Genie+ or No Genie+: A Major Disney Vacation Dilemma

There are a lot of decisions that go into a Walt Disney World vacation. You have to figure out where to stay, how long you want to go, and what tickets to purchase, and then make plans on how to tour the Parks. This can be a lot to think about, yet Disney is adding more decisions that Guests must make while on their magical vacation.

One of the more significant decisions that Guests now have to make when traveling to Walt Disney World is around Genie+. Guests can now add Genie+ to their Park ticket starting at midnight. This is a costly decision, with a starting price of $15 per person per day.

By purchasing Genie+, Guests are given access to the Lightning Lanes of over 40 attractions throughout the four Disney Parks. This allows them to bypass the long standby lines, ideally getting to experience more throughout the day.

The question is, is Genie+ something that Guests should purchase daily, or can it be skipped? We will break down this new Disney vacation dilemma so you can feel more confident about your decision around Genie+.

Ride Focused

When thinking about your goals for the day in a Disney Park, if it is to ride as many rides as possible, then Genie+ will be a good investment. By having Genie+, you will be able to experience more rides in a shorter amount of time. Access to the Lightning Lanes will allow you to get onto the rides faster and therefore have more time to experience during the time in the Park.

Show Focused

On the other hand, if you are traveling with a group that doesn’t want to experience a lot of rides, then having Genie+ won’t be as necessary. If the day’s goal is to experience shows, enjoy food, and take in the atomopwehre of the Park, you won’t need Genie+ to do this. Even though many shows are offered in Genie+, with the extensive seating areas, it isn’t necessary to enjoy them.

Sleeping-in

For those traveling with teens who prefer to sleep in during a vacation, having Genie+ can be extremely helpful. Since you can start booking at 7 am and continue booking every two hours once the Park has opened, you can easily use Genie+ to avoid long afternoon lines.

By booking Genie+ every two hours, you can walk into a busy Park mid-afternoon with a handful of Genie+ return times. This means you can skip the long standby lines built in the middle of the day. Genie+ is a big bonus for navigating non-rope drop fans.

Mid-Day Break

Another way we like to use Genie+ and the two of our booking options is when taking a midday break. If you like to head back to the Resort for a nap or a swim, having Geine+ can make the evenings much more productive. While enjoying a beverage at the pool, you can continue to book return times with Genie+ for the evening. This allows you to walk into the Park having a few Lightning Lanes reserved for your evening priorities and no long lines to worry about.

If your evenings in the Parks are focused on the shows, then having Genie+ might be optional. If you prefer to hit the Parks early, rest, and then have supper and fireworks without rides, then Genie+ won’t be necessary for your evening enjoyment in the Parks.

Don’t Like Being Scheduled

If the goal of your Disney trip is to go with the flow, then Genie+ won’t be for you. Because you have to book a return window, Genie+ does lock you into a schedule during your time in the Park. For those that prefer to enjoy the magic as it comes up, then Genie+ will be something that you want to pass on.

Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Because you don’t have to purchase Genie+ for your trip, you can choose which days to add it. When looking at how Genie+ works in each Park, we recommend using it when visiting Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Magic Kingdom has so many experiences that are included with Genie+. Because of all the options, you can use Genie+ easily throughout the day. For Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Genie+ is worth it because of all the E-ticket attractions.

With so many E-ticket attractions, Disney’s Hollywood Studios have many longer wait times built throughout the day. By having Genie+, you can navigate these lines easier.

Genie+ can make your experience at these two Parks much more enjoyable by allowing you to experience more with less time in line.

EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom

On the other hand, we suggest skipping Genie+  when visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom and EPCOT. We recommend skipping Genie+ at these two Parks because there aren’t as many experiences to use it with.

By using early entry or staying later in the evening, you will be able to experience these two Parks without long waits. Skip purchasing Genie+ and instead head in with a good touring plan. This will allow you to avoid those long waits.

Genie+ can be a beneficial feature for Guests throughout their Walt Disney World vacation. It allows them to bypass many of the most extended standby lines and experience more of the magic throughout the Park. With the cost of the feature, it is essential to be aware of when Genie+ might be more helpful and when that money can be saved.

We hope that this was a helpful breakdown of the Genie+ dilemma.