The big G+ rides at HS gone by 1:07!

[Mrs~Incredible]

1) Who wants to be anxious and stressed on vacation?? Genie+ is a mental health disaster for the vacation planner!

2) I'm going next week with no plans right now to use Genie+. I may change my mind. With my kids grown, attractions are not a priority. I can't help but feel bad for the newbies.

3) Families are dropping $5K to $10K on a vacation without the ability to plan ahead. Getting a park reservation is not planning. What if RotR overlaps your dinner ADR and then you get charged because you missed your dinner? Swim time? Naps?

4) I planned the day around FP+ and had a good plan when pulling FPs from the machine.

5) If we didn't use a paper FP, we surprised a family. Sometimes we'd pull a FP for that reason. Remember that??

6) I'd be fine with a wait time of <30 minutes. I'm hearing that LLs are almost walk-on? More LLs please.

7) I don't get the "level playing field" argument. When I drop money on vacation I do the research.

8) I'm ranting and sorry about that. This thread makes me anxious.

9) Genie+ is not forever. Nothing with Disney ever is.

My DH talks about your #5 all the time. We received a few and gave a few. It was a lovely part of the whole experience.

pS- I’m sorry this thread is making you anxious. You will have a great time, especially if ride efficiency is not your priority!!

 

[leeniewdw]

6) I'd be fine with a wait time of <30 minutes. I'm hearing that LLs are almost walk-on? More LLs please.

I disagree with this for sure. If a family of 4 is dropping $60+ (per day) on top of their price of admission, I would hope they don't have to wait close to 2 hours just to ride 4 rides. I'm an empty nester and I don't want to pay $30+ and experience this. I'm fine with up to 15 minutes, but anything beyond that and I'll be annoyed (just being honest).

I agree this makes planning a huge challenge. We had a plan for us and 4 other adults (our adult kids + SOs) for this past weekend but due to life/work/covid we cancelled. I am SO THANKFUL that it happened because trying to explain and plan and execute anything would have been such a huge challenge. I'm not sure when we'll find another timeframe where we can all go, but I'm so leery at this point.

 

[Disturbia]

Just because they’re popping up when you’re refreshing doesn’t mean they’re actually available. When we were there in both November (when it was slow) and February (busier but not like now), I would refresh for several minutes and when something popped up, I’d say 9 times out of 10 it wasn’t there when I clicked on it to book it. I’d back out, the time would still be there, click again, and it still wouldn’t be bookable. It was highly annoying. I’d be curious how many times people were actually successful procuring those later-in-the-day pop-up times. The ones in the mornings - those theorized not to have been a completed purchase and put back into the pool - were easy to get.

I agree, but I saw AlienSS, TSMM, Indiana Jones and RnRc multiple times and earlier times. A party trying to secure passes for 2 would probably have a better chance vs party of 4 riders (us). RnRC would be most questionable.

 

[cutigerlady]

There are major issues with the app. Every single day this week I attempted to use it, it worked fine prior to 7:00 and then wouldn't work once the window opened. I could click on LL+ to purchase and then on payment screen it would say unexpected error please refresh (which did nothing) and required me to delete the app and reinstall it to get anything to work. I work in IT and somehow I was consistently breaking the app! Same behavior if I was trying to book my G+ selection first. On day 3, I deleted and reinstalled app before 7:00 and it still happened to me.

I agree that you should be able to modify a selection without having to delete your current selection. This is clearly an effort to push out the service before it was ready for prime time. I've also experienced having my LL+ get to the final screen after payment to say it was no longer available.

Disney has done this to themselves by forcing everyone into the system at 7:00 and they are not prepared to handle it. I won't be buying G+ again, because it is not worth it. All of the rides my son wanted only had return times for late in the day, which meant you are stuck with the 11, 1, 3 timeframes to add another selection and pretty much after 3 there is nothing to pick! I swear Disney releases the late times first, to try and keep you from getting an early time slot and allowing you to use it to improve the number of selections you can get.

