The Genie Usage, Tips and Strategy ONLY Thread

[Rivergirl2005]

Yes you can

So if you see that a ride is closed and a LL pass is available could you grab it in hopes it turns into a multiple? Also, if that works can I use the multiple on a ride I’ve already lightning passed?

 

[mjlass11]

Question/opinion about my plan next Tuesday at HS. It’s going to be my first trip using ILL and genie plus. We’re staying on site, but are NOT early morning/rope drop people. There’s three adults in our 50s&60s. I will be the one doing the booking and will get up at 6:30 to purchase genie plus. I’m hoping to get SDD at 7am for a return between 11-4. I’ll then book RotT for 12-3ish and MMRR sometime in there as well. I’m hoping to get another one or two top tier LL before 4 because we have dinner reservations at O’hana at 5 ( lucked out). After we tap into a LL, we can book another even if it’s before the 120 minutes, right? Our flight leaves early Wednesday morning so I’m not sure if we’ll head back after dinner. I know that I’m going to be on my phone refreshing a lot in hopes to get the extra one or two LL, and it may be a futile attempt, but does sound like at least a legitimate attempt for a plan? We’re decreasing our number of days so even though I’m against spending for these “perks”, I’m justifying it because we’ll be there fewer days and will thus spend less money overall.

 

[GBRforWDW]

So if you see that a ride is closed and a LL pass is available could you grab it in hopes it turns into a multiple? Also, if that works can I use the multiple on a ride I’ve already lightning passed?

Theoretically yes, though actual availability would be unlikely. Few rides at WDW have immediate return times available.

Yes, if it converts to multi use pass, you can use on any ride, even for a ride you've already used an LL pass

 

[bsmcneil]

Here's my usage/strategy feedback:

• There are some elements that I enjoyed. Basically, my kids had not been before (oldest went at 2 ¾ and has been to theme parks pre-pandemic - youngest hasn't done either). They were kvetching about the LL lines, lol. A handful of times, I tried to communicate that if they thought this was bad ... but I realize they didn't have a ton of context for it. But yeah, if we had to wait in lines for attractions (especially things that extended past 20-30 minutes), that would've been miserable and likely just not an option. We basically only did attractions with LL (or 10 min or under waits).
• I hate, hate, hate, hated waking up at 7 for this. Normally we're up around then but we stayed up late with the parks, transportation, vacation, etc. I let the kids sleep in to rest their bodies (we all have a form of muscular dystrophy) but set my alarm each morning for 6:50-6:55 to be awake and ready. It was just stressful (and absolutely nothing about G+/ILLS feels "spontaneous" or "flexible").
• Not having gone with the kids before, I wasn't sure how things would go. That made planning via G+/ILLS really difficult. It was all a guess. It finally became apparent that we were late starters and I was able to do well at stacking LLs (although I had a bad experience early on when I wanted to change one based on kids not wanting to ride the ride but since we hadn't tapped in anywhere/weren't past 120 minutes, once I cancelled, I couldn't get a new one - I wish I had gotten some warning/alert before doing that).
• The plain Genie part was absolutely useless information. I hated trying to buy a ILLS and having the return window change while I was purchasing (and I had my gift card number copied and ready to paste before opening the app). We ended up having a problem on our last day as the return window moved a few hours (bumping into our flight) and the blue umbrella Guest Experience folks helped - but it was still super frustrating (I worried all morning/early afternoon).
• The restriction to use a LL once per day is terrible. I felt so crappy when my kids would get off a ride and excitedly ask to ride again only for me to say, "Well ... the line is at 2 hours and we're close to the park closing; so, I don't think we can do it." or "We can, but it's a 45 minute wait." They'd ask, "Don't we have the pass thing?" and I explained that it only worked once. My (then) 8 year old summed it up well: "That's a dumb rule." Yes it is, kid. Yes it is.
• I appreciated the tips from All Ears about which rides to prioritize (obviously everyone's preferences are different). Try to have a plan in mind, even if you have to throw it out.
• One last negative (that's also redundant), it really isn't flexible. The number of times we wanted to do X but didn't feel like we could because "We have a LL that expires in 20 minutes on the other side of the park" was frustrating. Missed going to Oga's due to a timing issue with RoTR (it going down during the day, backing up our return, the park closing, etc). That was a costly ride (because I had paid for the ILLS and then missing Oga's cost an extra 30). Things were closing, kids were tired and frustrated, so I didn't track anyone down to try to recoup the fee (and I had originally thought it was only 10 - not 10pp - so at first, I didn't mind).

