Disney's miscalculation with Genie/Genie+

[cjlong88]

Personally, I don't need a list of advantages or "perks" to stay on-site. We just like it. So we do it. We know it's expensive, but we prefer it and if our budget allows for it, then that's what we do. Anyone can choose to spend their money however they want. It's easy to think we all value the same thing. But we don't, and that is why Disney gives us a million options (value/moderate/deluxe rooms, casual/formal dining, standard/ph tickets, fireworks dessert parties, after hours events, tours, the list goes on) each with a wide price range. We all must decide what we value and then spend our money in that way.

For us, staying on property will always be high up on our priority list if our budget allows. We never needed (nor will we ever need) DME or FP+ 60 days out or complimentary magic bands dangling in front of us to choose that option.

 

[DisneyOma]

People will still stay onsite because lots of people have more money than brains. They are like every other tourist business in Florida right now. Demand is massive. No reason to give extra perks when people are yelling at you to take their money.

Staying on site has always been expensive. I haven’t stayed onsite at Disney in 30 years because of that.

Demand wasn't massive at AoA last week. We were in the Little Mermaid section, had 3 empty rooms beside us, no one above us for the last 4 days, and the parking lot was empty - maybe 5 cars in our area. The parks were empty an hour before closing (except EPCOT on a F&W Saturday night, but that's the locals) and we walked onto Smuggler's Run. I've got photos of Batuu with no guests in them.

We had empty buses to ourselves, walked onto the Skyliner, even found empty benches to sit on!

 

[PrincessBelle39]

We used to stay offsite. We love Windsor Hills and the space it offers, so close to the Disney Parks. We could be at AK in 5 minutes. The thing that moved us to stay onsite was the 60 day FP+ window. We loved this. It enabled us to have a true vacation which included relaxation as well as park time. EMH was a huge bonus also as our kids got older. Now, what's the point of staying onsite. Our kids are late teens now. We all prefer to be out later at night, particularly when its hot, and sleep in in the morning. Now there isn't really a draw to stay onsite when we can get so much more offsite.

 

[supernova]

They can no longer use Covid as an excuse to not being shows and parades back. They’re cramming as many people into the parks as they can. If it’s safe to have a parade you have to buy a ticket to see, it’s safe to bring back the regular parade. These are nothing but cost cutting measures. We’ll be back when Disney is back.

Oh trust me, it's all about cost-cutting. I'm very much aware of that. I missed out on picking up tickets for the 50th not once, but twice. But then a third wave of tickets opened and I grabbed one. The only reason why there were more available is because they continue to increase capacity. Parades cost money to operate, particularly in staffing, and so the longer they hold off, the more they save. I guess they are using Covid as an excuse to not bring back character meet & greets, which still makes sense. It's impossible to continually sanitize those costumes throughout the day, and constant washing would affect the costume too.

I for one don't bother with parades or stage shows. If I've already seen the parade, why am I going to bother watching it again? So I would never not visit the parks because there's no parade.

 

[MarkS2112]

I don’t think it is going to impact on-site stays. However I am getting tired of the loss of on-site perks and constant nickel diming on everything with a drop in service quality. An extra $60 or more a day is going to make us cut other things for sure.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Are people really in this thread arguing the fact that people are going to still hand over cash to stay over there at these resorts with no added benefits whatsoever?

If that’s the case then it’s fine continue to enjoy overpriced and underwhelming experiences.

I stayed at Coronado Springs this year, twice, but I am staying offsite for the rest of the year and don’t feel like I’m missing a thing, at all.

 

[OKW Lover]

Are people really in this thread arguing the fact that people are going to still hand over cash to stay over there at these resorts with no added benefits whatsoever?

Yes, that's pretty much what this thread is about. Some people apparently enjoy staying in a Disney resort even without added benefits.

 

[twodogs]

Here is the best news: VOTE WITH YOUR WALLET. Stay onsite. Stay offsite. Buy G+. Don’t buy G+. Do what you want. There are options for everyone. Disney just wants to make money. As long as enough people do enough of the above to continue to make Disney money, they will keep it up. If enough people choose things that don’t make disney as much money (offsite, never come back, don’t buy G+), Disney will change something. Your wallet vote is the only one that matters to Disney. Harsh but really true, I think. So be frustrated, be disappointed, be resentful, but if you don’t actually vote with your actual wallet, Disney won’t care.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Remember $15 is the introductory price.

 

[tinkerhon]

They can no longer use Covid as an excuse to not being shows and parades back. They’re cramming as many people into the parks as they can. If it’s safe to have a parade you have to buy a ticket to see, it’s safe to bring back the regular parade. These are nothing but cost cutting measures. We’ll be back when Disney is back.

Totally agree !!! Watching "Streaming the Magic" now- they are watching the projection show at DHS, and its packed !!!

 

[iheartglaciers]

Remember $15 is the introductory price.

Eaxctly. When MaxPass started at Disneyland it was $10. Then they increased it to $15. Now it's $20 and doesn't include the top tier rides, which must be purchased separately.

 

[cakebaker]

Remember $15 is the introductory price.

I think it's safe to assume that prices will rise over time.

 

[RoseGold]

Why are we assuming it isn’t in the deluxe hotels or an add on to APs or whatever? And Genie is flexible. It could just keep sending you to the lightning line at the teacups. It’s a lightning line isn’t it?

