Is anyone feeling positive?

[katyringo]

Folks sharing their disappointment and being upset are completely valid. I am not trying to deminish that..

but is anyone else out there like me who is feeling more positive about these changes? We already used maxpass at Disneyland so this extra $ for genie isn’t a big deal. I really feel like this will make the experience better for how my family and I enjoy the parks.

as for the up charge rides.. that kinda bums me out but then again I just treat it like other things at the parks that I don’t afford. And I feel fairly confident in my abilities to use the free virtual que or stand by line.

Im just looking to see where my positive minded folks might be or am I all alone?

 

[wilkydelts]

Genie+ really comes down to "when can you get your next pass". If you can not book again until you use the current pass in the system then it is nothing like MaxPass and will have extreme limitations for the day.

 

[katyringo]

Genie+ really comes down to "when can you get your next pass". If you can not book again until you use the current pass in the system then it is nothing like MaxPass and will have extreme limitations for the day.

I am not completely sold on if that would be such a bad thing. If everyone has to use what they have first then everyone has to use what they have first.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I’m a FO+ lover. I loved it from the day it was announced. We never used legacy FP much because it was too much running around with small kids.

Now I don’t think the system is horrible. It’s basically a virtual legacy FP system. I am perfectly ok with that and think it’ll work fine. I’m not going to say it’s an awful system without trying it out first or seeing some reviews.

but It’s the extra cost plus having to pay for tier 1 rides that irks me. I knew it was coming but I’m not happy about it.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Genie+ really comes down to "when can you get your next pass". If you can not book again until you use the current pass in the system then it is nothing like MaxPass and will have extreme limitations for the day.

I read some reports that you can get another one in 90 or 120 minutes if your next LL is later than that. Kinda like MP and the old legacy FP.

 

[lukemorenus]

Very much so - these changes should fit our current touring style very well!

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Yes, I’m ok with it. We are lucky, we are able to afford the upcharges. And after the mess of our vacation last month, I’m happy to it for something that lets me limit my wait in crowds so I don’t need to get a DAS. I’ve never needed a DAS for my anxiety-driven sensory issues until this year, and hope to never need it again.

 

[MrBellatrixLestrange]

The positive is that at least we now have information and can make decisions accordingly and for that I would say it's more relief than positivity.

 

[DSLRuser]

the only positive I can see is Disney continues to price a great deal of the population out of being able to afford a Disney trip. I am blessed, and work very hard to be able to comfortably afford my Disney addiction. While I am not happy to continue to pay more for less.

I am happy this will help to keep crowds down. Hopefully any way.

 

[lukemorenus]

....but It’s the extra cost plus having to pay for tier 1 rides that irks me. I knew it was coming but I’m not happy about it.

I even find some nostalgia in that (back to the E-ticket days)... but it's also irksome at the same time, LOL

 

[Tyler's Dad]

I’m happy. Like you I was used to MaxPass as well and I absolutely think that is the superior solution to FP+. Disneyland packs in so many lore people than any WDW park, yet lines moved way better there.

 

[OhDannyBoy]

If availability is good all day for the genie+ tier 2 ride thing, then my crew can make it work. Won't say I'm happy about paying even more though.

I can't ride any of the main things anyways as we have toddlers so for us the pay per ride portion is moot.

I'm just itching to see it in action.....

 

[HopperFan]

Folks sharing their disappointment and being upset are completely valid. I am not trying to deminish that..

but is anyone else out there like me who is feeling more positive about these changes? We already used maxpass at Disneyland so this extra $ for genie isn’t a big deal. I really feel like this will make the experience better for how my family and I enjoy the parks.

as for the up charge rides.. that kinda bums me out but then again I just treat it like other things at the parks that I don’t afford. And I feel fairly confident in my abilities to use the free virtual que or stand by line.

Im just looking to see where my positive minded folks might be or am I all alone?

I honestly felt complete relief. While I didn't want FP+ to change, I was expecting only pay per ride at a price point that was simply valueless for us who go often.

I think I'm more disappointed that they are going the virtual reservation route when they still have park reservations. You commit to a park but they won't commit to letting you stand in line for a ride. And if they add a high price tag for ride individually it just seems dirty. Although if you spent alot to get in the park and you stand in the long line, then you in essence you might have spent more.

Overall I have no issues based on what we understand SO FAR, which isn't much. There are way too many questions that we need answers from DISNEY directly and we have to wait to see it in action to see how it actually works and if it works (Disney IT after all). Until then I'm good other than OPEN UP SALES TO APs please!

