Disney Genie announcement

[Figment1990]

I don't want to miss a thing so I've been keeping up on this thread!! It's been work! Soon this will need to be titled "are you freaking out about Genie?" come on over here!!!!

so true.
I think 75% of our struggle here is the lack of official information and details. If Disney had put out a thorough guide,or if people had first hand experiences to report, most of this would have been “how do we” or “help me with my plan.” So much of the issue right now is about the uncertainty and not understanding how it works, as well as confusion because they chose poorly on how to differentiate between the three. Sure we all still need real time data so The uncertainty will be there for a while but just having some of the other parameter information would help us start to plan rather than speculate. (not saying we would be all “I love Genie+!” but at least it would help with part of the current anxiety of having trips occurring soon and not knowing what is going on.

 

[Disturbia]

As @Violetspider correctly pointed out, it's only ILL$ that off-site guests need to wait for. G+ reservations can be made by all at 7AM.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_CA/genie/?CMP=ILC-DPFY22Q1Wo1007211013210002C
In looking further into the purchase of ILL$ for off-site guests, I read this as being at park opening time of the park they are trying to purchase a ILL$ for. This is from the Disney website:

Option #2: By Making an Individual Lightning Lane Entrance Purchase
Lightning Lane entry as an "á la carte" purchase will be offered at a few of our most popular attractions. This option can be purchased by all Guests—with or without the purchase of Disney Genie+ service—and lets you choose a time to arrive at the Lightning Lane entry at up to 2 attractions each day (purchased one at a time). Current example attractions include Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom park and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT. Guests of a Disney Resort hotel and other select hotels* can make their first purchase starting at 7:00 AM on the day of their visit. All other Guests can make their first purchase at the regular time the park opens. Pricing and availability will vary by date, attraction and park. Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit for current prices and attraction availability.

To me, 'THE park opens' would refer to the park the ILL$ is located in but again, this is only my interpretation and may not be right.

Sure hope this gets less confusing with time!!

I read this to mean Genie+ for non resort (and select hotels) can only be booked after park opening

Edit: looks like everyone who purchases Genie+ can book at 7 (official page)

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/genie/
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/genie/lightning-lane/

 

[Disturbia]

Just a clarification on your first sentence, the first Genie+ reservation can be made by anybody (on or off-site) at 7AM. It is only ILL$ reservations that on-site guests have the advantage of making at least their first one at 7AM (off-site must wait until park opening). Not sure which of your examples however is the correct one regarding park opening.

Do you know if we are limited to 8 selections with Genie+? That wouldn't deter us necessarily from buying it, but would make a difference if we need to book our selection (or select our 8 top picks similar to the free version) in the am vs wait and see in parks.

 

[Disturbia]

This is the best Q&A I've seen but they say its unknown

https://www.disneylists.com/2021/08...new-service-coming-to-disney-world-this-fall/
Edit: over 15 and less than 22 was Disneyland Genie+ vs Maxpass

 

[DisneyKidds]

I’ve thought about skipping G+ most days and doing ILL in the evening each day instead.

I guess I hadn’t really considered that. I figured I’d do G+ on select days and avoid the ILL$. However, if G+ reports after the 19th aren’t great, skipping $15 a day for limited value and spending $20 a day for a couple guaranteed rides later in the day might just be viable.

 

[nurseberta]

so true.
I think 75% of our struggle here is the lack of official information and details. If Disney had put out a thorough guide,or if people had first hand experiences to report, most of this would have been “how do we” or “help me with my plan.” So much of the issue right now is about the uncertainty and not understanding how it works, as well as confusion because they chose poorly on how to differentiate between the three. Sure we all still need real time data so The uncertainty will be there for a while but just having some of the other parameter information would help us start to plan rather than speculate. (not saying we would be all “I love Genie+!” but at least it would help with part of the current anxiety of having trips occurring soon and not knowing what is going on.

Can you imagine being a fly on the wall at one of the hundreds of meetings. "the hardcore guests are going to freak out!" "Yeah, let's just trickle the information out there to wean them into it!"

