Lightning Lane at Walt Disney World

[John park hopper]

In 2019 we were at WDW staying at POFQ and linked our credit card to the MB so we would not have to carry a credit card or wallet around. Went to eat lunch got our food and there was a computer glitch and our MB would not allow us to pay for the meal could not eat. Needless to say I was PO word of warning even though your CC maybe linked to your MB carry a credit card with you.

 

[SteveAZee]

In 2019 we were at WDW staying at POFQ and liked our credit card to the MB so we would not have to carry a credit card or wallet around. Went to eat lunch got our food and there was a computer glitch and our MB would not allow us to pay for the meal could not eat. Needless to say I was PO word of warning even though your CC maybe linked to your MB carry a credit card with you.

Something similar happened to me in 2013. They just took my name, resort, and room number instead. Back then, though, the whole thing was barely out of Beta so perhaps they were more lax about things.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Something similar happened to me in 2013. They just took my name, resort, and room number instead. Back then, though, the whole thing was barely out of Beta so perhaps they were more lax about things.

POS locations would do reclamation charges after close of business fairly often to address such problems in the past…it was not a big deal.

 

[G00fyDad]

Luckily for you, most of the perks I mentioned doesn't impact you much. But I'm not really sure what changed from March 2020 with ones you are ripping to threads? Why didn't you always stay offsite?

Was it just about the FP+?

RE: Disney Dining Plan - when it returns will only be available to resort guests.

I guess I always stayed on site ultimately because it's just what I've always done. But it also had something to do with being able to book fast passes early and book my ADR's at 180 days out. I'm literally on the cusp of canceling this trip and staying off site but I don't want to pull that trigger until I have all the information available. In all honesty, that's why I asked this question. Right now it's kind of looking like it would be more advantageous for me to just cancel the trip and book off site and purchase tickets separately.

 

[matt9112]

You guys are really something else.

Have to counterbalance your exsistence somehow?

 

[EdnaMode]

Wondering, because nothing is really free, if Genie’s itinerary planning tool may drive people toward situations in which they decide to purchase Genie+ or IAS….and later that day they discover theyve done so unnecessarily.

 

[Rickcat96]

Other then these any other boards-the negative feed-back on this has gone away. I guess will have to wait until implementation day.

 

[Waters Back Side]

I believe also it was mentioned that resort guests would also be able to purchase Genie + for the entire length of stay in advance so its paid off prior to trip. Not that thos gives resort guests any advantage since all first ride choices can still be made at 7am the day of, other then being able to pay in advance. The other downside to this is it's an all or nothing option. Buy for entire length in advance or wait and buy it each day as needed which allows you to not purchase it on a particular park day if not needed.

Bot necessarily calling this a perk by any means, but it was mentioned this will be an option.

Aside from the little mentioned previously as remaining perks, there is really nothing else.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I believe also it was mentioned that resort guests would also be able to purchase Genie + for the entire length of stay in advance so its paid off prior to trip. Not that thos gives resort guests any advantage since all first ride choices can still be made at 7am the day of, other then being able to pay in advance. The other downside to this is it's an all or nothing option. Buy for entire length in advance or wait and buy it each day as needed which allows you to not purchase it on a particular park day if not needed.

Bot necessarily calling this a perk by any means, but it was mentioned this will be an option.

Aside from the little mentioned previously as remaining perks, there is really nothing else.

Paying in advance is not an advantage…in the case of the dining plan, it’s an overcharge in many if not most cases.

Disney has somehow trained people that it’s advantageous to have their credit card billed prior to arrival for a greater amount than needed than it is to just have the discipline to pay it off on the next billing cycle after they get home.

