Disney Genie and Genie+ at Walt Disney World

[Saskdw]

This is a quote from another forum:


" For what's its worth I'm a Partner at a law firm with offices in the UK and I specialise in Privacy law, there is nothing in the GDPR that would mean they cant offer this to people in Europe. I work with clients in Canada less often, but the overlap is enough to suggest that same would be true, especially since the more recent legal changes there. Unless they are being advised horribly, or are incredibly risk averse, this isn't (or shouldn't be) a privacy law reason.

They are already subject to all relevant European privacy laws on account of their extra territorial scope unless they can argue they do not offer their services for sale at all to people located in the EU and that they do not monitor or profile those people (who still has MDE location tracking set to always...).

If they do use a company structure to avoid that reach (which I have to say would be my recommendation) there is nothing to stop them offering the passes through the same local company entities (which again would already be subject to and having to comply with these laws) and taking advantage of the same structure.

If it is a privacy law reason, (ie they think they need better contracts, policies or procedures first to meet those obligations) it's something they should be able to change in the short to medium term. Heck, I'll do it for them at no cost if it sorts this out (how often do you hear a lawyer say that )

Least fun post I'll ever make, but it's not often I have anything useful work wise to add to the conversations on here! "

 

[ConfettiCupcake]

I’m convinced that the average international visitor wanders into the park without any real idea of how to use the LL system. Maybe they purchase genie+ and try to muddle through it, having no real idea how to work the 2 hour countdown rule, stacking, etc. Do they get a headliner **now**? They probably don’t realize they should be making their selections right at 7. The type of people who post on this forum are not the “average” international visitor.

I can’t see why the average international visitor would be any more clueless than the average American visitor. Take that to mean what you will lol.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but since you could only purchase G+ on the day of your visit, you were already there, so there was no issue. This seems only to impact the issue of advance purchase, and as has been said multiple times, there is likely some new regulatory barrier that they have no control over.

Back when Genie+ first came out, they offered length of ticket purchases. In addition, I remember there being an option to purchase this as part of a UK package that was even discounted. So unless something has changed since then, the regulatory framework answer doesn’t quite ring true.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

I’m generally not a conspiracy theorist but rolling this out just after they sunset the old DAS policy is interesting timing.

There’s no conspiracy. Disney has publicly stated that they couldn’t roll this out until they fixed the DAS issues.

 

[surfsupdon]

How will this work with groups? Are we Disney guests at 7 days or treated as non guests at 3?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

This international thing is so bizarre

 

[djlaosc]

This is a quote from another forum:


" For what's its worth I'm a Partner at a law firm with offices in the UK and I specialise in Privacy law, there is nothing in the GDPR that would mean they cant offer this to people in Europe. "

Exactly - GDPR has been applicable for over 6 years now (came into force 25 May 2018). Fastpass+ overlapped it by 3.5 years.

Today, I can still purchase Disneyland California tickets with Genie+ bundled in from the UK (which we used last year), so there isn't an issue with charging for attraction reservations in advance.

So, it is either Disney's choice, or issues with the app, or they are not going to host LL on the website like they do with dining reservations (and like they did with FP+).

 

[djlaosc]

Back when Genie+ first came out, they offered length of ticket purchases. In addition, I remember there being an option to purchase this as part of a UK package that was even discounted. So unless something has changed since then, the regulatory framework answer doesn’t quite ring true.

I can still purchase Disneyland California tickets today with Genie+ bundled today from the UK, so there are likely no regulatory framework issues.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

How will this work with groups? Are we Disney guests at 7 days or treated as non guests at 3?

I would lean toward 3

Group blocks/tickets were never designed to handle something like this

 

[nickys]

I can’t see why the average international visitor would be any more clueless than the average American visitor. Take that to mean what you will lol.

I suspect international visitors paying $12k for their family vacation are generally going to do some research before they come.

They will have decided if they’re going to use G+. They might not know how to use G+ in different ways but they’ll know enough to book a ride at 7am and again when they’ve used that one.

They will have booked some ADRs.

And if they’re staying onsite they’ll have done more research.

And amongst US friends, for everyone I know who was a “power user” of FP+ / G+ , I know others who visit several times a year and either never used FP+ or only ever got 3 rides using it because they didn’t realise they could book another one.

 

[surfsupdon]

I would lean toward 3

Group blocks/tickets were never designed to handle something like this

But I have to argue- then why stay onsite?? You pay for a benefit you don’t receive?! So frustrating.

 

[nickys]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but since you could only purchase G+ on the day of your visit, you were already there, so there was no issue. This seems only to impact the issue of advance purchase, and as has been said multiple times, there is likely some new regulatory barrier that they have no control over.

At the beginning of G+ you could pre- purchase it with tickets for the length of your stay.

 

[Jrb1979]

I'm somewhat fascinated by just how inept they can be at times.

It feels like they are in panic mode in Burbank. They have empty rooms and can't fill them. It feels like this don't know what to do now

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

But I have to argue- then why stay onsite?? You pay for a benefit you don’t receive?! So frustrating.

I can’t argue with you there

 

[Dranth]

I can still purchase Disneyland California tickets today with Genie+ bundled today from the UK, so there are likely no regulatory framework issues.

As a US resident I've never had to try doing anything WDW from outside the country, but you are getting that through a website right? If I am not mistaken this new system can only be purchased on the app itself which currently does not allow folks outside the US to make selections.

Whatever is preventing people from making those selections is likely the issue as the new one will work by making your three selections and THEN paying for the service. If you can't make selections, you can't pay.

Why they prevent selections outside the US I don't know, but my guess is whatever that reason is would be why this is happening now.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

It feels like they are in panic mode in Burbank. They have empty rooms and can't fill them. It feels like this don't know what to do now

I think you are right

But my sense is there is a lot of problems coming to a head/intersecting here at once

 

[Dranth]

It feels like they are in panic mode in Burbank. They have empty rooms and can't fill them. It feels like this don't know what to do now

Except I don't see this helping. At least not with what we know so far.

If it works the way I think it will, I will be cutting my next trip short as I have no interest in getting back into the rat race of rope dropping to ride anything.

 

[Saskdw]

It feels like they are in panic mode in Burbank. They have empty rooms and can't fill them. It feels like this don't know what to do now

They should be in panic mode.
The reception online to all the released details at Epic Universe should have them very worried. Especially when they are already struggling.

All the supposed improvements they are going to build are years away. The only way they can draw people now is deals, discounts and better experience. Something they have abandoned in the last few years. They were VERY arrogant with their pricing and other things when the post covid revenge travelling was happening. That's over now and they are paying the price for their arrogance.

 

[ToTBellHop]

“You know, Walt loved the idea of progress, and he loved the American family. And he himself was probably as American as anyone could possibly be. He thought it would be fun to watch the American family go through the 20th century, experiencing all new wonders as they came.”

American families. Not international families. Walt wanted this.

 

[JD80]

All of the headliners will be gone before park open. Nobody is getting a second tier 1 attraction unless they are pounding the app using the refresh feature, or purchase something like standby skipper to use a bot to do it for them.

Are all the t1 attractions gone now at park open? I expect the same with the update.

Edit: go on thrill data and look at LL return times almost all t1 attractions are available through 2-3pm on most days.