The big G+ rides at HS gone by 1:07!

[Haagen Dawgs]

There’s nothing wrong with going offsite if that will work better for you.

To be fair, you are referencing one of the most expensive rooms in all of the Disney resorts. The vast majority of rooms are lower cost than the one you were referencing.

Personally, our reasons for staying on site primarily focus around staying in the Disney bubble, and not having to drive. However, some people loathe Disney transportation, but we don’t mind it at all and prefer it.

Do what works best for you. Disney deluxe, and moderate prices are pretty ridiculous right now . I agree

Dan

You are correct. Just priced out a standard base ticket at All-Star movies and it is about $300 cheaper without parking.

 

[Davey Jones II]

If you're hunting for LL when you log in early in the morning, is it actually easier to get LL reservations for later in the day? We are staying off-site for the first time, and will avoid the early morning rush and close the parks instead.

 

[Davey Jones II]

When an article states that Genie+ “glues visitors to their phone for the entirety of their day” you know that the author has an agenda because that is simply not true.

Yeah, because there were plenty of smartphone "refresh warriors" during the FP+ days. Meanwhile, we got by with our pre-booked three FPs (60 days out) and the kiosks! Yes, I kid you not, we didn't have a smart phone! (several Disers drop dead in shock).

Of course, this required dozens of hours of pre-planning, to avoid long lines. I know people complain a lot about Genie, but at least I can avoid the mind-boggling pre-planning this time. Or can I?

 

[T'Lynn]

I disagree with some of the points you raised. I'm a relatively infrequent WDW visitor (1993, 2006, 2019, 2021) and our 2019 experience with FP+ was not good. We decided 3 days in advance to go to AK during an August trip. I read up on FP+ on disboards, but found it was too late to book any FP's except for Dinosaur. I came away from that with the perception that FP+ was for folks who booked their trips 30-60+ days in advance, and for headliners, you needed to stay on Disney property to have a chance.

One point that was raised in the Youtube video Disney's Fastpass: A Complicated History that I think is valid, is that when casual visitors came to WDW and learned about FP+ for the first time, it was too late for them. Conversely, with G+ they may still come unaware, but can take advantage same as anyone else the next day. Similar logic applies for last-minute visitors.

I agree with this. As an adult going to Disney and being a trip planner I chose to stay offsite to save money but I did my homework and knew to book FP+ 30 days out. Still, I couldn’t really get headliners (unless I constantly refreshed my phone) and most of my return times were for the afternoon which meant I couldn’t start booking more than the original 3 until much later.
I ended up paying over $100 for BoG breakfast so I could jump the rope drop line for 7DMT

I had issues with the way FP+ was really tough on offsite guests. So I can see an advantage of having G+ instead

I still preferred FP+ to the uncertainty of G+ but it wasn’t ever that great for me so I’m not too sad to see it go. But I do wish I didn’t have to pay for G+…

 

[SMF_mom23]

I don't see us buying G+ during our trip (4 park days) for one main reason: Crisscrossing the parks to get to the reservation.
On the kids first trip years ago, they coined the phrase, "My feet hurt like Disney!" This was back during the old FP+ days when I could coordinate our ADR with FP+ reservations so I knew we wouldn't have any conflicts and could intentionally select rides physically closer together (or space out the timing to allow us to experience rides on the way from one FP+ to the next) to minimize the kids' walking. Once we used the pre-scheduled FP+s we would look for our next one close to wherever we were in the park at that moment (unless there was something open we were afraid we'd miss if we waited).

If they added the ability to MODIFY a G+ reservation without cancelling the existing one first, or allowed you to make a new one, but warned you doing so would cancel the existing reservation and restart the 120 minute cooldown, I would likely give more consideration to purchasing G+. Why they set up the app with no ability to modify to a different time (not a different ride, just the time) when it pops up makes no sense to me.

While I understand the principle behind G+ not allowing rebooks, I think it is a poor decision on WDW's part.

