Disney Genie announcement

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

No it could be 5 minutes out if one is available.

This would be EXCELLENT.

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

I wonder if character meets would eventually qualify for Genie+....

 

[JakeAZ]

Keep in mind….it’s quite possible that Genie+ could be more useful to Disney for crowd control than it is to guests for actually enjoying their day.

Both things can be true...but crowd control is a much higher priority to Disney (and getting guests to pay for it, is just icing on the cake). Just like how they are keeping park reservations. Very unfriendly to guests, but super helpful to D.

 

[HopperFan]

it's been confirmed by disney that you don't have to. It's use the pass you have or wait two hours- which ever comes first.

Can you share the link to the Disney confirmation of this?

I wonder if character meets would eventually qualify for Genie+....

I would assume eventually just like FP+ did for Princess Hall, Mickey, Tink etc. The structure is already there.

 

[Thumper99]

Does any one know who would be a good vblogger to follow for possible updates on this. We arrive just 5 days after launch and I really feel i’ll want to see how it’s working before shelling out $60 a day. Thank you!

 

[Marionnette]

Agree
But are they interested in the answers to “hey you just went to Disney World, right? How was it?”

Or "Hey! You're having one heck of a great time here at the most magical place on earth! How would you like to ensure that those memories last a lifetime by purchasing an interest in DVC?"

That one and done visitor who just soured on the nickle and dime approach is not going to buy that snake oil.

 

[Disturbia]

Neither.
For an 8am opening, at 7am you can book 8-9am (or whatever is first available), then at 9am (or whenever you tap into the ride), you can book the next one. That is my understanding at least. It's 2 hours from the time you make the reservation or after you tap in, whichever is first.

So it’s the second option, assuming I tapped in at 8am for an 8 am opening so it’s like the old fast pass (4th) rolling pass. Now if I didn’t enter the park, then I would have to wait until 10 am, so 2 hours from the booked 8-9 am pass not 2 hours from when 7 am bookings opened..

 

[Disturbia]

Does any one know who would be a good vblogger to follow for possible updates on this. We arrive just 5 days after launch and I really feel i’ll want to see how it’s working before shelling out $60 a day. Thank you!

I’d search YouTube for Disney world genie, sort by date and see who has most views; I do like paging mr morrow, Tim tracker and Molly (all ears).

 

[JakeAZ]

Or "Hey! You're having one heck of a great time here at the most magical place on earth! How would you like to ensure that those memories last a lifetime by purchasing an interest in DVC?"

That one and done visitor who just soured on the nickle and dime approach is not going to buy that snake oil.

100%

We were considering DVC while planning for our canceled Corona virus 2020 trip. Now that we are finally going on this trip, next month, we have zero desire to explore DVC. It's a one way street with Disney. Never more obvious than right now.

If we didn't have ticket and DVC rental credit from 2020, I don't think we would have re-booked after the non-stop barrage of loss of on-site benefits / up charges.

I've never had the feeling I haven't spent enough, while planning for a trip this expensive / restrictive (limited ADR availability, park reservations, hopping, etc). I don't like it. I am all for paying extra for something I see value in. But paying for things that are so obviously designed to drain your wallet, is just tiresome.

 

[Sunelis]

I’d search YouTube for Disney world genie, sort by date and see who has most views; I do like paging mr morrow, Tim tracker and Molly (all ears).

I'm sure Craig or Rhyno here at The Dis will do something too. But I have to give it to Molly for explaining a new system.

 

[gharter]

I'm sure Craig or Rhyno here at The Dis will do something too. But I have to give it to Molly for explaining a new system.

She did a very good job. I see the Dis Unplugged program today is going over that as well. Looking forward to hear their views.

 

[PepperjackDragon]

“Genie+ will not sell out on any given day”

so even on the busiest day of the year it will not sell out? What will availability be on those days in terms of LL? Does everyone who pays 15$ get one LL? It feels like if it never sells out then Disney may be collecting money for a ride pass program that is not beneficial due to the volume of people buying it.

They did the same thing with FP, so in that case its just a less convenient paid fast pass. However, no way 100% of the park is doing it, I would re real surprised to see over 60% participate. It is also possible that the system will automatically adjust the LL to Standby ratio and as crowds increase and G+ purchases increase they will increase availability during each time block and then increase the LL to Standby ratio to keep the LL moving at effectively the same pace, but the stand by crowds getting hit. Obviously just throwing ideas out into the wind here, but I can think of many other ways to keep the LL functioning, none of which will be good news for the standby crowd.

