Rumored Changes to G+

[thanxfornoticin]

But they have 3 deluxe hotels - the math just doesn't work.

The Universal "math" might get interesting in the near future with a huge new park, and several brand new resorts. Guess we'll see how they handle the Express Pass situation then - they also have some tough decisions!

 

[lowlight]

But they have 3 deluxe hotels - the math just doesn't work.

Oh yeah, I definitely agree with that part.

 

[champagne&disney]

The Universal "math" might get interesting in the near future with a huge new park, and several brand new resorts. Guess we'll see how they handle the Express Pass situation then - they also have some tough decisions!

Definitely! Seems like they haven't announced yet if one of the three hotels will be Premier or Preferred as the two they have announced are both value. I'm interested to see what happens over here for APs and their Express offering.

 

[Tatebeck]

Definitely! Seems like they haven't announced yet if one of the three hotels will be Premier or Preferred as the two they have announced are both value. I'm interested to see what happens over here for APs and their Express offering.

The one that is built into epic universe will almost certainly be a premier level hotel. How can the flagship hotel built into the newest park not be in the top tier of hotels? That would be like the grand Californian not being deluxe/dvc level IMO

 

[champagne&disney]

The one that is built into epic universe will almost certainly be a premier level hotel. How can the flagship hotel built into the newest park not be in the top tier of hotels? That would be like the grand Californian not being deluxe/dvc level IMO

Agree - I just don't like to make assumptions in life because that's how you get disappointed

 

[SL6827]

I could see a promotion of it being free with a Deluxe hotel booking at RACK rate. That would exclude DVC. This wouldn't surprise me at all.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I could see a promotion of it being free with a Deluxe hotel booking at RACK rate. That would exclude DVC. This wouldn't surprise me at all.

Just remember, if guests are paying rack rate, it wouldn't be free - it would be included!! Same as 'free' DDP!!

Interesting thought you present, though!

 

[lowlight]

I could see a promotion of it being free with a Deluxe hotel booking at RACK rate. That would exclude DVC. This wouldn't surprise me at all.

Edit: nevermind , I get what you mean now.

 

[rmclain73]

Yes they did.

In a post on the official blog, Disney said, "We have heard from guests that they would like ways to plan with Disney Genie+ service and individual Lightning Lane selections before the day of their park visit, and we want you to know we are working on ways guests may do this for visits in 2024. Our goal is to give you the opportunity to spend less time planning in the park and more time enjoying your visit with friends and family. While we are not yet able to share specific details, we look forward to sharing more information at a later date.”

That was in May 2023

The speculation is that they are revamping DAS and need to complete that prior to rolling out Genie+ changes (waiting on lawsuit vs six flags b they use a service to verify disability)

Please reread what I said.

You are quoting the same post as I am referring to from last May.

Nothing concrete confirmed other than they are working on ways to make this happen and that it “may” be available this year.

This wouldn’t be the first time Disney has dropped a statement with nothing ever coming of it.

 

[mikeishere]

I don’t have a problem with off site guests not being allowed in the parks because I stay onsite. My point is most people aren’t bothered by things that don’t affect them personally. You’re up early every park day, so you don’t care. I’m up early 99% of my life because of work and small children, but that doesn’t mean I’m ok with “having” to be up early on vacation to get a ride.

This is why it's difficult to reach a consensus. I agree paper FP was the most straightforward, but it was also the most physically exhausting to me. I find the current system, G+ and iLL, to be the most effective in getting the highest number of rides with the shortest wait.

I also want Disney to have a similar system like Express Pass. Until then, I will make do with whatever they have since I want to be at their parks more than they need me. I understand you don't want to get up at 7 A.M. Orlando time, but being from the UK it's already 12 P.M your time.

i see what your saying but for a 10 night stay I shouldn’t have to do this most mornings of my trip at 7am. If they had a better system they would let me buy multiple days worth of geine+. It may be 12pm uk time but I’m going to adjust and be on Orlando time for my vacation I’m not going to stick to uk time so it won’t feel like midday uk time after so many days into my trip either

Even with everyone’s points of view which I can understand I still don’t get why when you get geine+ do you then have to book your ride times why can’t it just be like universals express where you can just turn up at each rides line whenever and show your pass and ride? Why can universal do this with express pass but geine+ requires ride times and virtual queue nonsense?

 

[tjkraz]

Even with everyone’s points of view which I can understand I still don’t get why when you get geine+ do you then have to book your ride times why can’t it just be like universals express where you can just turn up at each rides line whenever and show your pass and ride? Why can universal do this with express pass but geine+ requires ride times and virtual queue nonsense?

Because Universal likely sells a lot fewer Express Passes--as evidenced by the higher price and lower hotel access.

Slinky would be the poster child for on-demand Genie disaster. Every day the Genie allotment is gone by mid-morning. Without a regulator on Genie+ arrival times, people would flock back there as soon as they get to the park and the Genie line could be an hour or more. You'd also be removing the limitations on the number of Genie passes that can be used in a day. The return times / 2 hour delay place some limits on how many you can use in a day. Without that, people would move from Genie line to Genie line, attempting to ride a dozen attractions or more with park hopping. I say "attempting" because again the Genie lines would be so overloaded that they would move just as slow as Standby does today.

