Part 2 is coming sooner than later because we decided last night we were not going to buy Genie+ for today. We spent the day at DHS, and had hoped to hop to MK to finish out to finally watch Enchantment. I realized DS was not going to make it, so we hung in a bit longer and saw the holiday lights start to come on, then left. Sad to not see Tower of Terror lit up but I push him too hard and we can lose the rest of the trip. SO now I had to decide about today. We were booked at DHS again, then were hopping to EPCOT for Harmonious (I hate that is so late). When we got to room I saw we reservations at MK had opened so I switched from DHS to MK. Plan was go around lunch or later, then still hop to EPCOT for Harmonious and big thing I wanted to see Spaceship Earth lit up. I decided I would not book Genie+ for just an afternoon, we'd done most the rides the other day anyway. Enchantment would wait until January. It's just another projection/firework show - I'd rather see Harmonious which is different.
Well we woke up to POURING RAIN!!!! Poor runDisney runners. I didn't have it in me to go to MK in the rain just because, so I jumped on computer and switched our reservation to EPCOT, planning to go just for evening. I also bought a
Individual Lightning Lane Pass for REMY
for 8:25-9:25 pm. Hoping to walk out, pick a spot and see the show. Purchasing the LL is so easy, love I can pick a time!!!!! I think it cost more than it had all week though so guess Friday is part of the weekend upcharge. Honestly since I didn't buy Genie+ and won't be spending any other money at Disney today, I'm fine with it. I waited too long to decide to book a Boarding Group this morning, and I won't be in the park at 1 pm for the next round so ... I am paying for convenience right now.
Yesterday we used Genie+ at DHS and I think it's worth it there. I know people say it's not a "full day park" but it always has been for us. My issue is that there are "walk on" things to do aka all the shows, a couple low wait rides like Alien, Muppets and Star Tours and the rest are basically "E TICKETS" which eats up your whole day. Long waits for ToT, RnR, Slinky, TSMM, MFSR, Rise, MMRR ... that is basically open to close with barely a potty break.
Thursday- Disney Hollywood Studios
(Arrived 10am / Left 7 pm)
Got up early and bought Genie+ (EASY)
- Alien Saucers (booked 7 am)
- Star Tours
- Muppet 3D
- Rock N Roller Coaster
- Toy Story Midway Mania
Might not be prime choices but the times weren't working for us with lots of back and forth walking.
First thing I noticed when I went to book my 7 am was that the return times for most the big ones were way out. MFSR was offered for a 3:26 return time, but by 9:30 am they were offering it at 11:50 am. Returns times got more palatable on some of them once the park had opened and lines filled in. Something to consider when using it. We could have continuing booking until close and there was plenty to book if we hopped. Again had we arrived at opening stayed until closing we could have added so much more. I am happy with how our day went. We took out time to eat at PizzeRizzo (my son loves it there and I couldn't get his favorite Sci Fi.....) and we had our 35 minutes we were allowed at Oga's Cantina. We hit all the stores to see what they have (wow, DisMart ... only Galaxy Edge had unique stuff) and he needed a few sit down and rest 15 minutes.
My final conclusion about Genie+ ....
No secret I was upset about losing FP+, it made trips for my son and I so much better. I had three booked in advance, it was super simple to roll that pass the rest of the day, I had my choices of times and bottom line it was a tool that was free. With Genie+ I basically have none of that.
I won't lie, day one when I had to pay them $33 for the day to use the system, it wasn't a positive feeling. BUT it's not going anywhere and I can either pay out or not use it. Does it have value? WELL that is the question that there is no one answer to because there are so many variables that affect that. Individual Lightning Passes .......... flashback to the ticket books, which I hate. For some of the rides it is well worth it, for other rides it would be wait times and individual desire to determine worth.
PROS:
- If you are going to have to pay, I find the price reasonable.
- VERY easy to buy it initially online.
- Ability to buy daily, so for days or parks you don't want, it's not required.
- It allows you to lock in some really long wait time attractions, so you can spend that time doing lower wait time attractions (or eating etc).
- Being able to book one at 7 am is equal to booking 1 pre-visit like before.
- You are able to do all the work on your phone no matter where you are located.
- It is similar to FastPass enough to make many happy.
- Includes the fun photo filters, and my hope is they expand on this.
- Based on those in the lines, I would say so far not many were using compared to crowds.
- One day it was frozen BUT I immediately got push notices they wanted to update the app, so we sat and let it update. I didn't notice anything new and some glitches were still there but at least they are actively working on it.
CONS:
- Major Glitch, Tip Board location not functioning well
- No choice in return times.
- No ability to modify time, you have to cancel and start over.
- To get a later time you have to wait to try later and risk times still not working or no times.
- Too often the time offered for top attraction is hours out.
- VERY IMPORTANT to learn the angles in working the 120 minute stacking system.
- To get value at Epcot & AK, you need to be park hopping where you can use it more.
- SO you need the cost of hopping on your ticket to utilize ^
- Very inflexible, which makes the day more rigid. I found there was less ebb & flow for us.
- No flexibility in time; you have ONE hour, get there.
- Check your Confirmations to make sure you got the time you thought you booked, it can jump.
- No matter what I keep hearing ... what I experienced and saw others,
you have to stay on your phone more. The idea I can book and forget about it until I ride means I won't be riding much via the Genie+ unless it is all low wait ride times which why bother. The adjusting our return times allowed us to make our time in the park effective.
- Our experience at rides and Guest Experience Blue Umbrellas that CMs are no more knowledgable about the system than guests such as ourselves. At several locations saw guests bully themselves through when it appeared (when you travel with a non-verbal person you listen to everything) they should not have gone in. CMs were not confident.
INDIFFERENT:
- No repeating attractions, even if you miss your time it is counted as used.
Genie+ is a great option depending on variables ...
so the decision to use it is a very individual decision.
- MK and DHS a plus
- Epcot and AK a plus if you are hopping and using at other parks
- Not a plus if only doing a few hours per day in the parks
- Not a plus for regulars or locals
- A plus if once in a lifetime trip or your days are limited aka one day per park
- A plus if park hours are shorter
- If you have kids too small for most rides, might not find a plus other than MK
- Study wait times on the days before your trip to make sure you need it
- Wait times might be reasonable so spend money on the ILL
- Learn the 120 stacking rules, always book one at 7 am, check for adjusting times sooner
- Study app in advance so day of it's a breeze, and realize most the app is clutter
Would I rather have FP+ back, yes, but I can work with this just fine.