Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun!

[Makmak]

My local news just did a spot on Genie and all the footage they showed was from “The Social Distance Times”….super low crowds, everyone masked outside, and waiting in line 6 feet apart….
Also, at the end of the spot the cool anchor said “wait it used to be free? Of course Disney is saying this is better than free” then he started laughing. It’s WTKR and you can live stream it if anyone wants to see it. (They replay it on the web livestream until the next broadcast at noon).

 

[easyas123]

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!

You & me both!
Kinda glad our trip isn't until early next year, I'm going to need time to figure this out!
It's as if they want to make it more complicated, more difficult, more confusing.

 

[pigletto]

You & me both!
Kinda glad our trip isn't until early next year, I'm going to need time to figure this out!
It's as if they want to make it more complicated, more difficult, more confusing.

I kept thinking the same as I watched the video . He kept saying how it was “easier”. Why would we need a 15 minute instructional video just to give a basic overview of something that was easy?!

 

[Karin1984]

I kept thinking the same as I watched the video . He kept saying how it was “easier”. Why would we need a 15 minute instructional video just to give a basic overview of something that was easy ?!

Was FP+ easy? For a new guest? They needed instructions for that as well.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Disney Genie, Genie+, and Lightning Lane FAQ for Walt Disney World

Just a few FAQs that might help understanding

 

[amador]

our trip is in early november…not sure if i should hope for it to launch october 1 so other people have time to figure it out or if i hope it launches after we leave so i don’t have to worry about genie

 

[Gary Stocker]

Was FP+ easy? For a new guest? They needed instructions for that as well.

Compared to this Fast Passes was The Very Hungry Caterpillar

 

[Sara W]

I had been considering a quick stay for my daughter's fall break (just a resort stay), but yesterday's news has me frustrated. Genie, plus Florida numbers, plus increased capacity pushed me to book the Biltmore House instead. I have been 7 (SEVEN!!!) times in the last year alone - from out of state. Maybe they shouldn't forget about the repeat visitors.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Princess Tiana-themed Playground Coming to EPCOT

 

[jpeterson]

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.

If they sell a year for a price similar to DL, I'm probably onboard. The MaxPass style lightning lane doesn't bother me TOO much, but the a la carte purchasing of rides does.

 

[Lsdolphin]

So for the first time ever (I think) and for obvious reasons there was no ticket price increase this past year...I assumed that there would be a significant price increase just before Oct 1 in honor of the 50th. Now I’m wondering whether Disney would really go ahead and increase ticket prices right on top of this new Genie+ money grab. Typically they have gone and increased prices with very little warning. I’m just wondering if it would be wise to go ahead and purchase tickets for 2022 from UCT now or just wait til Jan...however it seems like when they resume AP sales in the next few weeks that might their cue to raise ticket prices across the board...

 

[ladyderks]

I really dislike that they announced this, but didn’t give a start date. Are they going to launch it October 1st? Prior to that so that kinks get worked out? After October 1st to let crowds settle? They keep saying ‘later this year’, which makes me think it’ll be after October 1. BUT WHO KNOWS? Not me

 

[HokieRaven5]

First-Ever World Princess Week Kicks Off Next Week: A Sneak Peek of What’s to Come!

 

[Brocktoon]

I really dislike that they announced this, but didn’t give a start date. Are they going to launch it October 1st? Prior to that so that kinks get worked out? After October 1st to let crowds settle? They keep saying ‘later this year’, which makes me think it’ll be after October 1. BUT WHO KNOWS? Not me

Just a guess, but I'm leaning toward somewhere between mid-October and Thanksgiving. I don't think they want to introduce this during the madness of the 50th opening, but they may want something in place before the rush of the holidays

 

[Cynner]

It's funny - when I retire I want to work at Disney as a cast member and I am now dreading that due to my heavy tech background I'm going to have to walk visitors through this damn app! I hate tech support! Is it plugged in??

 

[Bibbobboo2u]

I kept thinking the same as I watched the video . He kept saying how it was “easier”. Why would we need a 15 minute instructional video just to give a basic overview of something that was easy ?!

Exactly! I did a summary in another thread, and as I was typing it, I laughed out loud and said to myself "Yeah, this is going to be easier for newbies." Easier and maximizing your return on investment do not necessarily go hand-in-hand. Good luck to all of us.

 

[helloconnie]

Kinda feels like Disney Parks are becoming like the airlines, charge you for everything. Pretty soon, they will charge you for the privilege of waiting in line.

Disney's business model use to be Customer Experience/Satisfaction comes first. Great Customer Experience = Return Customers. I guess now they have all the return customers they need so the business model has shifted to the American Corporate model of Stockholder Return comes first. I am a stockholder and I say if you satisfy the customer, the bottom line will be there. If you upset the customer, the bottom line will be impacted. With all the perks that have been taken away and now the approach of charging for some of those same perks, I feel customer satisfaction will be impacted. I know I am getting tired of the sticker shock that has been coming with every Disney announcement lately.

 

[pigletto]

Was FP+ easy? For a new guest? They needed instructions for that as well.

Of course you needed instructions for fastpass+. But I obviously don’t think the amount of content that will need to be covered for this system is anywhere near as easy as Fastpass+ was. Probably not the thread to debate it though .

 

[Marrila]

Of course you needed instructions for fastpass+. But I obviously don’t think the amount of content that will need to be covered for this system is anywhere near as easy as Fastpass+ was. Probably not the thread to debate it though .

I agree with you. I'm the one family members call with Q's. I don't think the new system is going to be easy to explain. FP+ wasn't overly complicated and was pretty user friendly.

 

[Leigh L]

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”…..

This was me in 2017! Had booked a quick 3-night stay at Shades of Green with one park day. A Saturday of all things, at MK. Who knew! The last time we'd gone was 2x in 2011, so things had drastically changed (the time before that was 2001, and 2004 when my oldest kids were little).Having an option for military tickets, we bought 1-day tickets at SOG the night before we went. Did quite a bit, but only because we're park commandos and stayed open to close. Plus we didn't know the things we'd been missing . That was a lotta line standing though!

Had NO idea about Fast Passes or anything. My fault, I could have done more research, but in the early 2000s, there was little planning involved and I'm a roll with it type of gal when I travel. That doesn't mesh with WDW I quickly learned!

However, in 2017 I was thinking like 2011 and before. We've gone several times since, so I know now, but I sure didn't then!