Showing up early afternoon to HS

[DisneyGuy]

We are arriving on 1/8 and are going to HS that day. I was already able to get a Fantasmic ADR which was a big priority but I am concerned about wait times for rides. Not doing Genie+ on this day as I feel we’ll already be behind and our flight leaves at 7:00am (hopefully!) we really just want to do a few rides (TOT, M&M, Slinky) so I’m preparing to wait in some long lines but I’m hoping it’s not too bad. Just a little concerned showing up late without Genie+ and not sure what to expect.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

It is likely to be a very busy day as the holiday travelers wind down and the marathon weekend crowds are still there. Getting the dining package for Fantasmic was smart. I expect Slinky and M&M will have very long lines, and TOT won't be far behind. But since you're not certain when you'll be arriving in Orlando and when you'll get to HS, I see it could be tough to work out a G+ schedule. But if you could somehow work that in while traveling, you might be able to snag a couple well-placed LLs for the afternoon and enjoy more attractions. If not, it seems unlikely you'll be doing all 3 on your list, along with dinner and Fantasmic. Hope your travels are safe and on time!

 

[coasternut22]

Look at the app today or any other day at 2pm EST. The wait times on 1/8 will look just like those.

 

[gorkt]

I am planning on going to MK on 1/8 in the evening only, and I am going to get Genie + to stack rides, even though we will only be there in the evening for about 6 hours max. If I start stacking at 7am, I should have 5 rides ready to go for the evening when I arrive at MK at 5pm or so. But if it were an actual arrival day where I were travelling by plane, I would not pay the money because of potential flight delays. I am just coming from Universal.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I am planning on going to MK on 1/8 in the evening only, and I am going to get Genie + to stack rides, even though we will only be there in the evening for about 6 hours max. If I start stacking at 7am, I should have 5 rides ready to go for the evening when I arrive at MK at 5pm or so. But if it were an actual arrival day where I were travelling by plane, I would not pay the money because of potential flight delays. I am just coming from Universal.

The only slight flaw in that otherwise good plan is the timing of the LL you can get with G+. Since they're 'next time available' for booking, you're going to have to wait until later in the morning to grab your first one that will be after 5PM. I find the lack of selecting a time frame with G+ an even worse feature than paying for it - just my opinion! On the other hand, the original fastpass was a system where you could only get the next available time, too - so it's all part of the park experience and strategies. Good luck with your stacking. With larger crowds, the return times for some of the attractions will likely move along quickly.

 

[gorkt]

The only slight flaw in that otherwise good plan is the timing of the LL you can get with G+. Since they're 'next time available' for booking, you're going to have to wait until later in the morning to grab your first one that will be after 5PM. I find the lack of selecting a time frame with G+ an even worse feature than paying for it - just my opinion! On the other hand, the original fastpass was a system where you could only get the next available time, too - so it's all part of the park experience and strategies. Good luck with your stacking. With larger crowds, the return times for some of the attractions will likely move along quickly.

But now that you can edit without cancelling, can't you just refresh to get a better time for the rides you want? My plan was to go after BTMRR since that is the only day during my trip I can ride it, and keep editting it ( and whatever else I grab) to get later times.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

You are correct. I keep forgetting about that feature now, and haven't had a chance to use it. That should definitely improve the options! Maybe you can let us know next week how that worked!!

 

[DisneyGuy]

I’d buy Genie but I do worry about flight delays and cancellations. I’m preparing myself that we won’t really get to do much. I know it’s the last day of the marathon so I figured it will still be busy.

We have Genie+ for the second half of our trip - we have the two days left from when the parks were closed from the hurricane and those tickets had Genie+ on it already. I didn’t want to waste one of those days on our arrival day in case of delays. I think we’re just going to have to be really patient lol.

 

[loves to dive]

I've been twice since Genie+ started and haven't bought it either time. I have no problems popping into HS around 4 or so and riding two or three rides, depending on when the park closes and grabbing something to eat at HBD lounge. Yes, you will probably be waiting in lines but depending on what time of day your arrive and how late the park stays open, SSD might be the only problem. ToT is only running one side, not sure when that will end so lines for it are long. If you going to the later Fantasmic, you should be able to get the three rides you want in.

 

[DisneyGuy]

Our Fantasmic lunch is at 3:15, show at 8:00. I’m hoping to get to the park by 12:00pm.

 

[Orsino]

If your 7am flight is eastern time, it can actually work well for genie+. My last trip in November, I had a 7am departure. I waited until I was on the plane to buy genie+. In other words, no delays to worry about as we were actually on the plane.
I booked slinky at 7am on the dot and had to refresh once or twice to get the time to after 12pm( I got 1:35) Then I turned off my phone for the flight.

We landed just before 10:30am and I booked the next genie LL in the terminal. I booked MMRR for 1:30.

 

[DisneyGuy]

If your 7am flight is eastern time, it can actually work well for genie+. My last trip in November, I had a 7am departure. I waited until I was on the plane to buy genie+. In other words, no delays to worry about as we were actually on the plane.
I booked slinky at 7am on the dot and had to refresh once or twice to get the time to after 12pm( I got 1:35) Then I turned off my phone for the flight.

We landed just before 10:30am and I booked the next genie LL in the terminal. I booked MMRR for 1:30.

I’ve considered this, I just hope that if I buy it at 7, I don’t have to shut off my phone before getting that first Genie+. I’m pretty fast with the app though. It would help out to have it.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I’ve considered this, I just hope that if I buy it at 7, I don’t have to shut off my phone before getting that first Genie+. I’m pretty fast with the app though. It would help out to have it.

I’ve done this also but had a 7:15 departure so a bit more of a window. If it helps, you do not need to turn your phone completely off so will have wifi almost until you leave the tarmac. I switch into airplane mode once taxiing.

 

[Orsino]

I’ve considered this, I just hope that if I buy it at 7, I don’t have to shut off my phone before getting that first Genie+. I’m pretty fast with the app though. It would help out to have it.

I waited until 6:57AM to buy. We made it a last minute Go - NoGo decision. Based on what is going on around you, you will have a sense of how much time you have.

 

[DisneyGuy]

I may play it by ear and see how we are progressing as far as taking off that morning goes - hopefully on time!

 

[DisneyGuy]

I’m thinking if I do Genie+ I should try for SDD first for around 1:00pm. Once we arrive then go for TOT or M&M - hopefully at least one would still be available. If we get at least two LL’s I’d be happy with that. Our day is pretty open except for the Fantasmic ADR/show.