Everything Genie, Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane - Please Read Posts 1-7

[disneylover102]

Looking for input on booking both ILL for Rise and G+ LL for SDD. We will be staying on site, so will be eligible for both at 7am. Is it better for both my husband and I to try to get SDD for our party, then Rise, or should we split up and one of us get SDD and the other try for Rise. We are hoping to get them earlier in the day if possible.

I would definitely split if you can but if not definitely try for SDD first. Everyone can book SDD at 7 but only resort guests can for Rise (that’s not to say that Rise doesn’t run out fast, just not quite as fast)

 

[askias]

For the ILL and G+ decisions in Hollywood Studios, assuming I don't want to ride SDD, would you book ROTR and the Falcon at 7 am, with the idea of catching the Mickey and Minny Railway (the other must do) later in the day?

 

[scrappinginontario]

For the ILL and G+ decisions in Hollywood Studios, assuming I don't want to ride SDD, would you book ROTR and the Falcon at 7 am, with the idea of catching the Mickey and Minny Railway (the other must do) later in the day?

I would monitor upcoming wait times of those 2 attractions and see what they look like on an average basis.

Another option is to check these 2 attractions on Thrill Data to see how long their LL last and also average wait times.

 

[nickid22]

Splitting up is better but if only one device it's recommended to try for SDD first then RotR. 2 people can be signed into the same MDE account if you have 2 devices.

I would definitely split if you can but if not definitely try for SDD first. Everyone can book SDD at 7 but only resort guests can for Rise (that’s not to say that Rise doesn’t run out fast, just not quite as fast)

Thank you both for your answers and thankfully the answers matched Yes, we will each have a device, so we will be splitting up duties.

 

[live2teach123]

Can anyone share recent experiences with an ILL changing times and interfering with an ADR? Thank you!

 

[vinmar4]

Good morning to all,

I was wondering if somebody can tell me about the lines for FOP wait time comparing standby vs $LL.
I'm asking because the last time we were there at the beginning of Nov. the stands was a lot shorter. It was around 1Pm and all together took us like 45 minutes. The $LL was way longer.

We are going on Monday, and we are not getting up that early for early hours. Our plan is to take advantage of concierge at AK for breakfast. Go to AK around 11, and ride whatever has short wait times or see some shows, go to Nomads lounge for some appetizers and drinks, and kind of monitor the FOP wait times. BUT, we will buy the $LL for it, if the needed, if things have changed since Nov.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[staggalee]

If you book a Genie+ return before the 120 min window elapses, you can book a new genie+ upon riding the ride, right? If so, is this a good strategy?

For instance, would it be better at the 11am window to book a ride with a return window as close to 11am as possible in order to book another genie+ and so on as long as you make sure that you don't wait too long where rides ride out of genie+ return times.

 

[disneylover102]

Good morning to all,

I was wondering if somebody can tell me about the lines for FOP wait time comparing standby vs $LL.
I'm asking because the last time we were there at the beginning of Nov. the stands was a lot shorter. It was around 1Pm and all together took us like 45 minutes. The $LL was way longer.

We are going on Monday, and we are not getting up that early for early hours. Our plan is to take advantage of concierge at AK for breakfast. Go to AK around 11, and ride whatever has short wait times or see some shows, go to Nomads lounge for some appetizers and drinks, and kind of monitor the FOP wait times. BUT, we will buy the $LL for it, if the needed, if things have changed since Nov.

Any help would be appreciated.

By saying the wait for $LL is way longer do you mean the wait until you can go and redeem your LL? Because the actual wait with the LL is basically nothing.

