Genie+ for a slightly overwhelmed newbie

[travelpantfam]

I'll start this by saying that I am sure all of my questions (and probably questions I didn't know I even had) have been answered at some point already, but this March will be my first time purchasing Genie+ and I would like to hopefully get it right.

My traveling party will be five people, two of them will only be there for 4 park days (one park each day)

So I guess my main questions are:

1. On our first day (Hollywood Studios) we will be on an airplane at 7:00 am in the morning, landing at 9:00 am. Is it even worth purchasing Genie+ for that day? Or will everything good already be gone?

2. Is there a way that I can book and manage all of our Genie+ selections even though our tickets were not purchased together (two separate resort packages purchased)? Or would I have to log in to both their MDE and mine and do the purchases for Genie+ separately each day?

3. I guess this question is fairly subjective but, how "worth it" is Genie+ for each park? The $15 is not really that big of a deal, but I don't want to waste my money either. I felt very comfortable with the old FP+ system but this is feeling overwhelming.

Sorry that is a lot, but any helpful tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated!

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

So I guess my main questions are:

1. On our first day (Hollywood Studios) we will be on an airplane at 7:00 am in the morning, landing at 9:00 am. Is it even worth purchasing Genie+ for that day? Or will everything good already be gone? If you can, purchase wifi so you can book your G+ LL's starting at 7am. If you're unsure if you can do this, take a look at your airline's wifi policy but I've seen a bunch of posts on here where guests who fly into disney start on their flights and have done so successfully. We drive so I have no personal experience booking G+ but I have used in flight wifi and it's always been pretty reliable. If you start at 7am for DHS, the priority order is Slinky, TOT and Rockin Roller Coaster/Smugglers Run/MMRR.... you may have no interest in those rides but that's typically the order the G+ tend to disappear, Slinky being gone super quickly. Just keep in mind, you can't select your times for G+, you take what the system gives you and given you're likely trying for G+ times that are later in the day after you arrive, you may get a time you cannot make. This can be changed but you do have to be fast. Also, keep checking since others will release times they don't want either so there will be times just messing with the app will show an opening for a G+ that wasn't there the last time you checked. Set your alarm for your next booking times and continue to do this throughout the day. The system won't let you book a G+ early but the later and later you go past your booking time opening up, the more G+ will be eaten up. Just read up as much as you can to be sure you're familiar with the system and make sure your MDE app is up to date.

2. Is there a way that I can book and manage all of our Genie+ selections even though our tickets were not purchased together (two separate resort packages purchased)? Or would I have to log in to both their MDE and mine and do the purchases for Genie+ separately each day? This is beyond my pay grade and knowledge so I'm sure someone else will have more info on how best to navigate that. I don't know but guessing that their tix are not under your MDE, then likely you can't book their G+ since your MDE doesn't even know they exist.

3. I guess this question is fairly subjective but, how "worth it" is Genie+ for each park? The $15 is not really that big of a deal, but I don't want to waste my money either. I felt very comfortable with the old FP+ system but this is feeling overwhelming. Only you will really know what G+ was worth after the fact based on your own experiences. We felt like it was worth the cost for our family of 4 given if we had to ride some of the headliners standby, we definitely would have not have hit all the rides we wanted to. So for us, yes it's been worth it but I will preface by saying it's not a must do and we do not buy G+ for Epcot and AK since I don't see a real value given there are just not enough attractions to make it "worth it" to us. Overall, we found the first day we (I mean me since I did it all), felt it was easy to navigate. I did play around in MDE before we ever got to WDW so I was not using it without any experience. I also did peek in the app a week or so prior to see which G+ were gone by a certain time. However, it's still annoying to have to pay for what once was included in your ticket price so while it may be worth it, it's still irritating at times.

 

[travelpantfam]

Thank you for all your tips! I hadn't even considered the in flight WIFI. It is sooo helpful being able to hear other real people's perspectives. I have watched a few YouTube videos but I often find them hard to relate to given their proximity to the parks, one person parties, or just overall general knowledge that I feel like I lack.

 

[sponica]

2. Is there a way that I can book and manage all of our Genie+ selections even though our tickets were not purchased together (two separate resort packages purchased)? Or would I have to log in to both their MDE and mine and do the purchases for Genie+ separately each day?

