Disney Genie and Genie+ at Walt Disney World

[crazy4disney]

question if anyone knows or has an idea.... will DAS be allowed on the rides that are going to be part of the LL+ paid attractions?

 

[ImperfectPixie]

question if anyone knows or has an idea.... will DAS be allowed on the rides that are going to be part of the LL+ paid attractions?

I don't think they can exclude attractions from the DAS - it would be considered discrimination. Don't forget though - those that are top tier will have either a boarding group opportunity or stand-by...you don't HAVE to pay to ride them.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

How do you know the dislike is about Genie+ and not about how the host is going on and on with nothing but negativity about something they have never used and complaining relentlessly that it's the worst thing that has ever happened and ruining the park experience, all without even catching their breath. The near breathless nature of many of these YouTube videos done by people who have barely read the limited bit of information released by Disney just to rush and be first with something they don't even understand is insanity. I saw one last week where the host was actually getting out of breath they were so worked up about it even though they admitted they hadn't even read all the materials released so far about the program. If this brings that much angst to your life it really is time to find something new to focus your time and energy on.

As I've read, watched and listened to the sometimes almost irrational complaining about this I'm reminded of the insanity that surrounded the introduction of MM+. Except now the new social media world cranks it up to 11+. The reality is, the obsessed so-called Disney fan has learned to 'optimize' their use of the old system for their personal advantage and they HATE CHANGE with every fiber of their being. They don't like the fact that they'll no longer have an advantage over those 'day guests' who don't know what they're doing. No matter what changes, there are 3 weeks of relentless complaining, no matter how inconsequential it is. When you complain about absolutely everything, it stops having real meaning.

Is this a different way of experiencing the parks from what we've had the last decade or more- yes it is. Is it a surprise that they are now charging for something that used to be included with admission- No it's not. Is this going to be the straw that breaks the camels back and nobody will visit WDW any longer- No, it isn't. The usual suspects will whine and whine and whine for weeks on end (even if they aren't going to be visiting the parks for a year) and then the dust will clear, we'll all get the opportunity to actually use it and develop real perspectives based on experience. Everything I keep reading now is from those who feel compelled to think for days to develop the most complex edge case and show how that person is going to be disenfranchised by this system. But nobody has actually used the tool and associated service.

Guess what, if this is the horrible nightmare that some of you are calling it out to be, and nobody wants to pay for it, and people stop going to WDW because of it then Disney will change. But the reality is, this distortion field so many here live in that their opinions represent the entire world is simply a false reality. If attendance drops as a result of this Disney will make changes, but history has taught us that the so called 'fans' don't actually change their behavior, they just like to have something to complain about.

Nobody is “experiencing” anything

paying for amusement park stuff…not an existential awakening.

But I agree with a lot of what you say here. The “negatives” are always louder than the positives or the Indifferents

but I ask you: why do you think the general reaction on this is?

its probably majority negative as it stands now…safe bet. Hard for it not to be based on the details.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I don't think they can exclude attractions from the DAS - it would be considered discrimination. Don't forget though - those that are top tier will have either a boarding group opportunity or stand-by...you don't HAVE to pay to ride them.

…haven’t had the “rise of the reboot” “experience”
Yet…have you??

 

[GimpYancIent]

I whole-heatedly agree.

I just don't think current management sees it that way.

Also, I have a 9 year old who keeps asking when we're going back and no amount of discussion about loss of customer focus seems to be winning him over when I try to explain why it might be a while before we step foot there, again.

... and I know he's not going to be young forever so there's that, too. :/

He's home sick from school today with me while I'm trying to work (and waste time on a forum!) and right now is watching... Disney+

Hope he feels better real soon and you will survive. When it comes to Disney this old beat up grandparent looked into the eyes of first my wife, then my children and now my grandchildren, ha, ha, ha let's just say I have had several John Hammond moments "spare no expense" moments. Short lived moments that become special memories. It's not right, it's irritating that some self serving, greedy, corporate suit is working to exploit rather than help people enjoy something that is personal.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

…haven’t had the “rise of the reboot” “experience”
Yet…have you??

Oh, I'm well aware. I'm not defending the boarding group situation at all...that it's even necessary is disgraceful.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Oh, I'm well aware. I'm not defending the boarding group situation at all...that it's even necessary is disgraceful.

My point is its almost not functional…and will only get worse if they put them all over the place.

for one: you have to tick people off if they have More than one in a park…because your phone has to try to crack one. Don’t think you “virtually queue” a virtual queue.

virtual queues are not good.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

My point is its almost not functional…and will only get worse if they put them all over the place.

for one: you have to tick people off if they have More than one in a park…because your phone has to try to crack one. Don’t think you “virtually queue” a virtual queue.

virtual queues are not good.

I agree wholeheartedly.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

There is a balance, to say you want to make more $, but anger the audience you wish to extract those dollars from is moot. Not sure I follow that logic. Not saying your wrong, but Image is everything to Disney, and they have had a few missteps during a bad downtime.

What if you have a management and board that can walk away at the drop of a hat if they make a huge management mistake?

because they name or business legacy isn’t associated to Disney?

