Thinking of using Genie+ and not LL$ - curious of opinions

[stephdutt]

We are going the week of Thanksgiving (I know the most crowded time). As of now, we were discussing/planning to buy Genie+ and then take advantage of the early park entry where we would RUN to the most popular LL$ attraction to get in the standby line (example ROTR or FoP). I'm curious if this is a good strategy or not?

 

[shawthorne44]

That is my plan. Of course, I won't be there when it is that busy (hopefully)
You can also do the ILL$$$ rides near close. Hopefully most of the ILL$$$ rides won't have many people paying the extra money, so basically it will be standby.

 

[Stacybaeasm]

I'm going at the same time. Right now, my plan is to do Genie+ for MK and HS but NOT for Epcot or AK. I will also take advantage of the early entry. And I believe I will be happy with whatever I manage to get done. This is a solo trip so it's only me that has to say yes or no to standing in a line.

 

[Donald13]

Not a fan at all of genie +. It’s just not worth the money

 

[stephdutt]

Not a fan at all of genie +. It’s just not worth the money

Have you used it yet? If so, what were the pros and cons?

 

[stephdutt]

I'm going at the same time. Right now, my plan is to do Genie+ for MK and HS but NOT for Epcot or AK. I will also take advantage of the early entry. And I believe I will be happy with whatever I manage to get done. This is a solo trip so it's only me that has to say yes or no to standing in a line.

That is my plan too for MK and HS. My brother-in-law is coming with us and it is his first time at Disney World so I want to make sure everything works smoothly for him. Really putting the extra pressure on me haha!

 

[Donald13]

Have you used it yet? If so, what were the pros and cons?

It’s too much money for what it is. We could only get one ride and that was at 3:50. We had to use it just to use it. It’s not worth it

 

[elgerber]

It’s too much money for what it is. We could only get one ride and that was at 3:50. We had to use it just to use it. It’s not worth it

Curious what park, and why you could only get one ride? Were you booking right at 7?

 

[Donald13]

Curious what park, and why you could only get one ride? Were you booking right at 7?
[/QUOT

hollywood. The first available was that time. Yes.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

That's my plan as well. My trips are usually 8 nights so I'll be able to rope drop each of the ILL attractions one morning.

 

[Turksmom]

I think that's everybody's plan

 

[ande2428]

Except for AK, we plan to use Genie+ and ILL as much as possible. Main reason we are traveling with a 20 month old so the less lines the better.

 

[Blondie58]

I have to smile when I think of the folks that did not wish for fast pass to return because it "scripted" your vacation. Well now you have to specifically plan which park each day with no park hop until 2:00 p.m. coupled with food orders using no menu but scrolling on your phone after using a code. No wonder they want to do away with Magic Bands. Your phone needs to be glued to your hand to "enjoy" WDW. And get up early and sprint to the ride of choice to get a couple in before all guests enter the park. Rest and relation - hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. So much time spent on tech!!! However, I assume younger folks love all the tech aspect of the new changes. Just not our pace and desire.

 

[sandrews0608]

I have already bought Genie+ and will do some ILL as well. I know my 18 year old will not be willing to go to Rope Drop every day, so we will make the best of going in a little later and use Genie+ and ILL. Hopefully it will still be worthwhile. We will be able to do the late night at MK and Epcot assuming they still have them in January.

 

[Foreveraprincess17]

Notes from our trip two weeks ago: Shortly after park opening the line for ROTR was all the way to the "tunnel area" at the entrance to Galaxy's Edge. Standby time was around 2 hours. Unfortunately many folks are attempting to do this plan (enter at rope drop). We paid for the ILL for ROTR. Well worth the money for us (recognizing that GP+ and ILL are not for everyone).

 

[stephdutt]

Notes from our trip two weeks ago: Shortly after park opening the line for ROTR was all the way to the "tunnel area" at the entrance to Galaxy's Edge. Standby time was around 2 hours. Unfortunately many folks are attempting to do this plan (enter at rope drop). We paid for the ILL for ROTR. Well worth the money for us (recognizing that GP+ and ILL are not for everyone).

ROTR would be worth the money. I am just nervous that we will pay for it and then end up not getting a time slot for it since we are staying at one of the Disney Springs hotels and those are not included in the 7am booking time frame.

 

[elgerber]

ROTR would be worth the money. I am just nervous that we will pay for it and then end up not getting a time slot for it since we are staying at one of the Disney Springs hotels and those are not included in the 7am booking time frame.

You wouldn't pay for it, until you select at time slot.

 

[shawthorne44]

Notes from our trip two weeks ago: Shortly after park opening the line for ROTR was all the way to the "tunnel area" at the entrance to Galaxy's Edge. Standby time was around 2 hours. Unfortunately many folks are attempting to do this plan (enter at rope drop). We paid for the ILL for ROTR. Well worth the money for us (recognizing that GP+ and ILL are not for everyone).

I've been on the fence about on or off-site (I have reservations for both) Once all costs, including parking, is added in, on-site is $28 more per person / per day than off-site. Reports like this have me leaning toward offsite, forgoing the early entry and using ILL$$$ instead.

 

[PixieT78]

I'm totally using our May trip as the testing ground for our longer September trip. We will likely get Genie+ for the entirety of our May trip because we only have 3 or 4 days in the park. That way we can try it out, see where it was worth it and where it wasn't. We will also buy some ILL I'm sure - especially the newer rides like ROTR and Remy's which we haven't ridden. Maybe FOP because I love it but we'll see what standby is like for that. I will not be paying for SDMT, Space, Frozen, or Expedition Everest.

Genie+ and the park hopper stacking actually really fits with our usual touring style (rope drop, afternoon break, park hop for the evening) so will be interesting to see how things continue to shake out with strategies!

 

[DisneyKidds]

Rest and relation - hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Hey, we’ve been going to WDW for 30 years now. Despite the fact that we like midday breaks, sit down meals, taking it slow, riding what we want…..no matter which year it’s been, or which iteration of FP or other hoops to jump thru have been in place, we’ve always needed a vacation after our WDW vacation. Not that that has been a bad thing! I’m assuming, new hoops and all, the same will be true of our first G+ trip….despite the fact that I don’t like all the recent $$ add on.