For our MK day, we used 2 G+ rides and bought 2 ILL and rode everything that we wanted to. For Epcot, we bought 1 ILL and ended up riding everything without ever using any G+. For HS, we bought 1 ILL and used 1 G+. HS is a total mess with tons of ride closures. We happened to be walking by Rise as it finally opened and got in line with what they said was a 65 minute wait, but we waited about 90 minutes. I happened to be on the ride at 11, so I was late in booking my next G+, which also means every other window was delayed and by my time at 1:14, there was nothing of any value left. Also the buses for HS don't start until 8:00, so you are behind early entry before you ever walk in the park unless you drive yourself to the park.

I'm glad this trip was just myself and my son. I would have felt ripped off if I had paid for this for my entire family.

 

[Disturbia]

1) Who wants to be anxious and stressed on vacation?? Genie+ is a mental health disaster for the vacation planner!

2) I'm going next week with no plans right now to use Genie+. I may change my mind. With my kids grown, attractions are not a priority. I can't help but feel bad for the newbies.

3) Families are dropping $5K to $10K on a vacation without the ability to plan ahead. Getting a park reservation is not planning. What if RotR overlaps your dinner ADR and then you get charged because you missed your dinner? Swim time? Naps?

4) I planned the day around FP+ and had a good plan when pulling FPs from the machine.

5) If we didn't use a paper FP, we surprised a family. Sometimes we'd pull a FP for that reason. Remember that??

6) I'd be fine with a wait time of <30 minutes. I'm hearing that LLs are almost walk-on? More LLs please.

7) I don't get the "level playing field" argument. When I drop money on vacation I do the research.

8) I'm ranting and sorry about that. This thread makes me anxious.

9) Genie+ is not forever. Nothing with Disney ever is.

My DH talks about your #5 all the time. We received a few and gave a few. It was a lovely part of the whole experience.

pS- I’m sorry this thread is making you anxious. You will have a great time, especially if ride efficiency is not your priority!!

We did the same. Our DD gave her a FOP rider switch to a kid whose dad was saying no way they can go on it. At SDD we had a pass for 5 and one parent stayed back with the infant so we were able to take 2 people in. Our DD got a pin (Nemo?) from the kid and she still treasures it. It was nice to share in the magic.

The CMs added to the Magic (slowly seeing improvement). Now we are made to feel like criminals if we have an issue and try to explain it to CMs (screenshot everything, take down the name of the CM you spoke to.)

Hopefully they will bring some of the magic back, until then we still have a good (not great) time despite them (not because of them).

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

All the rides in my OP not available at 11:41 on Thurs 2/24/22.

I wonder if it would be a good strategy to pick the earliest G+ at 7, and then hunt for “drops” for other rides?

 

[ckelly14]

Planning to go into this next trip in April with a different attitude. Splurged for the Poly, so planning to enjoy the resort, pool time, have some great meals, spend time with my extended family of 10. We were previously FP+ and FP power users. I think if I went into this next visit trying to maximize attractions I would drive myself crazy.

Disney was hoping that some guest would blindly follow the "free" Genie recommendation so they would happily choose Hall of Presidents and Aladdin's flying carpets instead of BTMR and Mine train. Not working Disney.

I don't ever remember wait time like this. It would be helpful to know if it is decreased throughput, increased crowds, inflated times or whatever. Hopefully touring plans will look at it objectively...

 

[pens4821]

I looked again today. Started refreshing at 229. At 232 SDD and TOT popped up. One more refresh for both, then third time SDD was gone. TOT lasted 5/6 refreshes. RNRC popped up at 234 for two refreshes. Those are the only three I was looking at. This is the same experience I had yesterday at those times.

 

[Delirium]

All the rides in my OP not available at 11:41 on Thurs 2/24/22.

I wonder if it would be a good strategy to pick the earliest G+ at 7, and then hunt for “drops” for other rides?

Disney executives should be ashamed that someone feels they might need to hunt for 'drops' to have a good Disney experience.

 

[Disturbia]

I looked again today. Started refreshing at 229. At 232 SDD and TOT popped up. One more refresh for both, then third time SDD was gone. TOT lasted 5/6 refreshes. RNRC popped up at 234 for two refreshes. Those are the only three I was looking at. This is the same experience I had yesterday at those times.

So it looks like it was the holiday crowds.

 

[RamblingMad]

Disney executives should be ashamed that someone feels they might need to hunt for 'drops' to have a good Disney experience.

Why? Folks keep giving them more and more money.

