No, they don't. But those who purchased tickets before Genie+ was announced entered into that contact with the understanding that all tickets were equal, and now Disney unilaterally modified their end of the bargain making those ticket's third class tickets for rides unless you paid them $15/day to make the ticket a second class ticket or an additional $ per ride to make the ticket a first class ticket. That fundamentally changes the contract.
I agree - there have been a very small number of VIP and Club 33 special access and they have always shown deference to club level guests, but this is such a substantial change that will likely be used by a large portion going forward so that you can expect a significantly reduced "third class" experience with a ticket you purchased. That's how it's different. If a VIP tour rode a ride it likely has no appreciable effect on other ticket holder's wait times, whereas the expected wide use of Genie+ will have a dramatic effect that was not contemplated when the tickets were purchased.
Great point - microtransactions. One of the worst creations ever.
To use your language, though I don’t particularly care for it, the above is how Disney is making first, second, third class groups of Genie+ users. The ticket you bought entitles you to everything any other guest has. The ticket you hold doesn’t differentiate you, your choice in add ons does.
I wasn’t calling genie+ a promotion. In my post, I was arguing you would have more of a case if you bought a base ticket and then later Disney offered a promotion where, say, everyone who buys a base ticket in the month of October gets genie+ for free. I was saying in that promotion scenario you could argue Disney has made your ticket less valuable then someone else’s.
