Lightning Lane at Walt Disney World

Jeff4272

Well-Known Member
We’re not really all that different. I’m not at a breaking point…

…because mine will be organic. I’ll just wash my hands of it and take up more watersports and tracks overseas more.

that is all but guaranteed now…when loyalty would have made it impossible not too long ago. Investors beware.
I think this is my point. This will affect business eventually. Selling hotels and filling restaurants are much bigger ticket items than charging for a ride.

I think the poor customer satisfaction will affect those bookings and affect them sooner rather than later.
 

Jeff4272

Well-Known Member
We’re not really all that different. I’m not at a breaking point…

…because mine will be organic. I’ll just wash my hands of it and take up more watersports and tracks overseas more.

that is all but guaranteed now…when loyalty would have made it impossible not too long ago. Investors beware.
And I live in Boston so it might be easier for me as a non local (assuming you live in fla?)
 

Chi84

Premium Member
Disney is not the company it once was and that is completely on Disney. It’s comforting to think that if the old guard, the people who “know better” would not buy the new products or services things would go back to the way they were. The problem is that new people will just take their place and buy what Disney is selling.

The company’s direction isn’t going to change until a sufficient number of guests experience what’s offered now and find it wanting. I hope Disney notices in time and makes the necessary changes before it’s too late. If not, it won’t be the first time a company was run into the ground by bad management.
 

Sirwalterraleigh

Premium Member
Disney is not the company it once was and that is completely on Disney. It’s comforting to think that if the old guard, the people who “know better” would not buy the new products or services things would go back to the way they were. The problem is that new people will just take their place and buy what Disney is selling.

The company’s direction isn’t going to change until a sufficient number of guests experience what’s offered now and find it wanting. I hope Disney notices in time and makes the necessary changes before it’s too late. If not, it won’t be the first time a company was run into the ground by bad management.
Can’t dispute any of this.
 

Chi84

Premium Member
Except they aren't finding it wanting and they are paying more than ever.

When I first saw an hour long line snaking through Disneyland for an AP popcorn bucket, I knew the end was near.

Blame the customers and only the customers. Disney is just reacting to what they are buying and how they are behaving.
Well if this is what people want and Disney is giving it to them there’s no problem, is there? Everyone should be pretty satisfied.
 
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Sirwalterraleigh

Premium Member
Except they aren't finding it wanting and they are paying more than ever.

When I first saw an hour long line snaking through Disneyland for an AP popcorn bucket, I knew the end was near.

Blame the customers and only the customers. Disney is just reacting to what they are buying and how they are behaving.
Agree
Well if this is what people want and Disney is giving it to them there’s no problem, is there? Everyone should be pretty satisfied.
Except the product is pretty sucky…and the complaints/disgruntlement is very vocal.

there have always been complaints…but the ones claiming “ripoff” were always more outlier and not of concern…
They are growing. And quickly.
 

Chi84

Premium Member
Agree

Except the product is pretty sucky…and the complaints/disgruntlement is very vocal.

there have always been complaints…but the ones claiming “ripoff” were always more outlier and not of concern…
They are growing. And quickly.
If the product is sucky and people are complaining, then they are finding it wanting. I agree there aren’t enough yet to make Disney change, and I’m not sure there will be any time soon.

I do think that Genie+ and the ILLs will create much more disgruntlement than Disney anticipated. Fans posting on these sites are one thing, but I’ve never seen so much negative news coverage.
 
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Sirwalterraleigh

Premium Member
If the product is sucky and people are complaining, then they are finding it wanting. I agree there aren’t enough yet to make Disney change, and I’m not sure there will be any time soon.

I do think that Genie+ and the ILLs will create much more disgruntlement than Disney anticipated. Fans posting on these sites are one thing, but I’ve never seen so negative news coverage.
That’s what I’m referring to…press and just bad feedback in passing this year…

it doesn’t matter what any of the clowns in this circus say
 

TikibirdLand

Well-Known Member
That’s what I’m referring to…press and just bad feedback in passing this year…

it doesn’t matter what any of the clowns in this circus say
As we see parks on both parks continue to be packed, those complaining on this forum (I'm in that group!) must be the outliers.

Just agreeing with you that we need to watch media reports. USA Today had an article about this...
'The Disney magic is gone' ... or is it?
 

Sirwalterraleigh

Premium Member
As we see parks on both parks continue to be packed, those complaining on this forum (I'm in that group!) must be the outliers.

Just agreeing with you that we need to watch media reports. USA Today had an article about this...
'The Disney magic is gone' ... or is it?
The “parks are packed” is not a narrative to be trusted.

two days a week doesn’t cut it for Wall Street…nor will declining attendance numbers…the covid fog is about to finally clear…so what are you gonna blame then, Bob?

probably the workers…as usual
 

Chi84

Premium Member
That’s what I’m referring to…press and just bad feedback in passing this year…

it doesn’t matter what any of the clowns in this circus say
I understand the inclination to blame the customers instead of Disney for the current state of its offerings, but I don't think it's helpful or particularly fair. it's different for people who visit all the time; we can skip rides or spend huge amounts of time waiting in line, knowing that whatever we miss we can hit the next time around.

Disney created the products and services it's now selling, along with a marketing campaign that convinced people they need to do and see everything (stay in the middle of the magic) to have a good experience. People who are spending a great deal of money on a once-in-a-lifetime trip will evaluate products that enhance their trip differently than people evaluating those products on an objective basis.

