The Pro-Genie App discussion thread - speculate how the app could make your trip next trip great!

[DisneyAuntie12]

I’ve never doubted that one but personally.

Where I get frustrated is the ‘the way it used to be’ mentality.

Things change… and it just seems nonsensical to think WDW would be any different.

And if I may add… the focus always seems to be on all the perceived slights (or nickel and diming as I see it called) and a totally biased view of the positives.

Pandora, Toy Story Land, Galaxy’s Edge, Cosmic Rewind, Tron, multiple resort updates… it just seems disingenuous to point to the good old days, get pissed when the company tries to create revenue for its shareholders (even by charging for things that were once included) and then also gloss over all the investments they actually do make.

I do think Disney fans can be uber critical, although perhaps this super high bar has kept Disney as great as it’s been, who knows?

As someone who has typically defended them in the past though, I think the rollout on whatever update is coming has not been confidence inspiring. People don’t “know” Chapek as CEO and their first introduction to him was Magical Express being cut and then a months long information void regarding one of their most popular programs, FastPasses, with seemingly valid speculation that even getting into a standby line will be a labyrinth to navigate for the average park goer. If, when things were going well and they had a well known CEO in place, they had said “New this summer! Skip the line on our most popular rides like FOP!” I probably wouldn’t have thought as much about it. But a total redo without giving people reason to feel confidence in the new team beforehand… I think likely even Disney views this as a “just rip the bandaid off and get the PR hit done with all at once.” situation.

 

[::danielle::]

I appreciate this post a lot, in ways I won’t describe. So thank you.

On this note though, It’s hard to imagine what could make things more magical tbh. I do believe that two things create a magical experience at Disney. Immersiveness and Cast members. I think immersiveness will never be an issue at Disney (I hope). But cast member interactions, or lack thereof, is what’s prompting this idea off the top of my head. But I think the one feature that would make the whole experience far better (assuming any of the current assumptions/rumors are correct), is if you could actually interact with a digital cast member that could help get you what you are looking for (short wait times, fast passes, etc). Almost like a tour planning assistant. Amazon did this when they launched their Fire tablets early on and it eventually failed (because people don’t need a digital assistant with tablets in general, but I do think it could be useful here). I just think the whole - lets be on our phones more and more and more and of course pay more to play is just a step backwards in terms of Disney Magic. But maybe adding a big team of digital advisors that can be accessed with a quick chat function on the app could keep some of the magic, allow those who aren’t tech savvy to have someone ready to help at all times and actually allow you to use the app less so you aren’t on your phone so much.

I haven’t thought much about how this Genie app could make things better but that’s only because I’ve been so attached to the FP+ systems and everything else that’s been in place for many many years.

What feature do you think will make it a positive experience for this Genie App? I’m curious as well

You’re welcome. I guarantee we have a lot more in common than not.

I hope the Genie app and the option to pay for FP (in addition to free ones) will give us more spontaneity while in the parks. I’m a super planner but I never loved that I had to commit to an hour window to ride Space Mountain 180 days before I would even set foot in the park.

I want to be able to decide on the fly what I want to do and where I want to go. And, of course, I don’t want to wait in ridiculous lines either. As it stands now, there’s always that mental reminder in my head of what is coming up next (“we have a dining reservation in 2 hours and a FP reservation in 5 hours”). I hope the genie app will allow me to reserve a broader FP time range and to be able to edit and modify it the day of (no more sold out slots). If that means I have to pay for additional opportunities to have that luxury, I’m ok with that.

What I really want, in the simplest terms, is to know that when I arrive at AK, I will be guaranteed to ride Safari, EE and FOP with minimal (30 min Max) waits.

As someone who is restricted to the busiest times of year to go, I can’t have that - even when we arrive 30 minutes before EMH to make the mad dash to FOP then again across to EE before slowing down because have a FP for Safari in 3 hours. There’s no magic in that experience for us. If I had a guarantee that I would at some point in the day get to ride all 3, even if that means paying for that guarantee, then I can experience the park in a whole new way. The early morning rush disappears as I can enjoy the magic of watching a park wake up.

What I am willing to give up to pay for that guarantee is the length of the trip and the frequency of our visits.

I know that this is not the right solution for everyone but to write it off as all bad and based in greed is unfair to those for whom it is an improvement

 

[Lewisc]

But I like lots of park days. I don't look at WDW as a laundry list of things to get through so I can be done with it. I'd live with a Universal style front of the line pass, but this business of having to deal with it ride by ride- not interested in the least. I've still got my fingers crossed they're going to offer some form of that with the lightening pass. My dream is a length of stay option, but even if it were a daily charge, we could plan a few days of ride days, a few days of doing other things in the parks. Probably not happening, but I sure hope so.

I agree. My post was more how some might view thid as a positive.

