Do you think Disney Parks Lightning Lane system is one of Disney Parks weakest links ever made in history?

[DodgerGirl]

Ever since it was first known as Disney's Genie+ when it debuted I think this Lightning Lane system has been one of Disney Parks weakest links in Disney Parks history. Because what I think when Disney Parks started development and work on this system during the pandemic I think they wanted to return to the ride paying system that the parks had and make a newer version of the E-Ticket system. But in my eyes I think this Lightning Lane system really has hurt Disney Parks a lot especially Disneyland. And with the Disneyland version of the Lightning Lane system I think Disneyland is trying to go back to their old ride paying system that they had began in 1955 and ended in 1982 and they think that this Lightning Lane system will get people into rides much faster. What Disneyland should've done is revive the Fastpass service that used to be free and that would've helped people a lot who want to ride rides a lot. I also think that Disney Parks should launch a Lightning Lane system for character meet and greets and indoor shows. Because for indoor shows and character meet and greets this would help people a lot especially families with children who have to wait in long lines to meet characters and want to see indoor shows. But still I think Disney Parks should've developed something better than Genie+/Lightning Lane in my opinion

 

[FreeTime]

I answered the poll in terms of yours question on the post line and then noticed the poll question is different. No, I do not think it is the weakest link and no, I do not think it is a bad idea. I may not always like the idea but I don’t think it is bad.

I do not think it is anywhere near the pay per attraction model of the original park ticket structure and I don’t think they are trying to get back to it.

 

[reddog21]

I have no real issues with the lightning lane system. I have had really good success everytime we use it so I can't complain. IMO not the weakest or worst idea Disney has had.

 

[Smugpugmug]

The title of this thread and poll are asking two different questions. If we're going by the title, then no. I would argue Disney's worst mistake was Euro Disneyland/Disneyland Paris as that park's failure snowballed into the cancellation and budget cuts of various projects afterwards. Hong Kong Disneyland would probably be a close second.

As for LLMP, it was an inevitable move by Disney. They were losing money with Fastpass+ being free so it was only a matter of time before it became a paid system. I haven't used the new one yet but have used Genie+ and it was fine. I do prefer systems like Express pass where you don't have to book times and can just walk into the attractions whenever you want but as you can see with Disney's version, it needs to be priced high to make it work properly.

 

[DodgerGirl]

When Genie+ debuted I think people were shocked to see why Disney Parks would begin using this new system because I think Disney Parks had put a lot of effort into developing this system but when once Genie+ became Lightning Lane Disney Parks were beginning to experiment with different ways that this christened system would improve for people. But in Disneyland's case I think Lightning Lane has become the most expensive thing for the park and what Disneyland should do is lower the prices for Lightning Lane rides in tiers and if this tier system works for Disneyland Walt Disney World could follow suit next. But as I mentioned in my opening post in this thread Disney Parks should have Lightning Lane for character meet and greets and indoor shows because if you are a family with kids who want to meet Mickey Mouse the princesses and other characters having to wait in a long long line this Lightning Lane would work miracles and if you would like to see a show such as Beauty And The Beast Live On Stage Hall Of Presidents and other indoor shows Lightning Lane would save time for people. But if Disney Parks want to keep improving I think they will plan to add more Lightning Lane experiments and lower the prices of some Lightning Lane rides such as adding Lightning Lane free included with a stay at a Disney resort and special white glove treatment will be added

 

[FreeTime]

Why would / should they lower the price when people are paying for it? @DodgerGirl

There are too many resorts to add it for free. The Premier Pass is available for those at deluxe resorts. This is a tiering in a sense, that you bring up as the cost is higher than regular LL.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Don't know how to answer the poll since the title and poll question are opposite. LL is far from the worst thing Disney has done. Since it's optional, we tend to use it perhaps 50% of the days we're in the parks, and do without it the other 50%.

