Disney Genie+ and ILL$ Details & FAQ - Launches 10/19 at WDW, Paid "FastPass" at WDW and Disneyland (date TBD)

[Brocktoon]

Unless...

What if Disney has found the perfect balance for those to get faster access and to keep the standby lines moving properly.

What if... it works?

What if... it does create a better park experience for all?

I'm not thrilled about having to open my wallet yet again. Then again, I already drop way too much money than I should at Trader Sam's. If Disney can deliver even a marginally better performance with D+ availability and standby lines, then I could live with this price-point.

 

[kc51570]

Since this is a paid FP+ system, they should just go ahead and make it pay in advance and allow guests to pick their 3 FP's like before, they can call it anything they want but it's still paid FP's, they can spin it as a convenience but we all know it will be a PITA, ...it would go a long way to ease the dissatisfaction now and going forward.

Yes, exactly this. I would almost be ok with the extra charge if I could still schedule my 3 rides in advance and plan around ADRs and not have to get up early every.single.morning of my vacation to try to get one ride and pay up additional for the most popular rides plus balance this with any virtual queues. We have used early EMHs, PPO breakfast, rope drop all in the past, but it was not necessary to do that every single day. We would choose a couple of days to sleep in by scheduling late morning or early afternoon FP. This will not thin out or redistribute crowds during the morning. It will just make rope drop more important to get on or get a LP for the best “free” rides.
And rope drop at Magic Kingdom where they let everyone into the hub, how are resort guests even supposed to make their way through those crowds to get the 30 minute “early entry” unless they revert to holding them at the tapstiles. Very, very little advantage to staying onsite anymore.

 

[Dis Dragon]

I like they clarified that you can buy it at midnight the day of... so you don't get bogged down with everyone trying to buy it at 7am and the app crashing.

I love that they keep pushing forth how spontaneous this is going to let you be with it pushing you to be awake and going before 7am everyday you're going to use it.

 

[Illinois76]

until demand goes away…then what?

This huge cash infusion and people’s willingness to pay more for less is transitory. Much like the housing market.

it’s simply not sustainable. At some point something will have to give.

give it a few years and the jig will be up

This is a pipe dream that’s not rooted in reality.

They’ve shown an incredible ability to be dynamic and nimble… if/when the times comes… they’ll pivot again.

The irony on here is that the hardcore Disney fans who talk about the days of cheaper trips and paying for less don’t drive the top line… this is a great top line strategy.

 

[Dis Dragon]

This is a pipe dream that’s not rooted in reality.

They’ve shown an incredible ability to be dynamic and nimble… if/when the times comes… they’ll pivot again.

The irony on here is that the hardcore Disney fans who talk about the days of cheaper trips and paying for less don’t drive the top line… this is a great top line strategy.

Not sure about that, as a family we've spent over 20k a year going to Disney over the past 4 years (we go a lot). The changes have already netted a booking at Universal on a trip that was originally planned to be WDW. It's not that we're mad about it, changes happen... We would've been totally happy maintaining the quo of going to WDW exclusively, but they've pushed us to consider different options. I don't see how that's a win for the company as we're clearly not the only family in that boat by the comments on this board.

 

[soniam]

Unless...

What if Disney has found the perfect balance for those to get faster access and to keep the standby lines moving properly.

What if... it works?

What if... it does create a better park experience for all?

You are giving Karens a bad name by being positive It's possible that things could be better.

Does this mean there will be standby for REMY?

Remy may not be open during early entry. Just like EMH, it may be that only certain rides are open. If that's the case, I don't see Rise being open either. The other option is to do virtual queue during early entry. Rides will probably not have a virtual queue and a standby queue.

 

[Vaughn4380]

Not sure about that, as a family we've spent over 20k a year going to Disney over the past 4 years (we go a lot). The changes have already netted a booking at Universal on a trip that was originally planned to be WDW. It's not that we're mad about it, changes happen... We would've been totally happy maintaining the quo of going to WDW exclusively, but they've pushed us to consider different options. I don't see how that's a win for the company as we're clearly not the only family in that boat by the comments on this board.