The new Disney ad should be: Do you like to spend every minute on your vacation either on the phone or in line? If you do, then you will have a magical time at Disney. We have overpriced imported merchandise that you could buy as well. And if that doesn't make your vacation, we allow all of our guests to fight over dining reservations in advance. However, there is no guarantee your lightning lane ride will be any where near your dining reservation. But don't worry. We have plenty of people dressed up as characters to distract you from this reality. And we're pretty certain you'll come back for more. Only next time it will cost a whole lot more. It's magical.

 

[Disturbia]

All the rides in my OP not available at 11:41 on Thurs 2/24/22.

I wonder if it would be a good strategy to pick the earliest G+ at 7, and then hunt for “drops” for other rides?

I was thinking the same thing, but we won’t be in the parks at 8:30 am (skyliner takes 1+ hr and you can’t even line up earlier). I’m hoping 9:30 or 10 am. 2-3 rides with Genie+ and some re rides with 30 min waits. Rest will be shows/ADRs. Resort/Pool 2-5.

 

[roctavia]

I was thinking the same thing, but we won’t be in the parks at 8:30 am (skyliner takes 1+ hr and you can’t even line up earlier). I’m hoping 9:30 or 10 am. 2-3 rides with Genie+ and some re rides with 30 min waits. Rest will be shows/ADRs. Resort/Pool 2-5.

Where are you taking the skyliner from? It's not supposed to take that long and starts running pretty early. It sounds like most people are making it from places like POP to HS /EPCOT for the early morning hours.

 

[Disturbia]

Where are you taking the skyliner from? It's not supposed to take that long and starts running pretty early. It sounds like most people are making it from places like POP to HS /EPCOT for the early morning hours.

Art of Animation in Nov. It took us approx 55 minutes after park opening (we started around 9 am). The wait at CB hub was 45 mins.

 

[dd316]

Disney executives should be ashamed that someone feels they might need to hunt for 'drops' to have a good Disney experience.

Disney execs:

 

[wisblue]

Just because they’re popping up when you’re refreshing doesn’t mean they’re actually available. When we were there in both November (when it was slow) and February (busier but not like now), I would refresh for several minutes and when something popped up, I’d say 9 times out of 10 it wasn’t there when I clicked on it to book it. I’d back out, the time would still be there, click again, and it still wouldn’t be bookable. It was highly annoying. I’d be curious how many times people were actually successful procuring those later-in-the-day pop-up times. The ones in the mornings - those theorized not to have been a completed purchase and put back into the pool - were easy to get.

How many people were you trying to book for?

I wonder if it’s possible that what popped up was from a cancellation by 1 person or a party smaller than yours.

I have never tried too much refreshing, but when I have and something popped up and I couldn’t book it, it was gone when I refreshed again.

From my experience refreshing is more of a Hail Mary attempt than a strategy unless you’re willing to devote a lot of time to it.

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

I was thinking the same thing, but we won’t be in the parks at 8:30 am (skyliner takes 1+ hr and you can’t even line up earlier). I’m hoping 9:30 or 10 am. 2-3 rides with Genie+ and some re rides with 30 min waits. Rest will be shows/ADRs. Resort/Pool 2-5.

Would love it if you could add what you end up doing to this thread after you get back- you’ve done so much research here- would be awesome to have it all in one place!

 

[amylevan]

Well at least starting tomorrow there will be another attraction at HS to try and spread the G+ out.
https://www.wdwinfo.com/news-storie...o-genie-for-a-limited-time-starting-2-25/amp/

 

[AquaDame]

Be interesting to see how things go with those added, for sure.

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

I was thinking the same thing, but we won’t be in the parks at 8:30 am (skyliner takes 1+ hr and you can’t even line up earlier). I’m hoping 9:30 or 10 am. 2-3 rides with Genie+ and some re rides with 30 min waits. Rest will be shows/ADRs. Resort/Pool 2-5.

Would love it if you could add what you end up doing to this thread after you get back- you’ve done so much research here- would be awesome to have it all in one place!

Well at least starting tomorrow there will be another attraction at HS to try and spread the G+ out.
https://www.wdwinfo.com/news-storie...o-genie-for-a-limited-time-starting-2-25/amp/

excellent!!! I hope that helps!