Is anyone feeling positive?

[a1tinkfans]

Positive about Disney Greed? Uh, no.

 

[Klismania]

I'm just looking to see where my positive minded folks might be or am I all alone?

You're not alone. I'm excited to see how this new thing works, too. I'm not someone who like to plan out everything before I go and have all my FP's set in stone, so this appeals to me as someone who enjoys spontaneity.

However, as a positive-minded person, I'm well aware of how my glorious positive ju-ju can be sucked away by people who first want to question me about why I'm excited about it, then they want to argue about how I'm wrong or stupid. So when I see all these people complaining, I just kind of smile and scroll on by.

You're not alone, katyringo. We're just hiding and keeping our happy feelings to ourselves.

 

[BayGirl22]

We scheduled for our must do rides in advance of the trip, so we didn't feel the need to constantly refresh. We'd do what was scheduled and then sometimes we'd do stand by. Other times we'd look for a pass in line after scanning in or while sitting down eating

What you described in your last sentence is basically how we used MaxPass at DL. As we entered the park we scheduled a FP, usually an hour or two out. Right as we got on that ride we looked for the next FP and scheduled it (usually while in line), also a couple hours out. If we took a break to leave the parks or wanted to park hop we'd check to see if we could grab something for the evening. At no time did it feel like we were "always" on our phone - mostly we were enjoying the surroundings knowing we had secured a ride later.

What did feel burdensome was running around gathering paper FP crisscrossing the park based on wait and return times. (the original method). I don't think I ever did WDW during the schedule 60 days in advance days, but that just sounds burdensome for all but the biggest planners. (I'm one of the biggest planners, but most guests aren't.)

To answer another poster, we never had issues using MaxPass, it was up and running every time we chose to buy it. I didn't use FP or MP every trip to DL, just the ones that made sense when crowds were high and we had limited time and felt we could afford it.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I was feeling positive about it when I read about Genie+. I loved MP at DLR and was looking forward to it for WDW!! …Then I read about LL and it literally zapped all my excitement and it even made me mad. I used to pay $20/day at DLR for MP. Now with LL pricing at $15-$20/ride I’m conservatively looking at $45/day at WDW. No way Jose.

But since I don’t want to totally Debbie Downer this- if sooo many people are pissed about it and don’t buy it, those using it at the beginning might see very light competition for stuff and might actually get awesome value from it simply due to that.

 

[katyringo]

So one think I’m looking forward to is I think it could make quick park hopping easier. On my solo trip I am planning to start my day in Epcot so that I can try fit the free virtual que for Remy.. but the. Hop to AK at dusk to see tree of life before hoping back to Epcot for harmonious. This system could allow me to watch available times for everst or to buy FOP so I have less time in lines for my qucikish park hop.

 

[soniam]

For busy times the hotel prices at Universal seem prohibitive to me too (or at least they were super expensive for the spring break weeks I checked on last year).

Last year I did the math for Universal Express passes to get an idea of what they would run for next year. We have two doing a one day park to park. The least expensive of the hotels offering the express pass had a daily rate of $650 a night. Disney moderates were in the $340 range, so that's quite a difference. The unlimited two park express pass was $230 a day pp. The one time express pass (what we would have bought if needed and ouch was $170 pp and would have been our least expensive option.

With plans for two Universal days instead of one and more people, it is true that the hotel would have been the best of the options, but not for just two people doing just one day.

We go to Universal multiple times a year since 2015 and always stay at a deluxe, usually Hard Rock, which is one of the more expensive deluxe. We have gone during the summer, Thanksgiving, and Spring Break. We went twice last year, Summer and Thanksgiving, and just this July. I have never seen a 2 queen or king, non-club level room cost more than $500 something a night without any discounts. What kind of room was this? Or was this a package that included tickets? Did you try to book very close, like days, before the trip?

 

[maccagerl]

They could have priced it MUCH higher than that.

Don’t worry, they will. This is just the first step.

 

[kathy884]

We go to Universal multiple times a year since 2015 and always stay at a deluxe, usually Hard Rock, which is one of the more expensive deluxe. We have gone during the summer, Thanksgiving, and Spring Break. We went twice last year, Summer and Thanksgiving, and just this July. I have never seen a 2 queen or king, non-club level room cost more than $500 something a night without any discounts. What kind of room was this? Or was this a package that included tickets? Did you try to book very close, like days, before the trip?

