Genie Plus - Experiences and Reviews

[ironz]

I have not had an issue on Android. There was just an app update and that might have caused the problem if you hadn't yet updated. Sometimes the updates don't automatically push or happen immediately if you don't manually force it.

Thanks. I did uninstall and reinstall the app trying to figure it out. At least it worked on DH's phone. And we didn't need to modify too much.
We hadn't been to DL/DCA in ages, and had a great visit overall.

 

[SoloJim]

I was at Disneyland week before last for three days and bought genie+ each day. I was a big fan of Fast Pass at WDW but have never used genie+ at WDW. However, I'd read that the service is much easier to use at DLR so I gave it a shot. Although I probably could have seen and ridden everything I wanted without genie+, it did make things easier and definitely reduced wait times. I was there for rope drop each morning, and SoCal being what it is, I did mostly standbys for the first few hours since the parks were not super crowded. However, I did book LLs immediately on arrival and just kept modifying the schedules to later in the day so i could continue to take advantage of the low standby times in the morning. The LLs did come in handy as the day wore on and the crowds got thicker. Even then, I continued to sprinkle in standbys, especially for the non-top-tier attractions. I basically spent two days at DLR and one at DCA, rode pretty much everything I wanted using a combination of rope drop, LLs and standbys. I think the longest I waited for something, on standby, was 35 minutes, and it was an attraction without a LL. My first ever trip to Disneyland and it was a great visit.

 

[CoachBeard]

I guess this thread is done and a new one for LL Multipass should go up? I was just looking at the app to see if we got any of the benefits they received at WDW and.... we don't. Still have to scan in before we can purchase/plan. So I guess for us it is the same but a new name. My only real question is: do we have to pay the fee for each park or does the $35 include both? I didn't see much info on that aspect.

 

[Chili327]

I guess this thread is done and a new one for LL Multipass should go up? I was just looking at the app to see if we got any of the benefits they received at WDW and.... we don't. Still have to scan in before we can purchase/plan. So I guess for us it is the same but a new name. My only real question is: do we have to pay the fee for each park or does the $35 include both? I didn't see much info on that aspect.

I believe this is correct, same thing new name, & does cover both parks. (I'm sure we'll find out more soon enough from actual experience)

 

[Howry]

If they change it so you have to pay for both parks separately there may be some fists thrown. Well maybe not but thats how it would make me feel.

 

[abbyhoerle97]

I guess this thread is done and a new one for LL Multipass should go up? I was just looking at the app to see if we got any of the benefits they received at WDW and.... we don't. Still have to scan in before we can purchase/plan. So I guess for us it is the same but a new name. My only real question is: do we have to pay the fee for each park or does the $35 include both? I didn't see much info on that aspect.

so I’m new to DL but when I booked for my trip in November it asked if I wanted Genie+ and I was able to pay for it in advance… not sure if this was how it was before but it never asked me that when I would book for WDW in the past. Our tickets say the following:

3-Day Ticket with Admission to 1 Park Per Day with Lightning Lane Multi Pass

 

[CoachBeard]

so I’m new to DL but when I booked for my trip in November it asked if I wanted Genie+ and I was able to pay for it in advance… not sure if this was how it was before but it never asked me that when I would book for WDW in the past. Our tickets say the following:

3-Day Ticket with Admission to 1 Park Per Day with Lightning Lane Multi Pass

I have a Magic Key so it may be different rules for us but we definitely can't buy until we scan into a park. The last time I went with someone who had a 1 day ticket we opted not to buy Genie+.

However, my last WDW trip in January wouldn't allow me to buy Genie+ until I think midnight the night before. Something like that, whereas in 2022 I bought it for all days when I purchased my tickets months in advance. I wish I had a better handle on everything, but this thread helps. As a Magic Key holder, I probably won't buy LL too often since I go to the parks once or twice a month and don't mind waiting for the E tickets when I want to ride them. I also think my next WDW trip I may forego LL for a day or two to see how it is and to be off my phone more. I still found myself making LL appointments and then changing or canceling because of where I was in the park, my mood, etc...

There are so many variables involved from party size to park touring approach and all that. I just wish the system was a little more straight forward. I guess I'm showing my age when I say I miss the transactional nature of FastPass. If you wanted to go on the ride you went to the kiosk and got a ticket with a time then you planned your hours around that. No modification for indecisiveness (guilty!) and you didn't just change it to something else. It forced me to dedicate to the return time. YMMV. But I wasn't on a phone all day and I felt more organized believe it or not.

