Lightning Lane at Walt Disney World

[Chi84]

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.

With all of the restaurants, tours, shows etc. that have to be scheduled anyway, maybe it would make sense for Disney to give people the opportunity to schedule a small number of (maybe 3) rides in advance.

 

[Casper Gutman]

With all of the restaurants, tours, shows etc. that have to be scheduled anyway, maybe it would make sense for Disney to give people the opportunity to schedule a small number (maybe 3) rides in advance.

Or we don’t schedule any rides and everyone just waits in line. And dining reservations are only available a week to ten days in advance.

 

[Disstevefan1]

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.

The system is so broken and you should not be so stressed out and have to jump through hoops to (try to) plan your $10K vacation.

Perhaps you should try to use a Travel Agent , their services are free and some have the skills to work the new systems and can do the arranging for you. Not a plug, just a suggestion.

 

[tnccopeland]

Oh man, have the travel agents started to come to the parks with us now? Are they going to schedule my G+ so I do not miss my dinner at Space 220? If we had the old system back then, yes, I think a travel agent is the right move. In the G+ era, they are going to be of little to no help in the parks where many are complaining about the scheduling issues.

 

[dovetail65]

The system is so broken and you should not be so stressed out and have to jump through hoops to (try to) plan your $10K vacation.

Perhaps you should try to use a Travel Agent , their services are free and some have the skills to work the new systems and can do the arranging for you. Not a plug, just a suggestion.

That is a joke, I know so much more about WDW system than any travel agent as do many people here.

You are not understanding the issue at all., I suspect you have not gone to WDW and used the new Genie + and LL system. The thing an agent can do is make the arrangement's ahead of time, that is the EASY part, I have no issue with that. I am saying WDW needs go further and allow us to make the LL ahead of time with those plans instead of forcing us to make the skip the line plans after I am in the park or at 7am day of. Making Genie LL plans the day of just does not work well with all the WDW requirements for advanced reservation for everything else, down to Park reservations. How does an agent help with that day of forced planning issue ?

First, an agent could never get the reservations I got becasue agents are not paid enough to do whats required to get them. If they do get them it shear luck as it is with any of us, most agents have to say NOT AVAILABLE. A person needs to 4 or 5 times a day hit the app or website starting 60 days out to get certain things , what agent can even do that? Anyhow, to solve the issue I am talking about the agent would have to walk around the park with us, staying in the app and constantly keeping us updated and say oh finally something we made a reservation for 60 days ago allows us use the LL skip the line.That is how it works, no agent can fix this fundamental flaw in the system. We need be in the Park or wake up at 630 am and hope, an agent can not assist with that.

The 10K was for extra tours, so not sure you are understanding the extra's Disney offers and the cost with 6 kids(and grandpa too). It's is not a dig on you, but you do not seem to understand how the skip the line scheme works and how the timing many times does not work with all the other planning requirements for special tours, ADR etc.

I am still going again in Feb, with just the wife, but it is what it is and I live with it now. It's not changing anytime soon adn I don't have to like it but for me personally the new system is a show. I will say this, one more trip with the kids and probably done with large family trips if ver another large family trip unless some things for me change.

 

[Waters Back Side]

I still prefer the old FP+ for planning purposes and getting picks done for the entire trip in advance and not having to wake up at 7 AM. However I will say with Genie + i was able to do things I never was able to in the past. I had all rides we wanted to do pre-selected so it was on top of the tipboard before 7 AM. On the 27th of Dec..I bought Rise at 7 AM for 6 PM (okay ride - overrated, certainly not epic but im not a star wars fanatic). Then I LL'd SDD at 7:09 AM for 2:35-3:35 PM. Was able to also get a LL for RNRC for between 4:30-5:30 PM. After that pick at 10:30 AM The only thing left was Star Tours (which we always do traditionally). I rode MMRR and Alien Saucers waiting in standby. MMRR was 55 minute wait and we did this first right at 11:30 AM when we entered the park. We did 6 rides in one day. 1 was an ILL, 3 were Genie + and 2 standy.

Epcot on the 28th - Bought Remy for mid day at 7 AM. LL'd Test track for 4:05P-5:05P. Also LL's Spaceship Earth and Soarin. I was never ever able to ride both TT and Soarin in the same Epcot day with the old tier. After thhose 3 rides and the Remy ILL, there was nothing we needed Genie + for as the other rides were short waits.