I did LL for it a couple times and standby a few times last week. Like I said the wait when redeeming the LL was basically non-existent. I park hopped to AK both times and bought the LL at park opening and it was fairly easy to get one for shortly after 2 (when I was planning to hop). Standby is pretty slow honestly because LL is the priority. It usually took about 60-90 minutes

 

[gzh6464]

Been watching G+ availability of many attractions over the past few weeks. It is clear there is a problem with DHS as most of the big attractions are long gone before noon ( MMRR, RoR - for ILL$, SDD, MF, TT, RnRC, and often TSM). SDD is instantly gone and others a gone not long after 11 (when the 2 hr rule kicks in). Sure it can be used on things like the muppets and star tours and some of the shows but availability on standby or and long waits are usually not a problem for these. When we went recently we did ILL$ for MMRR, RD for ROR, G+ for TT (but couldn't get it until 11:15 at a 7A hotel guest hour). While waiting for our TT reservation Went to TSM standby and single rider RnRC. Got to reservation at 11;15 but on way tried to get something new G+ at 11 with 2hr rule and nothing from any of the above were available or available the rest of the day. Basically paid $15pp extra to do TT. Sucked it up with an almost 2 hr standby at MF and didnt care about SDD (have teens). Guess we saved 2hrs for the additional $15pp on our TT wait....but definitely the service is not worth it in that park. And seems to be the case as I watched most of the big attractions gone by late morning consistently. And in the off season one can argue it isn't worth it in general like at AK or EP....at MK where there is more availability it is helpful. the OPs stacking post isn't reality especially this time of year and busier times. And while possible it is rare new G+ pop up for these in the afternoon.

 

[roctavia]

If you book a Genie+ return before the 120 min window elapses, you can book a new genie+ upon riding the ride, right? If so, is this a good strategy?

For instance, would it be better at the 11am window to book a ride with a return window as close to 11am as possible in order to book another genie+ and so on as long as you make sure that you don't wait too long where rides ride out of genie+ return times.

Yes, as long as that was your most recently booked ride, then you can book again after you tap into the ride.

Some people are running into confusion/frustration if they book a ride for say 11:30 at 7am, and then book a 2nd ride at the 11:00 (two hours after park open deal) and can't book a new ride after they tap into the 11:30, but that wasn't the most recently booked ride, since they booked something else at the 11:00 time.

 

[MainMom]

If you book a Genie+ return before the 120 min window elapses, you can book a new genie+ upon riding the ride, right? If so, is this a good strategy?

For instance, would it be better at the 11am window to book a ride with a return window as close to 11am as possible in order to book another genie+ and so on as long as you make sure that you don't wait too long where rides ride out of genie+ return times.

If you planned on riding the ride anyway and don’t mind crisscrossing the park it can work out well if you can find times with a close return window.
Personally, I wouldn’t grab Ariel in MK just because it was there & definitely not if I’m in Adventureland (for example.) Thats just me though. Everyone has different priorities.

 

[disneylover102]

And while possible it is rare new G+ pop up for these in the afternoon.

Actually it’s not rare. Don’t expect to pull up the app and automatically get what you want but in the last week I’ve gotten Rock n Roller Coaster 5 times after it was gone, and most of those times I reserved it later in the day. SDD usually doesn’t pop up but everything else does eventually. You just have to keep refreshing. It’s annoying but HS is very popular

 

[gzh6464]

My thought in general is that it G+ is most helpful and cost effective at MK and this comes to simple math.

MK has the most rides for which it's not uncommon to have hr or greater waits (JC, POC, SpLM, BTMRR, HM, PP, 7DMT ( ILL$), Space, Buz, Pooh, Mermaid and several of the basic rides like dumbo, carosel, people mover, astro, speedway, flying carpets etc). There is more variation as to peoples priorities there. So with more passes and more wider variation on peoples preferences pass availability is greater and efficacy/cost effectiveness of G+ per individual is greater.


At the other parks there are fewer rides with long waits and peoples preferences overlap far more ( At AK - Avitar( ILL$), Navi, Dinosaur, Safari, and Everest; At Epcot - Remy (ILL$), Frozen, TestTrack, Soarin, sometimes Spaceship, Mission Space, living with the land; DHS - RoR (ILL$), MMRR (ILL$), MF, SDD, TT, RnRC, TSM - and sometimes others like Aliens or Star tours). With limited rides and more preference overlap between people the availability of passes becomes limited far quicker and the efficacy/cost effectiveness of G+ per individual is less.

