Hi Melissa!
Welcome to planDisney!
I feel compelled to say that your arrival date is less than two weeks away!!! How exciting! As much as I understand the need to budget, I also factor in the value of time when planning our vacations to the Walt Disney World® Resort. With six people in your family, you could spend a lot of time waiting in lines without
Disney Genie+ and the more you wait, the more tired and impatient folks could get.
My suggestion would be to definitely use Disney Genie+ at Magic Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios. When my family has used it in the past, we have maximized our time in the parks and, perhaps most important, had so much fun! One of my daughters is our Disney Genie+ expert so she runs the show for us in the parks. She remembers to make new selections as we go through our day.
As you continue to think about your plans, also take a look at the park hours, paying attention to the
Early Theme Park Entry for Disney Resort Hotel Guests and the
Extended Evening Theme Park Hours for guests of
Disney Resorts Collection deluxe and deluxe villa hotels. If you are staying at a Disney Resort Hotel or other select hotel, you definitely want to maximize those early and evening hours.
Melissa, I will say again that my family is always on a budget so I hear your concern. Since we never feel as if we have enough time in the parks, I have learned to also consider the value of our time. Since Disney Genie+ saves us time, allows us to experience more attractions, and then frees up time for us to enjoy other experiences, I can justify the cost. Of course, if it simply is not in your budget, just work with those early entry park hours if you are a Disney resort guest and extended evening hours if you are a guest at a Disney deluxe or deluxe villa resort hotel. If you are not staying at a Disney resort hotel, just take your time and set expectations for the family. You will still have a great time!
Let the countdown begin!
Magic and memories,
Donyell