 

[g-dad66]

Question/opinion about my plan next Tuesday at HS. It’s going to be my first trip using ILL and genie plus. We’re staying on site, but are NOT early morning/rope drop people. There’s three adults in our 50s&60s. I will be the one doing the booking and will get up at 6:30 to purchase genie plus. I’m hoping to get SDD at 7am for a return between 11-4. I’ll then book RotT for 12-3ish and MMRR sometime in there as well. I’m hoping to get another one or two top tier LL before 4 because we have dinner reservations at O’hana at 5 ( lucked out). After we tap into a LL, we can book another even if it’s before the 120 minutes, right? Our flight leaves early Wednesday morning so I’m not sure if we’ll head back after dinner. I know that I’m going to be on my phone refreshing a lot in hopes to get the extra one or two LL, and it may be a futile attempt, but does sound like at least a legitimate attempt for a plan? We’re decreasing our number of days so even though I’m against spending for these “perks”, I’m justifying it because we’ll be there fewer days and will thus spend less money overall.

After you tap into your most recently booked LL, you can book another.

Tapping into any LL other than your most recently booked one does nothing for your eligiblity.

 

[wdhinn89]

When purchasing RotR, is it charged automatically to the card you have on file when you tap your bracelet, or do you need to input a charge card number? A previous poster commented on having to copy and paste their gift card.

 

[Ace89]

If you cancel your most recently booked G+ LL to rebook another, does that start your 120 minute countdown over again? So if I canceled a reservation at 11:30, I wouldn't be able to book another until 1:30 pm? Or is it more of a "freebie" situation?

 

[CarolynFH]

When purchasing RotR, is it charged automatically to the card you have on file when you tap your bracelet, or do you need to input a charge card number? A previous poster commented on having to copy and paste their gift card.

It’s charged to the CC linked to your MDE account, which may or may not be the same CC your resort account is linked to. You have the option of using a different CC or entering a GC or Disney Visa Rewards card number instead.

 

[wdhinn89]

It’s charged to the CC linked to your MDE account, which may or may not be the same CC your resort account is linked to. You have the option of using a different CC or entering a GC or Disney Visa Rewards card number instead.

Thank you!!

 

[Runnsally]

If you cancel your most recently booked G+ LL to rebook another, does that start your 120 minute countdown over again? So if I canceled a reservation at 11:30, I wouldn't be able to book another until 1:30 pm? Or is it more of a "freebie" situation?

No - you would be able to immediately book another LL after cancelling.

 

[Tom_E_D]

If you cancel your most recently booked G+ LL to rebook another, does that start your 120 minute countdown over again? So if I canceled a reservation at 11:30, I wouldn't be able to book another until 1:30 pm? Or is it more of a "freebie" situation?

Booking a new G+LL to replace the one you've just canceled will restart your 120 minute clock. Example: at 11:00, you book Ride A with a 2:15 return time. At 12:30, you notice that Ride B is available, take a chance and cancel your Ride A reservation and, at 12:31, book Ride B with a 3:45 return time. You can next book a G+LL at 2:31, 120 minutes after you booked Ride B, which is now your most-recently-booked G+LL. It's not 120 minutes after you cancel, it's 120 minutes after you book the replacement, that's 2:31, not 2:30, in my example. You would not be able to book one at 1:00, which would have been your next booking time if you had not canceled Ride A.

 

[pens4821]

Does rnrc or tot sell out first usually? I’ll probably just book whichever has the latest return first then hope the other is around at 1ish when I can get my third. I’ll be stacking for park hop when we go next month. Sdd first then the other two are our must do’s. Then if I can get anything else by chance I will.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Here's my usage/strategy feedback:

• There are some elements that I enjoyed. Basically, my kids had not been before (oldest went at 2 ¾ and has been to theme parks pre-pandemic - youngest hasn't done either). They were kvetching about the LL lines, lol. A handful of times, I tried to communicate that if they thought this was bad ... but I realize they didn't have a ton of context for it. But yeah, if we had to wait in lines for attractions (especially things that extended past 20-30 minutes), that would've been miserable and likely just not an option. We basically only did attractions with LL (or 10 min or under waits).
• I hate, hate, hate, hated waking up at 7 for this. Normally we're up around then but we stayed up late with the parks, transportation, vacation, etc. I let the kids sleep in to rest their bodies (we all have a form of muscular dystrophy) but set my alarm each morning for 6:50-6:55 to be awake and ready. It was just stressful (and absolutely nothing about G+/ILLS feels "spontaneous" or "flexible").
• Not having gone with the kids before, I wasn't sure how things would go. That made planning via G+/ILLS really difficult. It was all a guess. It finally became apparent that we were late starters and I was able to do well at stacking LLs (although I had a bad experience early on when I wanted to change one based on kids not wanting to ride the ride but since we hadn't tapped in anywhere/weren't past 120 minutes, once I cancelled, I couldn't get a new one - I wish I had gotten some warning/alert before doing that).
• The plain Genie part was absolutely useless information. I hated trying to buy a ILLS and having the return window change while I was purchasing (and I had my gift card number copied and ready to paste before opening the app). We ended up having a problem on our last day as the return window moved a few hours (bumping into our flight) and the blue umbrella Guest Experience folks helped - but it was still super frustrating (I worried all morning/early afternoon).
• The restriction to use a LL once per day is terrible. I felt so crappy when my kids would get off a ride and excitedly ask to ride again only for me to say, "Well ... the line is at 2 hours and we're close to the park closing; so, I don't think we can do it." or "We can, but it's a 45 minute wait." They'd ask, "Don't we have the pass thing?" and I explained that it only worked once. My (then) 8 year old summed it up well: "That's a dumb rule." Yes it is, kid. Yes it is.
• I appreciated the tips from All Ears about which rides to prioritize (obviously everyone's preferences are different). Try to have a plan in mind, even if you have to throw it out.
• One last negative (that's also redundant), it really isn't flexible. The number of times we wanted to do X but didn't feel like we could because "We have a LL that expires in 20 minutes on the other side of the park" was frustrating. Missed going to Oga's due to a timing issue with RoTR (it going down during the day, backing up our return, the park closing, etc). That was a costly ride (because I had paid for the ILLS and then missing Oga's cost an extra 30). Things were closing, kids were tired and frustrated, so I didn't track anyone down to try to recoup the fee (and I had originally thought it was only 10 - not 10pp - so at first, I didn't mind).

This is all excellent feedback! Thank you!

 

[twodogs]

When purchasing RotR, is it charged automatically to the card you have on file when you tap your bracelet, or do you need to input a charge card number? A previous poster commented on having to copy and paste their gift card.

You are charged for the ILL purchase at the time of purchase, in the APP, where you are buying the ILL. Tapping in with your Magic Band doesn't affect the charge because you have already paid for the ILL in the app. Make sure you have the credit card you want to use loaded into the app and saved, to save time when frantically booking the ILLs in the morning (which is why OP said they had the GC number ready to cut and paste into the purchase screen in the app, to save time, since you can't save a GC in the app like you can a credit card). Also, all ILLs that you buy get charged to the one card in your app (even if you are booking ILLs for multiple people in your party).

 

[g-dad66]

Does rnrc or tot sell out first usually? I’ll probably just book whichever has the latest return first then hope the other is around at 1ish when I can get my third. I’ll be stacking for park hop when we go next month. Sdd first then the other two are our must do’s. Then if I can get anything else by chance I will.

My observation is that RnRC seems to run out sooner than ToT about 75% of the time, but the other 25%, it's ToT that runs out sooner. ToT ran out way sooner than RnRC the last day we were there, but ToT was down for most of the morning that day. So it varies.

You should be fine getting either one of them at 1:00.

If you get Millenium Falcon at 11:00, then it can be a bit tricky to decide which one to get at 1:00 and which one to save for the 3:00 grab.

 

[Luisfba]

if I have LL reserved, and I cancel my park res to switch to a different park res the day of.. do I lose the LLs during that switch?

 

[MMSM]

How quick does Test Track go and does anyone know how standby has been for early entry for Remy?

 

[melking23]

if I have LL reserved, and I cancel my park res to switch to a different park res the day of.. do I lose the LLs during that switch?

If you don’t have a park hopper ticket, yes. If the G+/LL is before 2PM, yes. You wouldn’t lose them if after 2PM with a park hopper ticket since you don’t need a reservation for the park you’re hopping to.

 

[Luisfba]

ok, in this case what im thinking is to make them for the 2nd park, so they'd be after 2, but then change the park res to that 2nd park so i can get in before 2 (and just not tap into the park with the original res). it would be a park hopper ticket.

 

[MMSM]

ok, in this case what im thinking is to make them for the 2nd park, so they'd be after 2, but then change the park res to that 2nd park so i can get in before 2 (and just not tap into the park with the original res). it would be a park hopper ticket.

Why not just change your park reservation first? Are you just attempting to get evening passes?