Lightning Lane at Walt Disney World

[CaptainAmerica]

I agree with you on what people are going to be willing to pay for actually suggested if they were smart increase price or Genie include every ride except the new ones defined as i dk maybe a year or so old and call it a day. Opens up inventory brings in most likely more money and makes people happier…

No offense to you but to compare this to paper fp is waste bc fp+ was the system it replaced. Should we compare it to full standby of the 70’s, 80’s and early 90s next?

Again. Paid FP+ was imo the route theu should have went and felt the only or main reason was they felt it would have created backlash and bad pr for charging money now for something that was free which initially it would have but as we see people would have paid and everyone would have moved on like they have w parking fees, removal of ME, EMH for ALL resort guests, the reduction of early EMH removal if night parades. The list is endless as we know.

I agree. FP+ should have just had a price tag added and be done with it.

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I'm sorry... How is Genie+ not paid FastPass+? In what way is it different?

 

[Jrb1979]

Maybe in Anaheim. But it's too friggin' hot in Animal Kingdom in August to be criss-crossing the park four times to ride two rides.

Then don't go in August

 

[Jrb1979]

I'm sorry... How is Genie+ not paid FastPass+? In what way is it different?

You can't pre-book is the problem.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Then don't go in August

Right that's the relevant point here.

You can't pre-book is the problem.

I'm old enough to remember constant complaining from people who hated that Disney "forced you" to "pre-plan every second of your day" because it "destroyed spontaneity."

 

[Casper Gutman]

Let me preface this by saying I'm not calling you out specifically but using your post as a broad statement.

Disney has succeeded.

"I'd rather Remy and Railway be for purchase."

People are now preferring to pay additional money for attractions that are already included in your park admission price.

People are willing to pay additional money in the hopes of actually being able to ride attractions without spending their entire day in a theme park staring at a phone, constantly refreshing, and hoping for a lot of luck. For guests who don't want to preplan extensively, wake up early, or are foolish enough to stay off-property, that's the alternative. In one scenario you're paying extra to ride, in the other you're wasting the amount you paid for your base ticket by anxiously staring at a phone with absolutely no guarantee of success.

The entire scenario is garbage. Idiotic line-skipping systems combined with chronic, egregious underinvestment have turned the WDW experience into something miserable. The only way to begin to fix the parks is a massive expansion campaign coupled with a return to stand-by only (or a line-skipping option that is so expensive the vast majority of guests opt out). That isn't going to happen.

WDW has created a situation where the only way to win is not to play.

 

[dreday3]

Yes it does…and I actually tried that coming from boardwalk.

And yet “somehow”…as always…probably 100 people ahead of us at the gateway translated into a 95 minute wait on a Monday in June by the time I made the hairpin and crossed the bridge.

The 30 minute thing is a joke…when we exited the line was probable 45 minutes?

Better off waiting

Good to know. I forgot all the people that can arrive now at IG. We can go to France and eat breakfast, monitor the line.

International Gateway...it's not just for Epcot Resorts anymore.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Good to know. I forgot all the people that can arrive now at IG. We can go to France and eat breakfast, monitor the line.

International Gateway...it's not just for Epcot Resorts anymore.

The line is the same as it is for slinky and mine train…

It materializes “out of nowhere”. Your eyes lie to you before rope drop. I suppose those truly in the “front” of the line are lining up outside security at like 6:45? Maybe a bit later?

But that’s stupid…because you invest 60+ in your “exclusive early entry”

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

People are willing to pay additional money in the hopes of actually being able to ride attractions without spending their entire day in a theme park staring at a phone, constantly refreshing, and hoping for a lot of luck. For guests who don't want to preplan extensively, wake up early, or are foolish enough to stay off-property, that's the alternative. In one scenario you're paying extra to ride, in the other you're wasting the amount you paid for your base ticket by anxiously staring at a phone with absolutely no guarantee of success.

The entire scenario is garbage. Idiotic line-skipping systems combined with chronic, egregious underinvestment have turned the WDW experience into something miserable. The only way to begin to fix the parks is a massive expansion campaign coupled with a return to stand-by only (or a line-skipping option that is so expensive the vast majority of guests opt out). That isn't going to happen.

WDW has created a situation where the only way to win is not to play.

Agree…

Except everyone is entirely phone dependent now…if you want to ride anything.

If you don’t - then you’re cool. The 65 years old at OKW crowd.

Really…Apple and Samsung should Sue Disney…
They are profiting off infrastructure they aren’t paying for.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

The line is the same as it is for slinky and mine train…

It materializes “out of nowhere”. Your eyes lie to you before rope drop. I suppose those truly in the “front” of the line are lining up outside security at like 6:45? Maybe a bit later?

You're also at the mercy of when Disney decides to switch on different modes of transportation. When we stayed at Caribbean Beach, we could easily be first in line at Studios every day because the first Skyliners dropped off before they even opened the DHS parking lots.

But that’s stupid…because you invest 60+ in your “exclusive early entry”

But it's 60+ at a time when there's nothing better to do. Waiting an hour at 2pm is an hour you could be doing something else. Waiting an hour a 7am has no opportunity cost because there's no other fun to be had.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

It still only took you a few moments to get there and get in line right? I am not talking about the wait time for the ride.

It took probably 3 minutes? I cover a lot of ground.

But my point is avoid that altogether…wait an hour. That pattern shakes out.

