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

[ENJDisneyFan]

Time to hop to another park.

That's fine for people who have multiple days in DHS. Not so great for those who only have 1 day. Those waits are ridiculous.

 

[MainMom]

That's fine for people who have multiple days in DHS. Not so great for those who only have 1 day. Those waits are ridiculous.

I agree, but I would still bail. I won’t wait in those lines.

 

[Meglen]

That's fine for people who have multiple days in DHS. Not so great for those who only have 1 day. Those waits are ridiculous.

Sure is. And this is why the other thread about subduing your expectations is so on the nose. Told my son and husband that if a line is super long we might not get to ride that ride all trip. If they know ahead of time it might make it easier. But in the end Disney unable to keep the lines sub 90 min when they have park reservations is a slap in the face to the consumers.

 

[Disturbia]

3:17

 

[Disturbia]

3:20

 

[Disturbia]

5:29; saw TSMM and

 

[mac_tlc]

I don’t care how much I love me some slinky dog, it ain’t worth waiting for 3 hours!!

I often wonder who got at the end of the line when it was 175 minutes and said “ yah, that’s ok, let’s do it”

mac_tlc

 

[Delirium]

At 2:33

I don’t care how much I love me some slinky dog, it ain’t worth waiting for 3 hours!!

Anyone trying to ride anything in any park at 2:30 in the afternoon is touring the parks incorrectly.

 

[Calee]

The universal EP comparison really isn’t an equal comparison at all.

Both parks at universal can be done to completion in two days with EP. Some would even argue you could do it in 1! The incredibly high price of EP for a family of 5 *might* feel doable to some folks for one day. Maybe 2. Or they stay in a premier hotel and get 2 days of EP for a family of 5 for $300 or $400 total. For a room AND 2 days of express pass for 5 people.

that does not transfer to the Disney meca. Many folks take 4 or 5 days to do the parks. 5 days for 5 people at @200 a day? Nope. That adds $5,000 to a trip where I can get the “similar” experience at universal for $400, room included, and get it all done in 2 days.

This is an apples and oranges comparison that does not work.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Anyone trying to ride anything in any park at 2:30 in the afternoon is touring the parks incorrectly.

I get what you're trying to say, but that speaks volumes to the poor experience in the parks right now. Prior to G+ we had perfected a touring strategy that basically eliminated waiting more than 20 min for just about anything. And we certainly were riding things mid-afternoon. If Disney has created a system that isn't conducive to being on rides for a large chunk of the day, it needs to be revamped.

 

[petrola]

I get what you're trying to say, but that speaks volumes to the poor experience in the parks right now. Prior to G+ we had perfected a touring strategy that basically eliminated waiting more than 20 min for just about anything. And we certainly were riding things mid-afternoon. If Disney has created a system that isn't conducive to being on rides for a large chunk of the day, it needs to be revamped.

Agree completely with you. What sense does it make to purchase tickets for your entire family but not be able to ride anything mid-afternoon? Isn't that when most folks want to be in the parks? Are we down to getting up at 6 am for rope drop or the two days a week of extended theme park evening hours (for deluxe guests and useless for those of us with little ones) in order to experience rides without long waits? no thank you.

 

[pixiedust2u]

Agree completely with you. What sense does it make to purchase tickets for your entire family but not be able to ride anything mid-afternoon? Isn't that when most folks want to be in the parks? Are we down to getting up at 6 am for rope drop or the two days a week of extended theme park evening hours (for deluxe guests and useless for those of us with little ones) in order to experience rides without long waits? no thank you.

In the old system a portion of guests suffered consequences of long lines due to faults of FP+ ( mainly if you didn’t understand, or know how to optimize). However in the new system it seems EVERYONE suffers. At least in the old system you had a good portion of satisfied guests. In the past 3 - 4 months the amount of frustration and dissatisfaction seems pervasive and unprecedented. I keep seeing reports of looooong lines at blue umbrella/guest service tents. In all the times I’ve been to Disney I don’t think I’ve ever seen consistent lines for guest services as they are being observed. That in itself should be a sign. Never mind the bad press, and awful reviews and feedback everyone online.