 

[Jeff4272]

The part about the GF is a non sequitur.

The cost of UO's Express Pass, by upgrading from their value resort to a premium resort, costs way more than Genie+. And that's the only thing that matters for the price comparison.

That UO's premium resorts cost less than the GF doesn't matter. It's about the cost of the Genie+ v. Express Pass, and Genie+ is notably cheaper.

I'm not defending DG+, I'm just pointing out that UO's cost is not a shining light of value. You're paying an extra $200 a day for the upscale resort. Or you can stay at the value resort and buy Express pass at $90 - $120 a day per person.

The point here is there is significant cost savings, while increasing your experience while giving up little.....

- Hard Rock room for my family of 5 is $400 per night, Express pass is over $100 per person, per day so that's a huge saving to begin with (instead of staying in a value and paying for it)

- Instead of paying $900+ per night at GF, BLT, Contemporary, Poly, I pay the $400, get Express pass for all 5 of us and still do Disney but also get a few days in Universal with ZERO lines


So i save money and have a great experience while my only real sacrifice is location at WDW, but you gain location at Universal

 

[crazy4disney]

I don't think they can exclude attractions from the DAS - it would be considered discrimination. Don't forget though - those that are top tier will have either a boarding group opportunity or stand-by...you don't HAVE to pay to ride them.

well i was lucky enough to get RISE BG when it opened was there day 2.. but was also told that i was unable to use DAS to obtain a chance to ride prior to ride opening earlier in week.. so thats where my confusion was... can they deny access for teh VQ/BG rides from DAS?

 

[Rickcat96]

What if you have a management and board that can walk away at the drop of a hat if they make a huge management mistake?

because they name or business legacy isn’t associated to Disney?

Senior management and Board members live in a very different world, everything that actually affects the in the trench workers and relationship with its consumers-the real picture of how things are happening- is VERY sanitized before these folks receive some info-No one want's to deliver any bad news or aches and pains.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

well i was lucky enough to get RISE BG when it opened was there day 2.. but was also told that i was unable to use DAS to obtain a chance to ride prior to ride opening earlier in week.. so thats where my confusion was... can they deny access for teh VQ/BG rides from DAS?

Everyone has equal access to attempting to get a BG...so I don't think DAS would apply for those attractions that use a boarding group in lieu of standby.

 

[GimpYancIent]

Senior management and Board members live in a very different world, everything that actually affects the in the trench workers and relationship with its consumers-the real picture of how things are happening- is VERY sanitized before these folks receive some info-No one want's to deliver any bad news or aches and pains.

True! It would be refreshing though if senior management / board would take a hike so the stale air could be vented out.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Senior management and Board members live in a very different world, everything that actually affects the in the trench workers and relationship with its consumers-the real picture of how things are happening- is VERY sanitized before these folks receive some info-No one want's to deliver any bad news or aches and pains.

Yes…

…but what I’m saying is there’s really no consequences if the heads make the big mistake. They parachute out of a company that is progressively overvalued in the casino known as the NYSE since longterm investment fell out of favor

 

[crazy4disney]

Everyone has equal access to attempting to get a BG...so I don't think DAS would apply for those attractions that use a boarding group in lieu of standby.

yea thats basically what was implied and i was fine w that in regards to the DAS access.. so i can assume any ride that had BG (RAT opening) will follow same rules but for say FoP which will be part of the paid access i can expect to still be able to use my DAS access as i have in the past

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Everyone has equal access to attempting to get a BG...so I don't think DAS would apply for those attractions that use a boarding group in lieu of standby.

Correct…everyone has equal access and on a busy day many get locked out.

so your “one day” at Epcot gets you neither rat nor guardians?

…that’s the plan?

 

[ImperfectPixie]

Could not agree more.

The question is, will that come to pass during the current leadership's tenure or will it be the next generation's problem?

I think it's anyone's guess, at this point.

There are so many variables at play right now it's hard to even guess, but I DO think the choices made in the last however-many years are going to do some heavy damage to the company for the long-term. The big thing the BoD and executives seem to be missing is that the Disney company spent decades building trust with their customers and guests, and people have given them that trust because they felt it was well-deserved - and it was. BUT, it's far more difficult to earn back trust after a betrayal than it is to maintain it in the first place.

I think the big question is how long will it take for the general public who doesn't follow the Disney FB groups or forums like this one to realize that the Disney they knew, loved, and trusted is now willing to step on them as it attempts to appropriate their wallets. If this happens quickly, then I think Chapek will be scapegoated.

Another big question I have is how much of a role Chapek plays in major changes in the parks to begin with. We all like to blame him, but there are several other executives that are likely much more in touch with and involved in making these decisions...even if he has the final say-so.

 

[rio]

Correct…everyone has equal access and on a busy day many get locked out.

so your “one day” at Epcot gets you neither rat nor guardians?

…that’s the plan?

Not true-you can pay per person per attraction to get onto each. If that ain’t magic and good theme park design, I don’t know what is.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Not true-you can pay per person per attraction to get onto each. If that ain’t magic and good theme park design, I don’t know what is.

Right…true.

Ever heard the phrase: “we want volunteers, not hostages?”