“To make way for this completely new frontier, the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will be transformed into vast and rugged terrains for a rally race with some of the world’s most iconic racers,” a Disney news release read Monday in reference to the “Cars”  area, which will be considered part of Frontierland.

Tom Sawyer Island has been operating at Walt Disney World since 1973, about two years after the opening of Magic Kingdom. It was inspired by Mark Twain’s characters and stories and is accessed by log rafts.  It is surrounded by Rivers of America, home of the Liberty Belle riverboat attraction.

Disney: Liberty Belle’s move requires digging, divers, darkness

“We are thrilled to create this original Cars adventure and put our guests in the driver’s seat as we—quite literally—explore a new frontier in Frontierland,” Michael Hundgen, Walt Disney World portfolio executive producer at Walt Disney Imagineering, said in the release.

“Part of pioneering this new story includes tapping into the themes of exploration and adventure that inspire so many of us to keep propelling forward. Anytime we touch Magic Kingdom, we recognize the massive responsibility that exists to get it right and tell stories that connect with our guests,” he said.

The “Cars” attractions and Villains Land were announced during a D23 session late Saturday evening.

The area devoted to the Disney villains will be in the currently undeveloped area that has been dubbed “Beyond Big Thunder,” the land beyond the Frontierland roller coaster named Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Disney also confirmed Monday.

Disney World expansion plan includes villains land

Construction permits are being filed this week, Disney World said, and work will get into “high gear next year,” leaving time to “experience the charm and nostalgia of Frontierland as it is today,” the release reads.

The Magic Kingdom land has had other adjustments recently. The Splash Mountain ride was transformed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which opened in June. The Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade, a Magic Kingdom original attraction, has been shuttered in favor of a Disney Vacation Club lounge.

The “Cars” attraction will include a ride that represents a rally race that includes mountain trails, geysers and mudholes. A second attraction will be for “the youngest racers,” Disney said. A rendering released Monday shows animated characters and new structures on the island and what appears to be a walkway forming an entrance from the Haunted Mansion area. The Liberty Belle, which has also been at the park since 1973, is not represented in the image.

Few details are known about the Villains area, although Disney said it would include two attractions, shopping and dining.

“Walt Disney Imagineering is pushing creative boundaries to dark and mysterious levels to bring this new, first-of-its-kind land to life,” Monday’s news release said.  After public speculation by executives — presented as a blue-sky approach — about that land, the project was nicknamed “Beyond Big Thunder.”

Sky’s the limit: Orlando theme parks explore drones as entertainment

Other WDW additions announced at the D23 session include the “Disney Starlight” parade, debuting at Magic Kingdom next summer; The Tropical Americas area, replacing Dinoland with “Encanto” and “Indiana Jones”-themed rides at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2027; a new “Monsters, Inc.” land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios; a new “Mandalorian” theme for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2026; and lounges at Epcot and Magic Kingdom in 2025.

Epcot’s Test Track is currently being remodeled with new scenes and exhibits. The updated exterior will “harken back to the original World of Motion pavilion design,” Monday’s news release said. The attraction is scheduled to reopen sometime next year.

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Epic: Universal Orlando details its next ‘Harry Potter’ land

“This land will be home to the villains that you know and those that you loathe, which means ‘happily ever after’ … it may feel like just a distant dream,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, which include the company’s theme parks and Disney Cruise Line.

The announcement by D’Amaro was one of a slew of expansion plans at Disney parks worldwide revealed at a D23 fan club event in Anaheim, California. Among the developments: A “Monsters, Inc.” land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the first animatronic of Walt Disney himself and even more cruise ships.

The villains area is “going to be a fearless new vision for what a Disney experience can be,” he said near the end of the presentation, which lasted more than two hours and 45 minutes.

This bad-guy expansion land will feature two new attractions, which were not described Saturday evening, as well as dining and shopping, he said, without specifying where the villains area would be located. No timeframe for the villains construction was announced.

In other Magic Kingdom developments, the park will add two “Cars” attractions to its Frontierland as well as a new nighttime parade called “Disney Starlight.”

