The Genie Usage, Tips and Strategy ONLY Thread

[MikeandReneePlus5]

Under the old paper FP system a paper FP would be honored at any time after the window opened. So you could pull one for 10-11am but it would be honored at 4pm.

Is that the case with G+

 

[elgerber]

Under the old paper FP system a paper FP would be honored at any time after the window opened. So you could pull one for 10-11am but it would be honored at 4pm.

Is that the case with G+

No it is not. It was also not the case with FP for several years. They closed that loophole eventually.

 

[mrd7896]

wow thank you!!!!

 

[GatorChris]

This has probably been asked. When I want to get Genie+, do I have to wait until the day of to get it? When I use the app, it says, "Get Disney Genie+ for Today." Then there's a window that doesn't look like I can purchase it.

Does this mean I have to decide each day if I should get Genie+? Buy it pre-7am and then start getting those FP/LLs, right?

And for my money, the Disneyland MaxPass would've been way better. Buy it all before hand. Get a FP only once you're in the park. Now it's a free-for-all at 7am. Such a pain.

 

[scrappinginontario]

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".

I tried to create one but the information seems to change often and, so much of it is work-arounds that honestly, it is overwhelming to create. I could continue the one I started and it would basically be what Disney says on it's website but every day people are saying their experience is different.

I knew FP+ inside out but it ran well and consistently. Genie + does not seem to be that way, at least not yet. The first week alone we had over 2,000 new posts on the 'Genie Announcement' thread and this one is now over 2,000 posts also.

For those who have used Genie +, if I created a basic 'to do' guide based on the information Disney has published, would it be beneficial? Or, is it truly as complicated and challenging to use as it appears to be? Is there an easy A-B-C process?

I haven't been in the parks since it was introduced so weeding through 4,000+ posts (just in 2 threads alone let alone the hundred+ Genie sub-threads) is completely overwhelming!!!

Trust me, I WANT to create an 'Everything Genie +' thread but am not sure it's possible to create based on the myriad of feedback published by those who have used the system.

 

[emilymad]

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

This is us. We are at Disney now and so far we have chosen to not buy G+. It was just too stressful to figure out the return times when we only do mornings/evenings and not the middle of the day. We have taken advantage of the onsite early hours which has worked really well.

We bought ILL for ROTR and Remy. It was completely worth it for ROTR. Remy we bought since it is a new ride and we wanted a specific time. It saved us about 30 minutes in line. I wouldn't buy this one again.

Crowd levels are in the 3-5 range so our opinions would maybe be different if it was more crowded. So far, we haven't waited more than 30 minutes in any line but we have gotten there early and had a plan. The Touring Plans Lines app has been great for us. We have been using that and almost never the Disney app.

We may buy G+ for the MK tomorrow more to try it out while we hear than anything else.

I will say that the Epcot late opening has majorly messed with our usual mornings/evenings plan. My fault for not planning only evenings there so just something to keep in mind.

 

[katyringo]

Well I'm at the airport.. boooo. But one more report as I did do MK this morning.

I'm a sucker and bought SDMT because .. well.... I didn't rope drop and I probably won't be back to DisneyWorld for a long while.

I booked thunder mountain for 9:20.

I arrived at 8am. Got Starbucks. Took some pictures. Watched the castle show. Got some food. Just real chill.

tapped into thunder and booked Mansion for like 1030..
Standby pirates 20 mins
Time for for mansion- booked buzz
Rode people mover
Rode buzz. Didn't book anything after that.
rode mine train with $LL

then I just enjoyed MK- calvacades, dapper dans, some shopping, Winnie the Pooh characters, Columbia harbor house. Got a caramel apple to go. And then goodbye Disney. So Genie+ wise I used 3 LL's aby 11 and could have done more.

MK felt packed. It's time to start thinking about the parks and crowds in pre Covid ways.

this is also just a recommendation for mobile ordering and mobile checkout in the stores. If I'm gonna be on my phone anyway.. I used it for everything this trip and it deff saved me time.

 

[g-dad66]

I tried to create one but the information seems to change often and, so much of it is work-arounds that honestly, it is overwhelming to create. I could continue the one I started and it would basically be what Disney says on it's website but every day people are saying their experience is different.

I knew FP+ inside out but it ran well and consistently. Genie + does not seem to be that way, at least not yet. The first week alone we had over 2,000 new posts on the 'Genie Announcement' thread and this one is now over 2,000 posts also.

For those who have used Genie +, if I created a basic 'to do' guide based on the information Disney has published, would it be beneficial? Or, is it truly as complicated and challenging to use as it appears to be? Is there an easy A-B-C process or, is it really as complicated as it appears to be?

I haven't been in the parks since it was introduced so weeding through 4,000+ posts (just in 2 threads alone let alone the hundred+ Genie sub-threads) is completely overwhelming!!!

I suspect a sticky with the basics would answer a lot of questions. Now that some loopholes have been closed, the process seems to be much clearer than it was at first.

