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

[itf]

Slinky and Rise gone in <2 mins this morning?

 

[mac_tlc]

I don't think it's a good idea to have to go to each attraction to pull a FP. Seems like a recipe for "running-of-the-bulls" rope drop chaos and a general waste of time. I'd rather book on my phone.

An interesting story about having to visit every attraction and pull a ticket…

My daughter got married at WDW, her favorite thing was Wishes and MK. The wedding was at 5:30pm. That morning, my son and I went to the MK and, in a somewhat coordinated attack, visited every FP attraction and got a ticket. Sometimes we had to wait until the 2 hr window closed, but we got a ticket from every attraction dated on her wedding day.

I put them in a picture frame arranged around a wedding picture of her overlooking the castle. Still hangs in her living room today.

Now there is a lifetime memory that I could never do today. I suppose I could get screenshots .

mac_tlc

 

[abtahime]

It would seem a better tactic for all of this genie+ mess from Disney would be to simply guarantee everyone who purchases it for the day 1 ride on each genie+ attraction anytime throughout the day at their reserved park. They could charge more for the service too, but that way at least people aren’t playing this crazy game and feel they aren’t getting their money’s worth. I would much rather spend $50 and show up knowing I could use the LL 1x for each ride guaranteed and have a less stressful day with my family. They could keep ILL for the biggest attractions.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

It would seem a better tactic for all of this genie+ mess from Disney would be to simply guarantee everyone who purchases it for the day 1 ride on each genie+ attraction anytime throughout the day at their reserved park. They could charge more for the service too, but that way at least people aren’t playing this crazy game and feel they aren’t getting their money’s worth. I would much rather spend $50 and show up knowing I could use the LL 1x for each ride guaranteed and have a less stressful day with my family. They could keep ILL for the biggest attractions.

There's no way they could do that at the current price point, there simply isn't enough capacity. They would have to significantly increase the price (similar to Universal, since that's basically what they offer) so that a much lower number of people would buy it.

 

[abtahime]

There's no way they could do that at the current price point, there simply isn't enough capacity. They would have to significantly increase the price (similar to Universal, since that's basically what they offer) so that a much lower number of people would buy it.

Yes they would have to increase the price. But I think the problem is when you charge money, even a smaller amount like $15, people are invested in their purchase, and right now the system seems overrun - too many buyers and not enough product to go around, especially at certain parks, leaving most buyers upset. They need to increase the price anyways and when they do they should increase it enough to not only reduce demand, but to provide a product that is quality enough to match for people willing to spend it.

editing to add: I think what I’m trying to say is Disney needs to figure out a happy medium where their price point and both quantity and quality of what they can offer are actually in line. Selling unlimited genie+ because it is fairly affordable but capping its use is a system designed for end user frustration. Yes, universals system is expensive and cost prohibitive to many, but the people who get it are actually getting something of value that isn’t making them want to pull their hair out. They aren’t having to plan their entire day at 7am the morning of or dance around ADRs they made months ago. And they aren’t on boards complaining about how awful it is.

 

[Disturbia]

I think at least pre book 1 Tier 2 ride (Free) a week in advance, book 2 LLIA$ Tier1 rides a week in advance (so for $20-30 you’re booking 3 FPs).

Day of, you can book one Genie+ for $15 Tier2+3 (the rolling 4th FP-almost always was a tier3 ride) with staggered booking like the VQ (9 am, 1 pm, 6 pm).

They already have data on the FPs and VQs, so they would know how to structure this. So they essentially increased ticket prices indirectly by $35-45.

Bring back the evening EMH for all resort guests so people who don’t want to deal with this have options and don’t overcrowd the rope drop lines.

 

[ZellyB]

Yes they would have to increase the price. But I think the problem is when you charge money, even a smaller amount like $15, people are invested in their purchase, and right now the system seems overrun - too many buyers and not enough product to go around, especially at certain parks, leaving most buyers upset. They need to increase the price anyways and when they do they should increase it enough to not only reduce demand, but to provide a product that is quality enough to match for people willing to spend it.

editing to add: I think what I’m trying to say is Disney needs to figure out a happy medium where their price point and both quantity and quality of what they can offer are actually in line. Selling unlimited genie+ because it is fairly affordable but capping its use is a system designed for end user frustration. Yes, universals system is expensive and cost prohibitive to many, but the people who get it are actually getting something of value that isn’t making them want to pull their hair out. They aren’t having to plan their entire day at 7am the morning of or dance around ADRs they made months ago. And they aren’t on boards complaining about how awful it is.

