Goodbye, Maxpass. Hello, Disney Genie.

[smartlabelprint]

I've just woken up and read all 9 pages. I have yet to watch the video. As an international solo visitor I am actually excited and loving this.

I never used Maxpass as there was a free alternative which worked just as well. But now that its all paid, I am fine paying the extra $20 per day.

I am banned by a Presidential Executive Order from entering USA and my last visit was June 2019. I already have park tickets from my cancelled June 2020 trip, so basically on my next visit I will only have to pay an extra $20 per day.

Due to travel and other Covid restrictions in my country, I still have the money I had saved for my cancelled June 2020 visit. My financial situation has actually benefited from Covid, as I have worked all the way through but have had to cancel all travel and my day to day spending has been reduced. Therefore for my next Disneyland trip I am in a far better financial position than on any of my previous trips.

I know that I am a very different type of park visitor than most here on Diss, but I'm sure there are a lot like me, people who due to Covid have huge pent up demand AND are in a better financial position.

How far have your tickets been extended? If they expire you will have to purchase new tickets with the value of the old one as a credit.

 

[BadPinkTink]

How far have your tickets been extended? If they expire you will have to purchase new tickets with the value of the old one as a credit.

I need to check, but as far as I can remember they have been extended to January 2023. The price has not increased since I bought them. If they do expire before I get back, its no issue to me to go to exchange them, as I always arrive in Anaheim the day before my first park day and I stay within walking distance.

Unused non-promotional single day tickets that expire on December 30, 2021 or March 31, 2022 will have the expiration date extended to December 30, 2022. Wholly unused, non-promotional multi-day tickets that expire on January 12, 2022 or April 13, 2022 will have the expiration date extended to January 12, 2023, and the ticket will expire 13 days after first use or on January 12, 2023, whichever occurs first.

Disneyland Extending Park Ticket Expiration

 

[Drewski77]

Agreed, this has zero to do with the money. If a 3 day hopper currently costs $300ish, I would sooner pay $500 a person (seriously, 500 or more) to know I had unlimited access via maxpass. Something about being limited to 2 "premium" rides a day via LL and also paying per ride just feels super trashy. Not the feeling I have previously had when coming to disneyland. Even though that $500 would probably cost more than adding G+ and LL, I would absolutely prefer it no questions asked.

This is so spot on to me!

Here is the new “Premium” Disneyland Experience:

Reserve a room at the Grand or Disneyland Hotel for $500+ a night and a magical trip awaits, right???

Early Morning Magic…Nope

O.K., but we can just buy our park tickets and go on the two newest rides ROTR and Webslingers…well, actually, no guarantee with the VQ or LL.

So, we can work around this stuff and buy Genie+ and at least get on all the other rides in a reasonable time…well, no, you see you’ll have to pay extra for the top attractions and only while supplies last.

But hey, at least we’ll be on our phones and in lines all day to see what we “might” be able to do at Disneyland!

 

[Skyegirl1999]

But I'm assuming some of the slowness of lines is due to Covid measures and reduced capacity? I do know that lines moved very well before Fastpass was a thing. The only rides with longer lines were the super popular ones (same as now), and you just decided whether it was worth it or not. They weren't hours long though.

Covid hasn’t had anything to do with lines since June 15. The only lines that aren’t just “walk up and join one line for everyone” are ROTR and Webslingers. (This is other than DAS and VIPs.)

As a teenager (pre-FP), I once read an entire Nancy Drew book in line for Space Mountain. I remember pulling it out of my fanny pack (!!!) and the woman behind me in line commenting that she’d never seen anyone whip a book out like that in line before.

I was clearly a super cool and very popular teenager.

But anyway. Lines definitely could be hours long pre-FP for the headliners. I waited hours for Splash, Space, and Indiana Jones on a number of occasions.

 

[Chickinvic]

Covid hasn’t had anything to do with lines since June 15. The only lines that aren’t just “walk up and join one line for everyone” are ROTR and Webslingers. (This is other than DAS and VIPs.)

As a teenager (pre-FP), I once read an entire Nancy Drew book in line for Space Mountain. I remember pulling it out of my fanny pack (!!!) and the woman behind me in line commenting that she’d never seen anyone whip a book out like that in line before.

I was clearly a super cool and very popular teenager.