 

[tachyonbb]

So Disney started with a pay per ride model, then went to a one price, ride all the rides model. Now they charge one price to get in and you still have to pay more to ride some rides. A way to maximize profits. I liked the fast pass model, easy to understand, easy to use and it worked. Now all I see is pay more and more and more

 

[RuntheMouse]

I answered based on you title.

We loved FP+ of course, never purchased genie+ and have purchased LLMP/LLSP on a few occasions depending on scheduling. I don’t think it’s bad at all. We do plenty of park days w/o LL but love having the option to use it on days we choose.

 

[Tom_E_D]

When Genie+ debuted I think people were shocked to see why Disney Parks would begin using this new system because I think Disney Parks had put a lot of effort into developing this system but when once Genie+ became Lightning Lane Disney Parks were beginning to experiment with different ways that this christened system would improve for people. But in Disneyland's case I think Lightning Lane has become the most expensive thing for the park and what Disneyland should do is lower the prices for Lightning Lane rides in tiers and if this tier system works for Disneyland Walt Disney World could follow suit next. But as I mentioned in my opening post in this thread Disney Parks should have Lightning Lane for character meet and greets and indoor shows because if you are a family with kids who want to meet Mickey Mouse the princesses and other characters having to wait in a long long line this Lightning Lane would work miracles and if you would like to see a show such as Beauty And The Beast Live On Stage Hall Of Presidents and other indoor shows Lightning Lane would save time for people. But if Disney Parks want to keep improving I think they will plan to add more Lightning Lane experiments and lower the prices of some Lightning Lane rides such as adding Lightning Lane free included with a stay at a Disney resort and special white glove treatment will be added

Beauty and the Beast Live On Stage does have a lightning lane at WDW, as do the indoor shows Disney Junior Play & Dance, For the First Time in Forever, Festival of the Lion King, and Finding Nemo: the Big Blue and Beyond. There are more outdoor shows available too.

 

[Tom_E_D]

Ever since it was first known as Disney's Genie+ when it debuted I think this Lightning Lane system has been one of Disney Parks weakest links in Disney Parks history. Because what I think when Disney Parks started development and work on this system during the pandemic I think they wanted to return to the ride paying system that the parks had and make a newer version of the E-Ticket system. But in my eyes I think this Lightning Lane system really has hurt Disney Parks a lot especially Disneyland. And with the Disneyland version of the Lightning Lane system I think Disneyland is trying to go back to their old ride paying system that they had began in 1955 and ended in 1982 and they think that this Lightning Lane system will get people into rides much faster. What Disneyland should've done is revive the Fastpass service that used to be free and that would've helped people a lot who want to ride rides a lot. I also think that Disney Parks should launch a Lightning Lane system for character meet and greets and indoor shows. Because for indoor shows and character meet and greets this would help people a lot especially families with children who have to wait in long lines to meet characters and want to see indoor shows. But still I think Disney Parks should've developed something better than Genie+/Lightning Lane in my opinion

The development of Genie+ did not begin during the pandemic. It was already in the works and it was based largely on the paid MaxPass system that had been used at Disney's California parks since 2017.

 

[Meriweather]

We used MPLL for the first time early Dec. Hated it.
We only bought it for 2 parks in our 11 day stay to check it out.
Epcot and MK.
We are seniors, do rope drop and go back to the resort early.
Sure we got Remy, but the others were walk ons anyway. And after Remy, Frozen was gone for the day and we had 10:00 Remy. So we paid for 1 ride.
Same at MK. We got Peter Pan, the rest were walk ons......in the mornings. The other days we did those parks we just walked on things, or less than 10 minute wait.

Granted we don't do the roller coasters, so for us it isn't worth it.

 

[North of Mouse]

The things they add on to get additional money from guests don't bother me that much any more. Enjoyed the parks so much in the 80's, 90's and even up till about 2010. Now, I just try to ignore the money grabbing and enjoy it my way.
We were there last Spring, did rope drop and accomplished everything we wanted to do - didn't use their LLS one time - and have no intention of using it ever. The ticket prices are what they are, but we don't have to pay extra, just inconvenienced having to get moving so early on vacation when we'd rather not.
We watch some in line that had early LL entry get on about the same time as we did SB - duh!

