The Genie Usage, Tips and Strategy ONLY Thread

[scrappinginontario]

This is a long thread and I didn’t read through everything, so sorry if I am asking a repeated question.

My boys leave tomorrow for a trip with their high school music department. Each son has their own account in MDE as do their friends. They are all linked together as friends and family. Are they each buying their own Genie+? Since they are linked together, can one person make a ride selection for the entire group?

Thank you!

If they are linked then 1 person can purchase for all but that person’s cc would be charged for all the the purchases.

 

[bloomcruisers]

This is a long thread and I didn’t read through everything, so sorry if I am asking a repeated question.

My boys leave tomorrow for a trip with their high school music department. Each son has their own account in MDE as do their friends. They are all linked together as friends and family. Are they each buying their own Genie+? Since they are linked together, can one person make a ride selection for the entire group?

Thank you!

And remember that large groups will have a more difficult time finding available slots. So he might want to choose a small group of friends who can then take turns buying G+ and doing the booking for that day.

 

[toodycat]

We're visiting WDW for three days in May and staying onsite. Our park reservations are for DSH, MK and then Epcot. My husband wants to know what the earliest Genie+ issued is for a park that opens at 9 a.m. I know some people consider that a waste of a Genie+ because you can often walk on. However, he is just curious. Also, is there a website that ranks Walt Disney World attractions by popularity? I'm interested in how my priority choices compare to others, especially since we dislike most roller coasters. Thanks!

 

[disny_luvr]

If they are linked then 1 person can purchase for all but that person’s cc would be charged for all the the purchases.

Can they purchase separately though?

 

[lynzi2004]

Question, is there a better, faster way to refresh? They took away the just tapping "Tip Board"
I've been selecting the ride I'll want a Genie for, and just going back and forth from "LL" to the ride title.
Anything better?

I generally peg the ride I want to the top of my tip board by going through the basic genie and making 1 or 2 of my favorite selections and then pull down at the top of the screen to refresh! Basically where it says HS or Magic Kingdom on the tip board you can pull down and refresh from there. As I get one ride, I can go in and change to the next ride I want so what I’m looking for is always at the top.

If park hopping, I haven’t figured out how to get my selections to the top of the page. So on those I click on the selection I want and then go back to the top. When you pull down to refresh it will automatically send you to the exact selection you wanted.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Can they purchase separately though?

Each person can purchase their own snd their charge will go on the cc linked to their account. Once purchased, anyone linked can book for the group.

 

[Tom_E_D]

We're visiting WDW for three days in May and staying onsite. Our park reservations are for DSH, MK and then Epcot. My husband wants to know what the earliest Genie+ issued is for a park that opens at 9 a.m. I know some people consider that a waste of a Genie+ because you can often walk on. However, he is just curious. Also, is there a website that ranks Walt Disney World attractions by popularity? I'm interested in how my priority choices compare to others, especially since we dislike most roller coasters. Thanks!

There are many websites that rate Disney rides by popularity. Some do so based on surveys; others based on the author's "expert" opinion; others based on wait times. I would imagine that the wait time list is more relevant to choosing which rides to prioritize for Genie+. This article has the average wait times over a recent week and contrasts them to the previous week, giving you two weeks of recent data.

 

[Smrtalec33]

Has anyone noticed any Genie+ drops for either Test Track or Frozen Ever After? For both rides, looking at Thrill Data for the last month, there is something around 11:35 every 4th day or so for FEA, and more frequently than that for TT, so was wondering if there was maybe an 11:32 drop. I will check for myself tomorrow, but thought maybe someone would know. Really any time for either of those 2 rides with availability after 10:30 would be huge. Thanks!

 

[Miffy]

I am only planning to get G+ for MK on 4/20. This is my plan based on a few days checking the app, does it look realistic?