The mock booking last year was three weeks before the March day (one night booking) - checked three different random dates in different weeks (all were similar). It was the least expensive standard room (no ticket or package). I counted taxes as that is part of the cost and for us it would be a throw away room just for an express pass.

I just went on the website today for this coming March for a one night stay standard room, no ticket, two adults for March 21-22, 2022 (this time looking six months in advance). It's not as bad as last year, but still sky high. Royal Pacific for the one night with tax was the least expensive deluxe that gives that EP for $534.27; Hard Rock $607.50; Portifino Bay $621.60 (one night rate includes tax - no park ticket). (Just checked five minutes ago on the official Universal website).

Checked a random Disney moderate for the same date (Caribbean Beach) -- one night rate with tax was $324. Disney room was hotel only also, no tickets.

lol - -Makes my lovely offsite condo really look like a deal. I will though be forking over for a one day one time express pass for two in my party for their one day at the Universal parks. I'm going to make that their Christmas present. It will be less than the $267 pp the throw away room would have been. We were at the same hotel off season at Universal for a conference (DHs company paid). It was in May. It was tons cheaper. We had the freebie express pass then too, but wouldn't have even needed it. (I'm guessing room rates really change a lot based on crowds at parks expected and supply and demand for express passes. More and more people are looking at the rooms specifically for express passes these days I would assume.)

Just saying that sure that Universal EP is nice, but at busy times, like going on a random Tuesday during our spring break week, it sure seems like you are paying "beaucoup" dollars for the benefit.

I'm sure if you are a season passholder, doing a longer stay, doing a package, going to the park multiple days, qualify for a Florida discount or things like that you're rates per night are sure to be better. Universal probably knows that many are doing these bookings for the express pass and setting rates accordingly.

And lol - express passes are pretty cheap when you don't need them.

 

[MamaMermaid]

I think Genie + and LL look awesome. We will purchase. I don't feel like the "magic is gone" or any of this other nonsense. I don't feel like I'm being "nickled and dimed"... Disney is a business. Their bottom line is their priority and I get that. We love Disney, love going, and are excited for the future.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I'm curious, for all of the people saying they don't want to be on their phones all of the time, what did you do with FP+? After you used your first 3, didn't you use MDE to book the next ones? Or did you go to the kiosks?

I haven’t complained about being on my phone but with FP+ we usually didn’t do more additional fast passes. We do a mix of how we hit the park since we stay 9-10 days. On our RD, midday break and PM park day I would do our FP for the evening park so we didn’t get extra FP. On days we slept in and hit the pool and got to the park around midday I would set the FP to start around 2. When we stopped for dinner I would look for a FP and maybe a few more after that depending on the park we were in. On days we hit the park starting in the evening I would have the FP set to start late. We were quality over quantity with our FP+ and we always hit headliners and favorites multiple times a trip and never waited more Than 20 minutes for anything.

This new system is basically a virtual legacy FP system. I never had an issue with legacy FP but we didn’t use it much because of having to run around the parks with small kids. So I’m not against this new system except for it not being free anymore.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Don’t worry, they will. This is just the first step.

Yup. It’s just the introductory price. We are going late next year and I’m thinking if I should just add G+ for length of stay and lock in the $15 per person price now before it goes up.

 

[Disneylover99]

Yup. It’s just the introductory price. We are going late next year and I’m thinking if I should just add G+ for length of stay and lock in the $15 per person price now before it goes up.

If you know for sure you'll get it and want it everyday, then yes, great idea.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

If you know for sure you'll get it and want it everyday, then yes, great idea.

I really didn’t want it everyday but I’m thinking the price will go up by next year. We will see how the reviews go and how people strategize this.

 

[Disneylover99]

I really didn’t want it everyday but I’m thinking the price will go up by next year. We will see how the reviews go and how people strategize this.

And see if it's easy or even possible to drop it from your reservation if you decide you'd rather pay on a day to day basis.

 

[pinkxray]

I’m not thrilled about paying extra as a family of 5 but I do think for our touring style we will be able to get a lot done by using Genie+ and paying for the 2 LL rides.

Dd16 and I are doing a quick weekend trip and will only have 1 park day. We are hoping to do 4 parks in one day and I do think this will help us have an awesome day. Expensive sure, but awesome.

We are doing 3 days in Dec. with 5 people. We will pay the $15 each day plus 2 rides each day for extra$$. We will not get park hoppers or have dinner at Hollywood and Vine which we might have before so our budget is pretty much the same.