That's something that I hadn't considered. But the "savings" gleaned by reducing your ticket by one or two days is highly dependent on how many days you would have normally purchased.

For instance, the difference between a 5-day base ticket starting on Sept 28 and a 7-day ticket is only $42, which won't buy you a lot of Lightning Passes for those 2 lost park days. But the difference between a 5-day and a 4-day base ticket is around $68, which could get you quite a few LPs if they run in the range of $10 apiece.

Think saving 1 or 2 nights at Disney hotels plus corresponding. meal savings.

Might even save vacation days.
Again my point is how some may see this as a plus.

I thik the overall Disney experience is taking a hit..

 

[poochie]

Its going to be a disaster..........There are 4 components to it.........

1) regular standby lines
2) virtual standby pass (like Paris)
3) Paid Lightening Pass with designated return times (Like FP+ was)
4) Lightening Pass + which is high cost instant access to walk right on with no return time

How it's going to work is if regular standby gets too long, you can enter virtual stand by and get a return time to then go wait in line.........You will only be able to have 1 virtual standby at a time..........So for example, assume you go to HS at 10am and its busy...........Toy Story Mania, SlinkDog, Tower of Terror, Rock n Rollercoster, MIllenium Flacon all have virtual lines because it's so busy, then you go to enter one on your phone. You enter Tower or Terror and it says come back at 1pm and then wait in 30-60 minute line. The problem is, you cannot get in line for the other rides because they are all virtual standby too so you have to go to Muppets or Star Tours or watch a show until your return time.............

Your other option is to pay for FP...........

Cant you see how HS, Epcot and AK this will be awful b there's not a lot of rides and they will all have virtual standby? So trying to do it like you would have in the past is gone

This is going to be an unmitigated disaster

Well there goes any chance of timely lines for rides/attractions if you refuse to pay for the Lightning passes. Tell you what Disney just say no admittance to the average family and cater to the upper classes.

 

[::danielle::]

Well there goes any chance of timely lines for rides/attractions if you refuse to pay for the Lightning passes. Tell you what Disney just say no admittance to the average family and cater to the upper classes.

Or the average family, like mine, can trade quantity (duration and frequency of visits) for quality (assuming the value is there).

It’s not an either/or situation.

It just means I don’t get to go as often or as long as I prefer.

And if the value is not there, then I will walk away with the fond memories of the many trips I was luckily enough to enjoy.

 

[crazymomof4]

Welp, I came back here, as promised, to finish answering a question posed to me yesterday. (One I didn't have time for at the time bc of guests coming). But in catching up on the thread I sense my comments would not be welcomed or appreciated by many here, so I'll refrain. I feel I probably will have a chance, later, in one of many threads that will be started after the official announcement is made and we will know then for sure if we'll be cheering or sobbing. I'm holding out hope for something positive to come out of this announcement but I remain doubtful. Call it a hunch based on previous performance.

 

[bsmcneil]

It's not just you. I swear that if he could find a way to charge for the air you breathe at Disney, he would do it.

This guy wants in!

 

[crazymomof4]

it’s just a jerk move to hijack someone’s thread

Now, that's name calling. So, not a very positive addition to the thread.

You know nothing....You have.... no justification for your suppositions.

I can't speak for others but my fear for what may come with this announcement is speculation based on past performance. This is very commonly used basis for drawing conclusions and making decisions when concrete info about the future is lacking. Entire industries use it daily (the stock market, modern medicine). I see what's happening in other parks operated by Disney and think, "that or something very similar *may* happen in WDW and it scares and disappoints me (because of my love for WDW). The removal of free FP in, not one, but two Disney Parks so far makes it absolutely within the realm of possibilities for the changes we already know are coming to WDW.

Additionally, the so-called positive comments here are also based on no concrete information, justification, etc .... its ALL just speculation at this point.

... belittling those who disagree as naive.
...... trash someone else’s hopes?
.....make them feel stupid for holding on to positivity

Honestly, I may have missed it, but I don't recall anyone doing anything like what's described here ^. I've been seeing mostly people voicing how they are fearful of what this announcement will bring and IF it DOES turn out to be XXX how it will effect their personal park experience and their personal future vacation choices. Not telling others how they should feel.

I would love to read more positive speculation here. That's really why I clicked and started reading. I wanted my mindset to be changed for the positive! I think it's telling that there is less here than you'd expect, given the title. If anything this thread has given me insight into how many are feeling right now. A poll would be interesting. "Are you feeling optimistic or pessimistic or neutral about the coming official announcement regarding Genie?"

 

[beachdreamr1229]

Wow, so there's lots of drama here over Genie. I skipped over some of the middle pages, so maybe this was answered, but IF they do the tiered payment thing, do we have any clue what they might charge for each tier?