I also find inexcusable the fact that the process of setting up a G+ reservation (or worse $LL) often results in the time you initially were offered being pushed back, sometimes significantly. For example, in the time you took to get that 1p SDD slot, it got pushed back to 6p, conflicting with your ADR (which you'll have to pay for if you miss/cancel), so you decide to drop SDD. But now, you're that much later in getting your replacement ride/slot, which will probably not land where it was initially offered as well. Insult to injury, it is possible the time lost to SDD means you have missed out on another ride/slot you COULD have otherwise gotten if only you hadn't been spending time trying to land SDD at 1p. The first part of this scenario is one we've heard repeatedly; the second part might be a bit of an exaggeration, but I don't think it is by much.

I absolutely agree that TWDC is burning through the nostalgia and good will that brings back those prized Boomer/GenXers with disposable cash who fell in love long ago with what WDW once was. On top of that, they're not making any new die-hards with the way they're running things right now, COVID or not. Once the older Disney-Lovers are not longer willing/able to enjoy the parks, there will be few/far between those to replace them. And looking at these boards and others, it isn't an insignificant loss they're looking at. Long-term, they need loyal return guests not only for dependable income, but also for the glowing reviews they pass on to others about how they've, "never had a bad Disney trip, no matter how many times I've gone!" If everyone starts doing one-and-done vacas to the World, I think a trip to WDW will lose some of it's shine after a while. jmtc

 

[jknc]

DO NOT BUY GENIE PLUS. I saw zero value in it at Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. The system is atrocious. I overheard so many guests outwardly complaining about it in conversations.

WDW is a disaster right now,

IMHO. The bathrooms are gross. The food is worst I ever seen it and the headliner rides are completely unreliable and will ruin any planning you attempt.

 

[Garyjames220]

I don't see us buying G+ during our trip (4 park days) for one main reason: Crisscrossing the parks to get to the reservation.
On the kids first trip years ago, they coined the phrase, "My feet hurt like Disney!" This was back during the old FP+ days when I could coordinate our ADR with FP+ reservations so I knew we wouldn't have any conflicts and could intentionally select rides physically closer together (or space out the timing to allow us to experience rides on the way from one FP+ to the next) to minimize the kids' walking. Once we used the pre-scheduled FP+s we would look for our next one close to wherever we were in the park at that moment (unless there was something open we were afraid we'd miss if we waited).

If they added the ability to MODIFY a G+ reservation without cancelling the existing one first, or allowed you to make a new one, but warned you doing so would cancel the existing reservation and restart the 120 minute cooldown, I would likely give more consideration to purchasing G+. Why they set up the app with no ability to modify to a different time (not a different ride, just the time) when it pops up makes no sense to me.

While I understand the principle behind G+ not allowing rebooks, I think it is a poor decision on WDW's part.

I also find inexcusable the fact that the process of setting up a G+ reservation (or worse $LL) often results in the time you initially were offered being pushed back, sometimes significantly. For example, in the time you took to get that 1p SDD slot, it got pushed back to 6p, conflicting with your ADR (which you'll have to pay for if you miss/cancel), so you decide to drop SDD. But now, you're that much later in getting your replacement ride/slot, which will probably not land where it was initially offered as well. Insult to injury, it is possible the time lost to SDD means you have missed out on another ride/slot you COULD have otherwise gotten if only you hadn't been spending time trying to land SDD at 1p. The first part of this scenario is one we've heard repeatedly; the second part might be a bit of an exaggeration, but I don't think it is by much.

I absolutely agree that TWDC is burning through the nostalgia and good will that brings back those prized Boomer/GenXers with disposable cash who fell in love long ago with what WDW once was. On top of that, they're not making any new die-hards with the way they're running things right now, COVID or not. Once the older Disney-Lovers are not longer willing/able to enjoy the parks, there will be few/far between those to replace them. And looking at these boards and others, it isn't an insignificant loss they're looking at. Long-term, they need loyal return guests not only for dependable income, but also for the glowing reviews they pass on to others about how they've, "never had a bad Disney trip, no matter how many times I've gone!" If everyone starts doing one-and-done vacas to the World, I think a trip to WDW will lose some of it's shine after a while. jmtc

im confused, if you get 1pm for slinky and select it why would it then become 6pm

 

[jknc]

im confused, if you get 1pm for slinky and select it why would it then become 6pm

Because the time it shows you doesn’t matter at all. It will be several hours later by time you check out.

 

[Garyjames220]

Because the time it shows you doesn’t matter at all. It will be several hours later by time you check out.

