Disney Genie and Genie+ at Walt Disney World

[Wendy Pleakley]

So the difference with Genie+ vs MaxPass is now headliners not included, photopass not included, no more free option and it's $5 more per person?

One other difference is that only a portion of guests will use Genie+ versus everyone using FastPass, so Genie+ should be better than FastPass for those willing to pay. Rides won't "sell out" as often. You'll be able to get a good ride reservation sooner after you use one than you did before.

It will depend on how many people use it.

I'm guessing it will used more by tourists. Passholders will balk at paying an extra fee on every single visit, and they don't care about waits times as much because they are more willing to skip an attraction and ride it another time.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Does ShopDisney function well?

It’s terrible…which is ironic since they appear to be on pace to close all of the remaining brick and mortar stores to schlep on target…which doesn’t appear to be a very impressive effort

 

[ImperfectPixie]

I can't give you a straightforward answer on that because they seem to have an inability to make any changes or updates to an order that only exists in a computer. But that's not completely abnormal for large retailers. On the whole my experience with ShopDisney is fine, though I think I'm missing your point here.

It's got it's share of problems.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Just like the AH parties are better for the masses (park not closing down earlier for day guests and the ones that paid have shorter lines), it definitely feels like Genie+ has the potential to be superior than legacy FP+. Standby lines should move quicker and if you paid the upcharge, you should be to line skip frequently throughout the day.

I'm kind of hoping they create some flexibility for guests that don't want to arrive to the park until the evening hours. It would be neat if you could select your first Genie+ LL after 5 pm each day for instance (and then not use any prior). I don't think that's how it's going to work though...

I don't like the paid IAS.

A better system would be to limit the VQ to only one per park. That means Rise, Remy, FoP and 7DMT get VQ's with LL. Give onsite quests priority at 7 am for BG but open it up to anyone in the park at 1 pm.

All rides go to Standby if all BG are called...

My biggest complaint lies with the marked-up headliners, as well. Genie+ for $15 and VQ-only for super-popular, new rides, would be fairest. And I’d be more willing to pay $15 for a FP+ replacement that lacked the pre-planning headache (again, at MK more than the others). $24 for TRON is a “hell, no” from me. Expletives added when it’s $24 for RotR, which I’ve ridden a dozen times. I’m good, Bobbykins.

 

[UNCgolf]

My biggest complaint lies with the marked-up headliners, as well. Genie+ for $15 and VQ-only for super-popular, new rides, would be fairest. And I’d be more willing to pay $15 for a FP+ replacement that lacked the pre-planning headache (again, at MK more than the others). $24 for TRON is a “hell, no” from me. Expletives added when it’s $24 for RotR, which I’ve ridden a dozen times. I’m good, Bobbykins.

They're clearly aiming it at people who don't visit Disney regularly. If you're only there once every 5 years (or longer), it's harder to just skip the headlining attractions -- especially if it's the only time your kid will be able to experience it as a kid. There will be plenty of people who shell out $100 bucks to ride Rise because their kids are 8 and 11 years old and they may not be back.

 

[ToTBellHop]

They're clearly aiming it at people who don't visit Disney regularly. If you're only there once every 5 years (or longer), it's harder to just skip the headlining attractions -- especially if it's the only time your kid will be able to experience it as a kid. There will be plenty of people who shell out $100 bucks to ride Rise because their kids are 8 and 11 years old and they may not be back.

Sure. I just am not convinced that adds up to all that many people. It will certainly get harder to score a BG.

As for Genie+, I continue to expect those rides to have, on average, lower wait times than during FP+. Good for people who like Mansion, Pirates, SSE, ToT, Everest, etc.

 

[G00fyDad]

So what benefit do I have for staying on property at this point? Seriously. Is there even a single benefit to staying on property? Aren't you still able to book your dining 60 days out even if you stay off property? What does staying on property give you with Genie+ or IAS? Do people staying on property get the book these things sooner than anyone else off property? I'm seriously considering canceling this trip and booking a hotel off property and saving $1,500.

 

[UNCgolf]

Sure. I just am not convinced that adds up to all that many people. It will certainly get harder to score a BG.

As for Genie+, I continue to expect those rides to have, on average, lower wait times than during FP+. Good for people who like Mansion, Pirates, SSE, ToT, Everest, etc.