 

[Maleficent_Hades]

Personally, I don't need a list of advantages or "perks" to stay on-site.

i'm the same way! i've stayed off site and on site and i prefer on site just because i love the atmosphere. also i don't drive, and my husband drives for a living so he refuses to drive on vacation so just the disney transportation alone is enough for us to stay on site. we also just bought into DVC this past May so we'll get to take advantage of the EMHs if we choose.

 

[gharter]

We are in the same position as many on this board. We own DVC, so we will be onsite.
Genie +? I am willing to hold judgement until it rolls out. It could be amazing and make life easier at the park, especially for guests who don't come very often.
It could be a complete joke and be worthless.
Hoping for the best, planning for the worst.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

I'm fortunate to own DVC so I will have at least some onsite stays and will have the deluxe perks and also not have to pay parking ( at this time ).

When I first started visiting there were no fastpasses, and I enjoyed myself.
Then they introduced the paper FP. I learned the system and I enjoyed myself.
Then they introduced FP+. I learned the system and I enjoyed myself.
Now they are introducing something else. And I will find out in due time what aspects of this system will be useful to me.

And I will not worry or agonize over this - Life is too short for that! If I feel that I am still getting value for what I spend on vacation I will keep coming back. If not - it's been a wonderful ride and I know I've been luckier than many to have enjoyed it for as long as I have.

 

[Davey Jones II]

People will still stay onsite because lots of people have more money than brains. They are like every other tourist business in Florida right now. Demand is massive. No reason to give extra perks when people are yelling at you to take their money.

Staying on site has always been expensive. I haven’t stayed onsite at Disney in 30 years because of that.

Pretty insulting post, thanks. We've always stayed on-site at a value resort, which is not much more expensive than the independent resorts around WDW (except maybe some questionable dives). We don't drive, don't own a car (which saves us a ton of money) so we need the buses back and forth to the theme parks. Having said all that, it's nice to know that you think we have no brains.

 

[bsmcneil]

For many reasons I don't think they will lose money. I don't think anything will change as far as their occupancy or attendance. Due to "travel circumstances" in the world, I think domestic travel will stay up for some time. They will continue to be a top destination, and with many new guests which is their actual target market. If their hotels are full of all new guests, they are good, they can upsell them more and these guests will have no expectations of what was "before". If you move offsite but still go to parks, they are good because most park guests are from offsite. Disney is dependent on offsite guests.

Disney was about the only park not offering a paid for "fast pass" so no matter what we all hoped for and argued for, it was inevitable. I am personally thrilled that Genie+ is so reasonable and IF they handle it like FP+ in terms of distribution it could work very well. No more 3 FP+ being held prior to park opening creates a big pool to pull from. I did quite well at rolling that last FP+ and hope this means doing the same. Having to purchase may also mean less people using the system which is a plus for those using it. I am worried about the pay for pass price point, but for me it will mean just giving up some table service. Guests will make it work for their needs; it won't change their trips and buy it, they will buy it and drop something else or they won't buy just like many didn't use FP+.



THIS^

Everyone pays the same price for tickets to the parks no matter where you stay. Parks and hotels are two different profit centers. Where you stay has to do with your needs for your non-park time, your personal preference and budgets.

Genie is for park guests and I assume booking dining/events located outside the parks. It doesn't care where you stay. We must remember that Disney depends on offsite guests as there are only enough onsite to fill half the park capacity if they are lucky.

Neither early entry nor Deluxe Extra Magic Hours pertain to your non-park needs and yet both are based on where you stay.

 

[Juventus]

I never stay on site but another benefit is early ropedrop at ANY park. We have to see how it shakes out but if you get there early enough it should be easy to get done say 7 Dwarves and Space Mountain (or at least get in a short line for the 2nd) before the offsite guests get in.

If offsite guests are entering the parks and the paid à la carte rides (like the 2 above) are already 1 hour waits, then to pay for LL to skip these lines could be say $15 per ride per person: family of 5 that's $150.

Will those lines be 1 hour by the time offsite guests are let in? No idea since only onsite guests are let in...but if I was an on-site guest I would try to only get on the 2 LL rides at each park as many times as possible as they are not on Genie+.

We always ropdrop from offsite so this is big to us. Right now I feel like if I was on-site I would not need to buy the individual LL (unless we miss a virtual queue for say ROTR), but if I was offsite I would want to buy at least 1 LL per day.

But who knows how this will look once implemented.

 

[HopperFan]

Neither early entry nor Deluxe Extra Magic Hours pertain to your non-park needs and yet both are based on where you stay.

Agree and neither impact the what the guests are getting for their ticket price. Hours associated with your ticket are published hours and not a set amount of time. This is an after hour event that is "included" aka purchased within the price of your room. In good accounting, the hotels will actually be "charged" the cost of keeping the park open for them just like a private event. Just like the dining plan being "free" ... it is actually paid with your room's profits, not the restaurants other than a negotiated item reimbursement, which if they are not happy with they often drop the item.

The morning entry is a perk of staying at Disney and it does not impact the day guest. So a few folks are in before you, if they weren't they would be entering with you. The parks are already rolling at that point and it likely is a plus for transportation planning as well.

Bottom line Disney World is a business with MANY profit centers who work independently and intertwined. The Parks are depending on mostly offsite guests so they will always be in high consideration in any planning. Add that they pay to park and overall don't need Disney transportation, their ticket is already heavily weighted.