BREAKING: Walt Disney World Introduces Date-Based Variable Pricing for Genie+ Service

[cakebaker]

Not always. We’ve sold three of our BWV contracts and after we take the grandkids on a long promised trip next month our last one will also be sold. Enough is enough.

Of course the are those who actually do leave, but the most I ever see are ones who say...after this next trip. I mean if you dislike Disney enough that you'll stop going after a lifetime of visiting, I would think you wouldn't frequent Disney forums either. I know I wouldn't.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Or people like me, who have too much money sunk in to pull out right now, but find it cathartic to moan about the unjustified price hikes. If this were a clothing store, I’d be shopping somewhere else, but I have like 80k sunk into DVC, so I’ll just complain until I get to a point I literally can’t afford to go anymore. Not everything is binary.

Can't you sell some of the DVC to get most of your sunk cost back?

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

MK Predicted: 4, Observed 4 (Party Date)
EP: Predicted: 6, Observed 6
HS Predicted: 6, Observed 8
AK Predicted: 4, Observed 6

Thank you. Really surprised that Epcot stayed the same given it's Food&Wine.

In terms of the numbers they were fairly close with DHS just bumping up to that high crowd. My DISer friends and I are watching/wondering how the return of Fantasmic works. I'm wondering will it absorb crowds or not. Of course it could experience a bump in attendance for a bit due to its return. One DISer couple has said they're going to avoid the first night though (probably a good plan unless it gets rained out).

 

[Disneydawg74]

I think Disney is testing elasticity of demand for many things.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Not always. We’ve sold three of our BWV contracts and after we take the grandkids on a long promised trip next month our last one will also be sold. Enough is enough.

This becomes the quandary though. "after this trip we're done" but they 1) still have that future trip planned 2) often moods change and they're back.

I wouldn't presume that's you but it's a comment I see a lot. I agree selling DVC is a big move but it doesn't necessarily mean you're done with Disney trips.

 

[Love Tink]

Of course the are those who actually do leave, but the most I ever see are ones who say...after this next trip. I mean if you dislike Disney enough that you'll stop going after a lifetime of visiting, I would think you wouldn't frequent Disney forums either. I know I wouldn't.

You keep saying that the people who are upset "hate" or "dislike" Disney or think it is evil. That's an oversimplification.

Many of us dearly love Disney but are dismayed at the current situation. I'm actually showing my dissatisfaction with my pocketbook - no trips planned - but that doesn't mean I'll never go again. And I'm always hopeful that something will change, so I check in on the Disboards to see what's up.

It isn't black (Disney is evil!) or white (You must never complain!). Like most things, it is gray.

 

[PaladinButters]

but that doesn't mean I'll never go again.

That makes you not the people in question - it's different groups. You didn't say you were never going again - just that you have no current plans to. It's when you say that you are absolutely done for real this time (after the next trip) that you belong in the first group.

 

[DisneyFive]

I think Disney has already shown their hand with how they want to handle pricing of Genie +. If they wanted Universal Express Pass pricing they would have started G+ much higher. Disney has a lot of history now with the Fastpass and G+ system.

Keep in mind, Fastpass in it's original form was put in place because of the overwhelming complaints by guests in the 90's that lines were too long. All they had at the time was standby. To answer this, Disney introduced Fastpass to great guest satisfaction. Park attendance started to increase significantly as a result, and that continued and continued until Covid hit. There were suggestions pre-covid that it was becoming difficult for Disney to manage the amount of guests using the FP+ system since everyone had access and there is only so much ride queue capacity for it.

The more costly Disney makes G+, the less will purchase it, and if taken far enough it will drive the parks right back to "standby only" like the 90's when guests #1 complaint were lines. Disney wants more guests to be happy, not a few really happy guests. Hence, I think Disney wants a lot (but not all) guests to use the system so that their park experience is more enjoyable. To accomplish this they are keeping the price manageable. They are testing the waters of what guests will pay, but I don't think they ever intend to make it exclusive by jacking up the price anywhere near something like Express Pass. Also keep in mind that stays at WDW are commonly far longer than at Universal, and when you are staying a week per se, something like Express Pass just becomes ludicrously costly.