 

[gorjus121]

What is the likelihood of being able to buy LL$ for Avatar FoP if staying offsite? Any chance for morning availability?

 

[GBRforWDW]

What is the likelihood of being able to buy LL$ for Avatar FoP if staying offsite? Any chance for morning availability?

Here's the availability map for Flight of Passage:



With an opening of 7:30am, it should be pretty consistently available for offsite guests.

 

[gzh6464]

What is the likelihood of being able to buy LL$ for Avatar FoP if staying offsite? Any chance for morning availability?

Obvious answer is depends on how busy a day/time or year. Although dis hotel guests have a jump on you ( with 7:30 opening now its not a big jump) and Avatar is the only ILL$ in AK now ( with Everest out) it may be tough to secure a morning slot. Then again ILL$ allows you to book the time when its best for you if available so some may have a desire to go later in the day making availability possible in the AM.

 

[a1tinkfans]

My head is spinning .. I really wish I hadn’t bought park Tix. I’ve delayed using them twice now and the scheduled for mid sept It will be LESS crowded with kids everywhere back in school.
I am dreading looking down at my phone all day trying to get on some rides. buying G+ For all parks is fine and I hope that will help w/ some of the waits.
I decided Not to look at any more crowded park pix, lol. Too overwhelming thinking about it.

 

[CarolynFH]

Good morning to all,

I was wondering if somebody can tell me about the lines for FOP wait time comparing standby vs $LL.
I'm asking because the last time we were there at the beginning of Nov. the stands was a lot shorter. It was around 1Pm and all together took us like 45 minutes. The $LL was way longer.

We are going on Monday, and we are not getting up that early for early hours. Our plan is to take advantage of concierge at AK for breakfast. Go to AK around 11, and ride whatever has short wait times or see some shows, go to Nomads lounge for some appetizers and drinks, and kind of monitor the FOP wait times. BUT, we will buy the $LL for it, if the needed, if things have changed since Nov.

Any help would be appreciated.

We bought ILL$ for FoP in January. I think our time was in early to mid-afternoon but can't remember exactly. I don't remember what the posted standby time was, but we walked pretty steadily through the LL and boarded in 10-15 minutes after entering the LL, and I do remember thinking that we saved quite a lot of time by buying the ILL$!

 

[scrappinginontario]

If you book a Genie+ return before the 120 min window elapses, you can book a new genie+ upon riding the ride, right? If so, is this a good strategy?

For instance, would it be better at the 11am window to book a ride with a return window as close to 11am as possible in order to book another genie+ and so on as long as you make sure that you don't wait too long where rides ride out of genie+ return times.

Your question has been merged with the, 'Everything Genie....' thread. Please read the posts on page 1 to assist with Genie+.

The strategy you mention will work but the challenge might be availability. Depending on which park you're at and how busy it is, getting a LL time close to when you want it might be the challenge. MK has the most LL attractions so is easiest to book earlier times.

 

[vinmar4]

By saying the wait for $LL is way longer do you mean the wait until you can go and redeem your LL? Because the actual wait with the LL is basically nothing.

I did LL for it a couple times and standby a few times last week. Like I said the wait when redeeming the LL was basically non-existent. I park hopped to AK both times and bought the LL at park opening and it was fairly easy to get one for shortly after 2 (when I was planning to hop). Standby is pretty slow honestly because LL is the priority. It usually took about 60-90 minutes

Back in November, there were 2 lines, one for standby and the other one for the ones that paid. The second one was very long, we did stand by and like I said, and it was not bad at all. I think that now, and especially next week, it may be another story as far as crowds. I think that we better buy it at 7am.