Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2024 Edition

[Gusey]

DLP Report On Twitter
New concept art for the Sports Bar at Disney Village. The location will soon close as part of the area’s remodel and reopen in 2025 with greater seating capacity (merged with NY Style Sandwiches), redesigned plant-filled terrace, a new interior design and reimagined F&B.

 

[jpeterson]

After reading all the various info on the 'new' Lighting Lane system ... am I missing something?

It seems like Disney just 'New Coke'd' us and pretty much monetized the old FP+ system and people are cheering for it. I figured it was Disney's plan all along to turn FP+ into $$$, but they slow boiled us this time with all the plan and name changes.

No, that's what happened. I have no idea if that was the plan all along or if that's how it ended up (like the New Coke situation before it), but the end result is we have a slightly changed FP+ system that we pay for.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

No, that's what happened. I have no idea if that was the plan all along or if that's how it ended up (like the New Coke situation before it), but the end result is we have a slightly changed FP+ system that we pay for.

I don't think it was the plan all along. I think it's a response to the pushback.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Now I just wonder how much it'll cost. With attractions being tiered again, and if it'll be the same cost, I feel like G+ was more bang for the buck.

 

[MissLiss279]

After reading all the various info on the 'new' Lighting Lane system ... am I missing something?

It seems like Disney just 'New Coke'd' us and pretty much monetized the old FP+ system and people are cheering for it. I figured it was Disney's plan all along to turn FP+ into $$$, but they slow boiled us this time with all the plan and name changes.

One of the better changes with it compared to FP+ is being able to book another LL after you use the first one, instead of having to wait until all three were used.

 

[1lilspark]

Now I just wonder how much it'll cost. With attractions being tiered again, and if it'll be the same cost, I feel like G+ was more bang for the buck.

It will apparently still be variable based on day/park as I read on x
If you modify to a different park or day you will be charged a price difference if applicable

 

[brockash]

After reading all the various info on the 'new' Lighting Lane system ... am I missing something?

It seems like Disney just 'New Coke'd' us and pretty much monetized the old FP+ system and people are cheering for it. I figured it was Disney's plan all along to turn FP+ into $$$, but they slow boiled us this time with all the plan and name changes.

This is what they do...they're really quite good at it.

 

[Gusey]

It turns out that international guests cannot pre-purchase LLMP until they arrive in the USA

 

[chiburple]

It turns out that international guests cannot pre-purchase LLMP until they arrive in the USA

That’s a shock! Even if they have a Disney resort booked? There are a lot of repeat UK visitors in particular who I can’t imagine Disney wants to alienate.

 

[disney-inspired]

After reading all the various info on the 'new' Lighting Lane system ... am I missing something?

It seems like Disney just 'New Coke'd' us and pretty much monetized the old FP+ system and people are cheering for it. I figured it was Disney's plan all along to turn FP+ into $$$, but they slow boiled us this time with all the plan and name changes.

I thought the same. They decided they had to break the system in order to bring FP+ back as paid and think they'd look like a hero.

 

[Smugpugmug]

That’s a shock! Even if they have a Disney resort booked? There are a lot of repeat UK visitors in particular who I can’t imagine Disney wants to alienate.

That's what I thought too. I stayed at Coronado a few weeks ago and no exaggeration I think 80% of guests I came across were from another country. There were A LOT of European guests at the pool area and the QS. Now imagine none of them being able to book passes until they get to the US.

 

[Brian Noble]

I don't think it was the plan all along.

I don't either.

FP+ tended to be biased against first-time visitors who did not understand what it was or why it was important until they showed up on property---and by that time the major headliners were gone. Having G+ limited to day-of tended to level that playing field, and I believe that was by design.

I suspect the current windows of 7 days/3 days instead of 60/30 was in part to try to preserve some of that "leveling" but I also suspect it won't help that much.

 

[LoveToDisney]

That's what I thought too. I stayed at Coronado a few weeks ago and no exaggeration I think 80% of guests I came across were from another country. There were A LOT of European guests at the pool area and the QS. Now imagine none of them being able to book passes until they get to the US.

But, if they stay 14 days like many do, they can book as soon as they enter the US and at least get a priority for the last 7 days like most US families that travel for a week. The first few days can be shows and lesser rides if need be while they are recovering from jet lag.

 

[Smugpugmug]

But, if they stay 14 days like many do, they can book as soon as they enter the US and at least get a priority for the last 7 days like most US families that travel for a week. The first few days can be shows and lesser rides if need be while they are recovering from jet lag.

Or they could spend that time at Universal (*nudge* Epic Universe) where you don't have to deal with any of that.

 

[CarolynFH]

I've seen speculation that the block on international guests is due to the EU's internet privacy laws. Sounds like WDW's internet privacy policies aren't in compliance with them, so they can't let anyone there use the LL system, and they've extended it to all international visitors.

 

[Brian Noble]

I wonder if a US-based VPN server would be sufficient to be "in the US"

 

[crvetter]

I wonder if a US-based VPN server would be sufficient to be "in the US"

I wonder if it’s a limitation around the app stores since the purchase is all via the app. But they should just create a web based tool like FP+ has.

 

[mickey916]

I wonder if a US-based VPN server would be sufficient to be "in the US"

I've already seen a lot of chatter on Facebook on how to use VPN to get around some of the restrictions. Being in the US I didn't pay it much mind but there's definitely a lot of talk about it.

 

[Naomeri]

Someone posted on a different thread that there’s reports that the international issue for onsite guests will be solved. Offsite internationals are still out of luck, unless they happen to arrive in the US 3 days before their first park day.

 

[SkyGuy]

I wonder if it’s a limitation around the app stores since the purchase is all via the app. But they should just create a web based tool like FP+ has.

No clue if this has any validity or not, but I read a post that the reason they can’t do non-US is because they tax the Genie purchase at the time of sale. Non-US guests use a VPN to book dining/experience reservations which then aren’t paid for until the guest arrives in the US. Don’t come at me, I don’t know tax rules & have no idea if this is a valid concern or not!