Our family is in a very similar situation. Universal is already scheduled for our next trip in November.

 

[JoeA]

I don't buy that Disney will lose angry guests for life ... throw some free dining at them and other discounts and they'll come back in droves

I'm DVC so free dining is meaningless and honestly, it's not the $15 - I can guarantee I will spend more than that for a marg at La Cava.

Disney needs to "throw in" some value. For me, and it seems like many others around here, it's the constant price hike coupled with reducing value. Take away entertainment (pre covid this was going on), magic bands, price hikes across the board, no Magic Express, providing horrible on-site transportation (long lines and waits are getting crazy), etc.

I'm paying more and they're giving less, it seems. I'm not alone in this sentiment, either. Many of us will find other places to spend our money and it just may be harder and harder for Disney to break that cycle and lure us back or earn as many of our vacation dollars.

 

[Brocktoon]

I'm DVC so free dining is meaningless and honestly, it's not the $15 - I can guarantee I will spend more than that for a marg at La Cava.

Disney needs to "throw in" some value. For me, and it seems like many others around here, it's the constant price hike coupled with reducing value. Take away entertainment (pre covid this was going on), magic bands, price hikes across the board, no Magic Express, providing horrible on-site transportation (long lines and waits are getting crazy), etc.

I'm paying more and they're giving less, it seems. I'm not alone in this sentiment, either. Many of us will find other places to spend our money and it just may be harder and harder for Disney to break that cycle and lure us back or earn as many of our vacation dollars.

I am bit surprised with the way Disney has been treating their DVC guests. Especially with the push in recent years to convert Deluxe resorts to higher amounts of DVC rooms ... you'd think they would throw you folks some more perks. I was thinking the extra nighttime hours was a start in the right direction but so far that offering is pretty limited

 

[Liquidice]

I am bit surprised with the way Disney has been treating their DVC guests. Especially with the push in recent years to convert Deluxe resorts to higher amounts of DVC rooms ... you'd think they would throw you folks some more perks. I was thinking the extra nighttime hours was a start in the right direction but so far that offering is pretty limited

I am thinking / hoping that there will be some kind of Genie+ discount or benefit for either Deluxe/DVC or maybe a Blue Card perk for a Genie+ discount or something. Right now because of the 50th, Disney isn't going to offer anything, but as the demand from the 50th dies down - I think that will change. Maybe it is just wishful thinking? But that is what I'm hoping at least. From a PR perspective it would change things from Fastpass+ versus Genie+ to the old Genie+ vs. the new Genie+ and the "new" Genie+ will hopefully be better (at least with promotions, etc).

That would potentially quell the haters like me

 

[JoeA]

I am bit surprised with the way Disney has been treating their DVC guests. Especially with the push in recent years to convert Deluxe resorts to higher amounts of DVC rooms ... you'd think they would throw you folks some more perks. I was thinking the extra nighttime hours was a start in the right direction but so far that offering is pretty limited

I think they feel like they "got us" or something, perhaps. I really don't regret buying into DVC and we have had, and will continue to have, great vacations. We'll just limit our Disney park time.

We are going in Sept / Oct and will be staying at a Universal resort for the first few days and spending money over there, then transferring to Vero and then to Boardwalk w/o going to a Disney park. We may or may not spend a day at the water park so they will get some of our money but the vast majority is going elsewhere this trip. This trip will be a lot more expensive as far as out of pocket money doing it this way since we are spending $$ on Universal hotels that I wouldn't have to do otherwise

A few years ago this wouldn't have been the case. Like I said, spending $15 a day extra is nothing as far as budget goes, but it's "just one more thing" in the grand scheme.

 

[dato63]

Does this mean there will be standby for REMY?

