Just curious what are YOUR Genie+ selection strategies?

[acarsme123]

We will be down next week, peak spring break. This is our first time using Genie+, as we previously felt like we were pretty good experts on the FastPass system....this new system has me nervous. Just curious what your strategies are? With the exception of Wednesday (we are taking that as a sleep in day and going to HS later on in the day), we plan on using early entry every day. We will have two full days at Magic Kingdom, 1 full day and 2 half-days at HS, 1 full day Epcot, and 1 full day AK.

Just curious how you would prioritize everything? I plan on purchasing ILL for the rides that offer them so that we can ride more than once and/or be able to get a time that is later in the day. What rides do you think are best for rope drop (factoring in paying for ILL so that I don't necessarily have to rush to that kind of ride at rope drop and could pick something else), and what are you making as your first regular Genie+ selection?
Thanks.

 

[MonaMN]

No advice, but we will be there next week as well. We are WDW vets but we are bringing first timers. Tentatively planning to do Genie+ most days, even for Epcot and AK just because it will be so crazy that having at least a couple short lines might be worth it.

 

[teachmedis]

I won't have the same level of crowds you'll be dealing with, but it'll get busier as the week goes (I'm going the week leading up to July 4th). Like you, I have quite a bit of time in the parks available to me. With two days in MK, two days HS, 1 and a half at Epcot, and 1 at AK. I won't buy genie for AK.
My plan looks like this:
Day 1: half day at Epcot, wake prior to 7 and book test track--(that's our number one priority), it might not have a late enough time for me then, so I may have to keep checking back, after that my priorities are Frozen and Soarin, anything else we'll call gravy
Day 2: MK, at 7 shoot for the earliest LL available at MK. Whatever it is, then use and book the next closest ride/time. Rope drop sdmt.
Day 3: HS Try to book Slink, Rope drop Rise, from there we'd try for MMRR, MFSR, TSMM--we don't ride Tower, and my kids won't do Rockin Roller coaster so HS is not as huge a headache for us.
Day 4: AK Rope drop FOP
Day 5: Epcot: No Genie, Rope drop Ratatouille
Day 6: Break
Day 7: HS (no plans for Genie) Rope drop Slink
Day 8:MK (no plans for Genie): Rope drop SDMT or Frontierland depending on family preference.
Having more time puts less pressure on the whole trip. I'm pretty confident that even without Genie+ we'll get most everything we want done. Happy Planning!

 

[Tattylou]

I won't have the same level of crowds you'll be dealing with, but it'll get busier as the week goes (I'm going the week leading up to July 4th). Like you, I have quite a bit of time in the parks available to me. With two days in MK, two days HS, 1 and a half at Epcot, and 1 at AK. I won't buy genie for AK.
My plan looks like this:
Day 1: half day at Epcot, wake prior to 7 and book test track--(that's our number one priority), it might not have a late enough time for me then, so I may have to keep checking back, after that my priorities are Frozen and Soarin, anything else we'll call gravy
Day 2: MK, at 7 shoot for the earliest LL available at MK. Whatever it is, then use and book the next closest ride/time. Rope drop sdmt.
Day 3: HS Try to book Slink, Rope drop Rise, from there we'd try for MMRR, MFSR, TSMM--we don't ride Tower, and my kids won't do Rockin Roller coaster so HS is not as huge a headache for us.
Day 4: AK Rope drop FOP
Day 5: Epcot: No Genie, Rope drop Ratatouille
Day 6: Break
Day 7: HS (no plans for Genie) Rope drop Slink
Day 8:MK (no plans for Genie): Rope drop SDMT or Frontierland depending on family preference.
Having more time puts less pressure on the whole trip. I'm pretty confident that even without Genie+ we'll get most everything we want done. Happy Planning!

Fyi we were there in Feb and only Tomorrowland and Fantasyland are open for Early Entry. Not sure if by rope drop you meant early entry or just regular park opening, but Frontierland doesn’t open until regular park opening time. We learned the hard way and had to revamp our plans.