 

[SarahC97]

As a DAS user, I'm very happy with the changes they're making to that program. And I agree, Maxpass was a good experience for us at DL, so I'm hopeful Genie+ will be as well.

 

[BradW]

I've been going to WDW on the average every 2 years or so, since 1991. I went twice as a kid in the 70's too.
WDW has ALWAYS been expensive. In 91, there was no FP of any kind. In 76, you needed a TICKET BOOKLET. Anytime something new arises, the "Disney if pricing us out of a vacation" cries start up.
WDW is magic, but it is also a BUSINESS. I for one do not mind the Genie + announcement. I look forward to not have to fret about FP reservations 2 months in advance. If I want to ride an attraction and do not have the $ for the Lightening Lane surcharge, I'll wait in the line like I did in 91 and 94 and 95, and EVERTIME I have gone. If it's too expensive for you, don't get it. There were years I really wanted to go to WDW, but we couldn't swing it, so we saved and waited a year (or 2).
I am excited for the change, and as a new DVC owner ( finally), I am anxious to see the system and to get back to my favorite place in world.

 

[sponica]

I'm in camp let's see how this all shakes out. I remember NOT liking FP+ when that launched. Absolutely hated it. But my first trip my mom and I waited 75 minutes for Splash mountain, when I look back at that trip I don't think "ugh why did we wait in long lines" I was just happy to be there? I think this will work for us, as the couple trips we took with FP+ we didn't use much more than the 3 FPs anyway.

 

[Pyxie]

Would I prefer free Fast Passes? Obviously, I mean most people would. But I'm okay with this system, especially at the cost of $15 per day. They could have priced it MUCH higher than that. The only thing I don't like is that the top tier rides aren't included, but I feel like you could just rope drop those. If they were included, it definitely would have been much higher than $15 and I probably wouldn't have paid more than that.

 

[Chuck96]

I'm not feeling very positive, but it isn't really Genie+ as much as it is an accumulation of small cuts that are indicative that Disney is more interested in my financial outlay than in my family's experience. It isn't just the Park, I feel that way about the Disney Wish, and I feel that way about their major properties (Star Wars, MCU, etc). The biggest issue for me was the promotion of Bob Chapek as the boss. His professional focus is about maximizing revenue and always has been. And I want Disney to make money and be profitable, of course. But the person running the company should be thinking about the legacy, not the brand. He should be thinking about the customer, not the shareholder. He should have other people thinking about shareholders, balancing his perspective out.

Genie+ is just another instantiation of his philosophy...get the most for the least. Like MDE, or hotel pricing, or ticket pricing. He is coasting on the immense goodwill built up over generations. And I'm not really here for it. I'll always love Disney and treasure our vacation memories there. I look forward to the eventual Second Renaissance or whatever, when the company finds its way again. I'll probably vacation there a time or two in the meantime, but the time spent will be different, as will my relationship with the planning component. I don't like the idea that my Disney vacation is like video games a few years ago...a series of microtransactions built around my FOMO or impatience. No thanks.

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

Genie+ really comes down to "when can you get your next pass". If you can not book again until you use the current pass in the system then it is nothing like MaxPass and will have extreme limitations for the day.

I read some reports that you can get another one in 90 or 120 minutes if your next LL is later than that. Kinda like MP and the old legacy FP.

If you can get another pass after 90-120 minutes when the one you currently hold is for later, then it might not be as limiting. That would be more akin to MaxPass or legacy FP but using the app on your phone instead of needing a runner to grab the paper FPs.

If the next available time for the ride you want is late in the day and you have to use it before you can get another, guests could theoretically only get a few rides in using this system. To me, that would not be worth the extra $15. But if I'm able to use the LL for 5-6+ tier 2 rides, then I might be willing to spend the extra for it.

I think, in addition, to whether you can get another LL before you use the current one (after a "cooling down" period), the other major factor that will impact how well this system works is whether there will be sufficient options available that are 15-60 minutes in the future rather than going to make your next reservation and the only options are several hours away.

Jury is still out on whether I would pay ala carte for tier 1 rides (depends on the ride, the price, and how long a wait it would be without paying for LL).

 

[BalooFan]

but is anyone else out there like me who is feeling more positive about these changes?

I’m not feeling positive, but am trying to keep an open mind. That being said, I am (selfishly) hoping that the Genie rollout doesn’t happen for a couple more months, after I return from my next trip.

I do feel bad for families and those with limited resources who may not be able to afford this up-charge.