“We’re leaving Radiator Springs behind and we’re heading off to the wilderness,” D’Amaro said. One “Cars” ride will be a race rally across the frontier, and the second will be geared to young children. Construction will begin in 2025.

“This is going to bring some new energy to Frontierland,” he said, and delve into “what it means to explore the American wilderness.”

The new parade, set to debut next summer, will be led by the Blue Fairy from “Pinocchio” and include characters from films including “Encanto,” “Frozen,” “Peter Pan” and others.

The session was attended by 12,000 people at Anaheim’s Honda Center. It included a live orchestra on stage and, between announcements, performances by Meaghan Trainor, Rita Ora, Shaboozey, John Stamos, Pentatonix, Billy Crystal and the Deadpool character. Ke Huy Quan, who rose to fame as Short Round in “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and grew up to win an Academy Award in “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” had a stint as the guest conductor of the orchestra.

Disney Cruise Line orders 4 new ships, announces ‘Hercules’ show on Disney Destiny

The “Monsters, Inc.” land at Hollywood Studios will include a suspended roller coaster, a Disney parks first, that tours through the laugh factory. Construction starts next year, D’Amaro said.

Saturday’s session included updates on previously announced plans for Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which will be home to attractions tied to “Encanto” and  the “Indiana Jones” films.

Construction on the replacement attractions for Animal Kingdom’s Dinoland will begin this fall, D’Amaro said, and they are all expected to debut in 2027. The area then will be known as Tropical Americas.

The Indiana Jones ride, set to take over the space of the current Dinosaur attraction, will be different from other Indy rides in Disney parks, Bruce Vaughn, chief creative officer at Walt Disney Imagineering, said Saturday.

“It takes place in an ancient Mayan temple that Indy has recently discovered, and he’s heard rumors about a mythical creature that lives deep within this temple,” he said.

Animal Kingdom visitors will cross from Discovery Island into Tropical Americas where they will see a new town named Pueblo Esperanza and the home of the “Encanto” attraction, Vaughn said.

In the ride based in the animated house of the Madrigal family, “Antonio has just received his special gift — the ability to communicate with animals — and his room has transformed into a rainforest,” Vaughn said.

These projects were announced last year but considered “in the works.” In a 2022 D23 session, executives teased about plans for “beyond Big Thunder,” the Frontierland roller coaster at Magic Kingdom. D’Amaro did not say Saturday if that area would be the location of the new “Cars” attractions.

Walt Disney Co. has pledged to spend $60 billion over 10 years on attractions worldwide. Industry watchers have speculated about moves at Walt Disney World as Universal Orlando’s expansion — Epic Universe theme park — is slated to open in 2025. Some experts have predicted a fifth theme park for Disney World, but there was no mention of a new park on Saturday.

In a quarterly earnings call with market analysts last week, Disney executives said its theme parks had seen “demand moderation” in recent months. The result was small revenue growth. They said that trend was expected to continue in the near term.

Disney Cruise Line orders 4 new ships, announces ‘Hercules’ show on Disney Destiny

Among the other Saturday announcements from Disney were:

• Disney Cruise Line will add four more ships beyond what had previously been announced, bringing the total to 13. Timeframe: between 2027 and 2031.

• The Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will get a new story tied to the theatrical release of “The Mandalorian and Grogu” movie in 2026.

• The revised version of Test Track will debut at Epcot in 2025.

• A Spaceship Earth lounge is planned for Epcot for next year. The previously announced pirate-themed tavern for Magic Kingdom also will open in 2025.

• The “Zootopia: Better Zoogether” show in the Tree of Life Theater at Animal Kingdom will arrive in winter 2025. The Tree of Life Theater currently is home to the “It’s Tough to Be a Bug!” 3-D film.

• At Disneyland, “Walt Disney — A Magical Life” show will feature an animatronic version of Walt Disney. It will rotate with “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.”

• Disney California Adventure is adding rides based on “Coco” and the second and third films of the “Avatar” series.

• DCA’s Avengers Campus will get two new attractions, Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab.

• Disney Adventure World in France will be home to a “Lion King” ride (art concepts show a log ride and drop) and a “Frozen” land.

