Arrival 9/21st Will I need LL, Genie+ or can we Wing It?

[Forevermarypoppins]

Good Morning all,

I am in the "Excitement Stage" as my upcoming WDW vacation is just around the corner! I've been keeping up to date on much of the latest news about low attendance. I was figuring during our time in WDW 9/21 thru 28, the crowds would be lower due to the new school year starting.
Should I be considering that lower attendance is a greater possibility and forego any plans for LL/ Genie+. I will admit, I am having a hard time wrapping my head around those new "ameneties". IF, I wouldn't need them, I will be so happy!!
The advice I'm looking for is : should I still read up and try to get a good understanding of how LL/Genie+ work? Or should I wait until we arrive and see what the actual park attendance is for our days?

 

[Jacq7414]

I still would get Genie+. At least for Hollywood Studios, I feel like SDD is always a long wait. You probably don’t need for your AK or Epcot days. It’s pretty helpful in MK. But it’s up to you and what you want to spend

 

[Minnie1222]

We're also coming 9/21 so we can be at Epcot on 9/22 for their Disney100 commencement. The last time we went to WDW in the month of September was probably 20 years ago, so this is atypical for us. Not only are we going in September, we're also traveling with another family who has read about low crowds and wants to revisit Disney. Our combined group has 11 people total.

In summary, I don't know if others may have the same idea and the parks may be heavily crowded during your particular week. We're planning to get LL at the minimum.

 

[BarbLynnM]

We’ve gone in late August and September both, and the crowds aren’t what I’d be buying G+ for. We’ll be going, arriving Aug. 26, and we will for sure be buying it for the days we’re in MK and HS.

The thing is, even a “short” 20/30 minute wait in the sun and heat is going to be like being crammed into a sauna with 30 strangers. If memory serves, the days were literally 95+ F, with humidity factors that felt like we were swimming through the air.

Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios were the worst (not counting Springs). They are concrete heat sinks that you can’t escape from in some instances waiting in line.

Just a thought

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

It really depends on your overall tolerance for heat and patience within the parks. Yes, the crowds will be low but even low crowd days can command longish waits, sadly low crowds do not always equal low waits. Things like rides going down or not running at full capacity do happen regularly. My recommendations based on what you shared-

• It sounds like you have a fairly lengthy trip, if you do visit a park more than 1 day; see how you do on day 1 at that park and if there's anything you missed and think getting G+ will help, get it for your second day if necessary.
• DEFINITELY study up on how G+, iLL$ and the virtual queues work. If you do decide to buy it, you need to know some basics but for the most part once you're actually using it, you can't really mess anything up BUT you do need to know when and how to book; and of course, how to purchase it.
• I don't think G+ is worth it for AK at all, there are just not enough attractions to justify that cost at this time. We do book iLL$ for FoP and think that's helpful to bypass long waits but if you don't want to do that, you could easily RD the headliners or get in line close to park closing. I do think G+ is a better bang for your buck at MK and DHS and can be helpful at Epcot, but again, not as necessary as the parks with more headliners. Pretty much if you buy G+ at epcot, it's for 3 LLs only, Remy, TT and FEA. You don't need it for any other attraction.
• Keep an eye on the app the week prior on the days you'll be in each of those parks and see what waits look like. I tend to watch that plus the touring plans lines app. Disney tends to inflate times so keep that in mind but there are times they're spot on.
• Lastly, to the contrary and more in favor or G+, is the heat factor. We felt like we got our money's worth using G+ at DHS, MK this last trip a week+ back. The crowds were definitely not as low as they will be for your trip late next month, that's 100% true. But even with the August crowds higher than September, we were able to book quite a few G+ (6 in each park) for DHS/MK and when it's a bazillion degrees outside and/or raining, it's nice to walk into a 10min wait for a LL and bypass a long line. Just throwing that out there for your sanity The heat is something 'special'.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

Thx all!

My sister and I have done 2 AUG vacations in WDW, but.... it's been quite a few years. Thanks for the reminder of HEAT. That will be a huge deciding factor for LL. I have some reading up to do. UGH!

 

[Kmpcfp]

I just popped in to ask the same question for our September 25-30th trip. Tagging along for more opinions.