Walk on soarin or the Norway boats…take the short wait on test track…then double back

 

[Purduevian]

its not 1 price its 1 price per ride & honestly you and everyone else needs to STOp comparing and justifying things bc other parks do the same thing... they basically copied maxpass from DL & turned this into an utter nightmare Disney sees attendance numbers noone else does & also does not have the capacity to handle it... people go to other parks for a day or 2 max so they dont mind spending that kind of meney heck even at Uni... WALT Disney World is not that type of vacation and requires min of 5-6 days imo...

I think we all keep comparing it because it works at other parks. From Dollywood, to cedar point, to Universal, it works. We won't know if it works or not at WDW until they try it. I would actually argue WDW crowds and dynamics are more similar to USO (vacationers from out of town mostly focused on rides) than DLR (much more locals that enjoy the abidance and don't care too much if they miss a favorite ride, because they will be back next month).

I don't see how an express pass type system (ride anytime for 1 set price) for $300 per person would be a failure. Either you don't pay and wait standby, or you pay and wait ~half the posted wait.

The idea of being able to pay ride by ride for an instant ride now is essentially the same thing, but allows people to pick and choose what is worth it to them at the time.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

You're also at the mercy of when Disney decides to switch on different modes of transportation. When we stayed at Caribbean Beach, we could easily be first in line at Studios every day because the first Skyliners dropped off before they even opened the DHS parking lots.


But it's 60+ at a time when there's nothing better to do. Waiting an hour at 2pm is an hour you could be doing something else. Waiting an hour a 7am has no opportunity cost because there's no other fun to be had.

There’s plenty to do…

Eat…talk to your kids…run…take a walk…watch Mickey toons.

Don’t be a hard-o…they’re not “ride” parks. Standing on concrete outside a gate isn’t “clever” like it’s being presented.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

There’s plenty to do…

Eat…talk to your kids…run…take a walk…watch Mickey toons.

Don’t be a hard-o…they’re not “ride” parks. Standing on concrete outside a gate isn’t “clever” like it’s being presented.

My kids are up at 6am. I don't get to the parks at 7 because I feel like I must, I get to the parks at 7 because I might as well.

 

[valenrandy]

While 30 minutes is not the hour it used to be and by no means am I defending the 30 minutes, we still get plenty done ahead of the crowds. Last week using the resort bus we arrived at DHS 10 minutes before early entry, scanned in to check resort status and punched into the park. we Got to MMRR just as early entry started, rode the ride and walked to form a line for RnRC just in time to sing happy 23rd birthday to it with the cast members. We got off RnRC just after regular park opening and had cleared 2 G+ rides for the day already.
We may be in the minority but I love the way it is now, its just like the paper FP days, I loved being a FP runner and this is no different.

We are not local and this was our 4 trip this year and we easily get between 8-10+ LL a day. Doesn't affect our dining one bit....
I used to spreadsheet the hell out of our trips in the past but with all the changes you have to adjust to the times and make the best of it.
We still have a lot of fun with the caveat being that we are nickeled and dimed more .

 

[crazy4disney]

I'm sorry... How is Genie+ not paid FastPass+? In what way is it different?

Is that a serious or rhetorical question? Its definitely a paid version of a skip the line system. Other than that as i said i dk if your question is serious or not or just plain trolling. Either way. You can look up the answer yourself….. and thanks for the good laugh.

 

[granfiesta]

WDW has created a situation where the only way to win is not to play.

I think that's what I've decided to do on our next trip. My wife and I have 3 kids, one of whom is a ride weenie and one of whom is 2, so not old enough to ride lots. Both times in the last year when we've tried to use G+, it's been an awful experience and we've gotten a refund. When we go back for Marathon weekend, I'm not sure that we won't just save the money and take our chance with things.

 

[LittleBuford]

I think that's what I've decided to do on our next trip. My wife and I have 3 kids, one of whom is a ride weenie and one of whom is 2, so not old enough to ride lots. Both times in the last year when we've tried to use G+, it's been an awful experience and we've gotten a refund. When we go back for Marathon weekend, I'm not sure that we won't just save the money and take our chance with things.

I think by “not to play”, he means not to go to WDW at all.

 

[crazy4disney]

I think we all keep comparing it because it works at other parks. From Dollywood, to cedar point, to Universal, it works. We won't know if it works or not at WDW until they try it. I would actually argue WDW crowds and dynamics are more similar to USO (vacationers from out of town mostly focused on rides) than DLR (much more locals that enjoy the abidance and don't care too much if they miss a favorite ride, because they will be back next month).

I don't see how an express pass type system (ride anytime for 1 set price) for $300 per person would be a failure. Either you don't pay and wait standby, or you pay and wait ~half the posted wait.

The idea of being able to pay ride by ride for an instant ride now is essentially the same thing, but allows people to pick and choose what is worth it to them at the time.

I think the simple answer is Disney simply does not have the capacity to handle current rides. I know thats an over simplification of it but sometimes thats the best and most accurate answer….

Failure is tough but ill use this example using your scenario. Can you imagine selling an express pass saying you can save half the posted wait and still
Have to wait 1.5 hours for Rise or an hour for any other headliner attraction during busy times. Cant see people happy with that. They have Plaid service already which granted is aton more expensive which i feel they dont want to give another “cheaper” option just my thoughts and i think thats why they been adding to that work force bc people are paying those silly prices…

 

[nickys]

Staying at Beach Club...do you know does Remy open with all the other rides for early entry?
Perhaps will have to mow people down at 30 minute early entry from International Gateway!

Yes it does.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

My kids are up at 6am. I don't get to the parks at 7 because I feel like I must, I get to the parks at 7 because I might as well.

To stand around? You’ll show them

Two words: Mickey waffles