Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun!

[Cynner]

So are we going to get some really good news today to take away the sting of Disney rifling around in our pockets for money?

They think that was good news!

 

[cellomom]

Good Morning
How I feel after trying to comprehend Disney's Genie...

 

[igrsod]

Thank GOD our trip is in December. Time to let the dust settle and others figure out how the heck the system works so we don't have to be the crash test dummies. To those who are among the first to use Genie...we salute you!

I was thinking the exact same thing. I'm glad I will get to see how the roll out goes before making any major decisions on what park, what rides, how much money to throw away etc.

 

[Aprilshack]

They think that was good news!

The blurb says we have listened to your feedback.They obviously haven't if they think people are happy with extra expense on holiday.

 

[igrsod]

The blurb says we have listened to your feedback.They obviously haven't if they think people are happy with extra expense on holiday.

I agree... although the old system was really confusing and hard to plan for if you were a Disney newbie. I answered many questions, and helped plan many trips for family and friends. So I could see those people when asked, saying how complicated and ridiculous it is to plan for a trip starting 180 days out at least... knowing what park, what rides and where and when to eat when you haven't even been to the park before is difficult and frustrating. So in that sense, they probably feel like they were listening.
Us Disney vets, who don't mind the planning and know all the ins and outs of the system were just fine and probably didn't give any feedback.
I have seen the back lash on social media about this announcement... I'm wondering if the powers that be are surprised by this. I'm thinking they had their head in the clouds and felt like we would all LOVE this new opportunity to spend money.

 

[luv2cheer92]

Hoping for more good news today!!!

 

[Marrila]

The blurb says we have listened to your feedback.They obviously haven't if they think people are happy with extra expense on holiday.

Beyond the expense, expecting the family planner to be up and working at 7am on vacation days...just no.

I'll probably end up with the snarky, surly genie. Lots of "I already told you... go to it's tough to be a bug! "

 

[Avery&Todd]

Your plans are very close to ours.

Nov 11th = arrive early evening (Staying at AKL). No park plans. Spend time at resort, possibly DS. Figured party would be too much after working in the morning then travel
Nov 12th - HS in the morning (first time for my DH) DD is so excited to show him Galaxy's Edge. Rest at resort. MK for the Merriest Party.
Nov 13th - Sleep in after party. Epcot.
Nov 14th - HS again and possible PH to another park
Nov 15th - Hang out at resort, possible DAK, early evening flight.

DD is currently working at Epcot on the College Program and is excited to have DH there. He hasn't been since Spring 2018 so a lot of changes in HS and Rat will be open.

OOOHH...I'm a little excited about riding that Rat - I guess as long I either get a BG or pay for it! and with 2 days at Epcot that should increase my chances, right??

and I guess there is no more sleeping in since I have to be up and on my phone at 7am each morning to get my 1 "free" Genie + ride, right?

 

[merry_nbright]

As someone who used to go 4 times a year, this year I’m at 2 and next year I’m cutting back to 1. I’m over them taking things away. Now I’m afraid they’re going to mess up the DAS and my mom is not going to be able to enjoy herself. What a mess. Super down, friends. Super down.

 

[Cynner]

I was thinking the exact same thing. I'm glad I will get to see how the roll out goes before making any major decisions on what park, what rides, how much money to throw away etc.

I'll be there for Oct 1
I lost sleep over this last night damn it. Trying to figure out how to adjust our plans for this.

 

[igrsod]

I'll be there for Oct 1
I lost sleep over this last night damn it. Trying to figure out how to adjust our plans for this.

ahhhhh... I would be doing the same thing.... especially for a day such as that and the days around it which I'm sure will be busy too.
Wishing you the best of luck. I'm sure you will have a great time.

 

[Jennasis]

Am I the only one who noticed that the "planning panel" on that one video were quite obviously reading their questions to the host?

 

[Gary Stocker]

Am I the only one who noticed that the "planning panel" on that one video were quite obviously reading their questions to the host?

Terrible acting job and the questions were obviously pre-screened and responses rehearsed. That guy Andres who I am sure is a good person came off as a complete shill. "Purchasing rides was a game changer and became part of every trip". Was it? Did it?

It reminded me of Private Downey's testimony in A Few Good Men.

 

[rangerxenos]

As someone who used to go 4 times a year, this year I’m at 2 and next year I’m cutting back to 1. I’m over them taking things away. Now I’m afraid they’re going to mess up the DAS and my mom is not going to be able to enjoy herself. What a mess. Super down, friends. Super down.

Yep, they'll ultimately get less of my money. I was already planning on staying offsite next trip, this just cements it. If they want me to pay more money for stuff that used to be free, I'll be giving them less to begin with to even it out. I'm not someone who cares about the Disney bubble.

 

[Gary Stocker]

The bottom line is that many people will voluntarily or, more likely, be forced to purchase these "passes" due to not wanting to stand by for over an hour for each ride. This will tell Disney that it is ok. A collective backlash with our wallets has been futile.

 

[Jennasis]

I think our cash trip next year will be to Universal. We have 4 trips planned. December, May, September and December. We usually do 3 DVC trips and one cash. Unless this Genie thing shakes out quite different from where it feels like it is going, we will take our money over to Harry Potter.

 

[Makmak]

One time pre-pandemic we were in fast pass line for jungle cruise, and a mom going to standby said “are there really that many people with money for fast passes?” And I explained they were free, asked if she was on property and showed her how to download the app and get passes. She looked very upset, and said it was their third day there and they had been doing standby because they didn’t know. Ive met people that made their first fast pass for 11:00 pm for Peter Pan and refused to change it because they were so excited to have it, even when I explained they are missing out on using it all day. I know many will say “it’s their problem because they should have researched” but many many people are going to show up not knowing what genie is, or how to use it. The CM are going to be doing tech support/teaching about this when they get bombarded with questions. Lots of people will be really mad, especially if it drops mid-trip. I’m hoping the rollout is when I am not there.
Edit: I’m just thinking of the people that see Jedi training, want to sign their kids up, and are told “nope that fills up at start of the day”, and the ROTR people that want to get a group or think they can do standby and are told “nope that fills up at start of day”, and now I’m picturing so many people finding out all the short lines/good rides are already booked up “at the start of the day”…..

 

[HokieRaven5]

Good Morning Folks!

I'd share posted wait times, but the blogs that normally share that information (Allears/Touring Plans) seem to have been a little distracted by other news from yesterday.

 

[Princessclab]

Sorry - what is the Disney Genie system?

Good question!
After reading about it and watching a 14 minute info video, it still isn't exactly clear. Lots of speculations and vague info.
I'm going to need a PDF with all of the rules stating what is and isn't included with each level AND for each park.
Stay safe all!

 

[OhBother1984]

A lot of Disneyland passholders bought the yearly Maxpass, even though they could still get paper FP. If they have to have Maxpass to buy the individual pay per attraction, then I could also see this being wanted. Many local passholders complain that it takes a year or two for them to get on rides like FOP. Rise wasn't as big of an issue since it uses BG. Maybe most new stuff will have a BG option from now on though.

It will be worth it if they sell a year pass for it like DL did, but for many APs it won’t be worth it to buy most individual days.