Genie+ park based priced!

[Miffy]

The sneaky part is that it will allow them to drive MK up to $50 and then just "normalize it" for all parks to then cost $45 so you feel like you are getting a deal.

They aren't all that sneaky. It's obvious what they're doing, but they are going to be surprised when the number of people buying G+ plummets. Unless that's what they want--a $300 G+ that 100 people/day purchase. In a way, I wish they'd just charge $1,000 or something similar for it, so I could stop spending the money on it myself.

 

[georgina]

This probably won't be known until the new system is in effect, but I'm wondering what will happen if you have a PH or AP and you buy G+ for your reserved park, then later in the day you decide you want to hop and want to buy it for another park. Will you just pay the difference between your park and every park? Or will you have to purchase it from scratch?

I feel like this is not only a money grab, but it's a way of stopping people from park hopping--or from forcing them to decide their entire day's itinerary first thing.

Nice work on the death of spontaneity, Mr. Iger. My confidence in you has disappeared. And please stop asking WDW parkgoers to make up for your poor movie revenue.

I agree about the hopping. I have always bought hoppers but if I had known about this change earlier for my upcoming trip I might have bought a different ticket and not hopped.

 

[scrappinginontario]

The sneaky part is that it will allow them to drive MK up to $50 and then just "normalize it" for all parks to then cost $45 so you feel like you are getting a deal.

There is no indication that the price will increase to that point. They can but it is not what has happened. To date the most expensive G+ has been $35.

Let’s give people who are already struggling with this change some realistic numbers they can use to calculate potential costs for their upcoming trips. We can change if needed in the future but let’s at least try to be helpful.

 

[itf]

We were thinking about going back next year. I've got to be honest, they seem to be doing everything in their power to make a trip unattractive. I really hope they re-introduce some way for UK residents to just pre-buy Genie+ in the ticket price as they did last time we visited. Without it, this all just feels excruciating.

 

[Jacq7414]

I’m annoyed that this is being put in place right before my trip. Now I have to figure out if I get the multi park one because we have hoppers, or do we just do the one park. Skip completely? We are going 4th of July so I’m assuming the prices will be more expensive then too

 

[lvdis]

I wish everyone would just stop paying for it then maybe it would go back to something more reasonable.

 

[Jrb1979]

I wish everyone would just stop paying for it then maybe it would go back to something more reasonable.

The only way anything possibly changes is if people stop going to Disney.

 

[Miffy]

@scrappinginontario: Do you know if the prices shown in the screenshot you posted are the same every day? Or will these prices vary by day, in much the same way that they do now?

I'm just trying to swallow the $27/day for multiple parks price since I want the freedom to hop and to use G+ at the hopped-to park, so I'll probably be paying for the multiple park G+. Paying . . . and sobbing!

 

[Jrb1979]

@scrappinginontario: Do you know if the prices shown in the screenshot you posted are the same every day? Or will these prices vary by day, in much the same way that they do now?

I'm just trying to swallow the $27/day for multiple parks price since I want the freedom to hop and to use G+ at the hopped-to park, so I'll probably be paying for the multiple park G+. Paying . . . and sobbing!

I wouldn't be surprised if that's just an example. I don't see them getting rid of the varied pricing.

 

[VeronicaZS]

I wonder if this move is related to them eliminating park reservations next year. They will have 6 months of data to tell them expected park capacity based on how many people bought Genie+. Since Genie+ is bought the day of they won't have for data for future forecasting but maybe day-of is sufficient.
I honestly can't get worked up over this change. It seems like for the way we typically visit it shouldn't cost us much more and may even be a little cheaper. My biggest concern is that AK and EP start selling more Genie+ making it harder to use in those parks. Time will tell....