AK on the 29th...the mistake I made here is not booking Navi River with my first LL. We booked Everest first (even though it was available as a Genie + all day). Then Safari and Kali River. We were able to get Dinosaur for 7 PM also but the ride broke down and closed for the night. So we got 3 LL's there and rode FOP. We potentially could have gotten every ride with Genie + available if we picked Navi first. By the time we picked Safari it was gone. Total LL's 3 Genie + (4 but only rode 3) and 1 ILL

On the 30th we arrive at MK at 4:30 PM....The place was packed like sardines. We watched Enchancement at 6:30 PM. We found ourselves annoyingly having to WAIT to pick our first ride when we checked in the AM since we wanted to hit a perfect time of after 4 PM and wanted Splash Mountain first. Eventually iy got there and we booked for 4-5 PM. We also got Big Thunder for 8PM (we wanted to ride it at night). We were able to get LL's for Pirates and Small World as well. Total Genie rides - 4

On the 1st (2nd day at MK)- We bought Mine Train for 6 PM. We LL'd Space, Peter Pan, Jungle Cruise, Mad Tea Party, Carpets and sppedway (6 rides). Rode a total of 7 with MIne Train (also had time for the People Mover). We were in the park from 12 Noon to 7PM and left for Beach Club for dinner reservations at Beaches and Cream. Fireworks were viewed already on the 30th.

On the 2nd Jan. we did not need Genie +. It was admittedly a waste of time.. We had purchased it for length of stay though so we used it. All we needed it for was Frozen since we hit up the other rides the first Epcot day. We did Frozen and did booked Soarin a 2nd time and then just for fun used Genie + before the fireworks for Figment and LWTL.

On the 3rd Monday we LL's Smugglers and ToT. We could have gotten Mania also (in which all 9 rides would have been done in 2 HS days) but it was departure day and had to return to the hotel.

IN all the years using FP+ and going on crazy busy high peak weeks I NEVER EVER was able to ride the amount of rides I did. I still hate having to pay and would be fine with just 3 a day, but some old previous tier 1 headliners I was able to do in the same day.

Do I LOVE Genie +? NO. Am i trying to sound like I am defending it? NO. But if I paid for it (like I did in advance) I was sure as heck going to make sure I made the best of it. SO we did. We still had a good time. And there were some glitches and errors, but we still got good use of it on the busiest week of the year. Depending on what week we go again, it will be useful for us. 23 rides booked with Genie + and 4 ILL's successfully. I only missed out on Navi River which remains the only ride I have never been on at WDW. What can I say? Im just a guy who has a family who loves Disney and always makes the best of their trips. I guess Im part of the problem. lol.

 

[dovetail65]

I still prefer the old FP+ for planning purposes and getting picks done for the entire trip in advance and not having to wake up at 7 AM. However I will say with Genie + i was able to do things I never was able to in the past. I had all rides we wanted to do pre-selected so it was on top of the tipboard before 7 AM. On the 27th of Dec..I bought Rise at 7 AM for 6 PM (okay ride - overrated, certainly not epic but im not a star wars fanatic). Then I LL'd SDD at 7:09 AM for 2:35-3:35 PM. Was able to also get a LL for RNRC for between 4:30-5:30 PM. After that pick at 10:30 AM The only thing left was Star Tours (which we always do traditionally). I rode MMRR and Alien Saucers waiting in standby. MMRR was 55 minute wait and we did this first right at 11:30 AM when we entered the park. We did 6 rides in one day. 1 was an ILL, 3 were Genie + and 2 standy.

Epcot on the 28th - Bought Remy for mid day at 7 AM. LL'd Test track for 4:05P-5:05P. Also LL's Spaceship Earth and Soarin. I was never ever able to ride both TT and Soarin in the same Epcot day with the old tier. After thhose 3 rides and the Remy ILL, there was nothing we needed Genie + for as the other rides were short waits.

AK on the 29th...the mistake I made here is not booking Navi River with my first LL. We booked Everest first (even though it was available asa Genie + all day). Then Safaris and Kali River. We were able to get Dinosaur for 7 PM also but the ride broke down and closed for the night. So we got 3 LL's there and rode FOP. We potentially could have gotten every ride with Genie + available if we picked Navi first. By the time we picked Safari it was gone.

On the 30th we arrive at MK at 4:30 PM....The place was packed like sardines. We watched Enchancement at 6:30 PM. We found ourselves annoyingly having to WAIT to pick our first ride when we checked in the AM since we wanted to hit a perfect time of after 4 PM and wanted Splash Mountain first. Eventually iy got there and we booked for 4-5 PM. We also got Big Thunder for 8PM (we wanted to ride it at night). We were able to get LL's for Pirates and Small World as well. Total Genie rides - 4

on the 1st MK- We bought Mine Train. We LL'd Space, Peter Pan, Jungle Cruise, Mad Tea Party, Carpets and sppedway (6 rides). Rode a total of 7 with MIne Train (also had time for the People Mover).

on the 2nd we did not need Genie +. It was admittedly a waste of time.. All we needed it for was Frozen since we hit up the other rides the first Epcot day. We did Frozen and did booked Soarin a 2nd time and then just for fu used Genie + before the fireworks for Figment and LWTL.

