The Genie Usage, Tips and Strategy ONLY Thread

[mom2cinderella]

If they all have their tickets linked on their MDE why wouldn’t they be able to buy the ROTR at 7:00 as long as it’s all the same day?

The kids/spouses are staying offsite. I’d assume if mom & dad tried to buy an IAS at 7, the others would show up as ineligible.

 

[maryj11]

The kids/spouses are staying offsite. I’d assume if mom & dad tried to buy an IAS at 7, the others would show up as ineligible.

Oh okay yeah they cannot book theirs til opening. There wouldn’t be any available by then .

 

[princesswahooey]

I could have but I'm dead lol. I did ride Everest a couple more times in the dark.

We love going on Everest at night. Right before closing, even during busy weeks, we somehow manage to ride several times with minimal wait. You must be tired. What a crazy week!

 

[princesswahooey]

To recap my genie+ and $LL use in animal kingdom:

I paid and booked for FOP. But I didn't try to rope drop today. I woke up at 7, booked it for noon and then went back to sleep. I got to the park about 930-10.

I also paid for Everest which was completly unnecessary. 1. Waits dropped significantly after about 4pm and I used single rider line to ride over and over again.

when I went to book my first Genie+ I wanted to get Navi River. But the times weren't going later. So I went back to sleep and booked it around 9am for an 11am return time .

the next one I booked was The Safari. I don't remember exactly when I booked it but I do remember watching the times until it got where I wanted iit. But then it went down during my return time and I got a multiple experience one. I ended it up using it on safari later.

I used a genie+ for Dinosaur. The standby was only 20 mins.

I used a genie+ for lion king. I arrived about 15 mins before the show. The standby was kinda long but I don't see any value in genie+ for this.. it doesn't give you better seats.. just in the theater sooner.. idk.

so after that there really isn't anything else worth a genie+ in AK. I did the animation thing first show this morning. Walked right in. Also I came in later in the morning but looking at the wait times at open today... genie+ helped me most because I came to the park later. The waits for everythjng stayed really low until about 9am this morning and then dropped down again about 4pm.

you don't need genie+ for AK. Rope drop FOP and Navi and then work your way around the park. Save Everest for the evening. I think you could do a whole day with no $LL or genie+

This also concludes all parks for me and here are my biggest things:

the free genie is useless and annoying. The my day page drives me nuts because it puts reccomdationd into my day and I just want to see what I have booked. I did like adding things like shows I wanted to see (kite tails is super fun BTW) to that page. It just felt cluttered. I also do not like that when you book something it puts your time on the my day page but not the tip board. The ride will say you have this booked but will display the next genie+ time not the time you have booked. That's on the my day page. It confused me a couple of times.

Genie is 100% useful in DHS even if you can "only" get 2-3. Use it in combo with rope drop. I personally think it's better to get quick return times then book SDD for way out into the evening. Folks who book Late ones can't book another until 11- but if you had an earlier return time- say 930- then when you scan in you will be able to book a second right then- not at 11.

I feel like the only necessary $LL is Rise.

Remy's virtual que is now Just a call back to get in a long-ish standby line. Priority is going to $LL

if your party can utilize single rider do so.

the 7am wake up kinda stinks. Stacking for later morning and evening only works if the return times are getting further out which I only say really happen in DHS and MK.

final thought: cast members are still learning too. My whole Everest turned multiple expirence confused many of them and I got 4 different answers about how it's used.

will I used Genie+ again? Yes. And I'll probably continue to add it to our whole ticket because honestly it was handy sometimes. However with the whole family (4 of us) we would be much more selective of those $LL. I would probably only use it for Rise. Maybe SDMT if I didn't get it rope dropped.

I appreciate everyone on these boards because it helped me so much. I've had an amazing trip. I am at MK in the morning before my flight and my only priority there is coffee, the castle, and a ride on the people mover.

Thank you so much for the detailed reviews every day. Helps a ton for the people like myself planning on going around Christmas when it will be busy crowds like your trip.

 

[nurseberta]

If your flight is at 7:05, you will still be on the ground at 7:00. Can you use your data and save purchasing wifi unless you push back from the gate super early?

Possibly, but I’m planning Epcot for a 1-2pm arrival so I may have to wait out test-track to get the time in the afternoon that I want crowd level 3-5 that week but anything is possible

 

[Bullseye]

Really wish there was a sticky for Genie+ and ILL that was all encompassing like Mesaboy2 used to maintain for FP+. The first eight pages were just how to use the system, tips and tricks, and various other information.

 

[mdinme]

Great post thanks.

To recap my genie+ and $LL use in animal kingdom:

I paid and booked for FOP. But I didn't try to rope drop today. I woke up at 7, booked it for noon and then went back to sleep. I got to the park about 930-10.

I also paid for Everest which was completly unnecessary. 1. Waits dropped significantly after about 4pm and I used single rider line to ride over and over again.

when I went to book my first Genie+ I wanted to get Navi River. But the times weren't going later. So I went back to sleep and booked it around 9am for an 11am return time .

the next one I booked was The Safari. I don't remember exactly when I booked it but I do remember watching the times until it got where I wanted iit. But then it went down during my return time and I got a multiple experience one. I ended it up using it on safari later.

