Genie +/ lightning lane when traveling with family

[TinkB278]

We are bringing my family with us next September and are treating them to rooms using our points. Last time we traveled together it was when fastpass was free and so I made everyone’s passes. I’m not exactly sure how to approach genie plus though with the fee. I want us all to get the same ride times and know that my family probably won’t be able to figure out how to do the system on their own so I’m thinking I will need to wake up and make ride reservations for everyone. How do you all handle making these passes for your extended family? I’m not sure how to handle the cost aspect, I guess I’ll just pay up front and have them Venmo me? I just hate that awkward “can you pay me?” Conversation and I would just pay for everyone but we are already covering the rooms…

 

[OlieRow]

If you're not willing to pay for their G+ (which is understandable since you're gifting the room) I think you need to tell them the cost and ask them if they want G+. If they do, say you'll walk them thru purchasing it on the app (with their CC) if they need help and you can handle all the bookings once they've paid for it.

 

[lowlight]

That’s a tough one, I went through that earlier this year. There is no good solution. I paid for most of the trip for some of my family and I also paid for a day of Genie+, but it was frustrating dealing with booking. The days I didn’t pay for their Genie+, they didn’t want to pay either so we basically took two separate vacations after that. It’s a big reason I hate Genie+.

You need to be prepared for them to decline paying for it if you don’t want to pay, at which point there is almost no point in being on the vacation together as you will be split up so much.

 

[SLThomas318]

Another thing to consider is the size of your group…. I thought I remember people saying the ILL$ had to be a group of 10 or less, but the regular genie+ allowed 12? And will everyone ride all the genie+ rides together? I feel like genie+ isn’t friendly for larger groups…

 

[TinkB278]

That’s a tough one, I went through that earlier this year. There is no good solution. I paid for most of the trip for some of my family and I also paid for a day of Genie+, but it was frustrating dealing with booking. The days I didn’t pay for their Genie+, they didn’t want to pay either so we basically took two separate vacations after that. It’s a big reason I hate Genie+.

You need to be prepared for them to decline paying for it if you don’t want to pay, at which point there is almost no point in being on the vacation together as you will be split up so much.

This is what I’m worried about. Them making the skip the line system cost money has made large group travel more difficult and awkward. I probably will just stick to trips involving our small immediate family in the future.

 

[TinkB278]

Another thing to consider is the size of your group…. I thought I remember people saying the ILL$ had to be a group of 10 or less, but the regular genie+ allowed 12? And will everyone ride all the genie+ rides together? I feel like genie+ isn’t friendly for larger groups…

I didn’t realize this! Thanks for letting me know. There will only be 8 of us so hopefully it’s not an issue.

 

[Sandisw]

I would be upfront with them about the system and the cost and decide how to handle it as a big group.

As I have shared, when we go as a group it is together but separate if not everyone wants to do the same things and that includes now GP+.

Going in January with a group of 8 and we are going to decide who wants it for which parks and what the top rides are and then make sure we all have MDE set up and connected.

Each will be responsible for setting up for their little family…this way, if some don’t want to do something they don’t feel obligated and no one is expecting me to cover the cost of it.

 

[bwvBound]

We visit DL/DCA regularly. We have yet to try Genie+ or ILL. From our perspective, I'd tell the group about Genie+, tell them why we don't bother with it ... and ask, "Everyone OK doing Disney old-school? No fastness, no Genie+, no automation in our process ... perhaps just a couple dining reservations, if we are lucky??"

Ok, I'd likely get a twinge of pleasure ghosting Genie+ with a large group. The larger, the better. Bring it! (Assume I'm sporting an evil grin even as I type this ... what a thrill.)