Reviews of Disney Genie — WDW
Reviewed by Biscuits247 Review Date: 10/19/2022
Rating: (7) Recommended
Okay, I get that people don't really like Disney Genie, but if your looking for the ultimate guide, make sure to read this FULL review.
Although we have only been to Disney World once since the change of Disney Genie, We still know most the ins and outs.
One thing to be prepared for: There will be delays. One day, we were about to ride Avatar Flight Of Passage at Animal Kingdom. While we were, we wanted to get a lightning lane for it later into the day. While we were waiting a screen popped up on My Disney Experience. It said, "We Are Adding More Magical Touches To Your Request." We ended up waiting 5-8 minutes for the screen to disappear and say that we have successfully booked our lighting lane. However, We did know the problem later into the day. As we booked more and more lighting lanes in the day, they took a shorter period of time. We believe the glitch happened because it was the first lightning lane of the day. The glitch didn't get in the way of the day too much, but it's something you might have to consider.
The next thing to be aware of is to plan. Especially on days at DHS or EPCOT. At your hotel room, try to wake up around 6:45 AM EST. This gives enough time to to eat a small snack to tide you over for the morning. Next, have your cell phone ready. As soon as it hits 7:00 AM EST, start booking as many rides as you please. Here is a small list of some Genie+/Lightning Lanes.
MK: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Pirates of The Caribbean
EP: Frozen Ever After, Remy's Ratatouille Adventure
HS: Rise Of The Resistance, Mickey And Minnie's Runaway Railway
AK: Avatar Flight Of Passage, Kilimanjaro Safaris
Next, is to be ready for changes in the plan. Things such as forecast, factor in the ride's downtime, and also the unexpected changes of PEOPLE.
Let's start with the forecast. You can easily find the weather forecast on your cell phone. I suggest either typing "Orlando, FL Weather" or "Kissimmee, FL Weather" These are the closed cities and towns to WDW. Next, let's talk downtime. Do you check My Disney Experience at home very often. You don't? Well, if you live and go to Disney a lot, you probably should. We don't go to Disney World too often, but we are major enthusiasts. You can check My Disney Experience for the rides that seem to have downtime quite often. Next, is one you cannot change, or expect what will happen. People. People can change any time. They can book Genie+ or Lightning Lane at the very second you do! If even one person does that, your lightning lane will be set back hours D:! Nothing wrong with accidently doing so, but that could be a reason your lightning lane or genie+ is booked further out.
Anywhos, I think Genie+ is a good addition to Disney. It's better then no Fasspass, Am I right? Anywhos, I hope you had a magical time reading this! I enjoyed writing this! Bye and Thank You For Reading!
Pros:
It is better that no Fasspass, guys, am I right?Cons:
Can be glitchy, and of course the unexpected changes of your plan. Also waking up early can be a bit of a pain.Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 04/30/2022
Rating: (7) Recommended
We had great luck with Genie +, especially when we did an evening at Magic Kingdom, I stacked all of my genie + attractions during the day, so we did SO much! AK and EPCOT it was pretty good too. HS is where it went a bit downihll. Everything sold out....and fast. We still did Slinky, Frozen sing along and Rocking Rollercoaster, but were not able to get Tower or Terror the whole day. We rope droped Mickey and Minnie Runaway Railyway, standby for Toy Story Mania, Smugglers Run (we used single rider and walked on twice) and Alien Saucer Swirl.
Pros:
No waiting in lines. Worked great at Magic Kingdom!Cons:
Had to remember to book every two hours. HS sold out quickly.Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 04/27/2022
Rating: (9) Recommended
I just watched your Genie review video and I want to raise that rating. I enjoyed previous fast pass system but didn't like that I had to book my fast passes so early in my vacation planning. With Genie Plus everyone that is at a Disney Resort is on the same playing field when you are attempting to get your rides booked. You still need to do some planning and have multiple day options ready once you know what rides you were able to confirm. Watch Molly's videos and be prepared.I met many people in the parks waiting in long lines because they didn't know how to use the system. One person asked what I was doing on my phone, once you are at the parks it is too late. I love that you now get to make last minute plan changes depending on how your travel group is feeling for your entire vacation, the system is flexible.
Pros:
Last minute flexibility No need to book rides months in advance priority to resort guests A dream for morning peopleCons:
You do have to get up early to book your rides Disney is still testing- my park reservation was in the app but my genie was not recognizing that as my starting park. I wasn't able to pin my favorites. I lost some earlier reservations but still was able to book everything for the day. The time to purchase Genie for the next park day should be adjusted. (10pm the previous day, currently midnight) I had to set a lot of alarms on my phone.Reviewed by RyanHetzer Review Date: 04/26/2022
Rating: (8) Recommended
used it for family trip and loved being able to book rides, even better i didn't have to stand in 90+ minute lines where daughter was not tall enough to ride.
Pros:
short lines,Cons:
complicated, quality varies from park to parkReviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 04/20/2022
Rating: (3) Recommended
Didn't learn about it until a few hours in the park
Pros:
It works.....when it worksCons:
You book a ride----then can't again for 2 hours after the booking.....no one mentioned this----spend too much time looking at your phone....anothe rDisney money grab..I recomend yes only because you don't have a choice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Reviewed by cathdittr Review Date: 12/27/2021
Rating: (7) Recommended
Disney The Genie is interesting because it is a lot like MDE for those of us that used it to regularly check wait times! The genie has a fun spin on it. I love that it is optional. We have an experienced Disney family, but when traveling with family, we have older family members who don't want or know how to use their devices effectively. However, when I go on trips with smaller groups of friends, Genie is great!
Pros:
Great for Disney regularsCons:
Not great for the older population of guestsReviewed by TarraYoder Review Date: 12/23/2021
Rating: (8) Recommended
We definitely enjoyed the new Genie service. We did have some issues one day at MK when the system crashed but other than that it was pretty simple to use and quite helpful!
Pros:
Love the tip board!Cons:
Sometimes the system crashes or are inaccurate.Reviewed by mollystwin Review Date: 12/22/2021
Rating: (10) Recommended
Very helpful way to plan our recent trip. Added with the DAS (my son and I both have severe anxiety and are on the spectrum) ... We just entered in what we were interested in doing and seeing and the app walked us through a perfect day in each park that we visited.
Pros:
Very helpfulCons:
Glitchy at timesReviewed by alakazamber Review Date: 12/21/2021
Rating: (7) Recommended
The Genie service is "new" however, I feel I have always used My Disney Experience app the same way I've used Genie, I check wait times mostly and I use the map. I do like the Genie has all the options available, being Genie+ and Individual Lightining Lane options so you don't have to pay to try to plan around it all.
Pros:
Tip board is helpful to know what's around you and experiences coming up. I also like that you can pick favorites so that Genie might let you know when good time to do that experience and seeing projections of wait times/ busy times is also helpful.Cons:
It can be stressful and take away from your experience to check or be on your phone all day. I also lost a lot of battery on my phone the days I used Genie+ but it was expected.Reviewed by CattAdelene Review Date: 12/18/2021
Rating: (7) Recommended
As it is right now it is fine. It has quirks, like all things do - but it functions. It is definitely not something you want to play with for the first time on your park day! You have to be on top of those suggestions constantly because it’ll send you literally anything it thinks you want to do until you make it stop. But the goal was to provide information about wait times and give recommendations and I think it does exactly that.