I used a genie+ for Dinosaur. The standby was only 20 mins.

I used a genie+ for lion king. I arrived about 15 mins before the show. The standby was kinda long but I don't see any value in genie+ for this.. it doesn't give you better seats.. just in the theater sooner.. idk.

so after that there really isn't anything else worth a genie+ in AK. I did the animation thing first show this morning. Walked right in. Also I came in later in the morning but looking at the wait times at open today... genie+ helped me most because I came to the park later. The waits for everythjng stayed really low until about 9am this morning and then dropped down again about 4pm.

you don't need genie+ for AK. Rope drop FOP and Navi and then work your way around the park. Save Everest for the evening. I think you could do a whole day with no $LL or genie+

This also concludes all parks for me and here are my biggest things:

the free genie is useless and annoying. The my day page drives me nuts because it puts reccomdationd into my day and I just want to see what I have booked. I did like adding things like shows I wanted to see (kite tails is super fun BTW) to that page. It just felt cluttered. I also do not like that when you book something it puts your time on the my day page but not the tip board. The ride will say you have this booked but will display the next genie+ time not the time you have booked. That's on the my day page. It confused me a couple of times.

Genie is 100% useful in DHS even if you can "only" get 2-3. Use it in combo with rope drop. I personally think it's better to get quick return times then book SDD for way out into the evening. Folks who book Late ones can't book another until 11- but if you had an earlier return time- say 930- then when you scan in you will be able to book a second right then- not at 11.

I feel like the only necessary $LL is Rise.

Remy's virtual que is now Just a call back to get in a long-ish standby line. Priority is going to $LL

if your party can utilize single rider do so.

the 7am wake up kinda stinks. Stacking for later morning and evening only works if the return times are getting further out which I only say really happen in DHS and MK.

final thought: cast members are still learning too. My whole Everest turned multiple expirence confused many of them and I got 4 different answers about how it's used.

will I used Genie+ again? Yes. And I'll probably continue to add it to our whole ticket because honestly it was handy sometimes. However with the whole family (4 of us) we would be much more selective of those $LL. I would probably only use it for Rise. Maybe SDMT if I didn't get it rope dropped.

I appreciate everyone on these boards because it helped me so much. I've had an amazing trip. I am at MK in the morning before my flight and my only priority there is coffee, the castle, and a ride on the people mover.

 

[mickey916]

Really wish there was a sticky for Genie+ and ILL that was all encompassing like Mesaboy2 used to maintain for FP+. The first eight pages were just how to use the system, tips and tricks, and various other information.
View attachment 627415

One has been started and pinned but it's still labeled a "work in progress".

 

[evilqueenmindy]

Has anyone purchased the paid lightning lane on the morning of check-in? Will it let you book at 7am?

 

[Lsdolphin]

Ok...another stupid question: how do you “refresh” genie+?

 

[GBRforWDW]

Ok...another stupid question: how do you “refresh” genie+?

The tip board can be refreshed a couple different ways.

You can pull down when at the top of the screen and release to refresh.

Some phones refresh just by clicking the Tip Board tab at the top.

If you're looking at a specific ride but don't have it pinned, you can click the ride name, then the LL icon on the ride details page will take you right back to your spot on the tip board while simultaneously refreshing.

 

[LibrarianBecky]

Hello everyone!

I"m looking for opinions on whether it will be 'worth it' to purchase Genie+ for our upcoming April 2022 trip. Here's some information to set the scene: We're going April 8-15, so spring break. We have a party of 3--myself, my husband, and our 15 year old son. We've been to Disney about a half dozen times, we are rope droppers, and we were good at using FP+(so my family is spoiled and never had to wait very long for their favorites). We are staying offsite.

We haven't purchased tickets yet, but would like to do so soon, so that we can book park reservations. Part of me thinks that I'd like to just add Genie+ at the beginning and be done with it, but even just for three people, it is nearly $300 for six park days. Not our biggest Disney expense, but also enough to make me consider if it is worth adding for every day of our trip. I know we will want it for Magic Kingdom and probably Hollywood Studios, but I'm just not sure the value is there for us for AK and Epcot. I'm considering just adding it for individual days. If I do that, I would have to purchase it through MDE on the day of--is that correct? Since I can't book my first LL until park opening, since we are offsite, I don't think that necessarily sets me back anything. I am up early because of rope drop. I purchase Genie+ on the day we want it, rope drop our park, and then book our first LL pass as soon as the park opens. Does that seem like a reasonable plan? Would love to get some input from my fellow Disney fan! Thank you!

 

[GBRforWDW]

If I do that, I would have to purchase it through MDE on the day of--is that correct?

This is correct.

Since I can't book my first LL until park opening, since we are offsite,

Disney won't sell out of Genie+ itself, so doesn't hurt to wait until day of and only buy if you want to. Sometimes on the busiest weeks, it's good to have every day, but not necessary.

For Genie+ LL's you select your first at 7am regardless of where you're staying. It's the rides with the individual cost, the ILL$ attractions that can't be booked until park opening for offsite guests.