7am - G+ for Haunted Mansion (should be around 10am return time) - *I've noticed a couple times that around 7:10 I could get HM for 9-930. Is it safe to wait until 7:10?
ETPE: RD 7DMT
Peter Pan
Use HM G+, Make G+ for Jungle Cruise (~7pm)
Hall of Presidents
Lunch / Parade/ Castle Show
Make G+ for PP (~7pm)
Resort Break
Make G+ for BTMM
Make G+ for Splash
Make G+ for PotC
7pmish return to MK
Ride G+ rides
Enchantment
EEH

I can't comment on your entire plan, but there was something I noticed right away that might not work out as you've planned it.

If you RD 7DMT, unless you're at the front of the pack and literally run to 7DMT, you will still have a bit of a wait. If you stop to go to the bathroom or walk not quite briskly enough, then you will have a substantial wait.

But, let's say you're in the front and get to ride 7DMT pretty quickly. Here's where the problem is. By the time you get off 7DMT and go over to PPF, the wait for PPF will be at least 40 minutes, maybe more. If that's okay with you, then that's great. Just be aware.

My last 2 trips we've RD'd ETPE at MK and by the time we got to PPF--from near the front of the pack and not stopping to do anything on the way--the wait for PPF was already over 40 minutes. And this was without us doing another ride first.

I'm also not sure about booking JC at that time. It's been selling out early. Someone else here with in-the-park knowledge will no doubt answer your question. If not, ask again on Monday. I've noticed that the DIS seems to have less traffic on the weekends.

 

[helix-helix]

Has anyone noticed any Genie+ drops for either Test Track or Frozen Ever After? For both rides, looking at Thrill Data for the last month, there is something around 11:35 every 4th day or so for FEA, and more frequently than that for TT, so was wondering if there was maybe an 11:32 drop. I will check for myself tomorrow, but thought maybe someone would know. Really any time for either of those 2 rides with availability after 10:30 would be huge. Thanks!

There has been discussion around drops for those at 11:32, 1:32, and 3:32 that appear to be at least somewhat regular. I will say the day I was in EPCOT last week, I specifically looked for TT to drop at those times and none showed up. Part of it could have been that both TT and FEA had extended down times that morning though.

 

[lynzi2004]

Has anyone noticed any Genie+ drops for either Test Track or Frozen Ever After? For both rides, looking at Thrill Data for the last month, there is something around 11:35 every 4th day or so for FEA, and more frequently than that for TT, so was wondering if there was maybe an 11:32 drop. I will check for myself tomorrow, but thought maybe someone would know. Really any time for either of those 2 rides with availability after 10:30 would be huge. Thanks!

I’ve seen Test Track drop more frequently than FEA…I’ve seen a 2:30 drop and a 4:30ish drop depending on days and times for test track. I would 100% book FEA first and then keep my eye out for TT….I’ve watched it pretty closely the last four weeks and haven’t caught FEA yet.

 

[disny_luvr]

Each person can purchase their own snd their charge will go on the cc linked to their account. Once purchased, anyone linked can book for the group.

Great, thank you for your help!

 

[GBRforWDW]

We're visiting WDW for three days in May and staying onsite. Our park reservations are for DSH, MK and then Epcot. My husband wants to know what the earliest Genie+ issued is for a park that opens at 9 a.m. I know some people consider that a waste of a Genie+ because you can often walk on.

The first passes are either at park opening or 5 minutes after, can't remember for sure, but the pass is good for 1 hour after with a 15 minute grace period, so you can probably get a ride or two in before using the g+ pass

 

[toodycat]

The first passes are either at park opening or 5 minutes after, can't remember for sure, but the pass is good for 1 hour after with a 15 minute grace period, so you can probably get a ride or two in before using the g+ pass

Thanks! I will let him know.

 

[f1rstxlas7]

Hey guys, I'm very familiar with all things Genie+, but I just considered a scenario that I have not seen mentioned before and wanted to know what would potentially happen.

Let's say I have Early Entry for MK with the official park open at 9, so 8:30 rope for Early Entry. At 7 I booked Peter Pan's Flight for 9:00am on the dot. I know that you can scan into your LL up to 5 minutes early, but can you do it before official park hours? Has anyone ever tried scanning into a ride at 8:55am and then were able to book their next Genie+ before official park open? You'd essentially get 2 LL reservations before anyone else and while I'm sure this either has never happened or is very rare, I'm wondering if it's actually even possible to scan in before official park open.