 

[Heather07438]

Remember before the shutdown WDW started offering reduced price late entry tickets?

The 2-, 3- and 4-Day Mid-Day Magic Tickets* are available for use on or before Dec. 15, 2019:

• Two-day ticket from $88 a day, plus tax (from $176 total, plus tax)
• Three-day ticket from $84 a day, plus tax (from $252 total, plus tax)
• Four-day ticket from $79 a day, plus tax (from $316 total, plus tax)

I wonder if this will be coming back. Some people (non early risers lol) might like this. Save some money on tickets and use that for a couple genie upgrades.

 

[meremac]

You're not alone. I'm excited to see how this new thing works, too. I'm not someone who like to plan out everything before I go and have all my FP's set in stone, so this appeals to me as someone who enjoys spontaneity.

However, as a positive-minded person, I'm well aware of how my glorious positive ju-ju can be sucked away by people who first want to question me about why I'm excited about it, then they want to argue about how I'm wrong or stupid. So when I see all these people complaining, I just kind of smile and scroll on by.

You're not alone, katyringo. We're just hiding and keeping our happy feelings to ourselves.

I'm feeling excited and positive too!!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

if Genie+ sells, they will at some point raise the price. Sure as death and taxes.

 

[soniam]

The mock booking last year was three weeks before the March day (one night booking) - checked three different random dates in different weeks (all were similar). It was the least expensive standard room (no ticket or package). I counted taxes as that is part of the cost and for us it would be a throw away room just for an express pass.

I just went on the website today for this coming March for a one night stay standard room, no ticket, two adults for March 21-22, 2022 (this time looking six months in advance). It's not as bad as last year, but still sky high. Royal Pacific for the one night with tax was the least expensive deluxe that gives that EP for $534.27; Hard Rock $607.50; Portifino Bay $621.60 (one night rate includes tax - no park ticket). (Just checked five minutes ago on the official Universal website).

Checked a random Disney moderate for the same date (Caribbean Beach) -- one night rate with tax was $324. Disney room was hotel only also, no tickets.

lol - -Makes my lovely offsite condo really look like a deal. I will though be forking over for a one day one time express pass for two in my party for their one day at the Universal parks. I'm going to make that their Christmas present. It will be less than the $267 pp the throw away room would have been. We were at the same hotel off season at Universal for a conference (DHs company paid). It was in May. It was tons cheaper. We had the freebie express pass then too, but wouldn't have even needed it. (I'm guessing room rates really change a lot based on crowds at parks expected and supply and demand for express passes. More and more people are looking at the rooms specifically for express passes these days I would assume.)

Just saying that sure that Universal EP is nice, but at busy times, like going on a random Tuesday during our spring break week, it sure seems like you are paying "beaucoup" dollars for the benefit.

I'm sure if you are a season passholder, doing a longer stay, doing a package, going to the park multiple days, qualify for a Florida discount or things like that you're rates per night are sure to be better. Universal probably knows that many are doing these bookings for the express pass and setting rates accordingly.

And lol - express passes are pretty cheap when you don't need them.

I am an AP holder, not Florida resident, but I usually get a rack rate 2 queen pool view room at Hard Rock first, usually 3-4 nights. Then I look for AP discounts later. I did see that Hard Rock for that week of March 2021 was ~$600. I don't usually include taxes in the price, since Disney does not quote taxes on their first page either. That's one of the differences. I wonder if booking close to the trip last March was part of the problem, since Loews was limiting capacity. Also, sometimes Royal Pacific will sell out before Hard Rock or Portofino and end up being more expensive. Portofino ends up being cheaper than Hard Rock with an AP discount, because Hard Rock sells out before Portofino. I don't also usually compare Disney moderates to Loews deluxe, since Loews deluxe are a higher level/quality than even Disney deluxe. Plus, there are 3 of us, so unlimited EP would be outrageous. Universal is not really a good deal for a night or 2, but beyond that, it can be. I don't choose to go to one over the other based upon price though, since I don't think the two are really that comparable. We always stay on site at Universal. Can't bring myself to do a throwaway room anywhere; seems so wasteful

 

[Carol_]

I'm curious, for all of the people saying they don't want to be on their phones all of the time, what did you do with FP+? After you used your first 3, didn't you use MDE to book the next ones? Or did you go to the kiosks?

We did our three, then waited in the standby line for a headliner or other rides.