Scathing report from Frommer's on Genie+/LL

[JerrodDragon89]

Addicts? No.
Just happy people having fun while helping the economy.

No joke

with how many American's are in debt, I always wanted to see what happens to Disneyland if you can just take on more debt for a vacation you can't afford or without the monthly payment plans on APs....I feel like without debt Disneyland would have 1/2 the people in the parks

 

[Minnie1222]

with how many American's are in debt, I always wanted to see what happens to Disneyland if you can just take on more debt for a vacation you can't afford or without the monthly payment plans on APs....I feel like without debt Disneyland would have 1/2 the people in the parks

I can't speak for others, but I solemnly swear that I have no debts when it comes to Disney and other fun stuff.

 

[NorCalFanatic]

I can't speak for others, but I solemnly swear that I have no debts when it comes to Disney and other fun stuff.

Same….

 

[SteveH]

Did you bite your tongue? Cause here you are as well, talking about Disney. Probably giving money to Disney in other ways even if not going to the parks. I'm sorry but that statement sounds so hypocritical and bitter.

No need to bite my tongue, we've bailed out on Disney until they can get back to made them wonderful, you know... good story telling. The last Disney money we spent was Guardians 3, which was fair but honestly not very memorable. When, or if, they can get back telling good stories like the used to and when they stop gouging their parks customer base to make up for their bad decision making (looking at Star Wars, The Marvels, etc.) I'll reconsider. Seriously try taking a break, there is a whole lot to do that doesn't feed the mouse.

 

[Mirabell Rose]

I’m thinking the next thing they’ll roll out is Genie+ for the bus system. Don’t want to wait for the next bus after the fireworks? Pay an extra $29 for Genie+ for the ride home and we will let 20 people in the Lightning cue board the bus first and then let 5 poor non Genie+ folks squeeze into the aisle at the end.

 

[NorCalFanatic]

I'm curious, with so much disdain for Disney, why are you on board filled with Disney fans/DVC owners, etc?

 

[PiratesOfTheSea]

I'm curious, with so much disdain for Disney, why are you on board filled with Disney fans/DVC owners, etc?

No one hates Star Wars more than Star Wars fans.

If you think it's that bad here you should give micechat a try.

 

[starlite_]

I'm curious, with so much disdain for Disney, why are you on board filled with Disney fans/DVC owners, etc?

Agree! I can't imagine spending so much time talking and reading about something than makes me miserable.

 

[Brian rhymes with dyin]

The Internet is like that.

 

[starlite_]

No need to bite my tongue, we've bailed out on Disney until they can get back to made them wonderful, you know... good story telling. The last Disney money we spent was Guardians 3, which was fair but honestly not very memorable. When, or if, they can get back telling good stories like the used to and when they stop gouging their parks customer base to make up for their bad decision making (looking at Star Wars, The Marvels, etc.) I'll reconsider. Seriously try taking a break, there is a whole lot to do that doesn't feed the mouse.

Cool! You should consider frequenting boards about things you do like, will probably save you a few years of life. Out of sight out of mind as they say!

 

[StarlitNight05]

No one hates Star Wars more than Star Wars fans.

If you think it's that bad here you should give micechat a try.

I kinda feel personally attacked. But you are so right. I think it's the original trilogy traditionalists that seem to dislike anything new. I'm not at that level, but I'm also the type of Star Wars fan that looks at Galaxy's Edge in disgust. They could have done it SO much better. Besides the Millennium Falcon, it just doesn't FEEL like Star Wars (I fully realize this may just be my own hangup...some love it). When I am in Carsland, I am floored and I'm not even a big fan of the franchise. Sorry...Star Wars rant over.

But yeah, Micechat is a strange place. Everyone is so angry! I just couldn't deal with it, and it was sort of confusing. Like, why are you spending your time discussing Disney on a Disney board if you have such disdain for it?

