New MultiPass LL (aka Paid FastPass+)

[tx911]

Is it possible for international guests to use a US based travel agent and they can book their multi passes for them?

 

[CJK]

I just got off the phone with Disney, as we had to modify our tickets for our upcoming trip. The customer service rep asked me if I was aware of the new changes to Genie. I told her that I was aware, and that I was disappointed that international guests were not having the opportunity to book in advance, despite my 14 days booked at a deluxe resort. She had no idea what I was talking about. She then pulled up her document on it, and went to the FAQ portion. She read the whole thing aloud to me, and then went "oh.. my.. gosh...." and then read line ten to me which stated "for international guests, while they will be able to utilize this service, it will not be available until they arrive to the United States." She then messaged her team lead, who confirmed the change.

For those who were wanting confirmation from Disney.

She said she was so embarrassed because had I not brought that to her attention, she would have been giving incorrect information. She said we would be vocal about this with her lead and make sure that the correct information is given out to people.

Why is Disney trying to sneak this through? I do not know.

Thanks for the update! It just feels like Disney is focusing on the American market, and isn't giving much thought to the International market. Like, if they really cared about the international market, wouldn't they want all CM's to know about this discrepancy? I'd love to know what percentage of WDW guests are from outside of the USA. I've read such conflicting information. It feels like we're an insignificant number, so they're not worried about us having this major disadvantage.

 

[CJK]

Is it possible for overseas guests to us a US based travel agent and they can book their multi passes for them?

I'm wondering if it depends on the travel agency. I know that some American agencies have a policy of not logging into client 'My Disney Experience' accounts, so they are not permitted to book rides for their international guests.

 

[carlyannek]

Is it possible for international guests to use a US based travel agent and they can book their multi passes for them?

I was already sent a screenshot of little instagram "businesses" offering to book for international guests, for a small fee of course. Didn't take long at all for that to happen.

 

[CJK]

Is there an email address were we can voice our concerns/displeasure?

Guest.services@disneyworld.com

 

[Cocolazzone]

I honestly wonder if this really only applies to guests outside North America. We can already purchase Genie+ and book LL from here in Canada (I have done it in the morning before flying out) - whereas other international guests can't.

 

[carlyannek]

I honestly wonder if this really only applies to guests outside North America. We can already purchase Genie+ and book LL from here in Canada (I have done it in the morning before flying out) - whereas other international guests can't.

While that makes total sense, the Canadian travel agents are the ones reporting the changes and getting direct information from their Disney reps. It's not lookin good for us. Unless they decide to change it from the complaints.

 

[Cocolazzone]

While that makes total sense, the Canadian travel agents are the ones reporting the changes and getting direct information from their Disney reps. It's not lookin good for us. Unless they decide to change it from the complaints.

I have a feeling it is just poor wording and interpretation of the wording- my understanding is that similar wording was used for Genie+ too and yet we were still able to book from here in Canada! All we can do is wait and see, but I honestly do not think that this will fly. Although it may seem like international guests are insignificant, from what I have read, their spending is higher, they book longer stays, more likely to stay on property etc. I don't think they will be able to pass this one off....but who knows?

 

[carlyannek]

I have a feeling it is just poor wording and interpretation of the wording- my understanding is that similar wording was used for Genie+ too and yet we were still able to book from here in Canada! All we can do is wait and see, but I honestly do not think that this will fly. Although it may seem like international guests are insignificant, from what I have read, their spending is higher, they book longer stays, more likely to stay on property etc. I don't think they will be able to pass this one off....but who knows?

While I hope that you're right, unfortunately, when speaking directly with Disney and having her speak with her team lead, they confirmed it would not be available for us. Fingers crossed they make some changes.

 

[thebigman65]

What were the email addresses you send to?

I emailed member services and got a reply that it has to be done through the website after i log in.....cut and paste it is! lol.

 

[walt34]

If it has to do with tax or the sales process (for which different countries have different regulations), why can't they separate the purchase process from the attraction booking? They used to do the same thing for park reservations:
You could buy hotels, tickets or packages on international websites and then use MDE to reserve your park reservations. Why can't the same be done for Genie+? Maybe force me to buy Genie+ from the stupid Disney UK or EU website but then allow me to book attractions like everyone else...

 

[bizaro86]

I wrote the following email to wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com. I’d encourage everyone who is affected by this change (AKA Disney Fans in the other 96% of the world) to send something in as well.
__________________________________

Hello,
We are Canadians who have been coming to WDW every second year for a week since our kids were old enough to make the trip. We have stayed for a week each time and purchased Genie+/individual lightning lanes every day of our trips.

I saw the announcement of the changes to that system with dismay. Not the pre-booking or name change, mind you, just the part about international guests not being able to book in advance. That’s a deal breaker for us, not just for purchasing multi-experience passes, but for coming to WDW at all.

With US-based guests having either 3 or 7 days of pre-booking, all the most desirable attractions will be either unavailable, or so late in the day as to make booking a subsequent attraction using that slot impossible. That significantly impairs the value proposition of the multi-experience pass for us, and we would never visit on standby lines only – the value proposition of that is even worse, because between the cost of flights/accommodations/admission the cost per attraction is very, very high.

