Differences between Genie+ at DL v. WDW -ALSO which park first DL or DCA???

[ngl]

Last time we were at DL, Genie + was not launched yet. We live 1 hr from WDW and are AP and DVC so feel after many trips have a really good handle on how to use Genie+ at WDW. However, we are going to DL in Dec and know there are some nuances.

1. At WDW I can get up at 7am and select my Genie+ and ILL without being in the park yet. I understand at DL I have to first be in the park in order to select. Is this true for both Genie + and ILL selections?
2. If I have park hoppers, what time can I start selecting Genie+ for other park?
3. Is the 2 hr window in play at DL? (can select 2 hrs after last selection, assuming your selection is not until later)
4. What rides at DL and DCA tend to go first with Genie+?
5. Any other tips are appreciated!
   1. We will be there Sat Dec 17-Tues Dec 20 (understand it will be busy but only time we could make work!) Any tips on what days we should select a certain park first?

Thank you all in advance!

 

[ngl]

Hoping someone can help on these questions!

 

[miksicnarf]

1. Yes
2. As soon as you enter your first park
3. Yes
4. Radiator Springs, for sure. I don't do some of the more popular rides so not real sure.
5. Single rider lines seem to go much faster at DL than WDW, in my experience...I'd utilize them if you're OK splitting up. The rides with holiday overlays are very popular...don't miss Haunted Mansion and small world!

 

[Astylla]

Last time we were at DL, Genie + was not launched yet. We live 1 hr from WDW and are AP and DVC so feel after many trips have a really good handle on how to use Genie+ at WDW. However, we are going to DL in Dec and know there are some nuances.

1. At WDW I can get up at 7am and select my Genie+ and ILL without being in the park yet. I understand at DL I have to first be in the park in order to select. Is this true for both Genie + and ILL selections? YES TO BOTH

1. If I have park hoppers, what time can I start selecting Genie+ for other park? YOU CAN PARKHOP AT 1PM .

1. Is the 2 hr window in play at DL? (can select 2 hrs after last selection, assuming your selection is not until later) IT IS 2 HOURS OR AFTER YOU HAVE USED THE CURRENT SELECTION.

1. What rides at DL and DCA tend to go first with Genie+? AT DL : SPACE , HAUNTED MANSION HOLIDAY , INDY ; AT DCA : GUARDIANS AFTER DARK ( MAKE THIS A PRIORITY) , WEBSLINGERS , INCREDICOASTER
2. Any other tips are appreciated!
   1. We will be there Sat Dec 17-Tues Dec 20 (understand it will be busy but only time we could make work!) Any tips on what days we should select a certain park first? ALWAYS PICK THE PARK YOU WANT FIRST HONESTLY , JUST TRY TO MAKE ROPE DROP AND TAKE A BREAK. REMEMBER TO SCAN INTO THE OTHER PARK SO YOU CAN MAKE GENIE PLUS SELECTIONS FROM YOUR HOTEL LATER TOO !

Thank you all in advance!

EDIT : FIXED an error in response !

 

[ngl]

Thank you for this information!

One clarification - at WDW if I get up at 7am and make my Genie+ selection for let's say, 4pm and the park opens at 9am, I can make my next Genie+ selection at 11am (2 hrs after park opens) due to the fact my Genie+ is later in the afternoon. Sounds like DL may not operate this way?

Also, I saw above it states that you need to scan into the other park to make the selections there. Is this the case if you have hoppers? For instance, if I go to DL first and have hoppers, after 1pm can I just select DCA or do I need to scan there first?

MUCH appreciated information! Thank you.

 

[Astylla]

Thank you for this information!

One clarification - at WDW if I get up at 7am and make my Genie+ selection for let's say, 4pm and the park opens at 9am, I can make my next Genie+ selection at 11am (2 hrs after park opens) due to the fact my Genie+ is later in the afternoon. Sounds like DL may not operate this way?

Also, I saw above it states that you need to scan into the other park to make the selections there. Is this the case if you have hoppers? For instance, if I go to DL first and have hoppers, after 1pm can I just select DCA or do I need to scan there first?

MUCH appreciated information! Thank you.

At DLR you MUST be scanned into a park to make your selections. For example if your starting park is Disneyland you cannot make any selections until you scan in. Same with DCA , you MUST scan in before you make a selection for THAT park
We do not work like WDW at all , no preference for onsite guests , etc.

You still have to scan in , you can exit after if going on a break but it's worth taking the time to do

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

So Carlye Wiesel actually has a really good episode of her podcast very amusing about DLR and I agree with her: Genie plus is slightly easier to use out there. And walk up reservations for dining work.