 

[itf]

I wonder if this move is related to them eliminating park reservations next year. They will have 6 months of data to tell them expected park capacity based on how many people bought Genie+. Since Genie+ is bought the day of they won't have for data for future forecasting but maybe day-of is sufficient.
I honestly can't get worked up over this change. It seems like for the way we typically visit it shouldn't cost us much more and may even be a little cheaper. My biggest concern is that AK and EP start selling more Genie+ making it harder to use in those parks. Time will tell....

We're just frogs getting boiled. Talking of AK and EP as being cheaper when they're more than G+ for all parks was last summer.

 

[scrappinginontario]

@scrappinginontario: Do you know if the prices shown in the screenshot you posted are the same every day? Or will these prices vary by day, in much the same way that they do now?

I'm just trying to swallow the $27/day for multiple parks price since I want the freedom to hop and to use G+ at the hopped-to park, so I'll probably be paying for the multiple park G+. Paying . . . and sobbing!

The screen shot was from the announcement by Scott Gustin.. It’s anticipated that it is just an example and that varied pricing will continue.

I wouldn't be surprised if that's just an example. I don't see them getting rid of the varied pricing.

I agree.

 

[Tom_E_D]

This probably won't be known until the new system is in effect, but I'm wondering what will happen if you have a PH or AP and you buy G+ for your reserved park, then later in the day you decide you want to hop and want to buy it for another park. Will you just pay the difference between your park and every park? Or will you have to purchase it from scratch?

I feel like this is not only a money grab, but it's a way of stopping people from park hopping--or from forcing them to decide their entire day's itinerary first thing.

Nice work on the death of spontaneity, Mr. Iger. My confidence in you has disappeared. And please stop asking WDW parkgoers to make up for your poor movie revenue.

As reported here,

• Asked if guests who purchased the service for one park could upgrade to a multi-park option after the fact, a Walt Disney World spokesperson informed us that guests could purchase Genie+ for the additional park and visit Guest Services to be refunded the difference between the combined total and the Multi-Park price.

 

[pixiedust2u]

I can’t (though I somewhat can) believe that THIS was their response to customers wanting less confusion. It also adds 0 value and feels like a money grab.

I don’t know how they will manage the whole hopping deal. For example, if I’m doing Epcot and HS in one day, I might not need Genie+ for EP, but would purchase for HS. But I can’t imagine the terrible equipped Disney IT handling the complexity of having a park hopper ticket, with a single park Genie+. This should be interesting. I bet CMs aren’t pleased with this either as it just means more confusion and frustration amongst guests.

 

[Miffy]

As reported here,

• Asked if guests who purchased the service for one park could upgrade to a multi-park option after the fact, a Walt Disney World spokesperson informed us that guests could purchase Genie+ for the additional park and visit Guest Services to be refunded the difference between the combined total and the Multi-Park price.

Thanks for the fast reply. Ugh. Visiting Guest Services. Not always a quick experience. There should be a G+ line for that!

 

[Miffy]

I can’t (though I somewhat can) believe that THIS was their response to customers wanting less confusion. It also adds 0 value and feels like a money grab.

I don’t know how they will manage the whole hopping deal. For example, if I’m doing Epcot and HS in one day, I might not need Genie+ for EP, but would purchase for HS. But I can’t imagine the terrible equipped Disney IT handling the complexity of having a park hopper ticket, with a single park Genie+. This should be interesting. I bet CMs aren’t pleased with this either as it just means more confusion and frustration amongst guests.

I miss FP+ more every visit.

ETA: In fact, I'd be happier if they'd return to FP+ and just charge for that. I mean, of course I'd prefer it to be free, but if I have to pay, at least have a simple, straightforward system--and one that I can make reservations for while not rushing to get to a park for ETPE and hoping I'll get the selection I want, all while missing a real breakfast since the QS place is serving only pastries and coffee at that time.

 

[pixiedust2u]

As reported here,

• Asked if guests who purchased the service for one park could upgrade to a multi-park option after the fact, a Walt Disney World spokesperson informed us that guests could purchase Genie+ for the additional park and visit Guest Services to be refunded the difference between the combined total and the Multi-

I miss FP+ more every visit.