 

[sponica]

My personal strategy is which ride do I hate the standby line the most and get that LL, regardless of the return time

MK (Adventureland/Frontierland day)- Jungle Cruise
MK (Fantasyland/Tomorrowland Day) - Space Mt because we have to rider swap, but ordinarily I would pick Peter Pan
DHS- Slinky Dog
Epcot- Frozen

 

[asuburbanman]

Double post

 

[asuburbanman]

My personal strategy is which ride do I hate the standby line the most and get that LL, regardless of the return time

MK (Adventureland/Frontierland day)- Jungle Cruise
MK (Fantasyland/Tomorrowland Day) - Space Mt because we have to rider swap, but ordinarily I would pick Peter Pan
DHS- Slinky Dog
Epcot- Frozen

Do they let the older child go twice for rider swap with a LL reservation? Even though they only have “one” reservation?

 

[cutigerlady]

Be prepared with alternatives when you RD and find out that the ride you want is down! Was there over Columbus Day/Winter break week and it was so frustrating that none of our plans worked as we hoped! So many rides closed during EE or at RD and then at various times throughout the day for headliner rides.

 

[sponica]

Do they let the older child go twice for rider swap with a LL reservation? Even though they only have “one” reservation?

I think the best I can tell is that it would be like that. All riding members need a LL reservation and then the waiting party member can bring one person from the original party with them? Or I certainly hope so, as I really don't want to ride by myself

 

[teachmedis]

Fyi we were there in Feb and only Tomorrowland and Fantasyland are open for Early Entry. Not sure if by rope drop you meant early entry or just regular park opening, but Frontierland doesn’t open until regular park opening time. We learned the hard way and had to revamp our plans.

Thank you!

 

[isabellea]

DHS: first G+ for SDD and first ride MMRR at EE
AK: not sure if we are getting G+
EPCOT: first G+ for TT and first ride Frozen at EE (arriving from IG)
MK: first G+ for earliest return time possible and first ride Space

 

[pfeifer1990]

At 7 am can you make a LL reservation (example SDD) and a ILL reservation (example MMRR0)?
In other words, can you have LL and ILL reservations at the same time (of coursefor different times)?

 

[mab2012]

At 7 am can you make a LL reservation (example SDD) and a ILL reservation (example MMRR0)?
In other words, can you have LL and ILL reservations at the same time (of coursefor different times)?

Yes

 

[MainMom]

At 7 am can you make a LL reservation (example SDD) and a ILL reservation (example MMRR0)?
In other words, can you have LL and ILL reservations at the same time (of coursefor different times)?

Yes, you can. Just a note, MMRR is no longer an ILL it’s a regular LL until 8/7. Space Mountain & Frozen are also now regular LL.

 

[pfeifer1990]

Yes, you can. Just a note, MMRR is no longer an ILL it’s a regular LL until 8/7. Space Mountain & Frozen are also now regular LL.

Used the wrong initials I meant Rise of the Resistance. lol

 

[MainMom]

Used the wrong initials I meant Rise of the Resistance. lol

It’s hard to keep it all straight.

 

[HydroGuy]

At 7 am can you make a LL reservation (example SDD) and a ILL reservation (example MMRR0)?
In other words, can you have LL and ILL reservations at the same time (of coursefor different times)?

It sounds like you would benefit from the structured discussion in the first post of the sticky thread on G+ and ILL:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/e...lightning-lane-please-read-posts-1-7.3856734/

 

[Brett Wyman]

1. Be up at the 6:50 or earlier to get that first selection(don't forget ILLs if you are doing one of those).
2. Get to the parks prior to rope drop. Hopefully taking advantage of the on site 30 minute entry.
3. If your first lightning lane is before 11am(on a 9am park opening) get to it as early as allows so you can immediately book your next selection. If its after 11am make sure to book your second at 11am sharp.
4. What happens next largely depends on what times you get for each LL. Just always make sure to get the next after 2 hours has past or immediately upon swiping into a ride.

Sadly it does not make for a relaxed day for the person in charge of LL management.

If you aren't an early riser and don't want to get to the parks in the morning, then seriously don't buy G+.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I don't crisscross within parks, so that plays a big factor in how I plan days. I'm not going to add 15 minutes of walking to save 15 minutes of queue time. So I chop everything up into "geographic" sections. So Magic Kingdom West day would look something like rope drop Big Thunder, Genie+ Splash, standby Pirates, Genie+ Jungle Cruise, standby Tiki Room, standby Carpets, lunch at Pecos Bill's, Country Bears, Genie+ Haunted Mansion, then back to the resort for an afternoon break. I wouldn't even set foot in Fantasyland or Tomorrowland that day.