• Shanghai Disneyland will be home to a Spider-Man themed “high-energy thrill coaster.”

D’Amaro assured the group that these plans were not in the blue-sky category.

“Plans are drawn. Dirt is moving,” he said. “I just want to be clear about this: We are doing everything you’re going to hear tonight.”

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If you’re a holiday purist, it’s going to be a long 12 weeks as the attractions’ programming goes both mild and wild.

Why an early August start? It’s not tricky. The first five Not-So-Scary nights — plus two more of the 37 total event evenings — were already sold out a week ago.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Where: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

What’s new: Don’t say anything, but Bruno from “Encanto” will be making his first Not-So-Scary appearance. On the food front, two interesting event-exclusive items include the Oogie Boogie cupcake sold near Cinderella Castle and sweet-and-spicy beignets at Golden Oak Outpost, which is appropriately close to the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride.

What’s back: “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade,” “Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular” fireworks show, “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” stage show, multiple treat-or-treating stations

When: 7 p.m.-midnight on select nights between Aug. 9 and Oct. 31

How much: $129-$199 on remaining dates

Bottom line: Characters in Halloween costumes are abundant, and kids can rake in candy (parents can repurpose it for actual Halloween).

Halloween Horror Nights

Where: Universal Studios Florida.

What’s new: There are no returning haunted houses, although one (Major Sweets Candy Factory) repurposes a former scare zone. There are mazes inspired by the films “Insidious,” “A Quiet Place” and “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.” In addition, Universal will have a preview event Aug. 29, the eve of the launch. Tickets are $350.

What’s back: A “Nightmare Fuel” stage show with aerialists, pyrotechnics, rock music.

When: Aug. 30-Nov. 3.

How much: A single-night ticket costs between $83 and $123, depending on date. Multinight passes also are available.

Bottom line: HHN traditionally is filled with scary, sometimes bloody scenarios. Universal suggests it’s not for folks younger than 13.

Halloween Spooktacular

Where: SeaWorld Orlando

What’s new: It’s a daylight, kid-friendly event with a Trick-or-Treat Trail and sea-inspired characters.

What’s back: Spooktacular is sprinkled across the park, but a couple of big deals are the Sesame Street Halloween Parade and the Halloween Storytime with Big Bird. On Fridays, there are costume contests for kids.

When: Select days between Aug. 31 and Nov. 3

How much: Spooktacular is included with regular SeaWorld admission.

Bottom line: It’s very gentle, down to cookie decorating and a scarecrow dance party. There’s no overlap with the park’s competing after-dark, separate-ticket Howl-O-Scream event.

Howl-O-Scream

Where: SeaWorld Orlando

What’s new: Four fresh haunted houses, including Ultimate Gamble (“where the stakes are life and death”), Farm 51 (with crash-landed extraterrestrials), Atlantis Journey Below and Water’s Edge Wellness Center.

What’s back: Live entertainment in the form of “Monster Stomp” and “Sirens Song”

When: Select nights between Sept. 6 and Nov. 2

How much: An “any night” ticket sells for $54.99. There are also multinight packages, including one that wraps in the Howl-O-Scream event at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

Bottom line: It’s another frightful occasion, especially in the dark scare zones.

Brick-or-Treat

Where: Legoland Florida

What’s new: “Monster Skytacular,” a drone show at the end of the day, plus a new menu of limited-time foods

What’s back: Candy stations, a dance party hosted by Lord Vampyre, “The UnbeLEAFable Halloween Night” show and a disco overlay to the Dragon roller coaster.

When: Weekends between Sept. 13 and Oct. 27

How much: Halloween activities are included with regular Legoland Florida admission.

Bottom line: The target audience is between the ages of 2 and 12.

Gators, Ghosts and Goblins

Where: Gatorland

What’s new: “Godwin’s Gourd Farm with gargantuan gourds as pumpkin monsters,” a Gatorland release says.

What’s back: Swamp Ghost’s Monster Museum with Cyrus the Gravedigger, Skunk Ape at Cryptid Petting Zoo, children’s costume parade, Live DJ, vendors, candy giveaways

When: Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 12 through Oct. 27

How much: Included with regular Gatorland admission.