 

[ghtx]

so I’m new to DL but when I booked for my trip in November it asked if I wanted Genie+ and I was able to pay for it in advance… not sure if this was how it was before but it never asked me that when I would book for WDW in the past. Our tickets say the following:

3-Day Ticket with Admission to 1 Park Per Day with Lightning Lane Multi Pass

When I bought my Disneyland tickets for June this year, several months in advance, I was able to buy Genie+, so I think it's always been different for DL.

 

[OlliePop27]

Yes, it's always been different between WDW and DL for Genie+. DL always allowed pre-buying Genie+ for length of ticket, WDW did not. The new WDW system - LLMP - does allow for pre-booking, as does DL. At DL you can buy day by day, but had the option to purchase in advance - the old system at WDW did not allow pre-buying at all and was day by day only.

The new DL LLMP (Lightning Lane Multi Pass) system is the exact same system as Genie+, only the name changed. The system itself still functions the same as Genie+ worked at DL. There's no reason for them to change the system at DL because overall it works very well.

The reason WDW changed the name and the functionality is because the system didn't work well there. This are several reasons, but a couple of primary ones are:

1) There are overall far more rides per park at DL than any individual WDW park (except Magic Kingdom), and many more people have hoppers at DL. This leads to overall better LL availability throughout the day at DL.

2) The demographics of people visiting DL and WDW are very different. DL caters to more locals, many not purchasing LL because of frequent visitation, so less people are using it. WDW has more out of town visitors willing to pay for LL because they visit less often.

The combination of these two things, plus not being able to book at DL until entering the park, make the former Genie+, now LLMP system, work better at DL.

Again, nothing at DL has changed about the system except the name - the functionality is the same as Genie+.

 

[Scott C.]

Going to DL mid August for 3 days and just wondering if LL Multi/Genie + is needed or standby lines don’t get too long? Are weekdays busy? Was looking at wait times before the change to LL and didn’t see anything too bad but also heard it’s not like WDW and does get much busier as the day goes on. At WDW I would say it was needed and as this is my first visit to DL wanted to so the experts.

 

[Chili327]

I don’t think I’ve ever used genie at DLR, but if the budget isn’t an issue I think it is well worth it, especially for first time and if you have park hopper tix.

 

[OlliePop27]

Going to DL mid August for 3 days and just wondering if LL Multi/Genie + is needed or standby lines don’t get too long? Are weekdays busy? Was looking at wait times before the change to LL and didn’t see anything too bad but also heard it’s not like WDW and does get much busier as the day goes on. At WDW I would say it was needed and as this is my first visit to DL wanted to so the experts.

I recommend looking at a list of LLMP rides to see if things you want to experience are included. Lots of stuff at DL does not have LL, so depending on your interests it may not be necessary. Personally, I would recommend getting it.

As for crowds, yes weekdays in mid August will be extremely busy. Many passholders become unblocked for the first time since June and single day ticket prices are at their lowest point in weeks. Weekdays have been busier than weekends at DL for years now. If you want lower crowds, try shifting your dates to a weekend.

I'm sorry to be a downer, but I would prepare for very heavy crowds on your dates, plus lots of rides will be closed for refurb which will exacerbate the problem.

 

[Scott C.]

I recommend looking at a list of LLMP rides to see if things you want to experience are included. Lots of stuff at DL does not have LL, so depending on your interests it may not be necessary. Personally, I would recommend getting it.

As for crowds, yes weekdays in mid August will be extremely busy. Many passholders become unblocked for the first time since June and single day ticket prices are at their lowest point in weeks. Weekdays have been busier than weekends at DL for years now. If you want lower crowds, try shifting your dates to a weekend.

I'm sorry to be a downer, but I would prepare for very heavy crowds on your dates, plus lots of rides will be closed for refurb which will exacerbate the problem.

I recommend looking at a list of LLMP rides to see if things you want to experience are included. Lots of stuff at DL does not have LL, so depending on your interests it may not be necessary. Personally, I would recommend getting it.

As for crowds, yes weekdays in mid August will be extremely busy. Many passholders become unblocked for the first time since June and single day ticket prices are at their lowest point in weeks. Weekdays have been busier than weekends at DL for years now. If you want lower crowds, try shifting your dates to a weekend.

I'm sorry to be a downer, but I would prepare for very heavy crowds on your dates, plus lots of rides will be closed for refurb which will exacerbate the problem.

Thanks for this. I was aware of the refurbs and yes it really stinks but at least HM opens by then. I just wasn’t sure if kids going back to school the week I am there would help the crowds. My friend who lives in LA said his kids go back that week. I’m assuming that isn’t true for the whole state of CA though. I’m definitely leaning towards getting LLMP though either way. Our last day is 8/23 which is the first day of the Halloween season so I’m guessing that will be a very busy day.

