Do I really need Genie + and ILL?

[Diana ZP]

I am taking my niece and her 9 year old to Disneyland beginning of December. I have been researching Genie+ and reading older posts...Daughter has never been and some issues with rides. I am trying to figure if it will be worthwhile to get it or just try and do the ILL in the mornings. I was so used to Fastpass etc and trying to figure out the best path. I just want this to be a good trip (4th try...had to cancel 3 others! ) Thank you for any and all suggestions!!!! sorry I love the emojies!

 

[RunnerMom71]

I mean it will be *busy* that time of year. I just calculate what my time value of $ is at the park: and wasting hours in lines when we only go to Disney every year of so means Genie+ and ILL are worth it for us (and always park hoppers).

 

[starlite_]

Do you like doing Stand By? If the answer is no then get Genie+.

 

[Diana ZP]

all of my friends and co-workers go at that time and say it is a better time as not too busy...So I am hoping not too nuts (like Halloween time-yeesh!) definitely will park hop. and probably surprise them with the Magic bands+ as a good memento! Thanks RunnerMom71!!!

 

[Diana ZP]

Do you like doing Stand By? If the answer is no then get Genie+.

Hmmm didn't think of it that way. and Bella (child) probably won't like waiting too much. I just hope I can figure it out, my brain is just tired anymore...weather here in Washington has turned wet and gloomy, giving me the doldrums! Thanks for the answer and so quick too!

 

[RunnerMom71]

IMO don't waste your $ on the Magic bands+ - very few perks in DL (and I loved them at WDW) and phones are easier to use honestly. Just bring a jump charger. Buy a fun pair of ears instead or a beautiful ornament that you can customize as a memento! But that's just me.

 

[starlite_]

Hmmm didn't think of it that way. and Bella (child) probably won't like waiting too much. I just hope I can figure it out, my brain is just tired anymore...weather here in Washington has turned wet and gloomy, giving me the doldrums! Thanks for the answer and so quick too!

You have lots of time to get it figured out Maybe your niece can help as well.

 

[Diana ZP]

IMO don't waste your $ on the Magic bands+ - very few perks in DL (and I loved them at WDW) and phones are easier to use honestly. Just bring a jump charger. Buy a fun pair of ears instead or a beautiful ornament that you can customize as a memento! But that's just me.

I still have mine from WDW and I bought one at the Disney store thinking I was going back soon Good thoughts on this...thanks again!!!

 

[Diana ZP]

You have lots of time to get it figured out Maybe your niece can help as well.

It will be up to me, she doesn't like doing things like that...I just want to get my park reservations done! Thanks!

 

[ktlm]

I would say yes on Genie+ We went once in 2021 when they had no type of fast pass available and we found it miserable. Even if the crowds are low, Genie + will allow you to do a lot of things with minimal wait. In fact if the crowds are low you can go from one Genie+ to the next fairly quickly. Although you can only do each ride once with Genie +, using it to get a shorter line, may help you be able to do the 9 year old's favorites twice, once with Genie + and once with a longer wait in standby. Also, Genie + includes all your photopass and ride pictures, so you can take a bunch and get a benefit from that.

As far as the Individual Lightning Lanes, I would not spend the money on that unless absolutely necessary to get on the ride. We were there Labor Day weekend and did not pay for any individual rides. We were able to get on the Minnie and Mickey ride with a 20 minute wait-- it was posted at 40 minutes-- but even 40 minutes would have been better than 45 dollars for 3 people for one ride. We also saw Rise of the Resistance as low as 25 minutes on the app on the early evenings. DD didn't want to do it that evening as she had other things she wanted to do, so we missed that and wound up going when the wait time was 60 minutes, but we decided standing for 60 minutes was better than paying $75 for one ride. If the 9 year old doesn't mind single rider, you can do Radiator Springs that way. Otherwise, you might have to pay for that one unless you can get there before the rush in the morning-- but know that even paying isn't necessarily going to make your wait that short. My family all got on single rider after a 10 or 15 minute wait--- I was seated next to people that had an ILL and had still waited between 45 minutes and an hour to get on the ride. Then we got stuck for 20 minutes on the track.

I agree not to waste money on Magic bands at DLR. It isn't like WDW and they aren't as useful as they are there. We saw very few people with them on our last trip-- in fact, I don't remember seeing anyone using them to scan into anything.

 

[JerrodDragon89]

If you dont mind waiting in 60+ min lines then no

But...I have zero interest in waiting in lines that long, so get it every time I go

 

[Diana ZP]

I would say yes on Genie+ We went once in 2021 when they had no type of fast pass available and we found it miserable. Even if the crowds are low, Genie + will allow you to do a lot of things with minimal wait. In fact if the crowds are low you can go from one Genie+ to the next fairly quickly. Although you can only do each ride once with Genie +, using it to get a shorter line, may help you be able to do the 9 year old's favorites twice, once with Genie + and once with a longer wait in standby. Also, Genie + includes all your photopass and ride pictures, so you can take a bunch and get a benefit from that.