You want to connect as friends and family.
If you actually see them before the trip, they've made it much easier. Open MDE, go to my profile, then click on family and friends list, click add a guest and click scan their linking code.
ETA: If you're staying at the same resort, call and add a "traveling with" number to both reservations, so the room assignors know to place you near each other if possible.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Hi I’m telling you up front I don’t understand any of this either .
So my advice is pretty basic starting from step #1.
Probably not important but are you staying on property?
You will want to be aware of the early entry times for resort guests …
And also the late night events . Plus all the party nights and also the Virtual Boarding Attractions. And then figure out Genie Genie+ and lightning lanes.
I assume you have downloaded the 50th Anniversary App on phone or iPad.
This will be a good introduction to meeting Genie. and understanding the basics.
You should all be linked as Family and Friends in your MDE .
I have kinda watched my grandkids work their selections .
As soon as the window opens to enter the turnstile and they have passed the show your MagicBand to enter the correct lane, they can start searching for their next selection.
That is why it is a good idea to make certain others in your party understand the basics also. Unless you plan to stick together like glue.
Don’t forget you have a 60 day dining window to start making your dining reservations . Sci Fi disappears really fast!

Next I will check the messages posted and then consider advice for Virtual Q …
Also cooking dinner (Haha )

 

[travelpantfam]

Hi I’m telling you up front I don’t understand any of this either .
So my advice is pretty basic starting from step #1.
Probably not important but are you staying on property?
You will want to be aware of the early entry times for resort guests …
And also the late night events . Plus all the party nights and also the Virtual Boarding Attractions. And then figure out Genie Genie+ and lightning lanes.
I assume you have downloaded the 50th Anniversary App on phone or iPad.
This will be a good introduction to meeting Genie. and understanding the basics.
You should all be linked as Family and Friends in your MDE .
I have kinda watched my grandkids work their selections .
As soon as the window opens to enter the turnstile and they have passed the show your MagicBand to enter the correct lane, they can start searching for their next selection.
That is why it is a good idea to make certain others in your party understand the basics also. Unless you plan to stick together like glue.
Don’t forget you have a 60 day dining window to start making your dining reservations . Sci Fi disappears really fast!

Next I will check the messages posted and then consider advice for Virtual Q …
Also cooking dinner (Haha )

I am staying on property, at Gran Destino Tower. I just switched last night from Contemporary Garden Wing for a savings of $2400. I'll lose access to the deluxe resorts extended evening hours if they are still happening next March, but instead I purchased tickets to the after hours party at MK.

I do have the app and have used it in the past but mainly just to see wait times and mobile order after they did away with FP+.

I will add my the others in my party as Family and Friends next time I see them.

Thanks for all your tips!

 

[travelpantfam]

You want to connect as friends and family.
If you actually see them before the trip, they've made it much easier. Open MDE, go to my profile, then click on family and friends list, click add a guest and click scan their linking code.
ETA: If you're staying at the same resort, call and add a "traveling with" number to both reservations, so the room assignors know to place you near each other if possible.

Great idea to call and inquire about our rooms being near each other! Do you happen to know if this can be accomplished by using the chat feature on the website or would I be better off calling and speaking with an actual person?

 

[CarolynFH]

Great idea to call and inquire about our rooms being near each other! Do you happen to know if this can be accomplished by using the chat feature on the website or would I be better off calling and speaking with an actual person?

You can use Chat. You’ll need to give the CM both confirmation numbers and ask for a “Traveling With” notation to be placed on them. The room assigners will do their best to place you close together. It’s better if you don’t have any other requests.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Thank you for all your tips! I hadn't even considered the in flight WIFI. It is sooo helpful being able to hear other real people's perspectives. I have watched a few YouTube videos but I often find them hard to relate to given their proximity to the parks, one person parties, or just overall general knowledge that I feel like I lack.

Just an fyi genie plus works the same whether you’re 1 person or 10 people. Try watching a few different YouTubers that have exhausted genie plus to no end like Molly at mammoth Club. She’s done tons of videos on G+ including recent ones with at include the changes with park hopping.

 

[Genie+]

Also keep in mind that how Genie+ works now many change before March 2023. Definitely check back late Jan and the weeks before your trip.

We haven’t used it yet. Personally I think the $15 could be worth it… for some parks some days. We’re not buying on AK day but getting 1 day of G+ at the other 3 parks. Will use it one long day at MK and 2 days hopping HS/EP and EP/HS. Hopping those 2 days opens the possibility to do some rides twice.

I plan to get a couple rides in quick succession right after park open then start stacking for after 4pm. If it helps save near 2 hours of ride lines those days I’ll be satisfied. What it really needs to do is give a better experience than FP+. Not sure but I’ll report back in 4 weeks