Universal's price point for the express pass during Spring Break is like $260 pp and less crowded days it's more like $150-160 pp. To get the kind of access you are wanting with the crowds that Disney deals with in comparison to Universal, they would likely need to charge at least that much if not more. They can't attach it to deluxe accommodations because they don't have enough capacity on their rides to meet even their deluxe accommodations capacity (assuming they would include DVC with it). I can't imagine how the Disney community would react should Disney announce a price point similar to Universal, even though they seem to tolerate it from Universal. Ultimately though I agree with you. They should charge more like Universal does and do away with all the dancing around 7 am and two hour windows and stacking and all of that. Charge a price that will truly inhibit a lot of people from buying and those who do have open access.

 

[Disturbia]

The after hours events are now $150-200

 

[itf]

Looks like another rough day for both lines and LL availability at DHS.

 

[Meglen]

Looks like another rough day for both lines and LL availability at DHS.

Spring break is gonna legit break Disney I feel.

 

[Westerner]

For comparison, I am planning to go to Universal next week. A 2-park regular Express pass (no rerides) was initially $110 and is now $130. Express pass unlimited (allows rerides) initially $140 now $160. I am told prices increase closer to your dates and can go very high day of. Neither include Hagrid’s or Velocicoaster, 2 of their biggest attractions. I decided to go with 1 night at a deluxe hotel which includes express pass unlimited for up to 5 people on checkin and checkout days, it was a better deal and also cancellable with 5 days notice like any hotel stay. Buying standalone express passes are nonrefundable. Also told that express pass lane can have a short wait depending on ride.

 

[abtahime]

Universal's price point for the express pass during Spring Break is like $260 pp and less crowded days it's more like $150-160 pp. To get the kind of access you are wanting with the crowds that Disney deals with in comparison to Universal, they would likely need to charge at least that much if not more. They can't attach it to deluxe accommodations because they don't have enough capacity on their rides to meet even their deluxe accommodations capacity (assuming they would include DVC with it). I can't imagine how the Disney community would react should Disney announce a price point similar to Universal, even though they seem to tolerate it from Universal. Ultimately though I agree with you. They should charge more like Universal does and do away with all the dancing around 7 am and two hour windows and stacking and all of that. Charge a price that will truly inhibit a lot of people from buying and those who do have open access.

I definitely don’t think there is an easy answer for Disney to address what seems to be a big problem. The amount of scathing reviews I’ve read recently scare me for our upcoming trip. And I’ve researched my butt off on how the system works and tips and tricks but ultimately I just have to wake up pre 7am and hope for the best every day of the trip, along with the thousands of others doing the same that morning. Some of us will be luckier than others by virtue or a few milliseconds and speed of our cell phone carriers. It doesn’t seem like this is how something in the “happiest place on earth” should operate.

 

[Disturbia]

System seems to be crashing

 

[itf]

Tip board OK here but no good news - Slinky is now down!

 

[Disturbia]

At 2:07

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

HS is a mess today. SDD is down and standbys are 95-135 for most rides. Star tours is 40- that’s sayin slmethifn

I don’t think the answer is to charge universal EP prices. WDW is a multi-day park for most people, and their prices are already massive. Sure, charging that much on top of their already hugely inflated ticket prices would help a select few speed through the lines, but would do nothing for the bulk of their guests toughing it out in standby all day. If that happens they will lose even more repeat guests, because the experience will be even more degraded.

they have really great minds working there. Can’t they come up with something to make this better?

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Can’t they come up with something to make this better?

There is an easy solution here, and it's a cap on attendance. They already have a park reservation system in place, they could limit the number of people in the parks to match the level of staffing they have right now.

Now we all know they won't do that, because $$$$. But they could and they should.

 

[Disturbia]

At 2:33

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

At 2:33
View attachment 650806

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

 

[MainMom]

At 2:33
View attachment 650806

Time to hop to another park.