We did ONE trip with no FP or G+, summer '21, and vowed we would never return unless a system was put back in place. We stood in lines practically all day in the park, (that's no exaggeration) and had little time to shop, grab a snack, enjoy the atmoshpere, etc... We had to get up super early just to get ONE, maybe two headliners completed before the lines stayed very long for the rest of the day. That whole experience just wasn't fun, and night and day versus having FP, FP+, or G+.

Dan

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Let's hear the "rationalizations" today, Genie+ $20 for Wednesday October 19.

Chapek needs a new boat.

 

[Love Tink]

That makes you not the people in question - it's different groups. You didn't say you were never going again - just that you have no current plans to. It's when you say that you are absolutely done for real this time (after the next trip) that you belong in the first group.

Which doesn't change my point that, regardless of which "group" you would put me in, everyone who says they don't plan to return to WDW does not *hate* or *dislike* Disney. If anything, I think most folks feel sorrow or disappointment.

 

[Love Tink]

The more costly Disney makes G+, the less will purchase it, and if taken far enough it will drive the parks right back to "standby only" like the 90's when guests #1 complaint were lines. Disney wants more guests to be happy, not a few really happy guests. Hence, I think Disney wants a lot (but not all) guests to use the system so that their park experience is more enjoyable. To accomplish this they are keeping the price manageable. They are testing the waters of what guests will pay, but I don't think they ever intend to make it exclusive by jacking up the price anywhere near something like Express Pass. Also keep in mind that stays at WDW are commonly far longer than at Universal, and when you are staying a week per se, something like Express Pass just becomes ludicrously costly.

Just a reminder that guests at three Universal hotels get unlimited express pass and early entry.

We've only done Universal that way - five of us, unlimited entry, for a reasonable hotel rate. (Still findable in the mid $200s.)

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Just a reminder that guests at three Universal hotels get unlimited express pass and early entry.

We've only done Universal that way - five of us, unlimited entry, for a reasonable hotel rate. (Still findable in the mid $200s.)

And the early entry, which is for all on-site guests, is good for an hour ahead although commonly only at one of the parks.

 

[Jrb1979]

I think Disney has already shown their hand with how they want to handle pricing of Genie +. If they wanted Universal Express Pass pricing they would have started G+ much higher. Disney has a lot of history now with the Fastpass and G+ system.

Keep in mind, Fastpass in it's original form was put in place because of the overwhelming complaints by guests in the 90's that lines were too long. All they had at the time was standby. To answer this, Disney introduced Fastpass to great guest satisfaction. Park attendance started to increase significantly as a result, and that continued and continued until Covid hit. There were suggestions pre-covid that it was becoming difficult for Disney to manage the amount of guests using the FP+ system since everyone had access and there is only so much ride queue capacity for it.

The more costly Disney makes G+, the less will purchase it, and if taken far enough it will drive the parks right back to "standby only" like the 90's when guests #1 complaint were lines. Disney wants more guests to be happy, not a few really happy guests. Hence, I think Disney wants a lot (but not all) guests to use the system so that their park experience is more enjoyable. To accomplish this they are keeping the price manageable. They are testing the waters of what guests will pay, but I don't think they ever intend to make it exclusive by jacking up the price anywhere near something like Express Pass. Also keep in mind that stays at WDW are commonly far longer than at Universal, and when you are staying a week per se, something like Express Pass just becomes ludicrously costly.

We did ONE trip with no FP or G+, summer '21, and vowed we would never return unless a system was put back in place. We stood in lines practically all day in the park, (that's no exaggeration) and had little time to shop, grab a snack, enjoy the atmoshpere, etc... We had to get up super early just to get ONE, maybe two headliners completed before the lines stayed very long for the rest of the day. That whole experience just wasn't fun, and night and day versus having FP, FP+, or G+.

Dan

IMO they don't want to be like Universal's pass but they also don't want to amount of people buying it that are buying it now. They want it somewhere in the middle. The biggest issue with Genie+ is that too many people have it most days. It's why availability runs out so quickly. They are trying to find that sweet spot.