…Stockholm would be proud.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

Disney's been nagging me to get DVC for years. I never wanted it for the following reasons:

1. DVC units have kitchens. I don't want to cook on vacation. I already do enough cooking at home. I also don't want to bother getting groceries. I prefer to eat out at restaurants when on vacation.
2. DVC units are bigger with separate bedrooms. I want a standard room with 2 beds so that I can keep an eye on the family at all times.
3. DVC units are only for deluxe hotels. I like the moderate and value hotels too, they look awesome and distinct.
4. I don't understand the DVC point system, the limitations and restrictions, resale. Sounds complicated.
5. I don't want the commitment of ownership. With the standard hotels, if I don't go, I don't pay.
6. I like the flexibility of catching hotel discounts, or staying at a value if I wish to save money.
7. DVC don't get their rooms cleaned very much. They are considered "non-paying" guests. In other words, they are inferior guests.

I am not bashing DVC ownership here. I'm only saying that it's not suitable for me.

Now, with genie+ and LL, the DVC members are looking at handing over lots more money to Disney when they visit, or wait in line like the plebs. Unless they don't mind waiting in line, that's effectively a huge hidden price increase.

Not everything you said is true. I'm not saying that DVC is right for you, but the first 2 points only apply to certain room catergories.

1. Not all DVC rooms have kitchens. Only the 1-bedroom villas and up have kitchens. There are DVC studio rooms that have a kitchenette that consists of a microwave, coffee maker, mini fridge (the same size you get in any non-DVC room), and a small sink.
2. Not all DVC units have separate bedrooms. The studios are very similar in size and layout to standard resort rooms, aside from the kitchenette. Poly studios also have an extra shower that I don't believe the non-DVC rooms at Poly have.

It doesn't address your other points, but I wanted to clarify in case someone reading it was considering buying into DVC and thought those 2 points were true since some people might not like the larger villas and others might be tempted to buy in thinking all DVC rooms are villas when they're not.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Not everything you said is true. I'm not saying that DVC is right for you, but the first 2 points only apply to certain room catergories.

1. Not all DVC rooms have kitchens. Only the 1-bedroom villas and up have kitchens. There are DVC studio rooms that have a kitchenette that consists of a microwave, coffee maker, mini fridge (the same size you get in any non-DVC room), and a small sink.
2. Not all DVC units have separate bedrooms. The studios are very similar in size and layout to standard resort rooms, aside from the kitchenette. Poly studios also have an extra shower that I don't believe the non-DVC rooms at Poly have.

It doesn't address your other points, but I wanted to clarify in case someone reading it was considering buying into DVC and thought those 2 points were true since some people might not like the larger villas and others might be tempted to buy in thinking all DVC rooms are villas when they're not.

yep.

I get the standard anti-DVC take on this one.

the stance is “I’m smart because I didn’t lock in and pay”

when the truth is “you’re not because you’ll pay $275 for port orleans now when a studio at beach club would be costing you $150 a
Night all in if you had bought DVC 20 years ago”

Time shifting buyers remorse.

 

[ToTBellHop]

yep.

I get the standard anti-DVC take on this one.

the stance is “I’m smart because I didn’t lock in and pay”

when the truth is “you’re not because you’ll pay $275 for port orleans now when a studio at beach club would be costing you $150 a
Night all in if you had bought DVC 20 years ago”

Time shifting buyers remorse.

Exactly. I’m still very happy with my DVC contracts. Happy I didn’t wait too long. And recent/forthcoming updates make it easier to say “no” to extending a vacation with a few nights paid for in cash. Honestly, I’d rather use my points and then head to Universal, where I get Express Pass included and still pay less for a room. The only deterrent had been ticket prices but as Disney continually increases the cost of everything, that differential shrinks. Soon enough, $3000 for 3 nights at Universal won’t be much different than adding 3 nights at Yacht Club. I love the pool but I have limits.

 

[TimeTrip]

yep.

I get the standard anti-DVC take on this one.

the stance is “I’m smart because I didn’t lock in and pay”

when the truth is “you’re not because you’ll pay $275 for port orleans now when a studio at beach club would be costing you $150 a
Night all in if you had bought DVC 20 years ago”

Time shifting buyers remorse.

Is that $150 also inclusive of the yearly maintenance fees? I'm assuming this is for a week's stay. Genuinely curious.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Is that $150 also inclusive of the yearly maintenance fees? I'm assuming this is for a week's stay. Genuinely curious.