Here are some things that might be included:

1 - Genie+ has a daily fee, but does not give Lightning Lane access to all attractions. Lightning Lane is simply the new name for the Fast Pass Lane.
2 - ILL$ is the name for the extra pay attractions (currently 2 of them in each park)
3 - Genie+ can be purchased in advance for all days of a resort stay. For individual days it must be purchased day-of (can be purchased as early as midnight)
4 - Genie+ allows selection of first Lightning Lane attraction at 7am for everyone
5 - ILL$ allows purchase of 2 extra pay attraction Lighting Lane access at 7am for WDW resort guests only; non-resort guests cannot purchase until park opens
6 - ILL$ allows you to pick the desired time for the attaction; Genie+ only allows you to pick the next available time
7 - When using Genie+ to see next available time, you can refresh to hope for an earlier or later time; occasionally earlier times will pop up.
8 - When you make a choice, the time MAY CHANGE (usually to a later time) by the time you hit the Confirm screen, so be attentive!
9 - You cannot modify a time once who have confirmed; the only way to pick a different time is to cancel what you have and then rebook
10 - You can have LL access only once per attraction
11 - Genie+ will tell you when you are next eligible for a LL. You are eligible EITHER (a) 2 hours after park opens, or (b) when you double-tap into the LL you most recently booked (if sooner than 2 hours)
12 - Speed is important for a few 7am bookings; pinning the desired attraction to the top of the attraction list is helpful (explanation needed for how to pin it there)
13 - Play around with the Tip Board before your trip to get an idea of how it works

Information needed for park-hopping to 2nd park, but we never parkhop, so I haven't really been following those procedures.

Questions about who all can be booked probably need to be addressed (everyone linked in the Friends list etc.?, everyone must have park reservation). You can select different attractions for different people (just like for FP+)

I'm sure there are other basics that I'm not thinking of off the top of my head, but I hope these suggestions are of some help. Also, I'm sure I've said some things that need correction or further explanation.

 

[Ensusieasm]

This has probably been asked. When I want to get Genie+, do I have to wait until the day of to get it? When I use the app, it says, "Get Disney Genie+ for Today." Then there's a window that doesn't look like I can purchase it.

Does this mean I have to decide each day if I should get Genie+? Buy it pre-7am and then start getting those FP/LLs, right?

And for my money, the Disneyland MaxPass would've been way better. Buy it all before hand. Get a FP only once you're in the park. Now it's a free-for-all at 7am. Such a pain.

Yes, you decide to buy Genie+ each day beginning at midnight.
Or you could add it to all the days of your ticket beforehand.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I suspect a sticky with the basics would answer a lot of questions. Now that some loopholes have been closed, the process seems to be much clearer than it was at first.

Here are some things that might be included:

1 - Genie+ has a daily fee, but does not give Lightning Lane access to all attractions. Lightning Lane is simply the new name for the Fast Pass Lane.
2 - ILL$ is the name for the extra pay attractions (currently 2 of them in each park)
3 - Genie+ can be purchased in advance for all days of a resort stay. For individual days it must be purchased day-of (can be purchased as early as midnight)
4 - Genie+ allows selection of first Lightning Lane attraction at 7am for everyone
5 - ILL$ allows purchase of 2 extra pay attraction Lighting Lane access at 7am for WDW resort guests only; non-resort guests cannot purchase until park opens
6 - ILL$ allows you to pick the desired time for the attaction; Genie+ only allows you to pick the next available time
7 - When using Genie+ to see next available time, you can refresh to hope for an earlier or later time; occasionally earlier times will pop up.
8 - When you make a choice, the time MAY CHANGE (usually to a later time) by the time you hit the Confirm screen, so be attentive!
9 - You cannot modify a time once who have confirmed; the only way to pick a different time is to cancel what you have and then rebook
10 - You can have LL access only once per attraction
11 - Genie+ will tell you when you are next eligible for a LL. You are eligible EITHER (a) 2 hours after park opens, or (b) when you double-tap into the LL you most recently booked (if sooner than 2 hours)
12 - Speed is important for a few 7am bookings; pinning the desired attraction to the top of the attraction list is helpful (explanation needed for how to pin it there)
13 - Play around with the Tip Board before your trip to get an idea of how it works

Information needed for park-hopping to 2nd park, but we never parkhop, so I haven't really been following those procedures.

Questions about who all can be booked probably need to be addressed (everyone linked in the Friends list etc.?, everyone must have park reservation). You can select different attractions for different people (just like for FP+)

I'm sure there are other basics that I'm not thinking of off the top of my head, but I hope these suggestions are of some help. Also, I'm sure I've said some things that need correction or further explanation.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!! This is a huge help to get me started!! I will use the information you've provided above and try to enhance (and unlock) the 'Everything Genie +' thread so that hopefully some of the basic questions that get asked often can be answered.

Greatly appreciate your help with this @g-dad66!