Wow. I had not thought about that. Was already thinking this was a ride we were going to have to pay for. If it is open/running in the 30 minute early opening time slot, or the 2 hours extended evening for deluxe resorts - that might be an opportunity. ???

 

[Chernabob]

I am thinking / hoping that there will be some kind of Genie+ discount or benefit for either Deluxe/DVC or maybe a Blue Card perk for a Genie+ discount or something. Right now because of the 50th, Disney isn't going to offer anything, but as the demand from the 50th dies down - I think that will change. Maybe it is just wishful thinking? But that is what I'm hoping at least. From a PR perspective it would change things from Fastpass+ versus Genie+ to the old Genie+ vs. the new Genie+ and the "new" Genie+ will hopefully be better (at least with promotions, etc).

That would potentially quell the haters like me

I've been wondering if Genie+ will become the new "Free Dining Plan" or something similar down the road. Make it available as a free perk as needed (and convenient for them).

 

[disneydreamer781]

Does this mean there will be standby for REMY?

I'm hearing, well maybe not hearing, but I believe I read somewhere Virtual Queue Boarding Group.

EPCOT

• Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
• Frozen Ever After
• Journey Into Imagination with Figment
• Living with the Land
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (*LL only)
• Soarin’ Around the World
• Spaceship Earth
• Test Track (*LL only)
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends
• Turtle Talk with Crush

As far as EMH & Early Entry, that's a good question. Is there even going to be Early Entry for Epcot once Remy opens? I really would like it to go back to opening at 9. I'm also holding out hope for EMH at DHS eventually.

 

[Jrb1979]

I've been wondering if Genie+ will become the new "Free Dining Plan" or something similar down the road. Make it available as a free perk as needed (and convenient for them).

I have my doubts you will ever see it free again. I think free dining or discounts on rooms is the best you will get.

 

[80sTerraceCafeFan]

So the benefit of staying on property is the ability to begin booking LL at 7 am. - before non-hotel guests. But if you can only hold one at a time, is it correct to say you have a 1 LL pass head start and that's it??

As an aside, if they kept the paid option to only those rides needing boarding groups, I think it would have gone over better. As exclusively a worst case way to get on if you fail at the boarding group process (but not for Mine Train, FOP, etc).

 

[luv2cheer92]

I'm hearing, well maybe not hearing, but I believe I read somewhere Virtual Queue Boarding Group.

EPCOT

• Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
• Frozen Ever After
• Journey Into Imagination with Figment
• Living with the Land
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (*LL only)
• Soarin’ Around the World
• Spaceship Earth
• Test Track (*LL only)
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends
• Turtle Talk with Crush

As far as EMH & Early Entry, that's a good question. Is there even going to be Early Entry for Epcot once Remy opens? I really would like it to go back to opening at 9. I'm also holding out hope for EMH at DHS eventually.

Early entry will be every day at all 4 parks starting 10/1 (the day Remy officially opens).

 

[disneydreamer781]

Early entry will be every day at all 4 parks starting 10/1 (the day Remy officially opens).

Really? I didn't know that it was every park. I guess I was just so focused on EMH and the Merriest After Hours. That's great but an extra hour would have been better.

 

[luv2cheer92]

Really? I didn't know that it was every park. I guess I was just so focused on EMH and the Merriest After Hours. That's great but an extra hour would have been better. I'm hoping Epcot will be opening earlier than 11. I would think so because of the 50th.

It starts opening at 10 soon. Can't remember exactly when that starts, but its before the 50th.

 

[Narcoossee11]

Unless...

What if Disney has found the perfect balance for those to get faster access and to keep the standby lines moving properly.

What if... it works?

What if... it does create a better park experience for all?

:.... SHOCKING. Right :..........

Disney has spent over ten years working on GENIE
Spent billions
Gone through many leaders and board members.
Researched And planned

so you can have a better experience . Shocking !!!