Genie+ is morphing

[TheHolleys87]

Starting July 24, here’s the summary - https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/pla...-entry-at-walt-disney-world-starting-july-24/.

And here are the details - https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/lightning-lane-passes/.

I’ll be watching closely because I’m sure there will be changes before our next visit in January!

 

[bizaro86]

More info/analysis here:

Lightning Lanes at Disney World Guide & FAQ

This guide to Lightning Lane MultiPass and Single Pass at Walt Disney World offers answers to frequently asked questions, info & tips for using the paid FastPass+ and Genie replacement. It covers strategy for the

www.disneytouristblog.com

To be honest, this probably means we will never go to WDW again if they don't change it. Right now they're saying a 7 day advance booking for on-site guests, and 3 days for off-site. But 0 days in advance for international guests. That means those of from outside the country would need to pay the same amount but the top reservations will be sold out, or very late in the day, which impacts your ability to get follow-up reservations.

I've rolled with every change they've made to the system, but if non-USA guests are at that big a disadvantage we just won't go.

 

[elaine]

We just used Genie+ at WDW last week at Epcot. All prime rides gone by 10 am for the day! Complete waste of $. Plus EMH was a waste, Remy was 70+ wait at start of EMH because non-EMH people got in line before 9pm. Most food places and cultural events were also closed/done. I'll never go to Epcot pm EMH again.
For DHS, we learned our lesson-at 7am, we got LL ($22) for RoR (4pm) and also used early entrance (DVC) and rode 3 other major rides in 1.5 hours. Staying onsite is now VERY worth it for early admission IMHO.
We've been WDW fans for 20+ years--the money grab has really turned us off! The "new" multi-day LL seems a reincarnation of the old online FP+ system--preplan 3 rides per park each day--oh, except now onsite gets a leg up and it will likely will cost $25+/pp der day! And headliner rides require an extra LL ticket--so let's add $50 PP/day to the ticket price! Brilliant!

 

[heathpack]

We just used Genie+ at WDW last week at Epcot. All prime rides gone by 10 am for the day! Complete waste of $. Plus EMH was a waste, Remy was 70+ wait at start of EMH because non-EMH people got in line before 9pm. Most food places and cultural events were also closed/done. I'll never go to Epcot pm EMH again.
For DHS, we learned our lesson-at 7am, we got LL ($22) for RoR (4pm) and also used early entrance (DVC) and rode 3 other major rides in 1.5 hours. Staying onsite is now VERY worth it for early admission IMHO.
We've been WDW fans for 20+ years--the money grab has really turned us off! The "new" multi-day LL seems a reincarnation of the old online FP+ system--preplan 3 rides per park each day--oh, except now onsite gets a leg up and it will likely will cost $25+/pp der day! And headliner rides require an extra LL ticket--so let's add $50 PP/day to the ticket price! Brilliant!

I started to feel the same way when we were in SoCal. For a period of time, it was mucho effort to obtain an annual pass, and we couldn’t make it happen. However once we got the annual pass, it was rare that I bought Genie+ or a Lightning Lane, both of which were the devil to me. Besides being money grabs, they forced a degree of interaction with my phone which I hated. Eventually I learned my best approach without Genie+ was to go on strategic lower crowd days, get an early start preferably early admission with a DVC resort stay, ride select big ticket rides early, then a meal, then assess. Leave if it’s annoyingly crowded, or ride lesser rides if possible. Then maybe some paid reserved entertainment in the evening.

Now that we live in Alabama, I’d like to get to WDW. I think our strategy would be to focus on EMH visits, and staying at a resort we like. We own 85 pt at VGC and 25 at HHI. It’s honestly probably enough for our needs yet I find myself looking at AKL contracts. I do love that resort! But I hate hassle type of travel.

 

[ljmiii]

For those of us who own DVC this will almost certainly be a positive change from Genie+ (aside from the bizarre US residency requirement).

Not only do we get to book ahead of those staying offsite but the ability to book length of stay is wonderful!

 

[bizaro86]

For those of us who own DVC this will almost certainly be a positive change from Genie+ (aside from the bizarre US residency requirement).

Not only do we get to book ahead of those staying offsite but the ability to book length of stay is wonderful!

I think it'll be pros and cons. It probably depends how long you stay on average. Someone who is with it at 7AM and stays for long weekends almost certainly loses out. But someone who does 10 day stays is probably better off.

It's more convenient for everyone but there will be less ability for power users to get great outcomes.

