Lightning Lane at Walt Disney World

[UNCgolf]

It’s been interesting to witness the swell of nostalgia for FP+, which, only a couple of years ago, few posters here had anything kind to say about.

I assume it's because Genie+ is very similar, except that it now costs money and is arguably worse. If you already didn't like FP+, I can't imagine why you'd approve of Genie+. It's not like it fixed any of the problems people had with the prior system.

FP+ was great for me personally and I'd love it back, even though do I think it had a negative operational effect for the parks as a whole.

 

[LittleBuford]

If you already didn't like FP+, I can't imagine why you'd approve of Genie+.

Something that may have gained their approval is the lack of pre-planning with Genie+ (though even that seems to be going away). Posters often complained about the need to book FastPasses far in advance.

Like you, I did very well out of FP+ and wish it would come back.

 

[Tha Realest]

Let’s be honest, DAS isn’t “free genie+,” DAS is significantly superior to Genie+. You can grab any ride you want, including the ILL$, and it’s not based on whether they have distributed the passes for the day. I don’t understand why Disney felt the need to add 3 ride preselects **on top of** the regular return times, that’s just insanity to me, and has to be driving some of the LL saturation we are seeing.

Wait.

DAS entitles a user to “free” ILL access? Whereas non-DAS members have to pay to access the ride?

I guess it’s not necessarily illegal, but this goes well beyond a reasonable accommodation.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

I was just watching a fresh Baked DCA video and he was showing how many of the G+/ILL lines now have more people in them than the standby lines, he was calling it Syndrome and was asking if we’ve reached the point where “everyone is special, so no one’s special”?

All the G+ lines extended into, and were blocking, the walkways and the standby queues were basically empty, what’s the end game for Disney? Just keep selling more and more G+ until 100% of the guests are in the G+ line, maybe swap the FP and standby lines around since the G+ lines now need more space than the standby?

At this point they may as well go back to the old ticket book and sell each ride individually.

 

[UK Disney]

Everyone says DAS abuse is real yet can provide no proof to why it is real… to what degree do people feel DAS is being abused. Im curious what people feel is considered abuse & with that being said that % is really the reason parks are the way they are?!? Disney is the biggest destination of its kind and is very friendly to people with needs. So at any given point you will have a major need for DAS users. Is it getting abused? Of course im sure it is just like almost everything else in life but my guess is maybe 10% of users dont need it and are stretching it. I really dont know but again these are all Disney policies and if Disney really wanted to. They can easily see the DAS use and see who is actually abusing the system and imo if they felt that number has gotten out of control then they would do something.

That's the thing though, 10% is far too high when people are spending a small fortune on Genie +. It's really starting to bug me to be honest. I know 2 families who had it for recent trips, I'm simply amazed at the reasons they gave and were accepted, both will happily wait in a 2 hour plus queue for Hagrids. It needs a complete overhaul to ensure it's only available to those that genuinely need it.

 

[_caleb]

I was just watching a fresh Baked DCA video and he was showing how many of the G+/ILL lines now have more people in them than the standby lines, he was calling it Syndrome and was asking if we’ve reached the point where “everyone is special, so no one’s special”?

All the G+ lines extended into, and were blocking, the walkways and the standby queues were basically empty, what’s the end game for Disney? Just keep selling more and more G+ until 100% of the guests are in the G+ line, maybe swap the FP and standby lines around since the G+ lines now need more space than the standby?

At this point they may as well go back to the old ticket book and sell each ride individually.

I wonder what would happen if they did reintroduce ticket books (e-ticket e-books?) that entitled each guests ride each ride one time for the cost of park admission. Then, if people wanted to re-ride, they could purchase additional rides.

Obviously locals and frequent visitors might not like this, but I wonder if it would make lines much shorter and satisfy more guests.

 

[nickys]

I wonder what would happen if they did reintroduce ticket books (e-ticket e-books?) that entitled each guests ride each ride one time for the cost of park admission. Then, if people wanted to re-ride, they could purchase additional rides.

Obviously locals and frequent visitors might not like this, but I wonder if it would make lines much shorter and satisfy more guests.

I don’t see how it would shorten lines.
It also gives the impression that you can ride every ride, so what happens when guests don’t get to ride all the rides? Do they get a refund for the unused tickets?

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

I wonder what would happen if they did reintroduce ticket books (e-ticket e-books?) that entitled each guests ride each ride one time for the cost of park admission. Then, if people wanted to re-ride, they could purchase additional rides.

Obviously locals and frequent visitors might not like this, but I wonder if it would make lines much shorter and satisfy more guests.

I think it would have to be limited like the old ticket books, entry would have to be limited to 2-3 E-tickets, 3-4 D-tickets, etc. As Nicky said there’s not enough capacity for everyone to ride them all.

I think it would help to decrease lines though, Space Mtn Is my favorite ride so it’s not uncommon for me to ride it a fee times every day, if I had to pay $10 extra for each ride I’d likely do it once a day though.

 

[GhostHost1000]

From the frontlines, it appears to me that the prolonged downturn in their package bookings is more in the reduced benefits and increased hassle than the price gouging alone. They used to be able to balance above-market pricing with enough benefits and extras to allow their guests to justify the expense. These diehards were great ambassadors and were able to help maintain the aspirational nature of a Poly or GF vacation, which made others feel better putting their own WDW vacation on that 28.9% credit card.