Genie + seems to have been designed without any consideration for how Disney operates as far as pre planning…. It conflicts with park hopping and ADRs. It’s just so odd to me that they got this so wrong and aren’t acting more urgently to do something about it.

 

[snikki]

Agree completely with you. What sense does it make to purchase tickets for your entire family but not be able to ride anything mid-afternoon? Isn't that when most folks want to be in the parks? Are we down to getting up at 6 am for rope drop or the two days a week of extended theme park evening hours (for deluxe guests and useless for those of us with little ones) in order to experience rides without long waits? no thank you.

We usually do a midday break but if we are in the park midday we do a lunch ADR, parades and shows. We really don’t do many rides midday. That’s what we’ve been doing for 20 years and I got those tips from this board. I don’t think it’s the right way to tour but it’s what has worked for us. IMO there’s no right or wrong way. Its about what works for your family.

 

[abtahime]

In the old system a portion of guests suffered consequences of long lines due to faults of FP+ ( mainly if you didn’t understand, or know how to optimize). However in the new system it seems EVERYONE suffers. At least in the old system you had a good portion of satisfied guests. In the past 3 - 4 months the amount of frustration and dissatisfaction seems pervasive and unprecedented. I keep seeing reports of looooong lines at blue umbrella/guest service tents. In all the times I’ve been to Disney I don’t think I’ve ever seen consistent lines for guest services as they are being observed. That in itself should be a sign. Never mind the bad press, and awful reviews and feedback everyone online.

Genie + seems to have been designed without any consideration for how Disney operates as far as pre planning…. It conflicts with park hopping and ADRs. It’s just so odd to me that they got this so wrong and aren’t acting more urgently to do something about it.

also it seems this system is much more usable for those traveling without small kids - having naps to contend with midday and not being able to stay out late and hence “stack your night” which seems a popular strategy, really makes the system hard if you can’t make a second selection until two hours after park opening if you got a later return time on a popular ride. By that time, especially in HS, it seems everything is either gone or pushed back to a time that just doesn’t work for many. Everyone is paying the same price yet not everyone is able to utilize it well. And families with small kids are a HUGE group of Disney guests. The more I read the more it appears Disney doesn’t care about anything other than maximizing $$$$. Sell as many genie+ as possible regardless of the guest experience with it on the back end

 

[RamblingMad]

In the old system a portion of guests suffered consequences of long lines due to faults of FP+ ( mainly if you didn’t understand, or know how to optimize). However in the new system it seems EVERYONE suffers. At least in the old system you had a good portion of satisfied guests. In the past 3 - 4 months the amount of frustration and dissatisfaction seems pervasive and unprecedented. I keep seeing reports of looooong lines at blue umbrella/guest service tents. In all the times I’ve been to Disney I don’t think I’ve ever seen consistent lines for guest services as they are being observed. That in itself should be a sign. Never mind the bad press, and awful reviews and feedback everyone online.

Genie + seems to have been designed without any consideration for how Disney operates as far as pre planning…. It conflicts with park hopping and ADRs. It’s just so odd to me that they got this so wrong and aren’t acting more urgently to do something about it.

But in actual metrics, it's looking like a win. A third of guests are using these services. Parks are packed to the brim. And price increases are sticking. If you look at it strictly from a data point of view, I think, it's a win.

As someone who would stay off property, FP+ was awful. After two bad experiences with trying to book anything, I switched to DL and never went back to WDW. Now, I might as I could just book LLs for the rides I want to do, which I couldn't do before. And I'm a morning person, so that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[pixiedust2u]

But in actual metrics, it's looking like a win. A third of guests are using these services. Parks are packed to the brim. And price increases are sticking. If you look at it strictly from a data point of view, I think, it's a win.

As someone who would stay off property, FP+ was awful. After two bad experiences with trying to book anything, I switched to DL and never went back to WDW. Now, I might as I could just book LLs for the rides I want to do, which I couldn't do before. And I'm a morning person, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Don’t be fooled. Just because WDW is crowded and everyone is purchasing genie+ does not spell success in regards to their new procedures. You have thousands of people who are taking their postponed vacations and international travelers only allowed into the US as of a couple months ago. WDW current profits in regards to parks and resorts has all to due with the state of the pandemic improving and nothing to do with their current offerings.

