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

[Newsies]

f 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.

Yes. This is essentially was how it went when these M&Gs had FP+.

 

[Lumpy1106]

The problem with G+ and LLMP is far too many people use it. The line-cutting programs in the 6-Flags parks work far better. Reason being, they are WAY more expensive and far fewer people use it. If they eliminated LLMP and just kept LLPP, or limited LLMP to 3-4 line cuts, EVERYONE in the park would have a better day.

 

[J-Dog]

I actually love LLMP and LLSP. Obviously, it sucks that it is so expensive, but we used it for four days last week - all the parks were moderate-heavy attendance and yet we never waited more than 10 minutes in a ride line for any Lightning Lane ride.

Of course, we didn't get to ride everything that way, but we mostly skipped everything that we didn't have LL for, since were go on a regular basis.

I'd say we waited in ride lines maybe 2-3 hours, cumulative total, for all 4 days using LL. And that's including almost all of the headliners (except Tiana, because it was down the entire day we were at MK ).

 

[DodgerGirl]

In my eyes what could work for Disney Parks is that you have a Lightning Lane for a certain ride "let's use Pirates Of The Caribbean as an example" and you get in the Lightning Lane queue only to find that Pirates Of The Caribbean is down Disney Parks should offer another Lightning Lane pass for an alternative ride if that ride you selected to use Lightning Lane is out of order. Because I think this is the bad idea of the Lightning Lane system. Because how can people have Lightning Lanes to ride chosen rides that won't be working and Disney Parks should give those people with Lightning Lane passes for their chosen rides that are out of order a refund or a free Disney Store gift card . Because in my eyes this is the thing that annoys most people about Lightning Lane and Disney Parks should do something about it and improve it

 

[J-Dog]

In my eyes what could work for Disney Parks is that you have a Lightning Lane for a certain ride "let's use Pirates Of The Caribbean as an example" and you get in the Lightning Lane queue only to find that Pirates Of The Caribbean is down Disney Parks should offer another Lightning Lane pass for an alternative ride if that ride you selected to use Lightning Lane is out of order. Because I think this is the bad idea of the Lightning Lane system. Because how can people have Lightning Lanes to ride chosen rides that won't be working and Disney Parks should give those people with Lightning Lane passes for their chosen rides that are out of order a refund or a free Disney Store gift card . Because in my eyes this is the thing that annoys most people about Lightning Lane and Disney Parks should do something about it and improve it

In the case of LLSP, I totally agree with you. But otherwise, I don't see why they would be obligated to give you some kind of refund when you can easily switch to a different ride. Yes, it's annoying, and it seemed like an excessive number of rides were down last week, but it's not the end of the world to pick another LL.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

In the case of LLSP, I totally agree with you. But otherwise, I don't see why they would be obligated to give you some kind of refund when you can easily switch to a different ride. Yes, it's annoying, and it seemed like an excessive number of rides were down last week, but it's not the end of the world to pick another LL.

Plus I believe they have specific verbiage that individual rides are not guaranteed. Same as when you buy a park ticket or an after hours event ticket... no refunds if you can't access a particular ride.

 

[DodgerGirl]

What I think Disney Parks had in mind when they developed Genie+/Lightning Lane was I think people thought Fastpass was an annoying pain and Disney wanted to improve guests experiences when they visited the parks. But they learned how guests who wanted to ride rides couldn't stand in long long lines so I think is one of the main reasons why Lightning Lane/Genie+ was invented. But I think in 2025 Disney Parks will raise the prices of both Lightning Lane and Lightning Lane Premier Pass and we will be seeing this change beginning in the spring of 2025 while Easter and Spring Break are the busiest times of the year when the people visit. But once Fall 2025 hits Disney Parks will think smart and offer Lightning Lane deals for September and November

 

[irlandaise]

In my eyes what could work for Disney Parks is that you have a Lightning Lane for a certain ride "let's use Pirates Of The Caribbean as an example" and you get in the Lightning Lane queue only to find that Pirates Of The Caribbean is down Disney Parks should offer another Lightning Lane pass for an alternative ride if that ride you selected to use Lightning Lane is out of order.

Not only do they do that, they do more than that: they give you a pass good on multiple rides. It's called a Multiple Experience Pass. It's been discussed many times on the Disneyland forum that you read, and probably also on the WDW forums. Here's a recent thread:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/how-does-a-multiple-experience-pass-work.3957006/

 

[etherealcaitiff]

Not only do they do that, they do more than that: they give you a pass good on multiple rides. It's called a Multiple Experience Pass. It's been discussed many times on the Disneyland forum that you read, and probably also on the WDW forums. Here's a recent thread:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/how-does-a-multiple-experience-pass-work.3957006/

I got one on my last visit. Smuggler's Run was down and we got an option to choose between Star Tours, Midway Mania, Runaway Railway, Alien Swirling Saucers, and probably something else that I'm forgetting. No Rise of the Resistance or Slinky Dog, but that's fair enough to me. If I remember correctly, it also didn't take up one of our available selections. We were able to go do Midway Mania and then by the time we were off, Smuggler's Run was back up and had LL available immediately.

 

[DodgerGirl]

I also think what has turned people away from Lightning Lane that makes it Disney Parks weakest link is the expensive price for the Lightning Lane Premier Pass ever since it came out and what I can predict that in 2025 Disney Parks will lower the price for Lightning Lane Premier Pass beginning in Spring 2025. Because with Spring Break and Easter Disney Parks might think of smart Easter deals to sell the Lightning Lane Premier Pass with

 

[irlandaise]

I also think what has turned people away from Lightning Lane that makes it Disney Parks weakest link is the expensive price for the Lightning Lane Premier Pass ever since it came out and what I can predict that in 2025 Disney Parks will lower the price for Lightning Lane Premier Pass beginning in Spring 2025. Because with Spring Break and Easter Disney Parks might think of smart Easter deals to sell the Lightning Lane Premier Pass with

Given that the Premier Pass only came out two months ago, it's way too early to be judging its success or failure. What evidence do you have that it isn't selling well at its current price? And how would the PP turn anyone else away from using LL? I wouldn't hold my breath for a LLPP price reduction.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Asking whether something is a good or bad idea isn't a yes or no question, so I didn't know how to answer.

