Disney Genie+ and ILL$ Details & FAQ - Launches 10/19 at WDW, Paid "FastPass" at WDW and Disneyland (date TBD)

[PepperjackDragon]

Its also possible that everyone is underestimating just how much fastpasses were slowing down standby times.

Touring plans for example describes " the crowd calendar's 1-to-10 scale, we score each attraction's daily crowds on a scale of 1 to 10. After the attractions are scored those values are combined to make the park and resort crowd levels." (pulled from a google search that resulted in a 2015 hit, so perhaps it is more complicated now) However, if true which would mean that if they are using a previous calculation based on fastpasses, but the attractions are moving substantially faster than ever before, then add in reduced park capacity preventing any one ride from getting too absurd as people see other more reasonable wait times available, and you would have an incorrect crowd calculation (hence the recent 1s)

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

Its also possible that everyone is underestimating just how much fastpasses were slowing down standby times.

well wait time during May and June were pretty high, and there were no fast passes then either

 

[PepperjackDragon]

well wait time during May and June were pretty high, and there were no fast passes then either

Honest question, as I am not sure when the changes happened, but weren't they still running social distanced rides at less than full capacity then as well?

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

Honest question, as I am not sure when the changes happened, but weren't they still running social distanced rides at less than full capacity then as well?

I don't believe so, i know masking wasn't a thing then, and i don't believe social distancing was either.

 

[Liquidice]

IDK, did you see the pictures of the crowds at MK? They were starting monorails at 4:30. I've seen IG stories where it's exactly what is reporting, massive crowds, but everyone's in line for merch. And if you want to ride rides, you're in good shape.

On the live stream I'm watching it definitely looks more crowded now than it was earlier (maybe everyone in line for merch). But still not that bad, more like a holiday than a 10/10 crowd level right now, maybe it gets more crowded as we get closer to Enchantment?

 

[Liquidice]

well wait time during May and June were pretty high, and there were no fast passes then either

I was there at the end of June and then again for July 4th weekend - it was definitely crowded - today is about the same as those days though, nothing crazy so far. The wait times are definitely lower for rides too .. in June/July they weren't socially distancing but on some rides they were giving people their own rows still. However, not all of the rides were doing this (pirates for example I rode sitting next to 2 strangers).

I was just expecting massive crowds today - I assume Disney was too. You're probably right though, maybe a lot of cancellations.

 

[Jrb1979]

I was there at the end of June and then again for July 4th weekend - it was definitely crowded - today is about the same as those days though, nothing crazy so far. The wait times are definitely lower for rides too .. in June/July they weren't socially distancing but on some rides they were giving people their own rows still. However, not all of the rides were doing this (pirates for example I rode sitting next to 2 strangers).

I was just expecting massive crowds today - I assume Disney was too. You're probably right though, maybe a lot of cancellations.

I thought of any day today would be the busiest. As far as crowds returning, I don't think it's cancellations at all, I think that "pent up demand" is done for now. It's not just Disney, it's everywhere. I've heard HHN is having lower crowds then normal.

 

[ChipnDale79]

I thought of any day today would be the busiest. As far as crowds returning, I don't think it's cancellations at all, I think that "pent up demand" is done for now. It's not just Disney, it's everywhere. I've heard HHN is having lower crowds then normal.

could be the case honestly..people had extra money to spend, those that were going to spend it on vacations, probably already have. I can see disney being a "Well we have more money that extra this year, lets splurge on a vacation and do disney". now that might be dried up.

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

I thought of any day today would be the busiest. As far as crowds returning, I don't think it's cancellations at all, I think that "pent up demand" is done for now. It's not just Disney, it's everywhere. I've heard HHN is having lower crowds then normal.

Not saying that couldn't play into it as well, but i have been checking hotel availability periodically for the last few months, and it went from 0 availability the week we are going down(10/17 back in June), to a lot of availability going into September, and really hasn't flinched much from there. I think a lot of people thought COVID would be in the rear view this year, and because it's not, a lot of people had to rethink travel

 

[emilymad]

And Disney is offering no discounts while other travel destinations definitely are so if I am just looking for a vacation Disney is priced very high in comparison.

 

[Mousey0324]

Was just going to post the same thing…wait times are incredibly low for a “full” park.

i don’t buy the merchandise explanation either

wondering why they are coming out with a genie product for a problem that doesn’t exist today. The wait times are exaggerated. Anyone who wants to wait in a standby can with minimal wait times. Win win for everyone.

starting to think Disney will artificially create a wait time issue by introducing the genie plus by re-introducing fast passes. Not a good look.