Last time we went I got my number 1 headliner choice within 30 minutes of Park opening every day of our trip. That's unlikely to be possible under the new system for the start of the trip (even assuming I get a VPN workaround or something). Also, because of the limit to a single advance selection of a tier 1 ride, my second choice will be worse every time. I made my second selection ASAP once checked into the first and consistently got another headliner because I was selecting before 2 hours had passed.

 

[DouginSC]

Basically going back to the FastPass+ system but just charging for it now and not as much advanced booking time.

 

[bizaro86]

Basically going back to the FastPass+ system but just charging for it now and not as much advanced booking time.

Other differences are the very top tier is excluded for single-pay, and there are no repeats of a ride you've already done.

 

[DouginSC]

Other differences are the very top tier is excluded for single-pay, and there are no repeats of a ride you've already done.

I don't quite remember....could you repeat attractions on the old FastPass+??

 

[rickandcindy23]

I don't quite remember....could you repeat attractions on the old FastPass+??

Yeah, absolutely. We did it a lot.

 

[bizaro86]

I don't quite remember....could you repeat attractions on the old FastPass+??

Yep. That plus moving some rides to single-pay are the biggest differences from Fastpass+, imo.

 

[SDawn]

Yeah, absolutely. We did it a lot.

And there was a period of time where there was a glitch in the system. Where you could use someone else's magic bands that didn't have tickets on it, to get more FP at the kiosks in the park. We did it with our friends MB. Then gave our MBs to friends to do the same.

I also remember the give a day get a day promo, where you volunteered a day at a non profit organization for a free ticket or extra fp options. Can't remember how it worked - a certain number of FP for your whole party. Combined with regular fp, plus the 1 hr morning emh and evening emh we never wait in line.

Ah well, at least we got to experience it then. Just not going to be the same taking grandkids now and paying for more people!

 

[amycurl]

Remember when the whole Disney innovation was that you paid one price, and got to ride all the rides in the park with a single ticket? It is what made it different from carnivals or fairs. And now we’re back to pay for admission and pay for single rides. It’s just ridiculous.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[ljmiii]

Remember when the whole Disney innovation was that you paid one price, and got to ride all the rides in the park with a single ticket? It is what made it different from carnivals or fairs. And now we’re back to pay for admission and pay for single rides. It’s just ridiculous.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I actually preferred having ride tickets. The lines were MUCH shorter (though we were always left with excess B tickets).

But such WDW experiences are part of the halcyon days of my youth. EPCOT the morning of January 1st is the closest we get these days.

 

[ljmiii]

I just realized the biggest advantage of the demise of Genie+…I won’t have to be on the app all darn day!!!

I *hated* having to focus on my phone and not enjoying the experience of being in the parks with my family.

I am SO looking forward to our next trip to WDW!

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

More info/analysis here:

Lightning Lanes at Disney World Guide & FAQ

This guide to Lightning Lane MultiPass and Single Pass at Walt Disney World offers answers to frequently asked questions, info & tips for using the paid FastPass+ and Genie replacement. It covers strategy for the

www.disneytouristblog.com

To be honest, this probably means we will never go to WDW again if they don't change it. Right now they're saying a 7 day advance booking for on-site guests, and 3 days for off-site. But 0 days in advance for international guests. That means those of from outside the country would need to pay the same amount but the top reservations will be sold out, or very late in the day, which impacts your ability to get follow-up reservations.

I've rolled with every change they've made to the system, but if non-USA guests are at that big a disadvantage we just won't go.

I just don’t believe for a second that this won’t be fixed. I get that there are international regulatory issues at play, but they make a lot of money from international guests.

 

[TheHolleys87]

I just don’t believe for a second that this won’t be fixed. I get that there are international regulatory issues at play, but they make a lot of money from international guests.

I agree. I’m sure it’s not an intentional slap in the face. Hopefully they’ll be able to fix it soon.

From what I’ve read, it appears that the issue has to do with MDE app vs. website. The new LL system works only with the app, which international visitors (except Canadians, I believe) can’t access.

 

[bizaro86]

I just don’t believe for a second that this won’t be fixed. I get that there are international regulatory issues at play, but they make a lot of money from international guests.

I agree. I’m sure it’s not an intentional slap in the face. Hopefully they’ll be able to fix it soon.

From what I’ve read, it appears that the issue has to do with MDE app vs. website. The new LL system works only with the app, which international visitors (except Canadians, I believe) can’t access.

Latest update is it'll work for Canadians (ie me) but any other international guests will have to wait until they're in the USA to book lightning lanes. That's a huge disadvantage - no way would I book flights from Europe without being on even footing with domestic guests.

See: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/c...e-arrival-lightning-lane-access-disney-world/