5 Reasons to skip Genie Plus: why you May Not need Genie Plus for your next Disney Trip
- amy_seavers
- Apr 7, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 26, 2022
Just returned from our Spring Break Trip to Walt Disney World with everything you need to know about Genie Plus!
It seems things are always changing in the wonderful world of Disney these days! New and exciting things arrive at the Disney Parks every season. While I love Disney innovation and imagination, it can be hard to keep up with all of the recent changes in the parks.
We spent our Spring Break at Walt Disney World and visited all four major theme parks during our stay. Although we have been to Disney many times, this was our first experience with the new line bypass system, formerly known as fast pass and now called lightning lane, scheduled with Genie Plus.
If you are planning your next dream Disney vacation, you'll likely want to know if you really need to purchase Genie Plus for your next trip.
Read on for my top 5 reasons you might NOT need Genie Plus for your next magical vacation.
Tip #1 - Disney Dime
If you are traveling to Disney and working with a tight budget, then you may want to skip Genie Plus. For a family of four, adding Genie Plus to your theme part tickets costs an additional $63.92 per day (March 2022 fee with taxes). For longer vacations, this can really add up fast.
Instead, take advantage of the free portion of Disney Genie. The app includes a tip board with to the minute wait times for popular rides and attractions as well as key times for park openings, shows, parades, and fireworks.
Tip #2 - Disney experts
If you and yours are Disney veterans, you may be able to skip Genie Plus and put your knowledge to work for you. Return guests have an advantage over newcomers. Knowing the lay of the land without using your smartphone as well as prior ride experience, can help you prioritize your favorite rides and attractions.
Head directly to your must-do rides and wait in those standby lines first. Then, use your park knowledge to cut down on walking time across the parks and wait in nearby standby lines for your second choice attractions.
Spring Break during Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary Celebration and Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival was a lovely time to visit the parks!
Tip #3 - Disney early Birds
The early bird really does get the worm at Disney! If you are staying at a Disney property resort or a Disney affiliated hotel, you may be able to take advantage of extra magic hours or early entry at the parks.
During spring break week, the four major theme parks offered early park entry to all Disney resort guests. We were able to enter the parks 30 minutes before off-property guests. This was our key to success for park days ( Epcot and Animal Kingdom) that we chose not to purchase Genie Plus. We headed straight to our favorite attractions that typically have long wait times.
Download the Disney app prior to your vacation. Use the map to view live wait times for your favorite attractions. Adjust your plans according to crowd calendars for the week of your visit. Then, develop a game plan with your family, so that everyone knows where you are headed first each day. A little planning will ensure your party doesn't get separated or squabble as soon as you are through the park gates!
Tip #4 - Disney Snack fans
If your family tees consist of #snackgoals, we feel you! We love Disney food too! Dining reservations in hand and flower & garden festival menus memorized, you are ready to travel!
You may be able to experience all the joy Walt Disney World has to offer without Genie Plus.
As our children have grown and their palates have expanded, we have enjoyed new culinary experiences together. We plan our Epcot days with marquis rides in the morning and snack our way around the world in the afternoon. Epcot is by far our favorite place to eat, so we did not need Genie plus those days and were still able to experience our favorite attractions and new ones as well! (see Tip #3 above)
Tip #5 - Disney Experiences
Perhaps some mickey ears and a little pixie dust will make all of your Disney dreams come true. If you are headed to a Disney Park for the joy of the experience and not the thrill of the rides, then you may not need to pay to avoid long lines.
The parks are wonderful places to take family photographs, stroll along the gardens or people watch. The live shows and parades are whimsical and energetic - no line required! And the fireworks displays are phenomenal!
On this trip our family enjoyed the Enchanted Tiki Room at Magic Kingdom for the first time - it was charming and relaxing - a delightful surprise! We also experienced Epcot's Harmonious production in the evening which was inspiring and impressive! Neither required Genie Plus and both are examples of wonderful memories made.
To Disney with or without Genie plus?
Disney Genie Plus is a wonderful tool and critical for many families visiting Disney World, but it isn't necessary to have a fun and successful visit. Planning ahead may lower your vacation expenses and allow you to experience all of the Disney food, attractions and magic that you've been dreaming about!
Blessings and Happy Traveling! - Amy
P. S. Leave your best Disney advice in the comments section below. :)
Note: We are not travel agents or affiliated with Disney in any way, but we are big fans of amazing family vacations! All of the opinions expressed and photographs included in this post are strictly my own. My hope is that sharing our experiences will enable you to have an even better travel experience!
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