Bottom line: Low key, old Florida charm plus reptiles.

Look for more attractions to announce spooky programming. Some like to get past end-of-summer promotions before using the H word.

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More details were revealed in the ensuing weeks, sometimes via Universal’s official podcast, sometimes presented as the back stories of the event’s original houses.

We’ll know more, probably, before HHN begins Aug. 30. For now, here are clues about what to expect in all 10 houses in one place.

• A Quiet Place – In a location where screams are standard fare, a shhhhhhh theme stands out. This house will be based on two “A Quiet Place” movies, which feature minimal dialogue and invisible creatures with super-hearing. How might that work?

“We haven’t seen how the guests interact with the house yet. So, really it’s kind of this contract with the guests as they go through. It’s like, ‘OK, if you make a noise, they will get you,” Charles Gray, senior show director, said in a Discover Universal podcast.

“I think it’ll be almost like a role-playing game,” Gray said. “Like, if you’re in it, if you’re really buying into this idea, you’re going to have a lot of fun.”

• Major Sweets Candy Factory – Sweets already hit the streets in an HHN scare zone in 2022. The house, set in October 1955, seems to feature the Major, who is suspected of murder, his business partner Miss Treats and a new character named Taffy. A Universal podcast, styled as a radio show with laugh track, throws in children on a field trip (school bus alert), secret ingredients, the missing McGrew family and weapons such as a “blood-soaked machete” and a baseball bat with steel spikes.

• Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America – It’s got campfire lore (or is it campfire fact?) in the form of La Lechuza, the whistling El Silbon and the fanged, clawed, Tlabuelpuchi plus an ill-advised round of escondite. There’s a barn, a big bird, bosque, bloodiness and cowboy boots and, according to the podcast backstory, a cemetery, innards and the “horrid smell of death.” (Universal Studios Hollywood had a Monstruos house at its HHN last year)

• Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines — It’s like ladies night, HHN style, with a story of Dracula’s daughter seeking revenge on the Van Helsing family plus She-Wolf, the Bride of Frankenstein and a mummified Egyptian princess.

• Goblin’s Feast – This house appears to be populated by orcs, trolls, elves, hobgoblins and a witch with pointy teeth and cracked black lips. A goblin family prepares for a holiday feast, but there are detours through a pub and a burial forest.

• Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire – Scenes are inspired by the 2024 film of the same name, running from the ‘Busters’ containment facility to the New York City sewers.

• Insidious: the Further – Meet the Red-Faced Demon, the Bride in Black, KeyFace and the Man Who Can’t Breathe from the “Insidious” film series, which dates back to 2010. Also planned: multiple red doors.

• Triplets of Terror – Details are scarce for this house, but the “Barmy triplets birthday bash” involves re-creating their family’s murders, according to Universal social media.

• The Museum: Deadly Exhibits – “A folklore museum’s newest exhibit, the Rotting Stone, has released an evil spirit that decays everything,” according to the official HHN website.

• Slaughter Sinema 2 – The first house announcement was back in May during a Horror Nights panel at a Spooky Empire event. It’s a sequel to a 2018 house, and it will feature eight new (yet fictional) films, including “Heavy Metal Hell 3-D.” Six years ago, the Sentinel called the Sinema house “cheesy by design” in a good, popcorn-scented way.

More HHN notes

• Among the five scare zones will be Demon Queens, Swamp of the Undead and Torture Faire.

• The stage show is title “Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus,” and it will feature pyro, aerialists and “pulse-pounding rock rhythms,” Universal says.

• For the first time, Universal is offering a preview to the general public. Tickets for Premium Scream Night, set for Aug. 29, are selling for $350 for the limited capacity event, which includes food and non-alcoholic beverages plus access to all 10 haunted houses with shorter wait times and staggered entry.

• Among the HHN merchandise: Lil’ Boo travel tumbler (and plush pillow), T-shirts for each house and a redesigned Chucky popcorn bucket.

• Halloween Horror Nights runs on 48 select evenings Aug. 30-Nov. 3. For tickets and more information, go to halloweenhorrornights.com/orlando.

