Genie +/ MDE Ipod touch

[excited family]

Does Genie+ work on an Ipod touch? The last time we went in 2019 we relied on wifi to use our ipod. Is this still a possibility?
Thanks

 

[AprilsZoo]

Does Genie+ work on an Ipod touch? The last time we went in 2019 we relied on wifi to use our ipod. Is this still a possibility?
Thanks

Much of it is going to depend on whether your iPod’s iOS is current enough to be compatible with the most recent version of the MDE app. Make sure you have your iOS updated to the most current version it will allow.

I think the only way to know is to try downloading (or updating) the My Disney Experience app from the App Store and then open it and explore around. Genie+ is a part of that app… so if you can open and explore the various parts of the app, like being able to see wait times, options for purchasing ILL$ rides, mobile ordering for food, etc., then you should be fine using Genie+. {You won’t actually attempt to buy anything… but by navigating to the various sections in the app, I think you’ll be able to get a sense of whether your iPod will work with the current app.}

Give it a try & report back so if anyone else wonders about this they’ll be able to see your experience.

Something else to consider is that the MDE app is a battery hog. Is your iPod’s battery healthy enough to last thru a day of intense use with some “fuel rod” support? Or are you going to need multiple backup battery packs (aka “fuel rods^) in order to limp thru the day. It can be very frustrating to constantly be worried about running out of battery…
Do you (or anyone in your party) have a smartphone you can use if your iPod isn’t compatible? (You can also use the app on more than 1 device … although you might have to sign out of the app on one before signing in on a different device.)

Hope this helps.

 

[Spaceace5150]

Try out the app at home and see if it works. If it work at home, it should work at the park. The only issue is if there isn't a wifi signal you won't have any access...

 

[excited family]

Thanks for the help. I have a generation 6 ipod and it can't update to ios 13, so it doesn't work. I would have to buy a generation 7 ipod which does use ios 13.

I only have an old smartphone which I could buy a sim card for (I'm from Canada) but I'd rather not. I hate how complicated this has become.

 

[AprilsZoo]

Thanks for the help. I have a generation 6 ipod and it can't update to ios 13, so it doesn't work. I would have to buy a generation 7 ipod which does use ios 13.

I only have an old smartphone which I could buy a sim card for (I'm from Canada) but I'd rather not. I hate how complicated this has become.

Will your current phone not work in the US?
If that’s the issue, give your carrier a call and see if they can allow usage in the US during the month of your vacation (& be sure to ask about data use). Some friends of ours did that so that their US phones would work in Mexico… they had to pay an up charge for the whole month (even tho their trip was like 8-10 days), but the carrier “unlocked” something so that they’d get service thru a Mexican carrier’s cell towers while they were there. It wasn’t hugely expensive— maybe US$30, iirc. Certainly could be worth a call. If other traveling companions have different carriers, call those companies too, if yours can’t do it.

Even if you won’t have cell/data service in the US, most smart phones will still work to access WiFi where it is available. Basically, your phone would have the same functionality of your iPod. (& might even be able to make calls if you enable “WiFi calling”. )

You can test this by going into your settings and disabling your cell service (or put it in airplane mode) but make sure you are connected to WiFi. If you can still use internet-dependent apps, like MDE, & surf the ‘net, then you should be fine @ WDW. Obviously, you will be at the mercy of the Disney WiFi system, but it’s better than nothing.

If ultimately, you don’t have a phone or tablet that will use MDE, *and you already have tickets that include G+*, I’m not sure what else you can do besides plead your case at GS before you go into your first park and see if they’ll refund the G+ and remove it from your tix. [You would need to do it before you go into the parks the first day… for any chance that they’ll re-issue your tix without G+ (It’s a small chance as it is), they’ll need to be completely unused. Disney has been pretty unyielding that they won’t refund G+ due to dissatisfaction, so you don’t want to have any chance that they’ll think you just didn’t like it, and are making up the excuse of no phone to use MDE.]


{ I really think somebody is missing a golden opportunity to rent smart devices to people who need them.
Disney may think that everyone has a smart device, but there are so many guests who like you that simply do not have a device that’s able to run MDE. Or perhaps they don’t have a plan with enough data to deal with the craptastic WiFi coverage in the parks… or they’re international visitors without cell service or data that works in the US.

The vendor could operate like the stroller/wheelchair rental— an outside vendor on Disney property. At DL, I’d convert one of the ticket booths into a rental kiosk (I’m thinking the one nearest to the stroller rental)… I can’t remember the last time all of them were open at the same time. Since the esplanade bridges both DL & DCA, it’s the ideal location.
At WDW I’m not sure where would be best. I haven’t been there nearly as often & never with little kids, so I am having trouble picturing the area near the stroller rental or ticket booths at all the parks. Doesn’t matter… I’m sure there’s someplace they could tuck into up at the front of the parks. Ideal would be if it straddled inside-to-outside the gates. But a kiosk just inside each park & one at Disney Springs would work too.
No doubt there’s many details I haven’t thought of… and I have no idea what devices would be ideal (preferably something with a shatter-resistant screen, or fitted in an otterbox-type protector). Nevertheless, I think it’s a worthwhile venture, given the increasing need to use Disney apps in order to manage your visit. It’s certainly possible to go thru the parks without MDE/DL apps, it’s not the ideal. }

Good luck!