Yep…

dues are the ultimate anti-DVC boogie man.

they aren’t that big of a deal…they’ve gone up but not enough to spoil the math.

they are a cost…but here’s the question:

do I want to use paid for points…with dues…to stay at beach club or poly? Or do I want to pay $550-750 for the room down the hall or one lodge over?

Very few people that bought DVC (in the good years) say “it isn’t a good deal”

however most that didn’t do it do say that. That’s kinda conviction by innocence.

I approximately estimated (guessed because you can’t know dues for sure) that my first night at beach club was somewhere around $167 a night…ballpark. A room at beach club then was rack about $300-$400??

…check it now

 

[Chip Chipperson]

Yep…

dues are the ultimate anti-DVC boogie man.

they aren’t that big of a deal…they’ve gone up but not enough to spoil the math.

they are a cost…but here’s the question:

do I want to use paid for points…with dues…to stay at beach club or poly? Or do I want to pay $550-750 for the room down the hall or one lodge over?

Very few people that bought DVC (in the good years) say “it isn’t a good deal”

however most that didn’t do it do.

I approximately (guessed because you can’t know dues for sure) that my first night at beach club was somewhere around $167 a night…ballpark. A room at beach club then was rack about $300-$400??

…check it now

Yep, my dues are currently about $1,200 for 175 points at AKL. We get multiple 5-night trips per year and usually have points left to bank unless we book a 2-bedroom. This year, we did 5 nights in a 1-bedroom Villa at OKW and have 5 nights in a 1-bedroom Savannah View Villa in December and still had points left over to bank for next year. Those 10 nights paid cash would cost well over the cost of our dues. 1-bedroom villas for AKL aren't available to book online during that time, but just a Savannah View King bed studio (non-DVC room) is $776.40/night during that time, so just under $3,900 before taxes for 5 nights (check in Monday, check out Saturday). I'm sure OKW was cheaper than that in May, but it still probably was at least $400/night. If you ballpark $2,000 for that stay paying cash then you're at around $5,900 + tax (which isn't an insignificant amount). It's easy to see how you can break even and eventually come out ahead in the long term at that rate (factoring in both the initial buy-in and the dues). Meanwhile, that $1,200 wouldn't even get us 2 5-night stays at Pop for those same dates. And if there's ever something that prevents us from using our points for an extended period or we just get tired of being squeezed dry then we can rent the points and make some money or just sell our contracts and put the money towards something else. No matter what, we won't be losing money.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

Take 2 on this:

Huh?

You said, "one ride can’t lure trips anymore." that was the subject of my response, which were just a few lighthearted observations. Frozen was the #1 album of 2014, and the Anna/Elsa M&G had very long waits that year. Those are facts. Just plain and simple, but if you don't think that's true, so be it.

If you also don't think any media came to the opening day of SW for the purpose of reporting on the opening, so be it.

If you want a more authoritative source on the general subject, I suggest the 2019 AECOM-TEA Index. It says 2019 American theme park growth was comparatively flat, with one major exception: Universal's Islands of Adventure. Islands of Adventure attendance rose 6% in 2019.
(MK 0.5%, DL 0%, AK 1%, Epcot 0%, HS 2%, US 2%, CA 0%, US Hollywood 0%, Seaworld Orlando 1%)

Direct quote from the TEA-AECOM report, "Universal Studios North American parks were up 2.8% in 2019, with most of that growth due to strong performance at Universal’s Islands of Adventure with the new addition of Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure steel coaster."

Read it here: : https://aecom.com/wp-content/uploads/documents/reports/AECOM-Theme-Index-2019.pdf

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Huh?

You said, "one ride can’t lure trips anymore." that was the subject of my response, which were just a few lighthearted observations. Frozen was the #1 album of 2014, and the Anna/Elsa M&G had very long waits that year. Those are facts. Just plain and simple, but if you don't think that's true, so be it.

If you also don't think any media came to the opening day of SW for the purpose of reporting on the opening, so be it.