But anyway. Lines definitely could be hours long pre-FP for the headliners. I waited hours for Splash, Space, and Indiana Jones on a number of occasions.

That waan't my experience even in busy times. Either way, the choice could be made - wait or don't. I don't wait long for anything, and I'll have a good time. There is no one make or break my experience ride there. You couldn't pay me to attend during Christmas week or any time with super insane crowds.

 

[Chickinvic]

This is so spot on to me!

Here is the new “Premium” Disneyland Experience:

Reserve a room at the Grand or Disneyland Hotel for $500+ a night and a magical trip awaits, right???

Early Morning Magic…Nope

O.K., but we can just buy our park tickets and go on the two newest rides ROTR and Webslingers…well, actually, no guarantee with the VQ or LL.

So, we can work around this stuff and buy Genie+ and at least get on all the other rides in a reasonable time…well, no, you see you’ll have to pay extra for the top attractions and only while supplies last.

But hey, at least we’ll be on our phones and in lines all day to see what we “might” be able to do at Disneyland!

Very few people actually stay on Disney property at DL (compared to how many go to DL). It has always been too expensive for me to be bothered. I never have, and I don't personally know anybody who has. I would never spend that much on a hotel room anywhere, let alone Disney.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Okay, I've been thinking about this since yesterday and now have my thoughts in order.

1. There is absolutely NO WAY in the world that we will pay per ride for ANYTHING. Absolutely no way. We have ridden all the rides numerous times already and NOTHING at the parks is worth paying separately for.

2. I don't mind the basic premise of Genie+. Seems similar enough to Maxpass that I'm not offended. I suspect that return windows will have to remain within the hour to 90 minutes in order for guests to remain satisfied with their purchase, so I suspect Disney has engineered a way to make this so. I imagine a set number of Genie+ slots will be available per ride per hour and they will pulse them out periodically rather than releasing all availability at park opening. The language about needing to redeem your G+ selection before getting another one mirrors the DAS, which gives you a return time equal to the standby wait. I wonder if the Genie+ will work the same way.

3. I also suspect that part of Genie "suggestions" points to the idea that Disney may PHYSICALLY CLOSE standby lines when they get "full", as in, when they reach a predetermined endpoint, rather than allowing them to spill into walkways. You have to believe that Genie+ will NOT be purchased by a majority of park visitors, but also, you can't have lines snaking into walkways when people decide to just wait. We already know that people WILL wait 150+ minutes for RSR, which has happened numerous times still at decreased capacity. If the parks increase capacity, those standby waits will swell even more. So, I have to think Disney will find a way to steer people away from the busiest attractions. I even think, using location services, they might send you a push notification if you approach a LL enabled attraction offering you the ability to "ride now" at a discounted price (i.e. less than what a LL reservation would have cost if you pre purchased access). So, let's say you passed on paying $30pp to LL RSR, but as you approach the entrance to be greeted with a 180 minutes standby line, the Genie pops up and says "wow, this wait is very long right now! Would you like to gain entry right now for $15 per person?" I can honestly see that working from a psychological standpoint. I feel like they would get more takers that way because it seems like you are being offered a deal.

4. We will be buying the Dream Key. We will NOT purchase Genie+ on a per day basis. Now, we do have DAS for our son, but I often go to the parks without him (either just with my husband or solo, or with friends). I won't give in. I will hold out for the inevitable "magic key add on" which I suspect will cost at least $200 this time around. Considering we go much more than 10 times a year, I will purchase it as an add on at this price point, although I won't if it's over $200. I have a feeling the Key holders will reject this en masse, and Disney will relent within a month.

5. The DAS changes are the best thing to come out of this announcement. Having to go to the kiosks and wait in more lines was always a hassle. I have always wondered why we couldn't just make new DAS selections via the app. It seemed like such am easy thing to implement. Now, I do NOT like the idea of making an advanced DAS selection prior to visiting, because it sounds like you have to pick your ride time and stick with it, and we can't keep to such a strict schedule. Luckily this doesn't seem to be a requirement, just a new benefit of you CHOOSE to pre register in advance. We will stick to obtaining the DAS in person every 60 days. We are using that interaction as a way to encourage our son to be a self advocate, and zoom interactions are not the same as real in person ones, so I am glad both options will now be available. I do also appreciate the strong language about how lying to obtain a DAS will be harshly punished. It should deter the dishonest people at least somewhat. The idea of a lifetime ban from Disney parks and the revocation of your pass or ticket media without a refund is exactly the type of punishment that will keep dishonest people out of the system. The penalty won't be worth it.