Under Iger, they squeezed until they ran out of juice.

exactly... just think in the last few years what all has changed
- removal of magical express
- removal of dining plan (but is back now)
- park reservations
- G+ / ILL / virtual queue chaos all day
- Less entertainment / shows / parades
- reskins of existing attractions moreso than new ones which doesn't help much with capacity

 

[GhostHost1000]

Well i agree and thats another animal altogether … what is still to me baffling is i was there Thanksgiving week & it was crowded not crazy but crowded & i had tremendous success with Genie. I hate to
Admit it but i did. I had same success prior year in summer & just assumed it was because it was less crowded. I have used Genie 4 times now. 5 days & 3 10 day trips & outside the 1st year where i felt it was somewhat worthless. Ive been pleasantly surprised even with the fact you have to pay for it.

I've used it many times...and you can benefit from it if you understand it and use it properly... the problem outside the cost is the work it takes to do it, early in them AM and throughout the day. That is what most don't like. Vacation now feels like work.

 

[Splash4eva]

That's the thing though, 10% is far too high when people are spending a small fortune on Genie +. It's really starting to bug me to be honest. I know 2 families who had it for recent trips, I'm simply amazed at the reasons they gave and were accepted, both will happily wait in a 2 hour plus queue for Hagrids. It needs a complete overhaul to ensure it's only available to those that genuinely need it.

People have certain needs which Disney allows & its really not up to you or me to be judging them but this simply comes down to lack of capacity. These people in theory would be in lines anyway waiting. Ive suggested this before and it is a hot take but maybe allow less people on the DAS travel party and have the people who can wait stand in line and the person who can get 1 maybe 2 max to go on with and have them try and time it. I dk but that can definitely cut down on people getting on rides

 

[Splash4eva]

I've used it many times...and you can benefit from it if you understand it and use it properly... the problem outside the cost is the work it takes to do it, early in them AM and throughout the day. That is what most don't like. Vacation now feels like work.

Totally agree but lets face it. Disney has sadly been like this for a long time now. Its never been a true vacation and always required some type of extra work. Granted we are now on another level but to me while waiting in a line or heading for a snack/bathroom you can play the refresh game.

 

[monothingie]

I was just watching a fresh Baked DCA video and he was showing how many of the G+/ILL lines now have more people in them than the standby lines, he was calling it Syndrome and was asking if we’ve reached the point where “everyone is special, so no one’s special”?

All the G+ lines extended into, and were blocking, the walkways and the standby queues were basically empty, what’s the end game for Disney? Just keep selling more and more G+ until 100% of the guests are in the G+ line, maybe swap the FP and standby lines around since the G+ lines now need more space than the standby?

At this point they may as well go back to the old ticket book and sell each ride individually.

Genie + Gold?

For an additional, additional fee you can go directly onto an attraction with absolutely no wait guaranteed*.



* Guarantee applicable only with commensurate credit score and bank approval.

 

[Touchdown]

What Universal did (requiring a third party to approve you) seems to have greatly decreased the fraud. I would think Disney should start with that.

 

[docdebbi]

As the grandmother of an autistic child, I agree with you 100%. We would not mind bringing medical proof of his diagnosis, (we used to do this all the time, but they never wanted to see it), or a letter from his physician(s). We tell them about his problems, and they just take our word for it. We are honest, but I am sure there are many who claim a disability who would not be able to provide proof. I like Universal's new policy. Should cut down on abuse. Which would be better for everyone, those using DAS and those not using DAS.

What Universal did (requiring a third party to approve you) seems to have greatly decreased the fraud. I would think Disney should start with that.of

 

[Brian]

What Universal did (requiring a third party to approve you) seems to have greatly decreased the fraud. I would think Disney should start with that.

Universal's system is flawed in the sense that if you fail to bring supporting documentation with you on vacation, you are left scrambling trying to get your doctor to send it to you via email. Unless your doctor is particularly good, that will be a very hard task to accomplish, especially in a timely fashion, leading to some guests being unable to be accommodated. Disney recognizes this challenge, and has avoided asking for documentation for this reason, at least for now.

Separately from the third party adjudicator, they also require visiting guest services every day to receive a new paper pass for the that day, which is an astoundingly archaic way of handling it when they already have a fairly robust app built out which can accomplish the same function without wasting guests' time.

 

[el_super]

Unless your doctor is particularly good, that will be a very hard task to accomplish, especially in a timely fashion, leading to some guests being unable to be accommodated.

Has this been challenged in court yet? Not a lawyer but I can't see how that is legal.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

It’s been interesting to witness the swell of nostalgia for FP+, which, only a couple of years ago, few posters here had anything kind to say about.

Genie+ is definitely the superior system except that it's not included in admission. If both FP+ & Genie+ were included in admission Genie+ would be the clear winner.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Wait.

DAS entitles a user to “free” ILL access? Whereas non-DAS members have to pay to access the ride?

I guess it’s not necessarily illegal, but this goes well beyond a reasonable accommodation.

Yes, the DAS system allows you to select return times for all rides with a line (not the VQ rides), including the ILL$ rides like ROTR, 7dmt, FOP. In addition to that, you get 3 preselects, made in advance of your trip, on top of what I just mentioned. That is the crazy part that goes well beyond a "reasonable accommodation." Having DAS is much better than purchasing genie+ for that reason.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

All the G+ lines extended into, and were blocking, the walkways and the standby queues were basically empty, what’s the end game for Disney? Just keep selling more and more G+ until 100% of the guests are in the G+ line, maybe swap the FP and standby lines around since the G+ lines now need more space than the standby?

Don't kid yourself, those people in the standby queues (even if they look empty) are waiting a lot longer than the people in the lightning lanes. They'll let 5 people in from the LL for every 100 they let in from the LL.