 

[Violetspider]

Do you know if we are limited to 8 selections with Genie+? That wouldn't deter us necessarily from buying it, but would make a difference if we need to book our selection (or select our 8 top picks similar to the free version) in the am vs wait and see in parks.

There is nothing from Disney or any of the media preview accounts that I've seen that says you are limited to 8. I would say you will be lucky to get a total of 8 or more, just by the nature of the limitations of the system and the capacity of the parks on any given day. If you only want to ride high end tier 2 rides with G+, than you maybe waiting a lot in-between your reservations...hence less rides.

 

[snikki]

I guess I hadn’t really considered that. I figured I’d do G+ on select days and avoid the ILL$. However, if G+ reports after the 19th aren’t great, skipping $15 a day for limited value and spending $20 a day for a couple guaranteed rides later in the day might just be viable.

I may pick up G+ depending on our park days and plans. If it’s a RD at AK and Epcot WS in the evening type of day I won’t buy it. I’m waiting to hear reports before I decide. We go late next year so plenty of time to hear the strategies. I know we will definitely buy ILL for certain rides (ROTR, Remy, GotG if it’s open).

 

[dawnball]

The thing is we can’t go back to FP+, so we have to stop comparing because that’s no longer an option. Now the choice is 40 mins for Star tours and 60 mins for small world or $15…in 95 degree Florida heat btw

Well, no. The choice is Disney World or Universal. Or sea world, Legoland, Dollywood, etc.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

As @Violetspider correctly pointed out, it's only ILL$ that off-site guests need to wait for. G+ reservations can be made by all at 7AM.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_CA/genie/?CMP=ILC-DPFY22Q1Wo1007211013210002C
In looking further into the purchase of ILL$ for off-site guests, I read this as being at park opening time of the park they are trying to purchase a ILL$ for. This is from the Disney website:

Option #2: By Making an Individual Lightning Lane Entrance Purchase
Lightning Lane entry as an "á la carte" purchase will be offered at a few of our most popular attractions. This option can be purchased by all Guests—with or without the purchase of Disney Genie+ service—and lets you choose a time to arrive at the Lightning Lane entry at up to 2 attractions each day (purchased one at a time). Current example attractions include Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom park and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT. Guests of a Disney Resort hotel and other select hotels* can make their first purchase starting at 7:00 AM on the day of their visit. All other Guests can make their first purchase at the regular time the park opens. Pricing and availability will vary by date, attraction and park. Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit for current prices and attraction availability.

To me, 'THE park opens' would refer to the park the ILL$ is located in but again, this is only my interpretation and may not be right.

Sure hope this gets less confusing with time!!

I don’t really get what the advantage of being able to buy an ILL$ at 7 am is. I get for Genie+ why it’s an advantage if there’s some form of stacking. But ILL$? Does Disney really think all the desirable ILL$ slots are going to sell out before park open? I think they’re misjudging the demand on that a bit…. Maybe ROTR on crowded days. But Space Mountain? EE? MMRR? Even Remy’s? Lol, no.

 

[MainMom]

I don’t really get what the advantage of being able to buy an ILL$ at 7 am is. I get for Genie+ why it’s an advantage if there’s some form of stacking. But ILL$? Does Disney really think all the desirable ILL$ slots are going to sell out before park open? I think they’re misjudging the demand on that a bit….

I would do it so I would have the best shot at getting the time I want since I can choose my time with ILL$. I’m a the type who likes to have things laid out though. If you’re more flexible and any time works for you then you probably won’t need to be up that early. But we will know more in a few days.

 

[Disturbia]

Well, no. The choice is Disney World or Universal. Or sea world, Legoland, Dollywood, etc.

Disney is not going to give up this revenue stream whether or not I like it. Look at Disneyland Paris they had rides grouped and those were so expensive and now switched to a a la carte. If I don’t go, there are 10 people waiting to fill my shoes.