I actually didn’t mind genie+ our last visit. And we were there during Christmas and were able to effectively use it through our trip. However, I continue to strongly believe that if you are staying on property there should be SOME perk ie. Deluxe guests get 3 freebies genie+ selections, moderate 2, value 1. Or something along those lines. I think they need to get ride if the stupid 7am purchase system.

I’m just trying to figure out what “problem” this new system addresses? I can’t come up with one single benefit to guests??? The only thing I think of is that they needed a way to make genie+ for enticing for AK and EP, and are trying to spin it as a value to the guests….. but we aren’t stupid!

 

[JBRB828]

I wish everyone would just stop paying for it then maybe it would go back to something more reasonable.

I agree! Last summer DH & I took my DS,DL,GD on our 10 day trip, all expenses paid. It was fun because DH and I hadn't been there in 6 years and first time for GD. Stayed at CR. We bought Genie+ everyday and LL. It was well worth the $15+ then standing in the heat and sun. However, we are seniors and do not work anymore. This new structure of pricing is it for us. I actually thought we would go back next summer, but we aren't. We have been to Disney many times and just can't justify paying again for the same rides or waiting in the lines without Genie+ and LL.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I miss FP+ more every visit.

I miss the old paper FP system. I can still remember the time I gave away my FP from the new Expedition Everest (2007, I think). I'd gotten a FP, then gotten into the standby line. When I got off, feeling ill, there was a couple having a heated "discussion" because he was psyched to go on EE, she absolutely not! I was solo (so 1 FP) and found my perfect opportunity-gave him my FP. I don't know which one of them thanked me more!

Can someone please verify for me that now you not only pay for Genie +, but you also pay for it in each park you go to? So if you go to 2 parks in a day, you pay for Genie + twice? And if there's any refund coming to you (Let's say for the purpose of example that it's a big sum like $5), it is YOUR responsibility to go stand in line at GS (thus wasting some of the money you've spent) to get your big refund? Sounds to me like a Chapek idea.

 

[Miffy]

I miss the old paper FP system. I can still remember the time I gave away my FP from the new Expedition Everest (2007, I think). I'd gotten a FP, then gotten into the standby line. When I got off, feeling ill, there was a couple having a heated "discussion" because he was psyched to go on EE, she absolutely not! I was solo (so 1 FP) and found my perfect opportunity-gave him my FP. I don't know which one of them thanked me more!

Can someone please verify for me that now you not only pay for Genie +, but you also pay for it in each park you go to? So if you go to 2 parks in a day, you pay for Genie + twice? And if there's any refund coming to you (Let's say for the purpose of example that it's a big sum like $5), it is YOUR responsibility to go stand in line at GS (thus wasting some of the money you've spent) to get your big refund? Sounds to me like a Chapek idea.

As I understand it, what you're saying is correct, but you could just buy the multi-park G+ to begin with and save yourself the trouble.

My question was: What would happen if you hadn't planned on hopping (or using G+ in one of the parks) and you then decided you wanted it in both (or all) parks? Apparently at that point, you would have to involve Guest Services, something I can't imagine anyone is looking forward to doing.

But, you know Disney IT. It'd be too hard for the app to notice that you'd already purchased G+ for one park and then just charge you the difference.

And, btw, if the example of fees holds true and MK's G+ is always the same price as the multi-park G+, then I assume anyone with a PH or AP would purchase the multi-park G+ when going to MK, just in case.

Edited for clarity and to add: The DHS G+ in the example was only $3 less than the multi-park G+. The only parks where there's a bigger price difference are DAK and Epcot. At this point, I feel that if I have any inclination at all to park hop, I'm going to end up buying the multi-park G+. Here, WDW, take my money. After all, I've never regretted a dime I've spent there--and they probably know it.