On the 3rd Monday we LL's Smugglers and ToT. We could have gotten Mania also (in which all 9 rides would have been done in 2 HS days) but it was departure day and had to return to the hotel.

IN all the years using FP+ and going on crazy busy high peak weeks I NEVER EVER was able to ride the amount of rides I did. I still hate having to pay and would be fine with just 3 a day, but some old previous tier 1 headliners i was able to do multiple in the same day.

Do I LOVE Genie +? NO. Am i trying to sound like I am defending it? NO. But if I paid for it (like I did in advance) I was sure as heck going to make sure I made the best of it. SO we did. We still had a good time. And there were some glutches and errors, but we still got good use of it on the busiest week of the year. Depending on what week we go again, it will be useful for us. 23 rides booked with Genie + and 4 ILL's successfully. I only missed out on Navi River which remains the only ride I have never been on at WDW. What can I say? Im just a guy who has a family who loves Disney and always makes the best of their trips. I guess Im part of the problem. lol.

It is the right attitude if you want to keep a happy mindset, have fun and you like Disney.

I am not so sure it is the way to get WDW to make the system better though, but what we boycott for 20 years and go back when we are 80? Changes generally happen slow at WDW for the most part. Yes, to those people that say we are stupid, we are paying more for less, that the new system makes little sense yet we complain and then still use it, to those people I say we still find WDW more fun than other stuff. So for a certain segment of us, WDW has us by the, well you know.

 

[Waters Back Side]

It is the right attitude if you want to keep a happy mindset, have fun and you like Disney.

I am not so sure it is the way to get WDW to make the system better though, but what we boycott for 20 years and go back when we are 80? Changes generally happen slow at WDW for the most part. Yes, to those people that say we are stupid, we are paying more for less, that the new system makes little sense yet we complain and then still use it, to those people I say we still find WDW more fun than other stuff. So for a certain segment of us, WDW has us by the, well you know.

The truth is, seeing the same management issues as the others, all the things they took from us etc, I cannot help but to admit we have always had a good time in Disney. We never had a bad experience. When that happens is the day we stop going. Genie + certainly has its kinks, but the experiences some were saying they had with it in a bad way, did not happen to us.

 

[dovetail65]

The truth is, seeing the same management issues as the others, all the things they took from us etc, I cannot help but to admit we have always had a good time in Disney. We never had a bad experience. When that happens is the day we stop going. Genie + certainly has its kinks, but the experiences some were saying they had with it in a bad way, did not happen to us.

We still have fun too and nothing is perfect.

So Disney loses me taking all the kids and the huge sums my wife and I spent in the past. We will continue to go and we are lucky enough to be able say that line is an hour, pass and do it next time. I do feel bad for the once in a lifetime Disney vacationers today though, they won't ever know what they missed. Although some new attractions are coming, so there is that!

Maybe when the kids are financially well of enough they will drop some cash and take mom and dad, only then will they realize what some of these trips cost us.

 

[Disstevefan1]

That is a joke, I know so much more about WDW system than any travel agent as do many people here.

You are not understanding the issue at all., I suspect you have not gone to WDW and used the new Genie + and LL system. The thing an agent can do is make the arrangement's ahead of time, that is the EASY part, I have no issue with that. I am saying WDW needs go further and allow us to make the LL ahead of time with those plans instead of forcing us to make the skip the line plans after I am in the park or at 7am day of. Making Genie LL plans the day of just does not work well with all the WDW requirements for advanced reservation for everything else, down to Park reservations. How does an agent help with that day of forced planning issue ?

First, an agent could never get the reservations I got becasue agents are not paid enough to do whats required to get them. If they do get them it shear luck as it is with any of us, most agents have to say NOT AVAILABLE. A person needs to 4 or 5 times a day hit the app or website starting 60 days out to get certain things , what agent can even do that? Anyhow, to solve the issue I am talking about the agent would have to walk around the park with us, staying in the app and constantly keeping us updated and say oh finally something we made a reservation for 60 days ago allows us use the LL skip the line.That is how it works, no agent can fix this fundamental flaw in the system. We need be in the Park or wake up at 630 am and hope, an agent can not assist with that.

The 10K was for extra tours, so not sure you are understanding the extra's Disney offers and the cost with 6 kids(and grandpa too). It's is not a dig on you, but you do not seem to understand how the skip the line scheme works and how the timing many times does not work with all the other planning requirements for special tours, ADR etc.