I experienced a trial of the virtual queue at DL in June with Indy. If the queue exceeded something like 45 minutes, they turned it virtual. It was annoying to be honest because the virtual queue was filled so fast I didn't get a chance. Same with the virtual queue at USH for the Secret Life of Pets ride they used when it first opened...It fills up and you're out of luck.

So what they're saying is probably, well, if the virtual queue is full, just pay for the front of the line pass, right? They make money and everyone's happy...unless you can't afford that because you've already maxed out your credit card on Disney.

So yeah, I just want to know what the top tier is going to cost so I can be prepared to watch a portion of my savings account get transferred to Disney. I'm sure I'll love genie as much as any Disney fan, but if it's going to price gouge me as much as I expect, I may be saying goodbye to annual trips to Disney parks.

 

[jjb1974]

"Trust us, THIS will be what reduces crowds" is some real Lucy-pulling-the-football-away-from-Charlie-Brown stuff.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I'll chime in that there are some benefits I can see--better organizing your day maybe, especially for the non-Disney obsessed that don't know every nuance of the parks, maybe letting you know what is available if you're at a point in your day where you aren't sure where to go next, and possibly providing something similar to maxpass (trying to be positive, but it's not likely that this last one will happen, right?). As a visitor that's increasingly seeing my value per dollar decrease, I think that's about all I can be positive with for now.

Unfortunately, it looks from the stock meeting that they're looking at the fiscal advantages, which shows me that it's going to be a major cash grab for them. So, positive side, my 5 shares of Disney stock will probably go up unless no one uses the new system, which isn't terribly likely.

 

[Carol_]

Top tier includes one Gaston massage per guest per day, plus three fast passes $290 total. Parking not included.

 

[5DisneyNuts]

You’re welcome. I guarantee we have a lot more in common than not.

I hope the Genie app and the option to pay for FP (in addition to free ones) will give us more spontaneity while in the parks. I’m a super planner but I never loved that I had to commit to an hour window to ride Space Mountain 180 days before I would even set foot in the park.

I want to be able to decide on the fly what I want to do and where I want to go. And, of course, I don’t want to wait in ridiculous lines either. As it stands now, there’s always that mental reminder in my head of what is coming up next (“we have a dining reservation in 2 hours and a FP reservation in 5 hours”). I hope the genie app will allow me to reserve a broader FP time range and to be able to edit and modify it the day of (no more sold out slots). If that means I have to pay for additional opportunities to have that luxury, I’m ok with that.

What I really want, in the simplest terms, is to know that when I arrive at AK, I will be guaranteed to ride Safari, EE and FOP with minimal (30 min Max) waits.

As someone who is restricted to the busiest times of year to go, I can’t have that - even when we arrive 30 minutes before EMH to make the mad dash to FOP then again across to EE before slowing down because have a FP for Safari in 3 hours. There’s no magic in that experience for us. If I had a guarantee that I would at some point in the day get to ride all 3, even if that means paying for that guarantee, then I can experience the park in a whole new way. The early morning rush disappears as I can enjoy the magic of watching a park wake up.

What I am willing to give up to pay for that guarantee is the length of the trip and the frequency of our visits.

I know that this is not the right solution for everyone but to write it off as all bad and based in greed is unfair to those for whom it is an improvement

What price point is acceptable to you based on your experience? I trust Len's knowledge and what he is (educated) guessing at is going to add significant costs.

As I mentioned in another thread we also go at the busiest times of the year and didn't have the same experience as you.

We are not rope droppers and with pre-planning at 60 days (not 180), got all the FPs for the headliners.

So I would like to see the app:
#1. Work without the bugs that occur in MDE and the site.
#2. Place a value on my returning guest loyalty.
#3. If WDW is going to charge me for something I received last visit for free, that there is a replacement I view as valuable (not sure what that is yet honestly).
#4. Bring back live entertainment /interactions and direct guests to performances.

 

[Marionnette]

"Trust us, THIS will be what reduces crowds" is some real Lucy-pulling-the-football-away-from-Charlie-Brown stuff.

The truth is that this will not reduce crowds. Raising gate prices will reduce crowds. Limiting ticket sales will reduce crowds. But Disney won't do either.

What this will do is direct guests who don't want to pay for Lighting Passes to less desirable attractions with shorter waits. Can't get on Slinky? AS² has a short line! Go there! Never mind that AS² is nothing but a glorified carnival ride. Go there anyway! The less-informed guest will be satisfied when they walk out of HS having done AS², Lightning McQueen, the Frozen Sing-Along and Muppets with minimal waits and ONLY waited 30 minutes for MMRR (after a 30-minute VQ) without having to purchase a FOTL pass. And that 30-minute VQ will have been just long enough to duck into a store and purchase a few t-shirts.

I can see where there's the potential for some guests to be quite happy being directed here and there by Genie. But you and I both know that this is Disney's way of manipulating crowd distribution. If the guest comes away smiling after that experience, that's a bonus. But it's not the primary intent.

