Goodbye FastPass and MaxPass, hello Disney Genie. Disney parks overhaul ride reservations

Walt Disney World and Disneyland are changing the way guests experience the parks by getting rid of their FastPass, FastPass+ and MaxPass reservation systems, which have been out of commission throughout the pandemic.

This fall, both resorts will introduce a free new planning tool called Disney Genie.

"Disney Genie will personalize their Disney day, allowing guests to spend less time planning and waiting and more time doing the things they love," Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, said in a statement.

While the free service will allow guests to join virtual queues, Disney Genie will not grant guests access to shorter lines like the FastPasses previously included with the price of admission.

Going forward, guests will have to pay for that perk through two new services: Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lanes.

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What's included with Disney Genie

Every park visitor will have access to Disney Genie though the My Disney Experience and Disneyland mobile apps.

One of its highly-touted features is the ability to create custom itineraries for guests.

"Just tell Disney Genie what you want to do and it will do the planning for you," a Disney Park press release said, noting that the tool aims to "take the guesswork out of 'what's next.'"

Guests can also use Disney Genie to join virtual queues, see current and forecasted attraction wait times, mobile order food, make reservations at restaurants and more.

There's even a virtual assistant to help along the way.

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What's included with Disney Genie+

What Disney Genie won't do is help guests cut any lines. That's where Disney Genie+ comes in.

Disney Genie+ will allow guests to snag the next available entry time at 40 attractions at Disney World and 15 attractions at Disneyland. Those include Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Big Thunder Mountain and Haunted Mansion. Guests may select one attraction at a time throughout the course of the day.

Additionally, Disneyland guests will get unlimited PhotoPass downloads. Disney World guests will get access to exclusive augmented reality photo filters.

Guests at both resorts will also have access to behind-the-scenes audio experiences throughout the park.

Disney Genie+ costs $15 per person per day at Disney World and $20 per person per day at Disneyland.

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What's included with Lightning Lanes

Not even Disney Genie+ can snag an earlier spot at some of the parks' most popular rides, like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Disney World's Magic Kingdom and Radiator Springs Racers at Disneyland's California Adventure.

However, guests can buy their way into new Lightning Lanes.

Pricing has not been released, and it's yet known what other attractions will offer this paid option.

What is known is guests are limited to two Lighting Lanes per day, and they can't schedule them way in advance. All guests will need to wait until the day of their park visit to purchase Lightning Lane entry, including Disney resorts guests, Annual PassHolders and Magic Key holders.

Of course, guests can still wait in line for free. All Disney World and Disneyland rides will continue to offer either traditional or virtual queues.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Disney World, Disneyland retiring FastPass, MaxPass systems for rides