I think they are intentionally trying to reduce Capacity and provide less for more in some instances just to maximize revenue and see how much we are willing to pay (hence my complaint about no egg rolls, s’mores etc at the dessert party; there may be supply issues and staffing causing some of the housekeeping and CM attitudes, but I’ve seen an improvement Nov 20 vs June 21)

 

[Disturbia]

I don’t really get what the advantage of being able to buy an ILL$ at 7 am is. I get for Genie+ why it’s an advantage if there’s some form of stacking. But ILL$? Does Disney really think all the desirable ILL$ slots are going to sell out before park open? I think they’re misjudging the demand on that a bit…. Maybe ROTR on crowded days. But Space Mountain? EE? MMRR? Even Remy’s? Lol, no.

These are limited and Disney has said there may be no availability, but you will know and select time before booking.

Also if you choose a time close to park close and ride goes down you have less chance of a makeup pass/possible refund, although it is officially non refundable (thinking back to Halloween parties, which Sometimes do get refunded for weather).

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

I would do it so I would have the best shot at getting the time I want since I can choose my time with ILL$. I’m a the type who likes to have things laid out though. If you’re more flexible and any time works for you then you probably won’t need to be up that early. But we will know more in a few days.

What I was getting at is that, that, being the sole remaining perk for staying onsite, seems like a really really minor benefit. I see that it is of some utility, but only very slight.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I don’t really get what the advantage of being able to buy an ILL$ at 7 am is. I get for Genie+ why it’s an advantage if there’s some form of stacking. But ILL$? Does Disney really think all the desirable ILL$ slots are going to sell out before park open? I think they’re misjudging the demand on that a bit…. Maybe ROTR on crowded days. But Space Mountain? EE? MMRR? Even Remy’s? Lol, no.

I would prefer to book early as I like to plan and also, for a ride such as RotR where I'm paying top dollar, I'd prefer to choose an earlier time to give us the best possible chance of a recovery time if the ride goes down.

What I was getting at is that, that, being the sole remaining perk for staying onsite, seems like a really really minor benefit. I see that it is of some utility, but only very slight.

Each person is different but I also see Early Theme Park Entry as a benefit to staying onsite right now.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

I would prefer to book early as I like to plan and also, for a ride such as RotR where I'm paying top dollar, I'd prefer to choose an earlier time to give us the best possible chance of a recovery time if the ride goes down.

Yeah, for ROTR I get it. For the other rides though, if you're not going to HS that day... It just doesn't seem like it's going to be that hard to get these, or get them at approximately the time you want.... But I guess we'll find out in 4 days.

 

[JakeAZ]

The on-site "benefit" of being able to buy IA$ at 7am vs park opening is a illusory benefit. These are not going to sell out between 7 and 9am, if at all, on most days.

The on-site benefit should be IA$ attractions included with their G+ purchase.

 

[Disturbia]

The on-site "benefit" of being able to buy IA$ at 7am vs park opening is a illusory benefit. These are not going to sell out between 7 and 9am, if at all, on most days.

The on-site benefit should be IA$ attractions included with their G+ purchase.

but You’ve never met a friend like me…

$15 for 3 wishes, hold on fine print… except For these 2, unless others already took them, wait can’t guarantee 3 wishes, oh thanks your payment only took 25 mins to go through and you can’t eat because your credit card is flagged, no worries I also can refer you to weight watchers, you could loose a few; thanks for the $$$ oops sorry your app just froze! - genie running away after pulling the carpet from below you.

 

[nurseberta]

I don’t really get what the advantage of being able to buy an ILL$ at 7 am is. I get for Genie+ why it’s an advantage if there’s some form of stacking. But ILL$? Does Disney really think all the desirable ILL$ slots are going to sell out before park open? I think they’re misjudging the demand on that a bit…. Maybe ROTR on crowded days. But Space Mountain? EE? MMRR? Even Remy’s? Lol, no.

OR……. Are they creating demand? Because exclusivity breed that extra need??? Its psychology, like how a toy that is reported to sell out before Christmas creates a demand even for those who never wanted it. All of a sudden now that it is exclusive, people want it

 

[Disturbia]

Park hours for AK and MK (11/6 only) changed first week of Nov