 

[Chili327]

Thanks for this. I was aware of the refurbs and yes it really stinks but at least HM opens by then. I just wasn’t sure if kids going back to school the week I am there would help the crowds. My friend who lives in LA said his kids go back that week. I’m assuming that isn’t true for the whole state of CA though. I’m definitely leaning towards getting LLMP though either way. Our last day is 8/23 which is the first day of the Halloween season so I’m guessing that will be a very busy day.

Haunted Mansion Holiday is already open.

Enjoy it.

 

[OlliePop27]

Thanks for this. I was aware of the refurbs and yes it really stinks but at least HM opens by then. I just wasn’t sure if kids going back to school the week I am there would help the crowds. My friend who lives in LA said his kids go back that week. I’m assuming that isn’t true for the whole state of CA though. I’m definitely leaning towards getting LLMP though either way. Our last day is 8/23 which is the first day of the Halloween season so I’m guessing that will be a very busy day.

Your logic makes perfect sense and is the way things used to work. For whatever reason nowadays, kids being in school has little bearing on weekday crowds. The single day ticket calendar pricing is the single most determinative factor of crowds. When the $104 per day price pops up (only on some weekdays) - expect a madhouse. All summer is up over $170, when it's dropped below $150, the crowds have been insane. People are either homeschooling or pulling kids out to take advantage of weekday tickets.

Remember, the people visiting the parks are are often locals or driving in for the day. People might miss one day of school to go to DL. For those of us travelling from out of town on multi-day tickets, the price is the same regardless of what day we visit.

 

[EricaatthePark]

Your logic makes perfect sense and is the way things used to work. For whatever reason nowadays, kids being in school has little bearing on weekday crowds. The single day ticket calendar pricing is the single most determinative factor of crowds. When the $104 per day price pops up (only on some weekdays) - expect a madhouse. All summer is up over $170, when it's dropped below $150, the crowds have been insane. People are either homeschooling or pulling kids out to take advantage of weekday tickets.

Remember, the people visiting the parks are are often locals or driving in for the day. People might miss one day of school to go to DL. For those of us travelling from out of town on multi-day tickets, the price is the same regardless of what day we visit.

I will just echo what OlliePop27 says. They purposely drive traffic to weekdays and it works.
I am from out of town (though have Magic Key) and I often ask in a roundabout way why the kids aren't at school that day and SO MANY people will pull their kids out of school. Especially on a Monday because it is easier to skip work and school and make it a 3-day weekend.
If you can go on a Sunday, it is the best day of the week because of how blockouts work/local vs vacationers. Like nothing with more than a 30 minute wait, especially at Disneyland Park.
If you add LLMP onto that, it is a BREEZE to do everything that you want in the day.
My sister came with us in July for two days, a Friday and a Sunday and even with CHOC Walk, it was so easy to do everything on that Sunday. In 2 days of the park, we missed maybe 3 rides? I know we didn't ride Sky School, Monsters Inc because we prioritized a nap! And then at DL we missed Casey Jr., Pinocchio, and the Canal Boats... but we did ride MMRR twice. Oh, and we didn't make it out to Tom Sawyer's island.

 

[Chili327]

Do we have any experiences with the "new" version? Is there any real differences? (besides the name/logo)
I don't think I've ever really used Genie+ at DLR, so not sure I would notice, but if it's worth it, I may try it in Dec.

 

[Davey Jones II]

We went to DLR on June 5-9th, and that was our first experience using Genie +. I have to say, despite my great skepticism and trepidation, the system worked great for us. We were able to book LL reservations all day. Granted, we got to the park around rope drop every day, so that probably helped. Of course, during the first hour or two of park opening, we didn't need LL much, but we lined em up for later.

I can only hope that the new system works as well on our mid-October WDW trip.

 

[OlliePop27]

Do we have any experiences with the "new" version? Is there any real differences? (besides the name/logo)
I don't think I've ever really used Genie+ at DLR, so not sure I would notice, but if it's worth it, I may try it in Dec.

There is no "new" version. The system at DLR is exactly the same now as when it was called Genie+. At Disneyland, ONLY the name changed, not the way it works or the functionality. The system works really well at DLR, so there was no need for them to change it.

At WDW, both the name AND the functionality changed. The system DID NOT work well there for a variety of reasons.

 

[mrsw94]

Just checking in for some opinions. We are headed to the parks for the weekend in mid-September (taking advantage of the summer promo tickets). We will have less than a 1/2 day Friday (driving down from the Bay Area) and then 2 full days Saturday and Sunday. I'm debating purchasing Gennie+/LLMU for all 3 days, or just getting it for Friday/Saturday. There are 4 of us, and I"m not sure we'd get $120 worth of use out of it on Friday.
Thas being said, how likely is it that the price will be higher than $30/per person on a weekend in September?
Thoughts?

Thanks!!