Hopefully you will go when magic bands are a thing because I hated using my bands.

The most frustrating things was trying to tell it I’m gonna park hop though I think that’s across both.

Also we did three days: DL, DCA, and then DL to DCA to DL. We almost went to DL our DCA day but it was the start of the heatwave.

 

[BGinCali]

At DLR you MUST be scanned into a park to make your selections. For example if your starting park is Disneyland you cannot make any selections until you scan in. Same with DCA , you MUST scan in before you make a selection for THAT park
We do not work like WDW at all , no preference for onsite guests , etc.

You still have to scan in , you can exit after if going on a break but it's worth taking the time to do

I just wanted to clarify on this - I understand that if OP has PH and reservation is DL, scanning into DL allows for Genie+ bookings at DL all day; and can book rides at DCA starting at 1pm or sooner if the return time is after 1pm (with no need to scan in the DCA if already scanned it that day at DL).

 

[Astylla]

Hmm you know what I think you're right !
I am confusing Genie plus with my DAS ( I sometimes use both) which requires to be scanned in no matter what.

Thanks for the heads up !

 

[ngl]

I just wanted to clarify on this - I understand that if OP has PH and reservation is DL, scanning into DL allows for Genie+ bookings at DL all day; and can book rides at DCA starting at 1pm or sooner if the return time is after 1pm (with no need to scan in the DCA if already scanned it that day at DL).

Yes, much appreciated! Also for the 2 hour window if I go into DL at 9am and pick a Genie+ for 2pm, at 11am can I pick another? That is how it works at WDW but of course we know there are always differences! Thanks again!

 

[BGinCali]

Yes, much appreciated! Also for the 2 hour window if I go into DL at 9am and pick a Genie+ for 2pm, at 11am can I pick another? That is how it works at WDW but of course we know there are always differences! Thanks again!

that is correct for that scenario and works the same as WDW - 2 hour window.

 

[miksicnarf]

Yes, much appreciated! Also for the 2 hour window if I go into DL at 9am and pick a Genie+ for 2pm, at 11am can I pick another? That is how it works at WDW but of course we know there are always differences! Thanks again!

Yes, you are correct.

 

[miksicnarf]

Thank you for this information!

One clarification - at WDW if I get up at 7am and make my Genie+ selection for let's say, 4pm and the park opens at 9am, I can make my next Genie+ selection at 11am (2 hrs after park opens) due to the fact my Genie+ is later in the afternoon. Sounds like DL may not operate this way?

Also, I saw above it states that you need to scan into the other park to make the selections there. Is this the case if you have hoppers? For instance, if I go to DL first and have hoppers, after 1pm can I just select DCA or do I need to scan there first?

MUCH appreciated information! Thank you.

You do not need to scan into DCA in order to make G+ LL selections there; you can make them as soon as you enter DL, as long as the return time is after 1:00pm. For example, I often enter DCA first and immediately make a G+LL for Haunted Mansion because the return time is usually later in the day and by the time 1:00pm rolls around, all LL may be gone for the day.

 

[dina444444]

The system works the exact same way as WDW’s works except for 2 main differences. The first one is that you have to scan into the park before you can make any selections and/or purchase it if you didn’t buy it in advance. The second one is for the $LL you also have to scan into the park and you can’t pick the return time, your time will be what it shows as next available like the regular LL.

 

[DLRExpert]

Local guests, mostly Magic Key holders are more familiar with how LL works so you tend to see more LL cancellations when you use the refresh trick to get an earlier return time.

 

[ngl]

The system works the exact same way as WDW’s works except for 2 main differences. The first one is that you have to scan into the park before you can make any selections and/or purchase it if you didn’t buy it in advance. The second one is for the $LL you also have to scan into the park and you can’t pick the return time, your time will be what it shows as next available like the regular LL.

Thank you! Interesting re ILL. At WDW we typically pick the time we want (mainly for Guardians at EPCOT these days!). Sounds like I just need to keep refreshing to get the time I want at DL &DCA. Is it still just Rise as the only ILL at DL and RSR the only LL at DCA?

 

[dina444444]

Thank you! Interesting re ILL. At WDW we typically pick the time we want (mainly for Guardians at EPCOT these days!). Sounds like I just need to keep refreshing to get the time I want at DL &DCA. Is it still just Rise as the only ILL at DL and RSR the only LL at DCA?

Correct. And they don’t sell out anywhere near as fast as they do at WDW.