Overall, it's not ALL bad, but the pay per ride option is indeed, quite disgusting. I feel like that option should ONLY be in place for the rides that require the Boarding Group lottery. I think a lot of people would be willing to pay for ONE ride in each park, if they didn't end up with a BG. But paying for Space Mountain when Big Thunder is a Genie+ selection doesn't sit right at all.

I am grateful for the digital DAS. We are open to the online since our kids aren’t old enough to advocate to that extent yet. But did it sound like DAS Advance (is that the name?) was a paid service?

 

[Skyegirl1999]

That waan't my experience even in busy times.

I mean, people can (and do) have very different line experiences at Disneyland… even people who are there on the same day! But lines pre-FP could get pretty long (the same as they have sometimes this summer).

I do think that lines feel much different when you’re constantly moving, though. When you’re creeping along and standing still for five minutes at a time while all the FP people flood in, it sure feels different to me!

(This is also why the Soarin’ line always feels longer to me than lots of other lines. It moves in big “batches,” with lots of standing around… it’s the standing that gets me!)

 

[Drewski77]

Very few people actually stay on Disney property at DL (compared to how many go to DL). It has always been too expensive for me to be bothered. I never have, and I don't personally know anybody who has. I would never spend that much on a hotel room anywhere, let alone Disney.

Whether I lived next door to Disneyland or stayed at the Grand, I wouldn’t enjoy not knowing if I can ride ROTR, paying for Genie+ without the top attractions, and paying extra for certain rides.

 

[PirateBrigade]

Interesting take. I would actually go further and look at it as marking the beginning of a deliberate shift of Disneyland from a place for families to a luxury product sold to the rich.

All great points. There is a theory out there that DLR's pricing out of large segments of the population is against its own interest. The thinking is that, how can you grow to love Disneyland if your family didn't have the means to go?

Short term gain, long term loss? But even the most dedicated will scrimp and save, even if it’s once a year/every other year.

As a teenager (pre-FP), I once read an entire Nancy Drew book in line for Space Mountain. I remember pulling it out of my fanny pack (!!!) and the woman behind me in line commenting that she’d never seen anyone whip a book out like that in line before.

I had a Game Boy stored in my fanny pack at one point, which was very slightly cooler than your Nancy Drew book (only a little bit).

AA batteries in the park were too expensive, so I kept an extra set with me!

 

[kristensideaoffun]

Covid hasn’t had anything to do with lines since June 15. The only lines that aren’t just “walk up and join one line for everyone” are ROTR and Webslingers. (This is other than DAS and VIPs.)

As a teenager (pre-FP), I once read an entire Nancy Drew book in line for Space Mountain. I remember pulling it out of my fanny pack (!!!) and the woman behind me in line commenting that she’d never seen anyone whip a book out like that in line before.

I was clearly a super cool and very popular teenager.

But anyway. Lines definitely could be hours long pre-FP for the headliners. I waited hours for Splash, Space, and Indiana Jones on a number of occasions.

I used to bring a book in my Fanny pack, too. I’ll never forget my favorite Saddle Club book getting ruined on Splash Mountain.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

I used to bring a book in my Fanny pack, too. I’ll never forget my favorite Saddle Club book getting ruined on Splash Mountain.

I had a Game Boy stored in my fanny pack at one point, which was very slightly cooler than your Nancy Drew book (only a little bit).

AA batteries in the park were too expensive, so I kept an extra set with me!

Ok, so when my husband says I’ve “found my people” here, he isn’t kidding.

 

[DLgal]

I am grateful for the digital DAS. We are open to the online since our kids aren’t old enough to advocate to that extent yet. But did it sound like DAS Advance (is that the name?) was a paid service?

No, DAS advance is not a paid service, although it is an optional feature.

 

[DizMe]

Ok, so when my husband says I’ve “found my people” here, he isn’t kidding.

Same! Once I got older, I used to bring a bunch of Sunday NYTimes crosswords I'd torn out of my latest book. Oh, who am I kidding? Still have them in my backpack/purse at all times.