We had already booked a few days at a top-tier Universal Orlando resort prior to our Disney Cruise next February, and suspect that’s the direction we’ll be going in the future if we’re going to be treated as second-class citizens by Walt Disney World.

Regards,
<my name>

 

[TropicalDIS]

100% Everybody needs to be emailing guest services. Lets flood them with complaints on this before it gets implemented.

 

[ellbell]

While I don't believe that this is going to affect Canadians and only really affect people who already have limited functionality on the MDE app, if after July 24th it is confirmed I'll be booking a room in buffalo so I can book my Genie+ for my trip in August. At that point I just won't be going back again. IF this is happening (again I don't think it is) it's completely disrespectful to take away a function that we have always had for no actual reasoning since we already have access to these kinds of things.

 

[spewey]

While I don't believe that this is going to affect Canadians and only really affect people who already have limited functionality on the MDE app, if after July 24th it is confirmed I'll be booking a room in buffalo so I can book my Genie+ for my trip in August. At that point I just won't be going back again. IF this is happening (again I don't think it is) it's completely disrespectful to take away a function that we have always had for no actual reasoning since we already have access to these kinds of things.

If I may - are you drivable to Buffalo? If so, why book a room?

I ask as I'm in Toronto; if this is not addressed (and I think it could be, as others have pointed out in the past there was some confusion - on Disney's end - about Canadian's accessing the app) I will probably pop over to NY a week before our August trip to sit in some mall's food court to make our selections.

That's assuming Disney doesn't want that to happen for some reason, and try to crack down on VPNs, and geo-track app users to see if they're coming to the States just to do this.

 

[ellbell]

If I may - are you drivable to Buffalo? If so, why book a room?

I ask as I'm in Toronto; if this is not addressed (and I think it could be, as others have pointed out in the past there was some confusion - on Disney's end - about Canadian's accessing the app) I will probably pop over to NY a week before our August trip to sit in some mall's food court to make our selections.

That's assuming Disney doesn't want that to happen for some reason, and try to crack down on VPNs, and geo-track app users to see if they're coming to the States just to do this.

I am in Hamilton so yes it's drivable but I don't want to get up at 4:30 am to be over there for 7 to actually get the LLs I want for when I want. I'd rather be there wake up and then book. Then I can have a leisurely breakfast and take advantage of the better grocery prices on the way home.

 

[Icarus846]

100% Everybody needs to be emailing guest services. Lets flood them with complaints on this before it gets implemented.

Yep. I just did as well.

This is what concerns me about this company though, I thought it was changing in a more positive direction post Covid, but how does this new system get approval from Managers, Executives, and Directors. Knowing this would negatively affect their biggest spending customer base.

 

[spewey]

I am in Hamilton so yes it's drivable but I don't want to get up at 4:30 am to be over there for 7 to actually get the LLs I want for when I want. I'd rather be there wake up and then book. Then I can have a leisurely breakfast and take advantage of the better grocery prices on the way home.

Ah - I haven't yet hacked my way through all the details. So the booking window (like before with FP+) opens at 7AM? Hmmmm. Guess I'll be up at the crack o' dawn that day.

Unless they figure this out beforehand. Here's hoping.

 

[Icarus846]

While I don't believe that this is going to affect Canadians and only really affect people who already have limited functionality on the MDE app, if after July 24th it is confirmed I'll be booking a room in buffalo so I can book my Genie+ for my trip in August. At that point I just won't be going back again. IF this is happening (again I don't think it is) it's completely disrespectful to take away a function that we have always had for no actual reasoning since we already have access to these kinds of things.

I mean they neglected international customers with magic bands, then with free water park access on day of checkin, now this. I don’t know why your in such denial when it’s its coming from the mouth of mouse. Just confirmed it again from a cast member, who got reconfirmation from their manager. I know you don’t believe cast members right now, but there is no reason not to.

 

[Silvermist999]

If I may - are you drivable to Buffalo? If so, why book a room?

I ask as I'm in Toronto; if this is not addressed (and I think it could be, as others have pointed out in the past there was some confusion - on Disney's end - about Canadian's accessing the app) I will probably pop over to NY a week before our August trip to sit in some mall's food court to make our selections.

That's assuming Disney doesn't want that to happen for some reason, and try to crack down on VPNs, and geo-track app users to see if they're coming to the States just to do this.

It is so crazy, it’s almost as if they don’t want us to have early access to book our selections, which is not free, I might add.

I got on a chat early this morning which I posted about in the other discussion and they basically said that’s just the way it will be and we won’t be able to book until we are “there” in the US. I’m already so annoyed since we are one of the lucky ones arriving on the 27th. We purchased Genie+ and ILLs on our last trip and it was already budgeted for this trip, we were excited for it. Now we won’t even have a choice and opportunity to book the attractions we really want. This whole thing is unfair and so ridiculous.