all?

 

Disney MaxPass FASTPASS
Old FASTPASS entry sign at Toy Story Midway Mania.

 

Either way, this paid model is here to stay. The next step is to learn HOW Disneyland FASTPASS (Disney Genie+) works in action.

I’ve laid out the HOW to in this article, complete with a step-by-step video to practice using Genie Plus before you get to Disneyland Resort.

It also answers lots more questions about WHO needs Disney Genie+, what attractions are included, the best times of day to use Genie+ and SO much more. Please check out my Simple Guide to Disney Genie+ as a companion to this article.

How can I help you plan your most magical Disneyland Vacation yet? My Facebook live videos are a great place to ask questions, you can also submit questions in the comment section and on social media

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By Jessica Sanders

Recognized authority on all things Disneyland Resort. Offering dynamic planning strategies and the latest theme park information since 2013. Jessica's insights have been featured on Yahoo! News, InStyle, The Washington Post, and many others.

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