New pre-purchase lighting lane July 24th?

[JackosinDIS]

Yes, but guests from Europe were able to book tickets and reserve rides through the dedicated websites when Disney still used FP+. If they don’t implement a solution, international visitors to WDW will be in a much worse position than they were ever before. This will have an impact on revenue for Disney parks.

I very much hope they do implement a solution, but my gut feeling is they don’t want to move the lightning lane booking back to a web based system rather than the app.

As you’ve alluded to, if there is a big enough impact on the revenue to make it worthwhile to implement a solution, I’m sure they will.

For now, we are at a severe disadvantage on LL bookings in the UK unless you are happy using a work-around.

 

[walt34]

For now, we are at a severe disadvantage on LL bookings in the UK unless you are happy using a work-around.

Unfortunately, I don't see a good workaround at this time. Using a US travel agent seems quite strange (annual pass, DVC member, what would the travel agent actually handle?), VPNs don't work and faking a GPS location takes it a step too far for my comfort.

 

[JackosinDIS]

Unfortunately, I don't see a good workaround at this time. Using a US travel agent seems quite strange (annual pass, DVC member, what would the travel agent actually handle?), VPNs don't work and faking a GPS location takes it a step too far for my comfort.

Yeh, I totally get you. Even if you were comfortable using a GPS spoofer, there is no reason why we should have to be doing that in the first place!

This is a really shoddy move by Disney. They knew the effects of implementing these changes, and have decided to press ahead regardless. It’s a calculated risk for them- they obviously don’t believe it will have too much impact on revenue.

 

[nursejackie]

Yes, but guests from Europe were able to book tickets and reserve rides through the dedicated websites when Disney still used FP+. If they don’t implement a solution, international visitors to WDW will be in a much worse position than they were ever before. This will have an impact on revenue for Disney parks.

That is very true, I sat many a year at 4.59am waiting to book the fastpasses for our December trips. Of course, they were free back then

 

[jf256]

Last time I went I was in new york for a week before because of work. So I only went for a week and I would have needed to have booked the key things but I would have been able to.

If I'm doing my own trip it is going to likely be 3 weeks. Well we only get 14 day tickets now..so it looks like it's universal and other bits the first week instead of doing 14/18 it will be 14.

Less hotel spend. Less spend at disney springs for them.

I do feel really bad for people who are planning their trips in the next few weeks and have been left without any options. Take full advantage of rope dropping your first week as you will be up earlier. Don't bother buying genie the first few days. Shift your water park and other theme park days if you can.

Even then you are still at a disadvantage because you would of likely got all the available options for the 2nd week of your stay.

Importantly go and speak to a cast member at guest services if it is seriously impacting your day. Putting in complaints is one of the only ways that this is going to get escalated.

 

[cheryl.UK]

I suspect that this is a relatively new thing. I spoke to my bank about paying for a new DVC contract who told me that buying something from overseas that does not have a physical property, ie a contract or a lightning lane is no longer allowed under international money laundering laws.

I tried to point out that DVC was not like other timeshares but to no avail.

 

[tinkandonaldfans]

I sent an email complaining hoping that they would tell me some good news. The stated in their email 'Guest from other countries, they will be able to begin their pre-arrival planning on the My Disney Experience app after they reach the United States '

Not sure their using the correct word of 'pre-arrival' if we are doing it once we have arrived?????????

We go in a month and only use it for MK and HS but I don't want us missing out just because we're British!

 

[Duck In Blue]

I sent an email complaining hoping that they would tell me some good news. The stated in their email 'Guest from other countries, they will be able to begin their pre-arrival planning on the My Disney Experience app after they reach the United States '

Not sure their using the correct word of 'pre-arrival' if we are doing it once we have arrived?????????

We go in a month and only use it for MK and HS but I don't want us missing out just because we're British!

That kind of answer really annoys me. They have totally ignored your point and just come back with some standard spiel, you are right when you say how can it be pre-arrival?!

I am so disappointed that Disney are willing to put us at a disadvantage to bring this in, which they didn't have to do. We bought DVC last year and so are even more committed to them which annoys me even more!

 

[Cazbucket]

What international visitors need is their reason WHY they have done it this way. We need an explanation. GDPR would not be a valid excuse. I have been able to purchase Quick Q direct from Seaworld and Busch, paying in USD ~ would that be classed as a different product type?
Going in August and am really concerned. I used Genie+ last 2 trips.
Not comfortable using a spoof GPS location so will wait and see how this plays out when it comes to be

 

[lankman]

This is from another website:
International guests will not be able to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Single Pass prior to arriving in the United States. This is likely related to international laws, and may change in the future — but probably not any time soon.

It's strange this one, as in the past we could do our Fast passes weeks in advance. The statement they made about international law seems a little off.
We are heading out on Sept 1st & really disappointed that we do not have the option to buy lightning lane until we are in the US.
Not good on Disney's part considering the volume of Tourists for Europe that visit each year.

 

[lankman]

That kind of answer really annoys me. They have totally ignored your point and just come back with some standard spiel, you are right when you say how can it be pre-arrival?!

I am so disappointed that Disney are willing to put us at a disadvantage to bring this in, which they didn't have to do. We bought DVC last year and so are even more committed to them which annoys me even more!

Totally & absolutely agree with you 100%

 

[Cazbucket]

Instead of the usual copy and paste email you get from CMs who are just passing on the only info they have, or other websites speculating as to the reason why we cannot do this , we need Disney themselves to explain the reason it is this way.
It’s not hard for them to issue a statement.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

My guess is that there is a very big legal reason as to why this has happened. A decision like this will only have been made at the very highest level. Disney is very much aware of their international market but at the same time if they legally have to make a hard decision like this, it is really beyond their control.