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

I am confused to why people are saying they are trying to charge you to ride a ride like when the parks first opened. Every single ride can be done with out buying Lightening Lane..sure you may wait longer but you can still ride them. We did Hollywood studios in 2023 during spring break and rode almost everything during the day with out paying for genie + at the time. Only Slinky and Rise were annoying waits.

I don't see it as a money grab either because again it isn't forced on you. Its a luxury item that some will chose to pay because they value their time more than the money it costs.

Fastpass was probably the best version that benefited the most honestly and it wasn't perfect. Fastpass + benefited those staying on propoerty for at least 4-5 nights. Nothing is perfect in the end and all have their pros and cons.

 

[DodgerGirl]

I cannot figure out as I mentioned before why Disney Parks don't have Lightning Lane for character meet and greets and if Disney Parks were to have Lightning Lane for character meet and greets it would save families and people lots of time if they want to meet characters such as Mickey Mouse Minnie Mouse the princesses and other characters because like I mentioned in my previous post why families and people have to wait in long lines just to meet characters is annoying and Lightning Lane for character meet and greets would help families and people a lot. Why I think Disney thought of this Lightning Lane system for Disneyland and Walt Disney World was simply a way to attract more people into their theme parks and I think next to Disneyland's Magic Keys this idea was thought up as a way for people who visit the parks as a successful selling tool. And as many of you know Disney Parks have always thought of ways to improve guest satisfaction and the Lightning Lane System was invented as a helpful tool to enhance theme park visits

 

[Newsies]

I cannot figure out as I mentioned before why Disney Parks don't have Lightning Lane for character meet and greets and if Disney Parks were to have Lightning Lane for character meet and greets it would save families and people lots of time if they want to meet characters such as Mickey Mouse Minnie Mouse the princesses and other characters because like I mentioned in my previous post why families and people have to wait in long lines just to meet characters is annoying and Lightning Lane for character meet and greets would help families and people a lot.

They will likely add those select M&Gs that featured FP+ entry to LLMP down the line. The new EPCOT Mickey & Friends location that opened this summer features a Lightning Lane entry queue, I'm sure they intend to use it at some point. We are less than a year into LLMP in its current (3.0?) iteration and I'm sure it will continue to change as it has been changing repeatedly since the parks re-opened from COVID-19.

 

[DCLMP]

Genie plus is saving me a lot of money.
Because of it I have no desire to go anymore. I think I'm better off.

 

[bakerworld]

Actually since Disney started charging for LL, I think the people using LL has been reduced. I don't mind LL as I think there is a good use for them. If you're doing a one time only trip to Disney, they're an excellent way to ride all the major rides. We haven't used a LL/G+ since Disney started charging for them. We go to Florida about 3 times a year so we don't have the same need.

 

[etherealcaitiff]

I was never a fan of fastpass+, but I used Genie+ on our last trip and it was absolutely amazing and worth the price. It was like $30 a person and we were able to ride absolutely everything we wanted.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I cannot figure out as I mentioned before why Disney Parks don't have Lightning Lane for character meet and greets

They will likely add those select M&Gs that featured FP+ entry to LLMP down the line.

The hourly capacity for meet & greets is seriously low. How many can they meet, maybe 60 parties an hour at the very best, realistically closer to half that? If they offered LL for meet & greets, they would be pretty limited, and probably be more irritants to the majority of people who couldn't book one. Plus the standby meet & greet queue would become ridiculously slow/long.

With the LL Premier now available, they can't even consider doing LL for meet & greets. There just isn't enough time in the day to be able to guarantee that every LL Premier guest would be able to access each meet & greet in their park. I realize many LLPP people aren't doing meet & greets... but if they had a LL and they were "getting their money's worth," I can for sure see lots of them doing meets that they wouldn't have otherwise. There's not capacity for that. It'd be a fuster cluck.