Does the new Genie+ pay-per-attraction system alter your views on DVC's value?

[Heather07438]

I get the dismay. DH has always happily handed $ to WDW and defended the costs when I griped. His initial reaction was FP+ was free and now we have to pay for it?!! Lol this is probably one of the few times our roles were reversed.

We already spend alot at WDW. Guess that aggravates people further. The way I see it this new system will likely add less than 5% to our WDW budget, while the system in whole may improve our trip experience 20-33%. I'd like to balk on principle but that could be like cutting off my nose to spite my face.

 

[Bearval]

I get the dismay. DH has always happily handed $ to WDW and defended the costs when I griped. His initial reaction was FP+ was free and now we have to pay for it?!! Lol this is probably one of the few times our roles were reversed.

We already spend alot at WDW. Guess that aggravates people further. The way I see it this new system will likely add less than 5% to our WDW budget, while the system in whole may improve our trip experience 20-33%. I'd like to balk on principle but that could be like cutting off my nose to spite my face.

It is going to be a wait and see for if this is actually better. I for one don't think it will be if you remember the old paper return time tickets. That was back when the parks were no where near as crowded as they are today and alot of the attractions ran out of return times the early afternoon. I can see that happening again and it won't take for everyone to buy the genie+ to make it happen. You may very well pay for Genie + and by 4pm ( and maybe earlier that that) not be able to get anymore return times for rides.

 

[scoobdoo]

And no masks

And above all else, this is the reason why we banked points this year and did Universal.

 

[Chuck S]

It doesn't change my perception of DVC, as such. It changes my perception of value of Doing Disney Parks exclusively while on a trip. For now, my DVC resort stays are still priced reasonably, with no consideration of the WDW Parks. What it may do is open me up to some offsite activities, like Universal or Sea World, or even older classic venues like Gator Land, NASA, or Weeki Wachee Springs while using OKW as a place to stay. It may even make me cut my normal 2x a year visits to one, renting out my points, and cruising out of Galveston for a week on a non-Disney cruise line.

 

[Sandisw]

Don’t hurt the messenger here lol, but I read somewhere that when it launches, Genie+ won’t allow to purchase for individual days and that you have to buy it for the entire length of stay. But that eventually an option to add it per day will be available. But then in the same paragraph they mention not being able to purchase Genie+ till midnight before your upcoming park reservation, each day of your park reservations. I think the latter is probably the correct logistics based on what I read from actual Disney sources (which would allow individual day purchases for Genie+ and not only length of stay) but wanted to see if anyone else heard the same? Could make a big difference in price

Those that book vacation packages will be required to do it for length of stay. Those not on a package will not.

 

[monstermash23]

Those that book vacation packages will be required to do it for length of stay. Those not on a package will not.

Ah gotcha I see. Makes more sense then. Thank you for the clarification.

 

[Sandisw]

It is going to be a wait and see for if this is actually better. I for one don't think it will be if you remember the old paper return time tickets. That was back when the parks were no where near as crowded as they are today and alot of the attractions ran out of return times the early afternoon. I can see that happening again and it won't take for everyone to buy the genie+ to make it happen. You may very well pay for Genie + and by 4pm ( and maybe earlier that that) not be able to get anymore return times for rides.

The only thing is when that was the case not all rides offered them so maybe with everything available it will be different?

 

[zavandor]

I've seen the light!
Just kidding, maybe it's time I started renting my points and using the money at Universal for a couple of years. I see lots of posts where people paid $280/night for deluxe which included express pass, is it really that price? Maybe it's time to become a treasured guest over there.

I pay $204 + tax per night in December, with an AP rate. A Seasonal pass (with blackout dates that do not affected me) costs around $40 more than 3 days tickets. It includes unlimited express pass. It's an amazing deal

 

[CarolynFH]

I've seen the light!
Just kidding, maybe it's time I started renting my points and using the money at Universal for a couple of years. I see lots of posts where people paid $280/night for deluxe which included express pass, is it really that price? Maybe it's time to become a treasured guest over there.