 

[Twinkbelle]

I'm not alone with reading books in lines as a child! I remember those times well, brought this up in conversation with friends recently. They only first went to Disney when the current FP system was in play, and are saying well it doesn't seem so bad, reports from people who've been in the parks at the moment are saying the lines flow. I was like maybe but you're not dealing with a 'normal' suitation, yeah there's a lot of people back in the parks, but there's even more who can't travel internationally at the moment (me included) or have delayed the trips because of uncertainities around everything that has happened in the last 18 months. When the parks are properly at full capactiy you're likely talking 2+ hour long standby lines for mutiple rides. Also maybe, I'm just getting old but I don't want to be staring at my phone the entire day. I want to be able to experience this place properly in person not via an app. I can look at the app right now at home for free, maybe I should just do that and save myself a small fortune!!

 

[NorthernCalMom]

I used to bring a book in my Fanny pack, too. I’ll never forget my favorite Saddle Club book getting ruined on Splash Mountain.

We had a travel sized “Where’s Waldo” at the ready when our kids were little.

 

[Jaina]

Covid hasn’t had anything to do with lines since June 15. The only lines that aren’t just “walk up and join one line for everyone” are ROTR and Webslingers. (This is other than DAS and VIPs.)

As a teenager (pre-FP), I once read an entire Nancy Drew book in line for Space Mountain. I remember pulling it out of my fanny pack (!!!) and the woman behind me in line commenting that she’d never seen anyone whip a book out like that in line before.

I was clearly a super cool and very popular teenager.

I still do this (sort of!). That's one of the perks if I do a solo trip: I can read books in line on my phone. (And of course, just have a good backup battery.) I don't see myself buying Genie+ on solo trips, because I can single rider and amuse myself in any long line I choose to wait in. As for going with my kids, you'd better believe we'll budget extra for Genie+ at least. The youngest is 5, but those trips are already too expensive to not do everything we can to make sure it's a positive experience for everyone! (we only go 2-3 days tops)

 

[clarker99]

I have read through this thread and feel like people are misunderstanding the paid a la carte rides. You do NOT have to pay to ride. There will be a stand by line or Virtual line.

For example, DL will likely have Rise and Space as its options. With Space You can choose to pay and go in the Lightning Lane or just go in the stand-by line. RotR will also still be available via boarding groups. You do not have to pay if you get a boarding group. Also, the cost to skip the line for Rise is gonna be outrageous meaning the only way to ride will be the exact same way as it is today.

DCA will likley have RSR and Webslingers as a la carte options. RSR same as Space and Webslingers same as Rise. Webslingers is quite easy to get a boarding group and I am sure the cost to skip the line for RSR will be less than Rise but not by much.

Genie+ is just Max Pass. To me, this changes nothing for DL/DCA.

 

[Drewski77]

I have read through this thread and feel like people are misunderstanding the paid a la carte rides. You do NOT have to pay to ride. There will be a stand by line or Virtual line.

For example, DL will likely have Rise and Space as its options. With Space You can choose to pay and go in the Lightning Lane or just go in the stand-by line. RotR will also still be available via boarding groups. You do not have to pay if you get a boarding group. Also, the cost to skip the line for Rise is gonna be outrageous meaning the only way to ride will be the exact same way as it is today.

DCA will likley have RSR and Webslingers as a la carte options. RSR same as Space and Webslingers same as Rise. Webslingers is quite easy to get a boarding group and I am sure the cost to skip the line for RSR will be less than Rise but not by much.

Genie+ is just Max Pass. To me, this changes nothing for DL/DCA.

I respectfully disagree:

When you omit the top attractions from Genie+ it becomes fundamentally different than Max Pass.

And sure, you can wait in a long standby line to ride RSR while paying for Genie+, but that gets us back to it being fundamentally different than Max Pass.

 

[clarker99]

I respectfully disagree:

When you omit the top attractions from Genie+ it becomes fundamentally different than Max Pass.

And sure, you can wait in a long standby line to ride RSR while paying for Genie+, but that gets us back to it being fundamentally different than Max Pass.

Get up at 7am and get your Webslingers boarding group, Genie+ Mission Breakout and rope drop RSR. Guessing you wait 30mins at most. Genie+ the rest of your day.