There will also be a good deal of disagreement on which products are "sucky" based on the composition of your group and the way you vacation. People who rope drop and close the parks find little value in any type of line skip system, while those who get to the parks later or have a group with older members unwilling or unable to stand in long lines in the Florida heat and humidity are more likely to want them.

As long as Disney is offering these products, someone will be willing to buy them. But overall guest satisfaction is going to win out in the long run because no one "needs" to go to WDW. If people leave feeling that they got ripped off - or annoyed at having to set an alarm for 6:50 am and go into the bathroom (to avoid disturbing others) with a phone battling Disney IT to compete with other guests for rides they may or may not get at a time of Disney's choosing - word is going to get out. And people do rely heavily on what their friends and relatives report in addition to what they hear on the news.
 

DisneyDreamer08

Well-Known Member
I have a trip coming up at the end of the month and I’ve been testing out Genie the past few mornings. I will be there for a week but only plan to purchase Genie on my MK and DHS days. It is so frustrating that you can’t pick your time for your first LL 🤦🏻‍♀️ I have a rough plan of what I want to do each day, and in what order, but it will mess everything up if the very first LL I want is at a time that doesn’t go with that plan. And it’s also super annoying that the times bounce all around. I’ll see a time and think ok, that’s close to what I want. I’ll refresh and the time will jump to hours away. Refresh and it jumps to hours in the other direction. Jeez Louise just let me pick my time!
 

Sirwalterraleigh

Premium Member
I understand the inclination to blame the customers instead of Disney for the current state of its offerings, but I don't think it's helpful or particularly fair. it's different for people who visit all the time; we can skip rides or spend huge amounts of time waiting in line, knowing that whatever we miss we can hit the next time around.

Disney created the products and services it's now selling, along with a marketing campaign that convinced people they need to do and see everything (stay in the middle of the magic) to have a good experience. People who are spending a great deal of money on a once-in-a-lifetime trip will evaluate products that enhance their trip differently than people evaluating those products on an objective basis.

There will also be a good deal of disagreement on which products are "sucky" based on the composition of your group and the way you vacation. People who rope drop and close the parks find little value in any type of line skip system, while those who get to the parks later or have a group with older members unwilling or unable to stand in long lines in the Florida heat and humidity are more likely to want them.

As long as Disney is offering these products, someone will be willing to buy them. But overall guest satisfaction is going to win out in the long run because no one "needs" to go to WDW. If people leave feeling that they got ripped off - or annoyed at having to set an alarm for 6:50 am and go into the bathroom (to avoid disturbing others) with a phone battling Disney IT to compete with other guests for rides they may or may not get at a time of Disney's choosing - word is going to get out. And people do rely heavily on what their friends and relatives report in addition to what they hear on the news.
It’s absolutely valid to question consumer habits…though opinions will vary.

I don’t care if you have “one day in time” or are there twice a month…here’s what’s happening when the fog clears:

Disney is selling this menu:
$120-$180 “gate fee”…to get In
$15 “line fee”…to allow access to what they’ve deemed the new “normal” way to do it
$12-$25 for two (could be more very soon) ride passes…magical

and then…if you’re at mk and sometimes dak…they shut ‘er down when the sun sets (or earlier) and sell you a few hours - where not a ton changes - for $130-$225 a head.


…all that is concrete reality. Not exaggeration or hyperbole.

Is this like covid?…the “poor people” shouldn’t be required to switch the brain on? Evaluate the situation, make a reasoned decision/assessment?

nobody has to agree with me. Indeed we don’t on many things but do on many others…
…but the lecturing is not helpful or applicable.
 
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dovetail65

Well-Known Member
I have a trip coming up at the end of the month and I’ve been testing out Genie the past few mornings. I will be there for a week but only plan to purchase Genie on my MK and DHS days. It is so frustrating that you can’t pick your time for your first LL 🤦🏻‍♀️ I have a rough plan of what I want to do each day, and in what order, but it will mess everything up if the very first LL I want is at a time that doesn’t go with that plan. And it’s also super annoying that the times bounce all around. I’ll see a time and think ok, that’s close to what I want. I’ll refresh and the time will jump to hours away. Refresh and it jumps to hours in the other direction. Jeez Louise just let me pick my time!
Even worse there are glitches and/or things happening CM's say are not rule, but at certain times do happen.

This story comes from my brother.

At AK trying to get LL. Finally an LL comes up, they want 14 bucks, ok fine. Then a message pops saying I can't even pay the 14.00 as "not staying at a Disney resort". Completely outrageous and not even supposed to be how it works after opening time. . This was at 2:15 PM when in the park and not early access already fully paid in using Genie + at this time.

Of course as many of suspected LL's come up(9 bucks) invariably when they can not be used like when we had Space 220 reservation(that took so much effort or another ADR or advance tour that takes 60 days lead time and hours trying to get anyhow, like " Wild Africa Trek", "Up close with Rhino" at AK or dinner at "Be our Guest" at MK etc, etc.

If we have to make Park Reservations ahead of time that line up with the special tours and other ADR 60 days out it is stupid not allow us to choose the LL at that same time! Paying over 10K for the super fun stuff like Wild Africa Trek, Keys to the Kingdom tour etc should not indirectly exclude me from the skip the line scheme. So not only is Disney dinging people for more money I feel like they are spitting in the face of the people that spend the MOST money.
 
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Chi84

Premium Member
…but the lecturing is not helpful or applicable.
I agree with this 100% - it was kind of the point of my post. People will make their own determinations of value and decide for themselves what to do on their vacations, no matter how much others wish they would decide differently. No amount of lecturing or ridiculing is going to change that fact.

No, this isn't like COVID; it's a WDW vacation.
 

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