 

[cjlong88]

Hey guys, I'm very familiar with all things Genie+, but I just considered a scenario that I have not seen mentioned before and wanted to know what would potentially happen.

Let's say I have Early Entry for MK with the official park open at 9, so 8:30 rope for Early Entry. At 7 I booked Peter Pan's Flight for 9:00am on the dot. I know that you can scan into your LL up to 5 minutes early, but can you do it before official park hours? Has anyone ever tried scanning into a ride at 8:55am and then were able to book their next Genie+ before official park open? You'd essentially get 2 LL reservations before anyone else and while I'm sure this either has never happened or is very rare, I'm wondering if it's actually even possible to scan in before official park open.

This is interesting. If I had to guess, because Peter Pan is running during ETPE, you could technically scan in 5 minutes early. The ride is already operating. More than likely, though, it will be completely dependent on the CM stationed at the LL queue. Maybe they would let you in early. Maybe not. My guess is that their isn't a clear cut rule (there never is at Disney!).

Honestly, though, I'm not seeing too much benefit to this. If you plan on using the 120-minute rule strategy, you wouldn't have much of an advantage. Your next booking window would only open 5 minutes earlier than if you just scanned at 9am. Same thing for booking the next available LL. You probably won't see too much difference between booking your next LL at 8:55am vs. 9am. Everyone can book their first LL at 7am regardless if they are on or off site and will already have their first choice.

I guess my question would be this...what strategy requires you to book a 9am LL for an official park open of 9am, use it at 8:55am, and then book another one immediately in order to receive any type of an advantage over someone who does the same thing and scans in at 9am?

 

[mgsmom]

Headed to DHS tomorrow and figuring out a strategy. Could I plan to rope drop both ToT and RRC? That way I could ILL and use Genie+ for Star Wars. Then start stacking for evening.

 

[g-dad66]

Headed to DHS tomorrow and figuring out a strategy. Could I plan to rope drop both ToT and RRC? That way I could ILL and use Genie+ for Star Wars. Then start stacking for evening.

Yes, we did it. With Tower of Terror only being partially in operation (unless that has changed recently), the waits for it will build much faster than for RnRC.

So we did it first, and then RnRC still had only a 5 minute wait after we completed ToT (this was during early entry).

 

[pens4821]

Headed to DHS tomorrow and figuring out a strategy. Could I plan to rope drop both ToT and RRC? That way I could ILL and use Genie+ for Star Wars. Then start stacking for evening.

This is what we did last month. We were near the front for tot. By the time we got off and went to rnrc we walked right through the pre show room. We rode rnrc a second time (maybe 5 minute wait the second time) then went to mmrr and waited a little over a half hour.

 

[GBRforWDW]

Hey guys, I'm very familiar with all things Genie+, but I just considered a scenario that I have not seen mentioned before and wanted to know what would potentially happen.

Let's say I have Early Entry for MK with the official park open at 9, so 8:30 rope for Early Entry. At 7 I booked Peter Pan's Flight for 9:00am on the dot. I know that you can scan into your LL up to 5 minutes early, but can you do it before official park hours? Has anyone ever tried scanning into a ride at 8:55am and then were able to book their next Genie+ before official park open? You'd essentially get 2 LL reservations before anyone else and while I'm sure this either has never happened or is very rare, I'm wondering if it's actually even possible to scan in before official park open.

I guess my question would be this...what strategy requires you to book a 9am LL for an official park open of 9am, use it at 8:55am, and then book another one immediately in order to receive any type of an advantage over someone who does the same thing and scans in at 9am?

I agree with Cjlong on this, but for different reasons. PPF Is one of 2 passes that go quickly or at least pushes out to the afternoon quickly, so even if you're in right away, by the time you finish, you could have a noon return time. So that makes it difficult to guarantee you'll get your return time you want.

If this is more about the strategy of booking another one right at 9 or a little before so you can also get in before 11, you may want to think about a different pick at 7am that you can guarantee will be the 9am pick. You'd probably also be able to select PPF at 9am for later in the day with this strategy.