 

[Smugpugmug]

I kinda feel personally attacked. But you are so right. I think it's the original trilogy traditionalists that seem to dislike anything new. I'm not at that level, but I'm also the type of Star Wars fan that looks at Galaxy's Edge in disgust. They could have done it SO much better. Besides the Millennium Falcon, it just doesn't FEEL like Star Wars (I fully realize this may just be my own hangup...some love it). When I am in Carsland, I am floored and I'm not even a big fan of the franchise. Sorry...Star Wars rant over.

But yeah, Micechat is a strange place. Everyone is so angry! I just couldn't deal with it, and it was sort of confusing. Like, why are you spending your time discussing Disney on a Disney board if you have such disdain for it?

Not into Star Wars but I agree that something about Galaxy's Edge feels off to me. It doesn't have the vibe I would expect from the series.

Don't go to WDWMagic either. There are people on there who admit that they hate the Disney company and hope it burns to the ground.

 

[DizMe]

Well, this went in some directions I didn't expect.

I haven't commented because when I started the thread, I really just wanted to hear what people thought about it and what their experiences were. I'm not really knowledgeable about Genie+ and Lightning Lane. I've never paid for it and don't really plan to, but am uneasy at the direction things are taking. Some years back I went to Knott's and was shocked at how long you had to wait for a ride that didn't look like it had a long line. I didn't know about the upcharge for getting a jump on the regular line but when I realized what it was, I was so glad I didn't have to deal with it at Disneyland. I mean, FP was a system that was free so for the most part, everyone was on equal footing.

I am in the fortunate position of being able to afford it if I want to and I only have to buy it for myself. But my primary reason for going to DLR is not for the rides, though I love them. I go often enough (3-4 times/year) that I'm not concerned if I miss one of my favorites. I love the atmosphere and being with friends/family in a place that makes me feel happy in a magical way I don't find elsewhere.

But I am uneasy with this new system, just as I am with the explosion of people buying VIP tours. Disney isn't likely to turn down people eager to drop massive amounts of money at almost no extra cost to the company unless it begins to hurt the company. I understand that Disney has to address the issue of massive crowds and long lines so I'm not sure what to think. I guess Disney is a victim of its own success and finding a solution is likely going to create problems of its own, but I'm sad at the increasingly stratified system of experience based on $$$.

 

[crystal1313]

I kinda feel personally attacked. But you are so right. I think it's the original trilogy traditionalists that seem to dislike anything new. I'm not at that level, but I'm also the type of Star Wars fan that looks at Galaxy's Edge in disgust. They could have done it SO much better. Besides the Millennium Falcon, it just doesn't FEEL like Star Wars (I fully realize this may just be my own hangup...some love it). When I am in Carsland, I am floored and I'm not even a big fan of the franchise. Sorry...Star Wars rant over.

Agree. It doesn’t feel like Star Wars. There was so much potential!! And the biggest fail was making the exact same land at Disneyland and WDW. Our last trip to Disneyland we didn’t even walk into Galaxys Edge. Same at Hollywood Studios.

 

[JerrodDragon89]

I can't speak for others, but I solemnly swear that I have no debts when it comes to Disney and other fun stuff.

https://money.com/average-american-personal-debt-amount/

Just so people don't think I'm making it up, the average person is now in debt....meaning even if they don't go into debt for Disney. I would say if you have debt but spend 100's or thousand on a Disney trip I'd count it as going into debt to go on a Disney trip




Also since SW came up, I love Star Wars but.....parts of it are crap. The Prequels are dumb fun, but man some of the writing is so bad but I'd still rather see more of those over the sequels which just seemed to no story or character direction or anything that interesting to say besides the last jedi which....randomly changed Luke's entire character so the director could make a point
But Loving Bad Batch season 3 so far, would love more writing like that in the next films or Andor....god Andor is peak adult star Wars

 

[Kit Jackson]

I think it's the original trilogy traditionalists that seem to dislike anything new. I'm not at that level, but I'm also the type of Star Wars fan that looks at Galaxy's Edge in disgust. They could have done it SO much better. Besides the Millennium Falcon, it just doesn't FEEL like Star Wars (I fully realize this may just be my own hangup...some love it). When I am in Carsland, I am floored and I'm not even a big fan of the franchise. Sorry...Star Wars rant over.