That is, unless you want to impose crazy high prices and purchase limits.

 

[New Mouse]

There isn't enough capacity to support giving it to everyone in Deluxe and DVC. This would never work at Disney. I don't know why everyone wants to keep introducing a class system for G+ with hotels - there are way too many hotels at Disney to support any sort of differentiators. People should stay Deluxe because they want a larger room, more amenities at the property, etc and not expect anything else. That's how it is in every other city in the world when you choose to stay at a Four Seasons vs a Holiday Inn.

If Disney only gave it to Deluxe guests and didn't sell it separately, there is room to support a system. This is easily justified as well

 

[New Mouse]

Because Universal likely sells a lot fewer Express Passes--as evidenced by the higher price and lower hotel access.

Slinky would be the poster child for on-demand Genie disaster. Every day the Genie allotment is gone by mid-morning. Without a regulator on Genie+ arrival times, people would flock back there as soon as they get to the park and the Genie line could be an hour or more. You'd also be removing the limitations on the number of Genie passes that can be used in a day. The return times / 2 hour delay place some limits on how many you can use in a day. Without that, people would move from Genie line to Genie line, attempting to ride a dozen attractions or more with park hopping. I say "attempting" because again the Genie lines would be so overloaded that they would move just as slow as Standby does today.

That is, unless you want to impose crazy high prices and purchase limits.

You're assuming everyone would want to ride at the exact same time. They wouldn't. The only thing the scheduled genie times do is guarantee people will stay in the parks longer.

 

[champagne&disney]

If Disney only gave it to Deluxe guests and didn't sell it separately, there is room to support a system. This is easily justified as well

This would cause riots.

 

[Leigh L]

If Disney only gave it to Deluxe guests and didn't sell it separately, there is room to support a system. This is easily justified as well

Aside from people being upset, I don’t think it would benefit Disney from a logistical and financial standpoint.

Imagine the tons of people who would book 1 night stays to get 2 days of “access” like they do at universal.

With just 3 deluxe hotels it’s not bad and I think Universal can account for it. Wdw not so much. They’re not going to want to have limited room inventory for people who want the full week. Those are selling out anyway.

Lots more room turnover (eg housekeeping) etc. and loss of guests who can’t get the longer availability if too many book for one night.

I know I’d go the one night route lol

 

[afan]

This would cause riots.

And a lot of people that either wouldn't go or wouldn't stay on site. I'd stop going if I couldn't get g+. I value my vacation time/money and my back, which means the less standing in line the better.

I bought some access when I was at TDL last Sept and used the free 40th anniversary fp. What I still don't understand was how easy it was to get the free fp even when the line was close to or over an hour. There's no ride there worth that long of a wait in that heat and potentially in the sun. I expected to use fewer than I did.

 

[Minnie1222]

The one that is built into epic universe will almost certainly be a premier level hotel. How can the flagship hotel built into the newest park not be in the top tier of hotels? That would be like the grand Californian not being deluxe/dvc level IMO

I think only Helios Grand (the hotel connected to Epic Universe) would get the unlimited express pass to the new park.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

bought some access when I was at TDL last Sept and used the free 40th anniversary fp. What I still don't understand was how easy it was to get the free fp even when the line was close to or over an hour. There's no ride there worth that long of a wait in that heat and potentially in the sun. I expected to use fewer than I did.

I'm about to be going there in October. But from what I understand a large part is cultural differences. They do not mind waiting in line and their rides routinely pack a long wait. I've seen many photos of the queues (orderly as well) for just getting into the park and it's extremely long even though almost all accounts are that morning entry into the parks goes by quickly. I just saw a post elsewhere the other day discussing 60 mins worth of a queue just to get food and it being discussed as normal.

I think we, here in the U.S., used to be more like this as a whole. Many of us remember as kids going to parks (whether it was Disney or not) and waiting in line.

 

[Minnie1222]

Imagine the tons of people who would book 1 night stays to get 2 days of “access” like they do at universal.

I believe these people have messed with some of my trips to Universal. Occasionally, it's difficult to get consecutive nights at a premier hotel. There was one 5 night trip where we had to stay at two different room categories at Portofino for 3 nights, then switched to Royal Pacific for the last 2 nights. It was ridiculous but nothing was available.

I can't imagine what a mess it would be for Disney if they go this route.

 

[Tatebeck]

I think only Helios Grand (the hotel connected to Epic Universe) would get the unlimited express pass to the new park.

That would be fine with me! I really want to try that one out once it's open. I just hope it's included on the chase travel website like their other hotels. Whenever we go to universal I just use my points to cover the stay so we've never had to pay to stay there for a few nights after our Disney trips. And I already have around 200k chase points saved up as of right now. I can hope! Or at least have it be available via rental swap on DVC rental store, since we have more points than we will typically need unless we are bringing friends/family