The front line phone agents can only give whatever information is on their screen. Very likely a company wide email template has been circulated. The email template will just have the basics, its really just a pr attempt to make sure all communications about this issue have been acknowledged.

 

[Duck In Blue]

My guess is that there is a very big legal reason as to why this has happened. A decision like this will only have been made at the very highest level. Disney is very much aware of their international market but at the same time if they legally have to make a hard decision like this, it is really beyond their control.

The front line phone agents can only give whatever information is on their screen. Very likely a company wide email template has been circulated. The email template will just have the basics, its really just a pr attempt to make sure all communications about this issue have been acknowledged.

I do get the point about front line cast members, they can only share what they are being told. But whatever the reason is, by not communicating properly with us we are only left to assume which causes speculation and ultimately disappointment. I don't accept it is beyond their control though, they have chose to implement this despite the restrictions it gives to some of their guests. Nobody made them do this, they have just decided that disadvantaging a proportion of their guests (i.e. us) is overall worth it to them. Personally that does not leave me with a good opinion of the highest level of Disney.

 

[jf256]

I have a feeling its part of the authorisation for card requirement that came out a couple of years ago. I had big issues in universal.. and couldn't change loads of my dining in the US

If that is the case they can 100 percent sort allow you to purchase over the phone. As you don't require authorisation with a 'card machine' purchase as such. That is so lazy.

All we can do is complain, complain and also let as many non wdw people who are going on their lifetime trips know as possible to prevent their disappointment..

If this isn't sorted I would probably resort to using a GPS spooofer but I get why people are uncomfortable. But I will also be moving my first week to universal, disney will lose revenue from me and there is no chance I'd pay to stay in a disney hotel.

I'd do the swan or one of the disney springs hotels save money and earn points.

 

[Cazbucket]

I have a feeling its part of the authorisation for card requirement that came out a couple of years ago. I had big issues in universal.. and couldn't change loads of my dining in the US

If that is the case they can 100 percent sort allow you to purchase over the phone. As you don't require authorisation with a 'card machine' purchase as such. That is so lazy.

All we can do is complain, complain and also let as many non wdw people who are going on their lifetime trips know as possible to prevent their disappointment..

If this isn't sorted I would probably resort to using a GPS spooofer but I get why people are uncomfortable. But I will also be moving my first week to universal, disney will lose revenue from me and there is no chance I'd pay to stay in a disney hotel.

I'd do the swan or one of the disney springs hotels save money and earn points.

What I don’t understand is I bought quick q direct from Seaworld and Busch, no problem. Unless there is a difference in how the products are viewed as purchases.

 

[wrestler72]

Just sent an e-mail to Disney complaining about new system and told them that I intend to cancel my 2025 Disney vacation (and I am seriously considering this) if this system is here to stay. Mentioned that this would be my family's 11th trip and that we are bitterly disappointed (which we are). I think it makes sense to send as many e-mails like this as possible. This system will really affect non-US guests. If the past experience for fastpasses is anything to go by, we will have real issues with booking the best rides. Of course, fastpasses were free, so this time it might be different but still...
And Disney is a huge corporation... They might be able to lobby for an exception to the rules...
Not too hopeful but at least I tried.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Just sent an e-mail to Disney complaining about new system and told them that I intend to cancel my 2025 Disney vacation (and I am seriously considering this) if this system is here to stay. Mentioned that this would be my family's 11th trip and that we are bitterly disappointed (which we are). I think it makes sense to send as many e-mails like this as possible. This system will really affect non-US guests. If the past experience for fastpasses is anything to go by, we will have real issues with booking the best rides. Of course, fastpasses were free, so this time it might be different but still...
And Disney is a huge corporation... They might be able to lobby for an exception to the rules...
Not too hopeful but at least I tried.

There has to be some huge legal reason for this. I remember when GDPR started in 2018, international membership for D23 was ended. International banking laws change all the time, I'm gussing its something to do with that. That Disney have done a cost analysis between implementing the updates to allow internationals to prebook and the loss of revenue from internationals if they don't. Im guessing the loss of revenue was less than the cost of implementing the updates, so they Geo locked the new system to America and Canada. So all the complaints wont do a thing as its a business decision which has gone through many levels of legal review and management approval.

 

[Cazbucket]

Just sent an e-mail to Disney complaining about new system and told them that I intend to cancel my 2025 Disney vacation (and I am seriously considering this) if this system is here to stay. Mentioned that this would be my family's 11th trip and that we are bitterly disappointed (which we are). I think it makes sense to send as many e-mails like this as possible. This system will really affect non-US guests. If the past experience for fastpasses is anything to go by, we will have real issues with booking the best rides. Of course, fastpasses were free, so this time it might be different but still...
And Disney is a huge corporation... They might be able to lobby for an exception to the rules...
Not too hopeful but at least I tried.

I sent 1, received the standard copy and paste email. I replied back asking if I could make a formal complaint. Same CM replied saying but you can prebook ~once you’re in US. I replied again ~ all very nice emails explaining I know they have no control over this, but the hierarchy need to address this and again that I would like to make a formal complaint. Different CM replied saying TPTB would be made aware. Replied yet again just asking if I could make a formal complaint. That was a week ago, no response.
I give up.
If there is a valid reason then that’s fine but at least tell us!.
I do feel sorry for CMs.

 

[jf256]

I think if it is going to impact you then you might be best trying the geo location spoofer. It's an extra cost but I can't see an alternative short of moving your money over to universal/ seaworld etc for a week.