If you want a more authoritative source on the general subject, I suggest the 2019 AECOM-TEA Index. It says 2019 American theme park growth was comparatively flat, with one major exception: Universal's Islands of Adventure. Islands of Adventure attendance rose 6% in 2019.
(MK 0.5%, DL 0%, AK 1%, Epcot 0%, HS 2%, US 2%, CA 0%, US Hollywood 0%, Seaworld Orlando 1%)

Direct quote from the TEA-AECOM report, "Universal Studios North American parks were up 2.8% in 2019, with most of that growth due to strong performance at Universal’s Islands of Adventure with the new addition of Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure steel coaster."

Read it here: : https://aecom.com/wp-content/uploads/documents/reports/AECOM-Theme-Index-2019.pdf

I think we need to just disagree…

look at the natural growth of crowd to Orlando for the last 50 years…you’ll notice that it has risen at a near steady rate except when there is a national/global economic recession.

you’re quoting stats that prove what I told you…it has nothing to do with runaway railway opening.

I know you’re passionate about this…but you can’t make a case that people are booking extra trips SPECIFICALLY for new rides…which is the stance…with such disjointed and generalized “proof”

here’s my stance - to avoid confusion - the cost of a trip has risen so much above means/inflation that is is no longer practical for people to make unplanned trips…

if vacation club or Florida residents show for a new ride…it doesn’t matter. They were going to show soon anyway.

but a standard family of four in Ohio isn’t “adding” a trip to ride tron…they’re coming or not…not much would change

 

[Hawg G]

Yep, my dues are currently about $1,200 for 175 points at AKL. We get multiple 5-night trips per year and usually have points left to bank unless we book a 2-bedroom. This year, we did 5 nights in a 1-bedroom Villa at OKW and have 5 nights in a 1-bedroom Savannah View Villa in December and still had points left over to bank for next year. Those 10 nights paid cash would cost well over the cost of our dues. 1-bedroom villas for AKL aren't available to book online during that time, but just a Savannah View King bed studio (non-DVC room) is $776.40/night during that time, so just under $3,900 before taxes for 5 nights (check in Monday, check out Saturday). I'm sure OKW was cheaper than that in May, but it still probably was at least $400/night. If you ballpark $2,000 for that stay paying cash then you're at around $5,900 + tax (which isn't an insignificant amount). It's easy to see how you can break even and eventually come out ahead in the long term at that rate (factoring in both the initial buy-in and the dues). Meanwhile, that $1,200 wouldn't even get us 2 5-night stays at Pop for those same dates. And if there's ever something that prevents us from using our points for an extended period or we just get tired of being squeezed dry then we can rent the points and make some money or just sell our contracts and put the money towards something else. No matter what, we won't be losing money.

According to Disney, a Savannah view villa is starting at 29 a night. That would be 145 points. You got OKW for 6 points a night, when they start at 21? Good deal.

Of course, DVC only makes sense if you are the type that thinks the rooms are worth what Disney says they are. I'd have to be a multi-millionaire to start thinking a "Savannah" view of some giraffes and other benign animals is worth $800 a night. OKW at $400 a night is just perposterous.

Do I wish I'd bought Beach Club points back in the early 2000s? Sure do, but I also wish I'd have put all my money in Apple after Jobs died.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

According to Disney, a Savannah view villa is starting at 29 a night. That would be 145 points. You got OKW for 6 points a night, when they start at 21? Good deal.

Of course, DVC only makes sense if you are the type that thinks the rooms are worth what Disney says they are. I'd have to be a multi-millionaire to start thinking a "Savannah" view of some giraffes and other benign animals is worth $800 a night. OKW at $400 a night is just perposterous.

Do I wish I'd bought Beach Club points back in the early 2000s? Sure do, but I also wish I'd have put all my money in Apple after Jobs died.

Let me guess: “I’m not dumb enough to buy that?”

right?

you read the point chart wrong. You’re quoting points for a 1 bedroom…me thinks

 

[DisneyCane]

I've got a revenue idea. $20 to skip the FoP pre show.