But having been to the parks so many times, out doesn't bother me. On the last trip we didn't pay to skip any rides and just took it slower, napped in the room midday, did fewer rides and took in more atmosphere. It was nice to feel on vacation again at WDW!

 

[New Mouse]

It's bad in that it kills their reputation even more. Even though Disney has always been priced at the top of the Amusement park work, they would keep the aura of it being a premium product hence "worth" the upcharge. Now with so many blatant nickel and dime products, that aura and edge over the competitors is basically gone as Disney now looks like every other company.

They would have been best off introducing the unlimited product at a higher price point rather than trying to milk $ from every class of people.

 

[MaidMarian444]

I have a dream that they will change the lightening lane multi pass back to being “free” like it was with FP+ and they can make up for the lost profits from people buying premier pass.

I know it’s just a sweet fantasy baby, but I am hoping they are seeing enough success from the PP sales that they feel like they can cut the price for lightening lane multi pass.

 

[New Mouse]

I have a dream that they will change the lightening lane multi pass back to being “free” like it was with FP+ and they can make up for the lost profits from people buying premier pass.

I know it’s just a sweet fantasy baby, but I am hoping they are seeing enough success from the PP sales that they feel like they can cut the price for lightening lane multi pass.

It doesn't work because the unlimited would lose it's value due to lines from everyone having lightning lane.

Mind you the main issue at play here is Disney doesn't have enough rides. They haven't for a LONG time now and don't seem to really be interested in fixing the true.problem.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I know it’s just a sweet fantasy baby, but I am hoping they are seeing enough success from the PP sales that they feel like they can cut the price for lightening lane multi pass.

It doesn't work because the unlimited would lose it's value due to lines from everyone having lightning lane.

And even if it would work, why on earth would Disney charge less for LLMP which seems to be selling pretty darn well? They'd cut out a cash cow and at the same time devalue LLPP and increase the standby lines... 3 things which don't benefit Disney in the slightest.

 

[MaidMarian444]

And even if it would work, why on earth would Disney charge less for LLMP which seems to be selling pretty darn well? They'd cut out a cash cow and at the same time devalue LLPP and increase the standby lines... 3 things which don't benefit Disney in the slightest.

No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true!

 

[DodgerGirl]

I also think why the Genie+/Lightning Lane system is also the weakest link is that Disney Parks wanted to compete with Universal Studios Express Pass system and they knew that this system would let guests use it more than Universal Studios Express Pass and in amusement parks when they announce a ticket system they want to have competition with other theme parks. But I think we will see Disney Parks develop more types of Lightning Lane tickets and a new and improved system for getting people in line faster for shows and character meet and greets because as I mentioned many times I think character meet and greets are a pain for some people because of long long long LONG lines especially at Magic Kingdom's Royal Fairytale Hall and if Disney Parks would develop a Lightning Lane system and a reservation system where you can reserve a character meet and greet on your smart phone and then when it would be time for you to meet the character at the character meet and greet a message would texted to you "and let's use Cinderella for an example for this" that would say this "YOUR NAME, CINDERELLA IS READY TO MEET YOU PLEASE HAVE AUTOGRAPH BOOKS AND CAMERAS READY FOR PHOTOS AND AUTOGRAPHS THANK YOU" And this would work miracles for people that have Lightning Lane and people could meet characters easily just by reserving a spot without the annoying hassle of long lines at character meet and greets indeed

 

[mom2rtk]

I also think why the Genie+/Lightning Lane system is also the weakest link is that Disney Parks wanted to compete with Universal Studios Express Pass system and they knew that this system would let guests use it more than Universal Studios Express Pass and in amusement parks when they announce a ticket system they want to have competition with other theme parks. But I think we will see Disney Parks develop more types of Lightning Lane tickets and a new and improved system for getting people in line faster for shows and character meet and greets because as I mentioned many times I think character meet and greets are a pain for some people because of long long long LONG lines especially at Magic Kingdom's Royal Fairytale Hall and if Disney Parks would develop a Lightning Lane system and a reservation system where you can reserve a character meet and greet on your smart phone and then when it would be time for you to meet the character at the character meet and greet a message would texted to you "and let's use Cinderella for an example for this" that would say this "YOUR NAME, CINDERELLA IS READY TO MEET YOU PLEASE HAVE AUTOGRAPH BOOKS AND CAMERAS READY FOR PHOTOS AND AUTOGRAPHS THANK YOU" And this would work miracles for people that have Lightning Lane and people could meet characters easily just by reserving a spot without the annoying hassle of long lines at character meet and greets indeed

What you are describing is a virtual queue and they already do this for a while with top demand attractions. They can’t do this with too many things though as the parks aren’t big enough for everyone to be on sidewalks and about all the time rather than in lines.

I understand the need to use this on high demand attractions sometimes but I’m not a fan in general. I like knowing I can get in line if I really want to.

 

[Disney_lost_it]

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

Just returned from Universal over New Years. You get their free Express pass when staying a few of their resorts, in out case Lowes Portofino.

That one key element of their offering is what has taken us to Universal 3 out of our last 4 trips. I really don't like Universal, but the kids do and their value offering is much better.

Disney should offer free passes at their top tier resorts like Universal. If Disney ever gets that right, we'd like never go back to Universal.