I pay $204 + tax per night in December, with an AP rate. A Seasonal pass (with blackout dates that do not affected me) costs around $40 more than 3 days tickets. It includes unlimited express pass. It's an amazing deal

In early November my sister and I are paying $350/night at Royal Pacific. Unlimited EPs for the days we'll be there range from $120-$130 per person per day; they're as much as $180/day for some days that month. (My sister is able to get us military discount tickets, so an AP isn't worth it for us.) So you really need to look at the UOR website and price out the cost of the room, parking (billed per-night at the hotels but of course per-day if you're driving in), and EPs for your dates. Twice in the past we've found it worthwhile to book a room for 4-5 adults for one night even when we were sleeping elsewhere.

 

[dismedvc]

Unless you ask if you can, the answer is always no.

We certainly will ask.
It is just frustrating guests need to purchase their tickets and make park reservations before they know the park hours for each park, which parks will have extra hours for deluxe resorts on which days, and which days MK will be having after hours paid events.

 

[LPnerd]

The value of DVC is in staying onsite in a Deluxe resort for frequent visits. While the former has not changed (Deluxe pricing is at all time high), I might reconsider how often I go to WDW, to the point that it might not be worth owning anymore if I don't want to go annually or at least every other year.
Let's see how it pans out, there are still a lot of unknowns on the new system, most importantly about adoption rates and how impactful would be not paying for the upgrade.

we were already using our points to stay at RCI hotels when we travel, and found it more than worth it. Plus, if you ever want to go to Hawaii, that resort is beautiful once you figure out how to get around, and if you are to walk... a lot.
We moved to Orlando area to be closer to family, and will check out the fl resident AP's when they go on sale. we no longer have to stay at the resort to go to the parks, and have stayed there just to be at the resort with grandkids with covid.
However as a 66yr old, I do not own a cell phone and won't. even if I did the inconvenience of holding a little ones hand and a phone in the other, no thanks. PLUS disney is not well known for it's app or website performance. IN fact we have yet to go where someone's magic band didn't have an issue with something. last visit it was the door to our room, 2 out of 3 bands would not open it. we got the old card keys. LOL one person had to wait at the turnstile to get their ticket validated, ( again thank dog I had the receipt with me, ) so I can see this is going to be a HUGE mess for a while.
having said all this, I can stay at a universal resort and have express pass plus my ticket for a fraction of the cost of Disney. and genie or not, I'm not paying 15-20$ to get a pass after what those tickets cost, AND I will not wait 45min to an HR in a line for a ride that lasts about 60 sec. That's crazy! So, we will see what happens with DVC owners, high end resort reservations, and AP holders. This year might be our last for a while . WE will miss the xmas party this year, I REFUSE to pay 220 bucks for any theme park unless they are giving away 18C gold rings. we did get Boo bask, but we are going in sept.
However, we are close enough that when we get a call saying Hey, the park is pretty empty today, we can be there in 20 min. that's when we will go. otherwise, we will be lots of other places across the country using those DVC points. when we stop traveling, we will sell them. having bought them in 1996, they will not only have paid for some great vacations, but make us a little money as well!

 

[Bearval]

The only thing is when that was the case not all rides offered them so maybe with everything available it will be different?

I can't remember which rides did not have them but I would imagine it would have been ones that were not popular enough where the lines were long. I would be really disappointed if all I could get in the afternoon was Aladdins carpet ride and dumbo.

 

[Sandisw]

I can't remember which rides did not have them but I would imagine it would have been ones that were not popular enough where the lines were long. I would be really disappointed if all I could get in the afternoon was Aladdins carpet ride and dumbo.

When it was first started and for years, there were only a handful that had them. I don’t think we started seeing all rides until FP+, but I could be remembering wrong.

However, many of the rides at the start not included were ones wanting to be done.

 

[Lee Matthews]

So for us the introduction of Genie+ Lightning Lane doesn’t change things in regards of DVC.

we have recently bought 2 contracts at AKV and Vero Beach with our first trip being August 2022, meaning we won’t have made any DVC trips under the Free Fastpass service.

Im weighing up that while there is now an additional cost for Genie+, I’m saving on staying at a Deluxe Resort.

Being from the UK we plan to stay for 14 nights, so we already tend to get a good deal on tickets as they always include the water parks and Photopass already.

From what I’m seeing of Genie+ I don’t think we will purchase it for each park day, as I don’t think it will be necessary.

My views are in the minority but I do believe that under Genie+, the standby line will move more efficiently. I don’t think I would need it for Animal Kingdom.

For Magic Kingdom I think I would more likely do it as for $15 a person, that will help you knock out a lot of rides.