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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic is the fifth Epic land to be detailed by Universal. It will have Parisian settings based on the “Fantastic Beasts” films and British elements from the “Potter” franchise created by author J.K. Rowling.

The news was made public on the birthday of the Harry Potter character, which is also Rowling’s birthday.

The centerpiece ride – dubbed Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry – will transport visitors from Paris to the British Ministry of Magic for the trial of Dolores Umbridge, once the cruel headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

In the attraction storyline, Umbridge tries to escape, then the familiar wizarding trio of Harry, Ron and Hermione, plus a house-elf known as Higgledy, chase after her whilst dodging Death Eaters.

The attraction will utilize “omnidirectional lifts,” and it will be the “most ambitious, groundbreaking ride Universal has ever created,” a company news release stated.

The Wizarding World land will also be home to “Le Cirque Arcanus,” a show with live performers, aerialists, puppetry and special effects. Its story revolves around Ringmaster Skender and creatures including demiguises, diricawls and mooncalves, who debuted in the 2016 film “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.”

The Place Cachee streets will be populated by exchange students from Hogwarts and Ilvermorny Schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic was developed by Universal Creative and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment.

Dining options in the land will include Cafe L’Air de la Sirene (French sandwiches, plats du jour), Le Gobelet Noir (gathering spot for international witches and wizards), Bar Moonshine (gathering spot for American witches and wizards with quidditch team pennants and drinks) and Bieraubeurre Cart (Translation: butterbeer).

Wands will be available for purchase at Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique. Interactive wands will cast spells in the land and create interactions with beasts and enchanted objects in storefront windows.

Other store names include Les Galeries Mirifiques, Tour en Floo and K. Rammelle, a confectionary shop.

Epic Universe is scheduled to open near the Orange County Convention Center next year. Other lands now under construction include Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Celestial Park and Dark Universe, which will feature the monster-based experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein. An Epic Universe preview center is now open at Universal CityWalk.

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This set of Hartmann’s mountain zebras will eventually be seen by the public on the theme park and resort savannah.

In June 13, Penne, a female foal was born to mother Heidi. She weighed in at nearly 100 pounds at birth, Disney says.

Heidi’s first offspring was Asha, born at DAK in 2020. In July, Asha gave birth to a boy, creating a three-generation family seen on the savannah at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Later, Juno gave birth to a girl named Cada, whose sister Cricket was born at the park in 2023.

And on July 16, Aziza gave birth to a male zebra. They’re both still backstage, out of sight of the public. (Aziza also gave birth to Dot at Disney World last year).

“Each of these new arrivals is incredibly special for the Hartmann’s mountain zebra species,” Dr. Mark Penning, Disney Parks vice president for animals, science and environment, wrote on the official Disney Parks Blog. “Currently, these animals are listed as a vulnerable species due to habitat loss and hunting.”

This summer’s zebra births were enabled by the Species Survival Plan of the Associations of Zoos and Aquariums.

Hartmann’s mountain zebras are native to sub-Saharan Africa. Animal Kingdom is also home to Grevy’s zebras and plains zebras.

dbevil@orlandosentinel.com

Buyers can move between the two parks freely with this ticket, which is dubbed the Florida Unlimited Days Ticket.

These tickets will include the parks’ holidays celebrations (Grinchmas, parade and more), which begin Nov. 22.

Universal Studios park recently has added the Mega Movie Parade and “CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular” nighttime show with drones, prancing fountains, projections and pyrotechnics. It also opened DreamWorks Land, a retheming and enhancement of its former KidZone area using characters from “Shrek,” “Kung Fu Panda” and other animated films. A new projection show called “Hogwarts Forever” is playing now at IOA.

First ride: SeaWorld’s Penguin Trek coaster has smooth moves

The ticket does not include after-hours events such as Halloween Horror Nights, parking or merchandise discounts. There is not an option that includes Universal’s Volcano Bay water park.

The new Florida-resident ticket is available online now, but it is not sold at the entrance to the parks. Visitors must present proof of Florida residency at time of purchase, ticket pick-up and redemption, according to Universal’s website.

