Ep. 193 - Deciphering Genie+ w/ Brooke McDonald
Disney Deciphered: a Disney World planning podcast
Release Date: 10/27/2021
Ep. 404 - Evaluating Conventional Disney Advice (Buy or Sell)
Disney Deciphered: a Disney World planning podcast
Conventional Wisdom Find us on - please like and subscribe! Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you, helping you get the best discount, at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today! Episode Description There’s a lot of conventional Disney wisdom out there - has some of it gotten outdated? Leslie and Joe buy and sell some of the common advice out there, including discussions about rope dropping, park hopping, waking up early for dining, and even proper footwear. Consider...
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Ep. 403 - Christmas Markets Rhine River Cruise w/ Adventures by Disney (Trip Report)
Disney Deciphered: a Disney World planning podcast
ABD Christmas Markets Find us on - please like and subscribe! Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you, helping you get the best discount, at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today! Episode Description Joe took a bucket list trip - Adventures by Disney Rhine Christmas Markets River Cruise. Was it worth the money? Why is Europa Park bizarro Disney? We discuss the Adventures by Disney difference and talk about what it’s like experiencing Christmas markets in Europe. Plus,...
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Ep. 402 - Why You Should Visit Disneyland in 2026 (and when to go)
Disney Deciphered: a Disney World planning podcast
When to Visit Disneyland Find us on - please like and subscribe! Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you, helping you get the best discount, at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today! Episode Description Last episode we broke down the best times to visit Disney World, this week we’re talking about when to visit Disneyland. Why 2026 might be the year to visit Disneyland and how to avoid crowds when you get there! When are you planning to visit in 2026? Let us know...
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Ep. 401 - Is it Even Worth Visiting Disney World This Year?
Disney Deciphered: a Disney World planning podcast
When to Visit in 2026 Find us on - please like and subscribe! Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you, helping you get the best discount, at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today! Episode Description It’s the start of a new year, so Leslie and Joe break down what’s coming to Walt Disney World and when are the best times to visit. Plus, we discuss whether this might be a good year to skip that Disney World vacation and all the discounts Disney is throwing at guests....
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Ep. 400 - What We're Thankful for
Disney Deciphered: a Disney World planning podcast
400! Find us on - please like and subscribe! Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you, helping you get the best discount, at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today! Episode Description Episode 400! On today’s episode, we talk about what we’re thankful for in 2025, what we’ve been thankful for over the last 400 episodes, and discuss some of our most listened to episodes out of the last 400. Plus, some things we are NOT thankful for, Disney wise, recently. Have you...
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Ep. 399 - Best Credit Cards to use for Disney Vacations
Disney Deciphered: a Disney World planning podcast
Credit Cards Find us on - please like and subscribe! Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you, helping you get the best discount, at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today! Episode Description Leslie and Joe discuss best credit cards to use for your Disney vacations - and discuss general credit card strategy. How can you leverage credit card rewards to save a little money on your Disney vacation? All this in more in this week’s episode. What’s your favorite credit card...
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Ep. 398 - Ranking Disney's Three Wish Class Ships (Wish, Treasure, and Destiny)
Disney Deciphered: a Disney World planning podcast
Wish Class Rankings Find us on - please like and subscribe! Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you, helping you get the best discount, at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today! Episode Description Solo episode, but hopefully a good one - now that he’s sailed all three of Disney Cruise Line’s Wish Class ships, Joe compares the three. Does the Disney Destiny knock the Disney Treasure off its perch? How do the three ships compare in terms of theming and their unique...
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Ep. 397 - Dealing with Rainy Days at Disney
Disney Deciphered: a Disney World planning podcast
Rainy Disney Find us on - please like and subscribe! Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you, helping you get the best discount, at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today! Episode Description Leslie had a rain soaked Disneyland Holidays trip - we do a quick trip check in and then discuss how to handle Disney in the rain. When to expect it, what to pack, what closes down - we discuss all that and more and throw in some helpful rain tips along the way. What’s your best...
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Ep. 396 - What's New on the Disney Destiny?
Disney Deciphered: a Disney World planning podcast
Disney Destiny Find us on - please like and subscribe! Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you, helping you get the best discount, at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today! Episode Description Joe sailed on the Disney Destiny! We talk a little bit about the ship in general and then chat about what sets it apart from other ships, including unique lounges, entertainment options, the new Feast of the Lion King dinner show, and Hercules! Does it live up to the hype or is it...
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Ep. 395 - Should You Buy Disney's Travel Protection?
Disney Deciphered: a Disney World planning podcast
Travel Protection Find us on - please like and subscribe! Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you, helping you get the best discount, at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today! Episode Description Is Disney’s travel protection worth it? We detail costs, what is supposedly included and covered, discuss situations that Joe has dealt with, and a whole lot more. We discuss Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Cruise Line travel protection options. Do you like to buy travel...
info_outlineGenie+ Impressions
Looking to plan a Disney World or Disneyland vacation? Let Joe do all the hard work for you at no cost to you as your travel agent. Get started by e-mailing josephcheung@travelmation.net today! Bookings for the Disney Wish are open if you are interested in sailing on Disney Cruise Line's latest ship!
Episode Description
We check in with Brooke McDonald (@brookegmcdonald on IG and Twitter, a great follow for parks coverage!) who shares with us everything we need to know about using Disney Genie, Disney Genie+, and Individual Lightning Lane selections at Disney World. She was down at Disney World for the big unveiling and shares about the best ways to use Disney Genie to maximize your vacation.
Do you have any Genie+ tips to share? Let us know by e-mailing disneydeciphered AT gmail DOT com, messaging us on Twitter, or leaving a comment on our Facebook page!
Episode Notes
Don't forget to follow Brooke @brookegmcdonald on IG and Twitter! Also check out her super comprehensive Instagram story about Genie+.
2:20 - Quick Genie/Genie+/Lightning Lane recap
3:23 - A trick to keep the terminology straight
4:11 - Brooke's Day 1 experience
7:33 - Why you might want to book Genie+ Lightning Lanes before Individual Attraction Selections
10:37 - Strategies for Individual Lightning Lanes
13:11 - "Stacking" Lightning Lanes
16:15 - Stacking on half days
19:17 - Which Lightning Lanes are hardest to get?
20:39 - Hollywood Studios morning experience
22:21 - How important is early entry for on-site guests?
23:31 - Low priority Individual Attraction Selection Lightning Lanes
24:51 - What happens if an attraction goes down?
27:35 - What happens if you miss your Lightning Lane window?
28:58 - Is Genie+ worth it? Individual Lightning Lane purchases?
32:08 - Disney dos and don'ts
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Connect with Leslie @TripsWithTykes on social media and Joe @asthejoeflies.