 

[CarolynFH]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!! This is a huge help to get me started!! I will use the information you've provided above and try to enhance (and unlock) the 'Everything Genie +' thread so that hopefully some of the basic questions that get asked often can be answered.

Greatly appreciate your help with this @g-dad66!

I agree with @g-dad66. The difficulty I've found with the existing threads, which I've watched since the beginning (but admittedly have skipped pages at times), is that there's no post at or near the start of the thread that's updated when something changes OR that I can point someone to when they ask a question that's been answered before. So I agree that something with the basic steps as well as answers to the questions that come up over and over (can I book for everyone in my F&F list at one time, can I buy G+ and book LL/ILL$ before I arrive at WDW) would be great. Also what the issues are with buying G+ for people with different types of tickets - do you have to buy G+ for all those with MYW tickets in one transaction, then buy G+ for the ones who have APs in a separate transaction? - I honestly don't know what the answer is for that one, despite pretty much keeping up with these threads so far, but I know it was a problem at some point!

 

[scrappinginontario]

I agree with @g-dad66. The difficulty I've found with the existing threads, which I've watched since the beginning (but admittedly have skipped pages at times), is that there's no post at or near the start of the thread that's updated when something changes OR that I can point someone to when they ask a question that's been answered before. So I agree that something with the basic steps as well as answers to the questions that come up over and over (can I book for everyone in my F&F list at one time, can I buy G+ and book LL/ILL$ before I arrive at WDW) would be great. Also what the issues are with buying G+ for people with different types of tickets - do you have to buy G+ for all those with MYW tickets in one transaction, then buy G+ for the ones who have APs in a separate transaction? - I honestly don't know what the answer is for that one, despite pretty much keeping up with these threads so far, but I know it was a problem at some point!

Do you have answers to those? I'm happy to include them but need to know what the answers are to include them in the post.

Thanks!

 

[g-dad66]

Do you have answers to those? I'm happy to include them but need to know what the answers are to include them in the post.

Thanks!

We don't have APs. Hopefully some AP-holders might be able to suggest some things that AP-holders need to know.

 

[CarolynFH]

Do you have answers to those? I'm happy to include them but need to know what the answers are to include them in the post.

Thanks!

That's a good question.

I believe a guest can book for everyone in their F&F list, as long as everyone has the requisite tickets and park pass reservations for the booking they're trying to make - IOW I don't think there's a limit on the number of people you can book for at the same time.

I know that it's not necessary to be at WDW to buy G+ or to book G+LL or buy ILL$.

I do not know the answer about buying G+ when F&F members have a mix of ticket types - so I hope that someone will come along and answer that question, as well as confirm the answers I've given you!

Good luck!

 

[katyringo]

Ohhhh another thing..

I am not sure if this happened with FP+ because I never used it.. but there was continuously a back up at the LL entrances to rides where folks scan. Like they had to create rope lines there due to the back ups, but once you got to the scan part it was wide open. I observed this being caused by 1. Folks not using both sides to scan. 2. Big groups giving all their magic bands or tickets to one person and then standing there waiting. 3. Errors or guest mistake at the scan and the clogging and blocking the line while they problem solved with the cast member and 4. More folks not using magic bands but tickets to scan. I would get to a ride and wonder why the lightning lane line was so long just to realize it was only a back up at the first scanner.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Under the old paper FP system a paper FP would be honored at any time after the window opened. So you could pull one for 10-11am but it would be honored at 4pm.

Is that the case with G+

No. There's a grace period but we don't have confirmation that it's any longer then 15 minutes or so.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Ohhhh another thing..

I am not sure if this happened with FP+ because I never used it.. but there was continuously a back up at the LL entrances to rides where folks scan. Like they had to create rope lines there due to the back ups, but once you got to the scan part it was wide open. I observed this being caused by 1. Folks not using both sides to scan. 2. Big groups giving all their magic bands or tickets to one person and then standing there waiting. 3. Errors or guest mistake at the scan and the clogging and blocking the line while they problem solved with the cast member and 4. More folks not using magic bands but tickets to scan. I would get to a ride and wonder why the lightning lane line was so long just to realize it was only a back up at the first scanner.

Also people who don't have valid LL's arguing with cast members, etc.

 

[katyringo]

Also people who don't have valid LL's arguing with cast members, etc.

Yes this too.. and folks not understanding how it worked, the cast member explaining, all while the line is being blocked by said person and cast member.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Yes this too.. and folks not understanding how it worked, the cast member explaining, all while the line is being blocked by said person and cast member.

What is the etiquette here? Like if the cast member is having a conversation with someone like this, and there is another tap station open, do you just walk up to it and tap in and walk by? That was a constant thing during fastpass and I never knew what to do.

 

[elgerber]

What is the etiquette here? Like if the cast member is having a conversation with someone like this, and there is another tap station open, do you just walk up to it and tap in and walk by? That was a constant thing during fastpass and I never knew what to do.

Yes we do. If they are conversing or arguing we just tap in and go.