 

[BamaGuy44]

IMO they don't want to be like Universal's pass but they also don't want to amount of people buying it that are buying it now. They want it somewhere in the middle. The biggest issue with Genie+ is that too many people have it most days. It's why availability runs out so quickly. They are trying to find that sweet spot.

To look at these boards and social media after G+ was announced, you'd think not only would nobody be buying it, but the parks themselves would have tumbleweeds blowing through due to so many being "done with Disney". Yet here we are and the biggest problem with G+ is huge crowds and too many people buying it. Disney are smart to listen what people do (and spend) vs what they say.

IMO you're exactly right, they're trying to find the balance. Now that (almost) everything is opening back up including Fantasmic, it will be interesting to watch how it goes over the next few months. I'd like to see how it would do with everything running, staffing at Pre-Covid levels, and normal busy crowds vs record breaking crazy busy crowds like we have right now. Sadly I'm not convinced they even want staffing to ever be back at those levels.

 

[Love Tink]

And the early entry, which is for all on-site guests, is good for an hour ahead although commonly only at one of the parks.

Not sure how that is relevant or important to our cost-of-Genie to cost-of-express pass conversation, but okay.

 

[Love Tink]

To look at these boards and social media after G+ was announced, you'd think not only would nobody be buying it, but the parks themselves would have tumbleweeds blowing through due to so many being "done with Disney". Yet here we are and the biggest problem with G+ is huge crowds and too many people buying it. Disney are smart to listen what people do (and spend) vs what they say.

IMO you're exactly right, they're trying to find the balance. Now that (almost) everything is opening back up including Fantasmic, it will be interesting to watch how it goes over the next few months. I'd like to see how it would do with everything running, staffing at Pre-Covid levels, and normal busy crowds vs record breaking crazy busy crowds like we have right now. Sadly I'm not convinced they even want staffing to ever be back at those levels.

Have we established that there are "record-breaking, crazy crowds"? How?

I certainly don't consider Dis-posters to be the typical WDW visitor, nor their reactions to be indicative of most visitors.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Not sure how that is relevant or important to our cost-of-Genie to cost-of-express pass conversation, but okay.

Um because you said "Just a reminder that guests at three Universal hotels get unlimited express pass and early entry." All on-site stays get early entry. You were the one to bring up early entry not me. If it's not relevant to the topic at hand then not sure why you'd bring it up and get on me for clarifying your statement.

Enjoy your day though.

 

[BamaGuy44]

Have we established that there are "record-breaking, crazy crowds"? How?

I certainly don't consider Dis-posters to be the typical WDW visitor, nor their reactions to be indicative of most visitors.

I'm not sure they're actually record breaking, and I don't think there's any quantitative definition of "crazy", so no I guess its not officially established. I'm just going by Touring Plans who said these are some of the heaviest early October crowds they've seen. I'll try to use more precise language in the future.

As for DIS posters not being typical visitors, I agree and never said they were.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Have we established that there are "record-breaking, crazy crowds"? How?

I certainly don't consider Dis-posters to be the typical WDW visitor, nor their reactions to be indicative of most visitors.

I don’t know about record breaking, but there are enough of us who go ever6 year who can categorically state that the parks are not tumbleweeds.

im here right now, and it’s one of the busiest octobers I’ve ever seen after 20 years of October visits. Can i say without challenge that I have NEVER seen it higher? Not really… but I can tell you that 1-2 hour waits for every ride and crowds so thick it’s hard to find open areas is not the norm for me at this time of year.

 

[DisneyFive]

IMO they don't want to be like Universal's pass but they also don't want to amount of people buying it that are buying it now. They want it somewhere in the middle. The biggest issue with Genie+ is that too many people have it most days. It's why availability runs out so quickly. They are trying to find that sweet spot.

Sadly, the only way they can control the number that purchase it is to
a) Place an actual limit on the number of G+'s sold per day. First come, first serve
b) Raise the price

I'm not sold that G+ is broken right now. Sure, things run out, but we were there late July which is not a slow time and it worked just fine. Sure one, maybe two rides, will run out quickly but that wasn't any different when paper fastpass was around. We always could refresh and scoop up a spot even if a ride was sold out. It just took some effort, but still far less time than standing in the standby line

Dan