 

[Marionnette]

What price point is acceptable to you based on your experience? I trust Len's knowledge and what he is (educated) guessing at is going to add significant costs.

As I mentioned in another thread we also go at the busiest times of the year and didn't have the same experience as you.

We are not rope droppers and with pre-planning at 60 days (not 180), got all the FPs for the headliners.

So I would like to see the app:
#1. Work without the bugs that occur in MDE and the site.
#2. Place a value on my returning guest loyalty.
#3. If WDW is going to charge me for something I received last visit for free, that there is a replacement I view as valuable (not sure what that is yet honestly).
#4. Bring back live entertainment /interactions and direct guests to performances.

I wishes that I could give this 100 likes!

 

[Bearval]

I cannot be excited for something I know so little about. I am looking forward to something resembling fastpass+? Yes, of course. I hate wasting vacation time in lines, and my kids are little and can't tolerate long lines. Disney is supposed to be family friendly, but in no way are 50 minute wait times do-able for pre-schoolers and toddlers. I am looking forward to finally having information about what is coming. But I loved fastpass+. I knew how to use it, and it didn't nickel and dime me every step of the way. It made my vacation enjoyable - it made my vacation feel like a VACATION.

I won't pass judgment on this system just yet. Call me naive but I am hoping that this is not entirely pay to play. I will have a VERY hard time paying for a convenience that used to be included in my park ticket. If there are 3 wishes included (at least for resort guests, because I am that) and the ability to BUY extra fastpasses, then I can get on board with that. If that's the case they MAY even have a shot at getting me to throw a little money at it. But if every fastpass is to be entirely paid, I will be hard pressed to plan a return trip. ESPECIALLY if they are planning on nickel & diming me throughout my entire trip. If there is a REASONABLE flat fee for fp+, depending on cost, I might consider buying it THIS TIME but only because we are already renting DVC and are therefore committed to our upcoming trip. I'd do what I had to to make it a good time for my family, but that's only if the price tag falls within what I consider a reasonable range (which, honestly, my threshold for this is far less than the prices being charge pp per ride at DLP). But beyond this upcoming trip, this Disney Genie nonsense could be my breaking point with Disney. We shall see.

Guest who want to pay to play will benefit, at the expense of those who aren't.

Biggest Pro is to Disney and not to guests

The paid fast passes are going to be on the high side and they have to be. If they were "affordable " for most then there would be no Advantages to paying for it since everyone would have it and you still have to wait in a line. I am waiting to see what guests staying on site will get. If there is no incentives to staying on site it's cost them

 

[Marionnette]

The paid fast passes are going to be on the high side and they have to be. If they were "affordable " for most then there would be no Advantages to paying for it since everyone would have it and you still have to wait in a line. I am waiting to see what guests staying on site will get. If there is no incentives to staying on site it's cost them

Will Disney price a Lightning Pass single @$20 if they can sell 4 @$10 instead? I'm thinking the answer would be no. There's a sweet spot where the price will be just low enough to consistently sell out every time slot. With dynamic pricing, that cost-per-person can be on a sliding scale which can be adjusted up or down based on crowd size as well as length of the VQ/standby wait. But it will always be attractive enough to completely sell out.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Don’t forget we already paid for the My Disney Experience Magic and now this will be factored into the cost of a day . How nice of Disney to want to improve my day$$$.

 

[KalamityJane]

Top tier includes one Gaston massage per guest per day, plus three fast passes $290 total. Parking not included.

Nooooo onnnnnneeee RUBS like Gaston…

 

[shortster]

Or the average family, like mine, can trade quantity (duration and frequency of visits) for quality (assuming the value is there).

It’s not an either/or situation.

It just means I don’t get to go as often or as long as I prefer.

Agree there are lots of ways to adapt to any upcoming changes, just like there are lots of ways to “do Disney” currently. As a very average mom of an average family (who is admittedly a super planner and reads these boards for tips & info) I’m pumped to hear more about the Genie rollout.

We’re not multiple trips per year folks, or even annual visitors. We won’t ever buy DVC or have an annual pass. But we love Disney and consistently vacation there about once every 4ish years or so.

The thought of being able to pay for immediate or non-standby access to headline attractions (similar to how we’ve paid for dessert parties in the past) is very appealing. I can understand why folks who go multiple times in a year see it differently. But for us…what’s another $250 when you’re spending multiple thousands over one week, twice a decade? I can think of about 10 ways we can make up that cost without it having a major impact on the way we like to vacation.

Plus, the possibility of being granted “wishes“ based on our customer preferences, data history, or spend level could be interesting if executed well. Some places in Vegas have a great track record here…

Change is always difficult, esp anticipating changes with very little information to go on. Hopefully more news comes out soon!