I'm not sure it does either -- but does it need to? If they sell a couple hundred a day, that's still a bunch of additional revenue they weren't getting before. I'm sure they hope to sell more than that, though.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

So what benefit do I have for staying on property at this point? Seriously. Is there even a single benefit to staying on property? Aren't you still able to book your dining 60 days out even if you stay off property? What does staying on property give you with Genie+ or IAS? Do people staying on property get the book these things sooner than anyone else off property? I'm seriously considering canceling this trip and booking a hotel off property and saving $1,500.

Dining reservations have always been 180 days for everyone, I believe. FP+ was 60 days for resort guests.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I'm not sure it does either -- but does it need to? If they sell a few hundred a day, that's still a bunch of additional revenue they weren't getting before.

Oh, I’m not questioning Disney’s goal here. They’ll make money. I’m more trying to guess the impact on most of us here.

 

[UNCgolf]

So what benefit do I have for staying on property at this point? Seriously. Is there even a single benefit to staying on property? Aren't you still able to book your dining 60 days out even if you stay off property? What does staying on property give you with Genie+ or IAS? Do people staying on property get the book these things sooner than anyone else off property? I'm seriously considering canceling this trip and booking a hotel off property and saving $1,500.

The only real benefits I can think of (I may be forgetting something) are the 30 minutes extra in the morning (which isn't really a benefit at all to me personally, but will be to some people) and the Disney transportation. I think that's basically it right now.

Has the 30 minutes early even started yet? If not, then I guess it's just transportation as far as extra benefits at the moment.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Dining reservations have always been 180 days for everyone, I believe. FP+ was 60 days for resort guests.

Dining is 60+10 on site—you can book dining for the entire stay, so that’s a modest benefit.

Genie+ earlier booking.

Early entry.

Evening Hours for deluxe.

They claim they are adding characters at resorts for the 50th, I thought?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

So what benefit do I have for staying on property at this point? Seriously. Is there even a single benefit to staying on property? Aren't you still able to book your dining 60 days out even if you stay off property? What does staying on property give you with Genie+ or IAS? Do people staying on property get the book these things sooner than anyone else off property? I'm seriously considering canceling this trip and booking a hotel off property and saving $1,500.

You get a room…which is what you’re paying for and what the “market” is allowed to provide based on its customers

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The only real benefits I can think of (I may be forgetting something) are the 30 minutes extra in the morning (which isn't really a benefit at all to me personally, but will be to some people) and the Disney transportation. I think that's basically it right now.

Has the 30 minutes early even started yet? If not, then I guess it's just transportation as far as extra benefits at the moment.

10/1…

which will get you halfway across a park…if you don’t have to pee

 

[UNCgolf]

Dining is 60+10 on site—you can book dining for the entire stay, so that’s a modest benefit.

Genie+ earlier booking.

Early entry.

Evening Hours for deluxe.

They claim they are adding characters at resorts for the 50th, I thought?

Isn't Genie+ booking the same for everyone? I thought it was just the ability to buy the add-on rides earlier for resort guests.

 

[ToTBellHop]

10/1…

which will get you halfway across a park…if you don’t have to pee

You have to want it to find success.

Early entry plans:
MK 7DMT to Space Mtn (getting on those two is certainly a benefit).
Epcot Test Track if operating. Otherwise Frozen to Soarin. Again, a benefit.
DHS SDD to RnRC. Rinse with ToT around park open.
DAK FoP to Safari

Use your time well!

 

[ImperfectPixie]

Dining is 60+10 on site—you can book dining for the entire stay, so that’s a modest benefit.

Genie+ earlier booking.

Early entry.

Evening Hours for deluxe.

They claim they are adding characters at resorts for the 50th, I thought?

Ahhh...that was a COVID change. I had to go look.

 

[pdude81]

Dining is 60+10 on site—you can book dining for the entire stay, so that’s a modest benefit.

Still no workaround for split stays though, right?

 

[ToTBellHop]

Isn't Genie+ booking the same for everyone? I thought it was just the ability to buy the add-on rides earlier for resort guests.

Oh, you’re right. I clearly haven’t studied this closely enough lol

 

[mikejs78]

So what benefit do I have for staying on property at this point? Seriously. Is there even a single benefit to staying on property? Aren't you still able to book your dining 60 days out even if you stay off property? What does staying on property give you with Genie+ or IAS? Do people staying on property get the book these things sooner than anyone else off property? I'm seriously considering canceling this trip and booking a hotel off property and saving $1,500.

Early entry, which means you can get a jump on the headliners that don't have boarding groups and avoid paying for them.

Dining 60 days out for your whole stay

Early booking (7 am as opposed to park opening) for the premium attractions