Ticket prices for one day at the two parks normally start at $146.  Universal’s two-park annual passes currently sell for $299 to $765 for Florida residents, depending on block-out dates and level of benefits.

For purchases and more information, go to universalorlando.com.

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Injury report: Disney, Universal rides prompt dizziness, pains

Among the scenes in the HHN maze at Universal Studios theme park will be Ray’s Occult Books stores, the new high-tech lab/containment facility of the Ghostbusters, the New York City sewer system and freezing conditions. Visitors also will see “iconic ghosts, creatures and characters from the beloved classic series,” according to a Universal news release.

The Frozen Empire house will be at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood in California.

The 2024 film, a sequel to 2021’s “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” stars Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard and Carrie Coon with Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson and Annie Potts reprising their characters, which date back to the original 1984 movie.

Previously announced haunted houses for Orlando’s HHN include Slaughter Sinema 2; Goblin’s Feast; Major Sweets Candy Factory; The Museum: Deadly Exhibit; Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America; Triplets of Terror; and a maze based on the films of “A Quiet Place” franchise. The event will feature 10 houses and five scare zones. HHN33 officially debuts Aug. 30.

Universal Orlando details monster mashups lurking for Epic’s Dark Universe

Single-night tickets and admission to Universal Orlando’s new Premium Scream Night, set for Aug. 29, are now on sale at halloweenhorrornights.com/orlando.

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SeaWorld: Howl-O-Scream haunted house lineup starts down on the Farm51

The team won its first NHL championship Monday night with a Game 7 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

Legoland’s builders put together 29 little hockey players, 20 fans, 18 dance-team members and six four-legged panthers. Several figures hold signs that say “I’m going to Legoland Florida Resort!,” a twist on the enduring “I’m going to Disney World” promotion after big games.

Some of the fan figures are holding rats, another tradition of Panther fans, who have tossed toy rodents onto the ice in celebration for decades. There’s a Lego-ized big-screen monitor, and one player is holding a trophy.

It took 20 hours for four master model builders to complete the Legoland project.

Other scenes in Legoland Florida’s Miniland include the Daytona International Speedway, Kennedy Space Center, Bok Tower, Key West and other U.S. locations such as New York City, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Southern California and Washington, D.C. Miniland is included with regular admission to Legoland Florida.

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Currently, Disney World visitors must wait until 7 a.m. on the day of their visit to sign up for Lightning Lane, a queue that grants faster access — for a price — to in-demand rides and attractions in the resort’s four theme parks. That will change July 24, according to a post on the official Disney Parks Blog.

Name changes kick in then, too. The Genie+ service will become Lightning Lane Multi Pass, and the current individual Lightning Lane purchases will be known as Lightning Lane Single Pass.

Folks staying at Disney World resort hotels will be allowed to sign up for Lightning Lane passes up to seven days ahead of time for their entire stay, up to 14 days.  All other visitors, including WDW annual passholders, will be able to get Lightning Lane times three days in advance.

With Lightning Lane Multi Pass, visitors can reserve up to three Lightning Lane selections inside one theme park in advance. They also may add one more on the day of their visit, depending on availability, via the My Disney Experience app.

Disney holidays: Jollywood Nights returning, expanding

An upcoming change in the app will enable the option to buy single passes and multi passes in the same transaction, Disney said.

Lightning Lane pricing varies by attraction, park and date, but the upcoming changes will not affect the cost, Disney said. On Tuesday, for example, Genie+ (the current multiple-attraction offering) ranged between $17 per guest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and $27 at Magic Kingdom. An individual Lightning Lane for a ride now typically costs between $10 and $25.

Although the “Genie+” name is going away, the free Genie planning service, which makes suggestions for the day, will remain on the Disney app.  The Disney Genie app was announced in August 2019, and the Lightning Lane system was introduced in 2021, essentially replacing Disney’s free FastPass+ system, which was suspended in May 2020 while the Disney World parks were closed during the early months of the COVID pandemic.

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First look: Disney Cruise Line’s new port is big on Bahamas