As far as the Individual Lightning Lanes, I would not spend the money on that unless absolutely necessary to get on the ride. We were there Labor Day weekend and did not pay for any individual rides. We were able to get on the Minnie and Mickey ride with a 20 minute wait-- it was posted at 40 minutes-- but even 40 minutes would have been better than 45 dollars for 3 people for one ride. We also saw Rise of the Resistance as low as 25 minutes on the app on the early evenings. DD didn't want to do it that evening as she had other things she wanted to do, so we missed that and wound up going when the wait time was 60 minutes, but we decided standing for 60 minutes was better than paying $75 for one ride. If the 9 year old doesn't mind single rider, you can do Radiator Springs that way. Otherwise, you might have to pay for that one unless you can get there before the rush in the morning-- but know that even paying isn't necessarily going to make your wait that short. My family all got on single rider after a 10 or 15 minute wait--- I was seated next to people that had an ILL and had still waited between 45 minutes and an hour to get on the ride. Then we got stuck for 20 minutes on the track.

I agree not to waste money on Magic bands at DLR. It isn't like WDW and they aren't as useful as they are there. We saw very few people with them on our last trip-- in fact, I don't remember seeing anyone using them to scan into anything.

Thanks so much for the great advice Ktlm- there are many other things to spend the money on! I am going to take the plunge and get the Genie+ with the tickets now!

 

[Diana ZP]

If you dont mind waiting in 60+ min lines then no

But...I have zero interest in waiting in lines that long, so get it every time I go

Good point! Thanks!

 

[SpaceMan5]

Hmmm didn't think of it that way. and Bella (child) probably won't like waiting too much. I just hope I can figure it out, my brain is just tired anymore...weather here in Washington has turned wet and gloomy, giving me the doldrums!

Hey Diana ZP. Living here in SW King County, I know what you mean about the weather It's like Mother Nature decided you received your nice weather quota for the year and now enjoy the rain for the next 6 months. I am hoping for some during our DL trip in January.

Lots of great advice in a short amount of time. Avoid the magic bands unless you think it would be a cool memento.
Get the Genie+ to avoid the lines if it is busy but you have decide what is busy to you. Beyond 30-40 mins is busy to me.

When I first started my research on Genie+ it was a bit overwhelming (I loved the simplicity of the FastPasses like you)
But after spending time reading all the threads here on the boards and watching Youtube vids its was mush easier.

Have fun! Cheers!

 

[LKing]

I would surprise them with Genie + over a Magic Band. That said, if the 9 year old has issues with rides, how many of the Genie + rides will you actually be going on? If you don't do Genie, you don't need the Magic Bands.

Have you thought about doing something like the World of Color dessert party?

 

[Tinkaboo]

Thanks so much for the great advice Ktlm- there are many other things to spend the money on! I am going to take the plunge and get the Genie+ with the tickets now!

Good for you, great decision! You will love getting the use out of the Photopass too for memories you can treasure once you get back home! Especially all those Magic Shots!

 

[Diana ZP]

Hey Diana ZP. Living here in SW King County, I know what you mean about the weather It's like Mother Nature decided you received your nice weather quota for the year and now enjoy the rain for the next 6 months. I am hoping for some during our DL trip in January.

Lots of great advice in a short amount of time. Avoid the magic bands unless you think it would be a cool memento.
Get the Genie+ to avoid the lines if it is busy but you have decide what is busy to you. Beyond 30-40 mins is busy to me.

When I first started my research on Genie+ it was a bit overwhelming (I loved the simplicity of the FastPasses like you)
But after spending time reading all the threads here on the boards and watching Youtube vids its was mush easier.

Have fun! Cheers!

HeySpaceMan5! We are supposed to get sun this weekend so we can maybe dry out! I didn't think about watching you tube videos great idea! I am a bit overwhelmed so that might be the ticket! (haha) I hope you get to enjoy the sunshine and have a great trip in January!

 

[Diana ZP]

I would surprise them with Genie + over a Magic Band. That said, if the 9 year old has issues with rides, how many of the Genie + rides will you actually be going on? If you don't do Genie, you don't need the Magic Bands.

Have you thought about doing something like the World of Color dessert party?

LKing-That is the first thing I am going to reserve when the dates open! I have a list of restaurants etc...I think she will be ok with the rides, we are going to start with the little ones and hopefully work our way up to something like Big Thunder Railroad...I know she will do a rollercoaster and drops don't bug her-but no swirly spins for me! Thanks for the good advice!

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I am taking my niece and her 9 year old to Disneyland beginning of December. I have been researching Genie+ and reading older posts...Daughter has never been and some issues with rides. I am trying to figure if it will be worthwhile to get it or just try and do the ILL in the mornings. I was so used to Fastpass etc and trying to figure out the best path. I just want this to be a good trip (4th try...had to cancel 3 others! ) Thank you for any and all suggestions!!!! sorry I love the emojies!

What do you mean that the child has issues with rides? If you think she won’t go on any rides at all (and thus the adults won’t either) it’s not really worth it. But if she just won’t go on thrill rides, there are lots of non-thrill rides included in Genie+.

 

[Diana ZP]

What do you mean that the child has issues with rides? If you think she won’t go on any rides at all (and thus the adults won’t either) it’s not really worth it. But if she just won’t go on thrill rides, there are lots of non-thrill rides included in Genie+.

She got a bit scared at the local fair and some of the rides...we explained that Disney rides are permanent etc not like the wobbly fair ones. Her mom is a bit nervous that she will get scared- doesn't want to ruin the trip. I am going to show her a video of the rides and tell her about them. I think it will be good, we all need a good fun Disney trip! Thanks!