For Hollywood studios, yeah I will just pay for Rise of The Resistance. I’ve never done Galaxies Edge but I can’t be bothered to try with the VQ lottery.

Saying that, now being owners in DVC means that there isn’t quite the rush to do everything like we used to. I know I’ll definitely be going back, so I certainly won’t be throwing money at Lightning Lane. Resort days and Water park days will be just as important to us as the main 4 parks.

I don’t think they can cut anything else now on top of Magical Express which we would of used so i expect now just a steady rise in current pricing and annual dues over the next 35 years of ownership.

WDW Trips costing will simply be broken down to roughly this every other year

Flights £1800
Dining Plan £2000
Spending money £2000 (merchandise, airport transfers and Genie+)
Park Tickets £1400

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I followed suit with what many have said they've done. Now half of our January trip will be at Universal! Booked Portofino Bay--can't believe the price compared to the WDW deluxes. We did some Halloween Horror Nights like 8 years ago, but haven't done a real Universal trip for about a decade and there's a lot of new stuff. So thanks Disney Genie+ for pushing is to do something new!

 

[vacay77]

I followed suit with what many have said they've done. Now half of our January trip will be at Universal! Booked Portofino Bay--can't believe the price compared to the WDW deluxes. We did some Halloween Horror Nights like 8 years ago, but haven't done a real Universal trip for about a decade and there's a lot of new stuff. So thanks Disney Genie+ for pushing is to do something new!

My family and I have a trip booked for WDW in March, but ever since the announcement, I’m thinking we might just do 1 day at Epcot, then spend the rest of our time at Universal. We went to Universal several years ago and loved staying at the Royal Pacific which included the Express Passes!

 

[mlayton14]

Hate the new G+ offering / racket. Curious though , it seems that many of you just say that you will just move to universal. To me and family that is just not something that appeals to us , if you don’t really like roller coasters or similar “thrill” attractions what is the point of even going there ? To us it just seems like a slightly cleaner and more themed six flags (and it’s priced as such) - definitely not ideal for a multigenerational trip for many or even most of Disney’s core audience. I think disney understands what they have and are milking every cent out of it, and many of us will just move on and discard the Orlando area altogether

 

[zavandor]

To us it just seems like a slightly cleaner and more themed six flags (and it’s priced as such)

SInce Potter Universal has really upped their ante. Diagon Alley and Hogsmead are on par (or even better, for a Potter fan) than Pandora or Batuu. I'm talking about the general experience of being there, thematic coherence and details. And Volcano bay destroys the Disney water parks.
But it's true that the thrill level is higher, many attractions are screen based and have higher height limits, so it appeals less to small kids.

 

[Nabas]

Hate the new G+ offering / racket. Curious though , it seems that many of you just say that you will just move to universal. To me and family that is just not something that appeals to us , if you don’t really like roller coasters or similar “thrill” attractions what is the point of even going there ? To us it just seems like a slightly cleaner and more themed six flags (and it’s priced as such) - definitely not ideal for a multigenerational trip for many or even most of Disney’s core audience. I think disney understands what they have and are milking every cent out of it, and many of us will just move on and discard the Orlando area altogether

From a quality and cleanliness perspective, Universal is just as good as WDW.

The big difference (IMO) is the types of attractions Universal offers. As you write, there are more thrill attractions versus multigenerational attractions at Universal. Generalizing, for the young and old, WDW is better. But for teenagers and young adults, Universal is better.

 

[Bearval]

Hate the new G+ offering / racket. Curious though , it seems that many of you just say that you will just move to universal. To me and family that is just not something that appeals to us , if you don’t really like roller coasters or similar “thrill” attractions what is the point of even going there ? To us it just seems like a slightly cleaner and more themed six flags (and it’s priced as such) - definitely not ideal for a multigenerational trip for many or even most of Disney’s core audience. I think disney understands what they have and are milking every cent out of it, and many of us will just move on and discard the Orlando area altogether

In my case my children are older and like the Harry Potter rides at Universal. I am not saying I wouldn't go back to Disney it just will not be every year like it is now. I will just either use DVC as a home base or rent out the points and do something else. Might just go every 2nd or 3rd year. One thing I won't do is sell my DVC, I can see the price for points to rent going up from people looking to try and cut costs for their Disney in the bubble vacations.