I’d imagine very few people are thinking “oh this new genie + looks awesome we have to go there and try it!”

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Another day and at 11:09 everything in my OP is unavailable and the standby waits are cray cray.

I know things may pop up later, but I feel for the people there right now.

cmon Disney, please fix this!!!!

increase hours. Increase ride capacity. Allow park hopping before 2. Maybe limit park capacity if you can’t handle these crowds. Get the shows and entertainment back. And if it’s still a hot mess, increase G+ capacity for goodness sakes. I’d rather wait in 15 minute lines for 5 good rides than 100+ minutes for 2-3. I may not do any for that long of a wait.

 

[itf]

But in actual metrics, it's looking like a win. A third of guests are using these services. Parks are packed to the brim. And price increases are sticking. If you look at it strictly from a data point of view, I think, it's a win.

It looks like a win for now - in an environment with a load of pent up demand. It may not look as much like a win in 12 months time when that demand dies down and the word of mouth is out and their Tripadvisor rating is a smouldering crater.

 

[pixiedust2u]

As someone who would stay off property, FP+ was awful. After two bad experiences with trying to book anything, I switched to DL and never went back to WDW. Now, I might as I could just book LLs for the rides I want to do, which I couldn't do before. And I'm a morning person, so that shouldn't be a problem.

…but you realize it’s not a guarantee? I don’t think you understand the system. You can be a morning person… you can have the money to spend and be ready to spend it… but ILLS for some attracts sell out in minutes.

But in actual metrics, it's looking like a win. A third of guests are using these services. Parks are packed to the brim. And price increases are sticking. If you look at it strictly from a data point of view, I think, it's a win.

As someone who would stay off property, FP+ was awful. After two bad experiences with trying to book anything, I switched to DL and never went back to WDW. Now, I might as I could just book LLs for the rides I want to do, which I couldn't do before. And I'm a morning person, so that shouldn't be a problem.

also I’m not sure you completely understand how genie+ works. The genie doesn’t care if you are a morning person. Also doesn’t care if you have the extra funds and are willing to spend them. You actually can’t just “book LLs for the rides you want to do”!!! ILLs sell out in minutes for some rides… there’s thousands of people who don’t get one. As far as LLs go, at least as DHS is concerned and possible even MK unless you have a very short must do ride list you are def not getting whatever LLs you want to do!

 

[ZellyB]

It looks like a win for now - in an environment with a load of pent up demand. It may not look as much like a win in 12 months time when that demand dies down and the word of mouth is out and their Tripadvisor rating is a smouldering crater.

So, this is an interesting thought to me. I hear it a lot on this board that once post-pandemic demand starts to dry up, that they will have squandered all their PR and good will and they will be ruined in some sense. History says differently though. They've weathered multiple storms of people saying they are outraged and done with Disney when they've made changes or taken things away, yet the crowds remain immense. But, when I really think about that, even if they start to see significant drops in demand, they'll do what they've done in the past and start offering varying incentives and discounts to entice people back. Also, if crowds drop off significantly, the issues of long wait times go away and the G+ proposition changes. I seem to remember too that somewhere Chapek publicly stated that one of their strategies is to find ways to reduce demand while retaining profits. If all that is true, then G+ may be working exactly as they hope. If they see lower demands but maintain profits, they will be thrilled. I'd like to believe that they care about the good will of long-term fans, but I think that's a fantasy.

Ultimately, I also don't believe that they are doing irreparable harm. If they do need to juice back up attendance numbers they can do so relatively easily by offering discounts or other perks. I also think many of the people on this board would be some of the first to rush to book a trip in that event. Long and short from my perspective (obviously just opinion since I have no insider info) is that they have relatively little to lose by doing what they are doing. It sucks for long-term fans and consumers like most of us on this board, but from a business perspective, I suspect Disney is perfectly happy about where things sit today.