I work nights, so as it was slow I wrote a SECOND email, LOL. Again, long post, sorry!
I've already written once, detailing how I saw the
Lightning Lane options playing out for our days in the parks. I'd like to share some of my more generalized takes on these changes.
1. The Genie granted wishes FOR FREE, AND IN THE END ALADDIN USED A WISH TO SET HIM FREE. This really feels like whoring out Robin Williams' memory. Sorry, but the Genie and Robin Williams are favorites of mine. I can't fathom either one being so greedy as to demand payment for their generosity. Disney has phenomenal magic powers, not to mention phenomenal banks of money - but the little people, the guests, need to keep paying and paying for things that used to be freely given in the Disney generosity of spirit.
2. Now, instead of planning ahead so I can RELAX WITH MY FAMILY in the parks, I will feel obligated to plan throughout the day, beginning at 0700. While on VACATION. AND PAY FOR THE "PRIVILEGE."
3. Now, when I buy a two-day park hopper for $346, to remain ahead of the pack like I could in the days of FastPass, I will have to pay $15 per day, $30 total. I then will also likely have to pay, let's say $20 per day, $40 total, to guarantee access to a popular ride without wasting 15-20% of my time in the park waiting in a 90+ minute line.
$346 is now magically $416, a 20% increase, for planning advantages from FastPass that were previously free. For my group of ten that's $700. We could do two fireworks cruises with that money. Dessert parties. Character meals. Trader Sam's. Mickey Balloons. Sit down meals as a family. Build droids or light sabers. It's killing me making this list. If I wasn't shelling out extra for these things, then shelling out that money for something that used to be FREE is just gross.
4. YOU should be paying ME to spend less time in line so that we could spend more money on food and shopping. Instead, now I am insulted and will ultimately spend less overall - not only to recoup the cost of
Genie+ and Lightning Lane, but also to throw in a little "screw you" for making my park days less enjoyable. I take my dollars where I feel loved. I DO NOT LOVE worrying the entire time whether we will get to do most of what we want. I DO NOT LOVE using my phone to make a new decision every 20 minutes. I DO NOT LOVE paying extra for services that were previously free.
5. So should I solely use the free Genie app? I do think this piece could be extremely useful - for planning your days out ahead of time. I know this is intended to help the Disney planning novice or infrequent visitor. That's great! But why on earth did you have to add a paid component to it? Now, instead of this being seen as a lovely added benefit, it is overshadowed by the money grab. And, again, I would only find this useful ahead of time. It will just create more stress to use it while in the parks.
6. Speaking of the infrequent visitor, people who have to save for rare trips to Disney can not afford to leave their scarce and hard-earned vacation time and money purely up to chance *hoping* this new system works. What happens when Genie tells me at 9:30 that Splash Mountain has a 20-minute wait but by the time we trek over there it has inflated to 40? Will you reimburse me somehow for that wasted time and energy following bad advice? At least if I make the decision on my own there's no one to blame but myself. I predict you will have just as many complaints from people who can't or choose not to use the Genie app as you had complaints from people who didn't want to reserve their Fast Passes in advance. Some people just don't/won't/can't put in the work for a better experience. And either option requires work.
6. Perception is reality, and my perception is that you want 20% more money from me without providing 20% more magic. How about the Genie granting everyone three wishes in the form of three free fast passes every day? Oh, wait, you decided that was too much work and no fun.
The really sad part for me is knowing I'm stuck because I already promised my kids and grandkids this trip to Disney in November. I was so looking forward to it. Planning a trip for ten people is no joke. It is a labor of love. I've always felt a little foolish spending the kind of time and money I dedicate to planning a magical vacation. I've argued with people who've never been that they just don't understand - Disney magic is worth the money. Well. Maybe this proves them right. I feel betrayed. Is that extreme? I don't know. But that's how I feel.