So when we go In May say I want a late afternoon time and I see 11am should I check out anyway as it will probably not be until later anyway

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

So when we go In May say I want a late afternoon time and I see 11am should I check out anyway as it will probably not be until later anyway

That’s about right! Or maybe you’ll get 11- it’s really inconsistent.

 

[Turksmom]

So when we go In May say I want a late afternoon time and I see 11am should I check out anyway as it will probably not be until later anyway

That's the thing. You just don't know. Sometimes it will be what you selected, sometimes a 10-15 minute difference, sometimes 3-4 hours difference.

 

[Garyjames220]

That's the thing. You just don't know. Sometimes it will be what you selected, sometimes a 10-15 minute difference, sometimes 3-4 hours difference.

so say it’s not quite the time we want, can i not just leave it and not confirm the new time

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

so say it’s not quite the time we want, can i not just leave it and not confirm the new time

It’s a gamble. For SDD, one morning I refreshed 3 times to try to get a later time and then they were gone. If it’s super high demand like SDD, I would take what you can get or pick something else and ride SSD later in the evening rather than mess around with the time.

 

[Turksmom]

so say it’s not quite the time we want, can i not just leave it and not confirm the new time

Yes, if it shows before confirming. I've been lucky that it has for me, but I've read other reports of a different time showing after confirmation. You can always cancel and try again, if that happens

 

[lowlight]

so say it’s not quite the time we want, can i not just leave it and not confirm the new time

At least for me, and several others that were at guest relations, even after we booked and paid and it showed booked in our MDE app, when we checked it later while walking to the ride, the time had changed to hours later and was now during our Brown Derby reservation. It’s such a complete mess. I’m glad I screenshot the different times because the CM wasn’t believing me at first.

 

[Garyjames220]

At least for me, and several others that were at guest relations, even after we booked and paid and it showed booked in our MDE app, when we checked it later while walking to the ride, the time had changed to hours later and was now during our Brown Derby reservation. It’s such a complete mess. I’m glad I screenshot the different times because the CM wasn’t believing me at first.

doesn’t sound very good this system at all, what a carry on just to get a time and even once you pick the time it may not even be that time, not very magical

 

[nicksinger8]

This is like a perfect case study for an economist! They have a monopoly. They have clearly not got the right balance between price, supply and demand which is all the more difficult when there is no competition. They have pitched the price at just about affordable, especially in the context of a Disney holiday. But that means they have sold too many (presumably to make it profitable enough) and the demand is now too high and people are unhappy even at that price. They need to decide what they are doing here. Strikes me that this should be a very premium product - really elite level. Very expensive. Limit demand. And give everyone a chance in the standby line. Or frankly, just go back to Fast Pass One. That worked really well and still does at Disneyland Paris.

 

[lowlight]

doesn’t sound very good this system at all, what a carry on just to get a time and even once you pick the time it may not even be that time, not very magical

To be fair, it’s a glitch I’m sure will be fixed. The rest of it still sucks and is unfixable in my opinion.

 

[lowlight]

This is like a perfect case study for an economist! They have a monopoly. They have clearly not got the right balance between price, supply and demand which is all the more difficult when there is no competition. They have pitched the price at just about affordable, especially in the context of a Disney holiday. But that means they have sold too many (presumably to make it profitable enough) and the demand is now too high and people are unhappy even at that price. They need to decide what they are doing here. Strikes me that this should be a very premium product - really elite level. Very expensive. Limit demand. And give everyone a chance in the standby line. Or frankly, just go back to Fast Pass One. That worked really well and still does at Disneyland Paris.

I think part of the problem is that Disney knows demand is fleeting. International travel is a mess and I don’t think the sky high demand for Disney is permanent.

 

[mac_tlc]

At least for me, and several others that were at guest relations, even after we booked and paid and it showed booked in our MDE app, when we checked it later while walking to the ride, the time had changed to hours later and was now during our Brown Derby reservation. It’s such a complete mess. I’m glad I screenshot the different times because the CM wasn’t believing me at first.

Just an interesting reaction… you said “and several others at guest relations”…..

When we were at HS on 2/15. (Posted earlier about crazy wait times), as we were leaving at about 1:45pm, We noticed a long long line at guest services, with several “Disney ropes” guiding the line. I said to my DW, “when you need line control ropes at your guest services location, that is not good”.

mac_tlc