I am still going again in Feb, with just the wife, but it is what it is and I live with it now. It's not changing anytime soon adn I don't have to like it but for me personally the new system is a **** show. I will say this, one more trip with the kids and probably done with large family trips if ver another large family trip unless some things for me change.

I can see you are really stressed about this and I totally agree the system is broken and I agree its a **** show. My suggestion for a travel agent was just an innocent suggestion, not meant to trigger you.

Families willing to pay out $10K (that's a lot of money to me) should not have to jump through hoops just to make sure you can get on a ride or two or go on the extra tours you are willing to spend your hard earned money on.

I feel your frustration and I guess there really is no good solution other than dont vacation at WDW.

 

[dovetail65]

I can see you are really stressed about this and I totally agree the system is broken and I agree its a **** show. My suggestion for a travel agent was just an innocent suggestion, not meant to trigger you.

Families willing to pay out $10K (that's a lot of money to me) should not have to jump through hoops just to make sure you can get on a ride or two or go on the extra tours you are willing to spend your hard earned money on.

I feel your frustration and I guess there really is no good solution other than dont vacation at WDW.

Well not really stressed, as discussed when in the moment we always have fun. As stated we vent here then us Disney lovers just go any how. There is always that very small hope that somehow some of these thoughts get to Disney and they react on it.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Well not really stressed, as discussed when in the moment we always have fun. As stated we vent here then us Disney lovers just go any how. There is always that very small hope that somehow some of these thoughts get to Disney and they react on it.

I think they hear us. I do think there will be constant tweaks to the system to make it better over time.

 

[dovetail65]

I think they hear us. I do think there will be constant tweaks to the system to make it better over time.

Well On Feb 1 it another 20 day trip to FL and a good 8 to 10 days will be at the parks so I will post up how that goes.

 

[Jrb1979]

I think they hear us. I do think there will be constant tweaks to the system to make it better over time.

How much better can they make it really? The only thing they really can do is up the LL to standby ratio. I don't see advanced booking coming back if that's what you're hoping.

 

[GimpYancIent]

How much better can they make it really? The only thing they really can do is up the LL to standby ratio. I don't see advanced booking coming back if that's what you're hoping.

How about uninstalling everything Genie for starters.

 

[Jrb1979]

How about uninstalling everything Genie for starters.

Realistically you know that's not happening. I get it, you and others hate $$$ that's attached to it. I bet most would be ok with Genie+ if it was free.

What I'm saying is you can hate it all you want but it's doubtful it goes back to being free or back to FP+ days where you can book rides in advance.

 

[Rickcat96]

"They" hear nada, "They" are the MOST famous for promising the oceans, market a high-cost return in there pricing, but deliver a single rain drop experience.

 

[Disstevefan1]

How much better can they make it really? The only thing they really can do is up the LL to standby ratio. I don't see advanced booking coming back if that's what you're hoping.

I was Never a fan of the advanced booking. I really thought removing the ability to advance book Fastpasses would put folks on a more level playing field like when we had the paper Fastpasses.

As for what can be done to tweak the system; I agree, tweaking the ratios is something that should be tried.

Who knows, maybe some day Disney will do it more like universal; very expensive but no return times, maybe add this option in addition to the existing system; a super individual lighting lane pass no return times needed, just jump in the LL when ever you want. Maybe there are different super passes with different combinations of attractions at different price points.

These will be pricey but Disney loves money.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

I was Never a fan of the advanced booking. I really thought removing the ability to advance book Fastpasses would put folks on a more level playing field like when we had the paper Fastpasses.

As for what can be done to tweak the system; I agree, tweaking the ratios is something that should be tried.

Who knows, maybe some day Disney will do it more like universal; very expensive but no return times, maybe add this option in addition to the existing system; a super individual lighting lane pass no return times needed, just jump in the LL when ever you want. Maybe there are different super passes with different combinations of attractions at different price points.

These will be pricey but Disney loves money.

I don't think they'll do that...or that if they do, they'll do it right. They don't seem to like things they can't sell in huge quantities.

 

[Waters Back Side]

I was Never a fan of the advanced booking. I really thought removing the ability to advance book Fastpasses would put folks on a more level playing field like when we had the paper Fastpasses.

8 of the rides are (4 when we were there) not part of Genie + but the ILLs are still a part of the line skipping system. I can tell you from my experience as an onsite guest during the holidays, you stay off site you have none (0) chance to purchase those rides. They will be long unavailable by park open. Resort guests have a huge edge at 7am in terms of that. Those headliners are not an even playing field. Genie + rides are now.