 

[MainMom]

This would be EXCELLENT.

Not if you’re crisscrossing the park all day. Unless you don’t mind that. I do.

 

[DisneyKidds]

However, no way 100% of the park is doing it, I would re real surprised to see over 60% participate.

As others have pointed out, there wasn’t 100% of guests booking FP+ under that system. It would be interesting to know what % of guests booked FP+ in advance or day of under that system, and whether Genie+ participation ends up being similar.

I do think there are a lot of people, like my family, that used to fully utilize FP+ in conjunction with park hopping. It’s conceivable that a significant portion of those guests don’t upgrade to park hoppers (we didn’t get hoppers on our trip in July, first time we ever skipped that option) if Genie+ doesn’t allow much of the same availability/flexibility that FP+ did. There’s a lot of hopper revenue there to be lost I’d bet. Add to that lost revenue because a lot of people might move off-site (due to erosion of on-site value). Will G+/ILL$ revenue make up for all that?

Of course a lot of that just applies to repeat visitors, which Genie+ doesn’t seem to be designed for, and Disney seemingly doesn’t care about anymore….

 

[Bibbobboo2u]

Does any one know who would be a good vblogger to follow for possible updates on this. We arrive just 5 days after launch and I really feel i’ll want to see how it’s working before shelling out $60 a day. Thank you!

Molly with AllEars.net is very good, and she noted in her recent Genie video that they will be doing lots and lots of videos on Genie once it launches, including free Genie, Genie+, and ILL$, and they will give honest opinions. Unfortunately, DH and I are genie-pigs, as we will be at WDW starting 10/17 for the full week. We will be at HWS on launch day, and that is one of the two parks we might consider using G+ for. We won't buy ILL$. The parks will be loaded with bloggers/vloggers, so maybe we will see Molly, which would be a silver lining in this cloud!!
Here is a link to her Genie video: (She calls ILL$ rides "Fancy Rides".)

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

Not if you’re crisscrossing the park all day. Unless you don’t mind that. I do.

I mind it too. I'm hoping that can be avoided (I always planned my fastpasses so that we weren't traipsing back and forth). But I'm still happier with this news than thinking that they would all have to be 2 hours apart no matter what.

 

[JenSop]

Okay, I attended the TA webinar today and I was struck by the use of "based on limited availability" when referring to Genie+. It was A LOT. So I think the real test will be the people using it those first few weeks. They will be the ones who help us learn. Disney will NOT be the one to teach us.

 

[elgerber]

Okay, I attended the TA webinar today and I was struck by the use of "based on limited availability" when referring to Genie+. It was A LOT. So I think the real test will be the people using it those first few weeks. They will be the ones who help us learn. Disney will NOT be the one to teach us.

did it clarify anything we didn't already know? Like when you can purchase the second ILL?

 

[yellowfish78]

Okay, I attended the TA webinar today and I was struck by the use of "based on limited availability" when referring to Genie+. It was A LOT. So I think the real test will be the people using it those first few weeks. They will be the ones who help us learn. Disney will NOT be the one to teach us.

THIS. I was on the same "call" aka recording too. Nothing was mentioned about every two hours you can get a LL booking, and "limited availability" was mentioned SO MUCH. With Genie+ never selling out...it's like you'll be stuck with a 7pm LL booking for Philharmagic and not be able to get anything else for your $15.

I did like that you can add it to your package booking in advance (based on length of ticket) or the option to buy same say of use. I also liked that resort guests got the 7am LL advantage to book.

 

[CWTC]

Okay, I attended the TA webinar today and I was struck by the use of "based on limited availability" when referring to Genie+. It was A LOT. So I think the real test will be the people using it those first few weeks. They will be the ones who help us learn. Disney will NOT be the one to teach us.

yeah, the subject to availability/limited availability is what catches my eye as well. How limited is it going to be? If they sell 10,000 G+, are there only 1000 LL per ride available? How will we even know that? I was less upset when we couldn’t get a FP (although we loved FP+) because I wasn’t paying for it. If I am paying 15$ then I expect to get something in return. I though based on the verbiage I am seeing am sure that Disney thinks I should get much in return for my 15$. Maybe all their disclaimers are just CYA? And maybe LL availability will be on par with prior FP: standby ratios?

I am super thrilled that we get there 10/16 and are there through 10/25. I’m hoping we have a positive experience with G+ and IAS$ (Or ILL$, whatever).