My iPad 2 failed to activate after installing 9.03. Say...failed to activate because the activation server is temporarily unavailalble. I have been trying to 'activate' for four days now...went to an Apple store 'Genius' bar and still no fix.

I have an iPad 2 and before running the latest IOS 9.3 update, it was a perfectly good, functioning device. I do not have iCloud back up. I have valuable pictures and info on my iPad that I do not want to lose!! Now I cannot even use it! It failed to activate after running the update and is now in an endless loop.
The screen display shows the following:

Could not active iPad. Your iPad could not be activated because the activation server is temporarily unavailable. Try connecting your iPad to iTunes to activate it, or try again in a couple if minutes. If this problem persists, contact Apple Support. ....Try Again.....and again.....

I have been 'Trying Again' for four days and spent a day at the Apple Store Genius Bar. They failed to find a 'fix' and suggested I send my iPad to California and pay for data recovery, because the next step would be to wipe my iPad! ***!