Also, only onsite guests are able to enter the park before official Opening now.

 

[Sandy Bickhart]

Party of 10 +toddler going in March. On the fence about purchasing the Genie+ when I order my tickets from Sam's Club. Should I just wait to purchase when we are there? We are there a full 6 days. I'm thinking the only place I would use Genie+ is at HS and MK. We are staying off site, and from what I've read, ILL$ may not even be available by 9am. Our groups must do is RotR, so just do in the evening when it's not so crowded???

 

[katyringo]

If they all have their tickets linked on their MDE why wouldn’t they be able to buy the ROTR at 7:00 as long as it’s all the same day?

They will come up and ineligible due to not being at a Disney resort.

 

[princesswahooey]

Hello everyone!

I"m looking for opinions on whether it will be 'worth it' to purchase Genie+ for our upcoming April 2022 trip. Here's some information to set the scene: We're going April 8-15, so spring break. We have a party of 3--myself, my husband, and our 15 year old son. We've been to Disney about a half dozen times, we are rope droppers, and we were good at using FP+(so my family is spoiled and never had to wait very long for their favorites). We are staying offsite.

We haven't purchased tickets yet, but would like to do so soon, so that we can book park reservations. Part of me thinks that I'd like to just add Genie+ at the beginning and be done with it, but even just for three people, it is nearly $300 for six park days. Not our biggest Disney expense, but also enough to make me consider if it is worth adding for every day of our trip. I know we will want it for Magic Kingdom and probably Hollywood Studios, but I'm just not sure the value is there for us for AK and Epcot. I'm considering just adding it for individual days. If I do that, I would have to purchase it through MDE on the day of--is that correct? Since I can't book my first LL until park opening, since we are offsite, I don't think that necessarily sets me back anything. I am up early because of rope drop. I purchase Genie+ on the day we want it, rope drop our park, and then book our first LL pass as soon as the park opens. Does that seem like a reasonable plan? Would love to get some input from my fellow Disney fan! Thank you!

Your family sounds like ours. One thing, though. Now that every park opens early for resort guests, rope dropping will not give you quite the advantage it once did if you are off site. You can forget headliners, for sure. At least with Genie+ you can at least score 1 coveted ride.

Also, on a busy week if it were me, I might just book the G+ for the whole trip because I have heard people's IT frustrations sometimes buying in the AM and then you risk not being ready for 7am selection process.

I hate to say it, but $300 is like a sit down meal for a family if 3. If you can afford it, I would save yourself the stress.

 

[g-dad66]

Party of 10 +toddler going in March. On the fence about purchasing the Genie+ when I order my tickets from Sam's Club. Should I just wait to purchase when we are there? We are there a full 6 days. I'm thinking the only place I would use Genie+ is at HS and MK. We are staying off site, and from what I've read, ILL$ may not even be available by 9am. Our groups must do is RotR, so just do in the evening when it's not so crowded???

We did not buy them in advance for our last trip, because we knew we wouldn't want Genie+ for every day.

Only took a couple of extra minutes to purchase Genie+ before booking first LL at 7am.

 

[goofynut41]

Want your opinion please! We are early park people and NOT late People... WE usually only stay in the park half day and go back to resort to rest or pool and maybe hop to another park for early evening and occasion fireworks.. How do I use Genie+ an LL? do I need them? We are most interested in Star wars because we have not done them... Thank You

 

[BrotherCraig]

Want your opinion please! We are early park people and NOT late People... WE usually only stay in the park half day and go back to resort to rest or pool and maybe hop to another park for early evening and occasion fireworks.. How do I use Genie+ an LL? do I need them? We are most interested in Star wars because we have not done them... Thank You

If you want to do the star wars rides, I highly recommend Genie+. Is it needed? No. You can rope drop ROTR and get on MFSR right after. Genie+ makes it easier but you might get a later return time for ROTR. Have to go with your gut feeling. Genie+ will get you on a lot more rides that is for sure early in the day.

 

[HeiHei2018]

Hello everyone!

I"m looking for opinions on whether it will be 'worth it' to purchase Genie+ for our upcoming April 2022 trip. Here's some information to set the scene: We're going April 8-15, so spring break. We have a party of 3--myself, my husband, and our 15 year old son. We've been to Disney about a half dozen times, we are rope droppers, and we were good at using FP+(so my family is spoiled and never had to wait very long for their favorites). We are staying offsite.

Part of me thinks that I'd like to just add Genie+ at the beginning and be done with it, but even just for three people, it is nearly $300 for six park days. Not our biggest Disney expense, but also enough to make me consider if it is worth adding for every day of our trip. I know we will want it for Magic Kingdom and probably Hollywood Studios, but I'm just not sure the value is there for us for AK and Epcot. I'm considering just adding it for individual days.

It is possible that Disney will raise the price of Genie+ at some point, so buying for all days now might not be that much more expensive than buying for individual days if the price jumps to $25 per day. (Price increase is pure conjecture at this point, but it seems likely given the popularity and lack of ride availability during Thanks.)