As for the June July wait times…most of those rides were understaffed, not running full capcity, and half the restaraunts/shows weren’t open

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

Was just going to post the same thing…wait times are incredibly low for a “full” park.

i don’t buy the merchandise explanation either

wondering why they are coming out with a genie product for a problem that doesn’t exist today. The wait times are exaggerated. Anyone who wants to wait in a standby can with minimal wait times. Win win for everyone.

starting to think Disney will artificially create a wait time issue by introducing the genie plus by re-introducing fast passes. Not a good look.

As for the June July wait times…most of those rides were understaffed, not running full capcity, and half the restaraunts/shows weren’t open

I just don't believe that wait times are due to no FP, you can't use the last year as a barometer on that, there are just too many variables to take into consideration in that time period to be able to say that Disney doesn't need a FP system in place. I'm not saying you're wrong, i just think it is way to early to pass that type of judgement

 

[Mousey0324]

I just don't believe that wait times are due to no FP, you can't use the last year as a barometer on that, there are just too many variables to take into consideration in that time period to be able to say that Disney doesn't need a FP system in place. I'm not saying you're wrong, i just think it is way to early to pass that type of judgement

I think keeping a cap on attendance using the reservation system, with fully open/operational parks is the key to success.

It might not make Disney a ton of money but it will surely keep guests happy. I was just down there for 4 nights. The lines were great.

 

[Liquidice]

I thought of any day today would be the busiest. As far as crowds returning, I don't think it's cancellations at all, I think that "pent up demand" is done for now. It's not just Disney, it's everywhere. I've heard HHN is having lower crowds then normal.

I think it is interesting that for the new Very Merriest After Hours party, every single date remains available and not sold out. Either Disney increased the crowds allowed for Very Merriest (but then is it really an After Hours party?) - or people aren't attending.

 

[Jrb1979]

I think it is interesting that for the new Very Merriest After Hours party, every single date remains available and not sold out. Either Disney increased the crowds allowed for Very Merriest (but then is it really an After Hours party?) - or people aren't attending.

I think they aren't attending. Like I said it's not just Disney. Even my local amusement park's Halloween haunt event has lower attendance then normal. I don't think it's all to due with Covid. People just don't have the money right now.

 

[jkh36619]

I could get behind the once per ride if all rides were included in genie+. But to limit them and charge extra for the headliners is just aggravating. That’s realy making me reconsider getting genie+ for all 4 parks. Probably not worth it for Epcot and AK.

thats kind of where I am. If its just one ride per a day, don't limit it to tier 2 and below.

 

[luv2cheer92]

I think a lot of it is that they are running everything at full capacity and fully staffed. I mentioned it in another thread, but the lines just seem to be moving quite a bit faster this week than I've ever experienced. Even comparing it to my trip in July. They seem to be getting people through the lines faster.

 

[dclpluto]

And Disney is offering no discounts while other travel destinations definitely are so if I am just looking for a vacation Disney is priced very high in comparison.

you have to know how to do it cheap. It’s up to you. I went in December and January no annual passes was available at that time. So in December I only spent a couple days at Disney the others I went to universal. In January again no annual passes was available so I went to Disney only a couple of days also went to universal and sea world and the villages. So that time we couldn’t do it cheap now we can.
went last week stayed a week got annual pass the dvc one. 957 with tax. Going to use that for three weeks at Disney. Last week in may than again September before it expires. All three weeks will be staying in a 1 bedroom on points. Copper creek, grand Floridian, boardwalk. After that I will be cruising. Probably take at least a year off from the parks.

 

[MichelinMan]

Part of the reason for lower crowds, and shorter queues, at Disney are less international guests. Many of those guests are 'once in a lifetime' guests, who will cram in lots of rides. So no surprise that queues are shorter. It will only be from next month when many of those guests (loads from here in the UK) are allowed into the US that we will get an idea of crowd levels.

However, prices are going up so much, particularly flights, that the cost is now getting too expensive for many UK families. This is bound to dent attendance figures a bit for international guests.

 

[snowwhite84]

Part of the reason for lower crowds, and shorter queues, at Disney are less international guests. Many of those guests are 'once in a lifetime' guests, who will cram in lots of rides. So no surprise that queues are shorter. It will only be from next month when many of those guests (loads from here in the UK) are allowed into the US that we will get an idea of crowd levels.

However, prices are going up so much, particularly flights, that the cost is now getting too expensive for many UK families. This is bound to dent attendance figures a bit for international guests.

But how does that explain the packed crowds over the summer?