I am 100% with you on this. CarsLand is one of my favorite parts of Disneyland. It is about as close to perfect as you can get. I absolutely love it. It is a retro neon wonderland at night that I adore.

Galaxy's Edge is just meh. It's Star Wars because Disney tells me it's Star Wars. I'm with you on the Falcon. I was completely fan-girling when I saw the Falcon in daylight and in the Millennium Falcon queue because it was something I knew and loved. Getting into the cockpit for the ride was the cherry on top. That ride let me live a Star Wars fantasy, and it was awesome. The problem is the rest of Galaxy's Edge isn't really set up for/designed for that type of experience.

As for being on the board in general, I am here to help people who ask for advice/tips and also learn new things for upcoming trips. I think some topics/posts (like Genie+) tend to bring out the negativity in people.

 

[TinkAgainU]

Yesterday was a beautiful day in So. California (after some rain we are unaccustomed to lol)... I arrived late in the day and Disneyland was so full it was uncomfortable, and frankly, seemed to be more Security than Cleaning people around - I saw a Lot of trash on the ground.

I moved over to California Adventure and while some rides were still a long wait, did not feel as shoulder-to-shoulder although both Cars ride and Incredicoaster seemed "down" at the same time? If I'd taken a "newbie" with me to Disneyland yesterday, my guess is they'd never return

On the plus side - World of Color ONE was awesome, and the Mobile Order system for food makes food lines easy.

 

[NorCalFanatic]

Cars land is amazing, especially at night/dusk. The little kid who grew up on the original trilogy in me almost cried when I walked around the corner and saw that full size Falcon in Galaxys Edge. ROTR is an amazing ride, and there are lots of cool little Easter eggs throughout galaxys edge but yeah, it could use some more work.

It’s the I haven’t been to DLR/WDW in 5,10 or in a few cases…15 years and don’t plan to ever again crowd….then why come here to pour the negativity when you obviously have no interest in returning unless they turn back the clock 15 years (which ain’t happening). I mean, I used to love the niners. Then they tore down candlestick and moved to Santa Clara and gave the reins of the team to a spoiled rich kid. I enjoyed watching them lose this year as the curse of Santa Clara continues. But I don’t go into the niners discussions and wax nostalgic and sh*t all over them (I only do that if people ask me about them! ), I just walked away. But I guess I know the answer…..it’s the internet

 

[Kit Jackson]

Cars land is amazing, especially at night/dusk. The little kid who grew up on the original trilogy in me almost cried when I walked around the corner and saw that full size Falcon in Galaxys Edge. ROTR is an amazing ride, and there are lots of cool little Easter eggs throughout galaxys edge but yeah, it could use some more work.

I agree with all of this. ROTR is also an amazing ride. Galaxy's Edge is a mediocre land overall (I think that's being kind) with two fantastic rides and an wonderful peach iced tea. When you are not on the rides, the land just kind of falls flat. It's just not even close to what we were promised or were lead to believe to expect at Galaxy's Edge.

 

[greeneyedchick]

Disney's Lightning Lane scam
Frommer's opinion: "Standby got slow because of Lightning Lane—the "cure" causes the disease."

Much of the article seems to reference WDW more than DLR, but both are included.

What do you think?

I agree. Not only does genie+ make the regular lines longer but the longest lines in the park aren't even included in genie+. You need the more expensive lightening lanes. Keep in mind that when Disney introduced fast passes, it was only for 1 or 2 rides in the park. By adding genie+ to most of the rides, it slows down all lines, creating a worse guest experience.

I appreciate that Universal doesn't include Hagrid's in its Express pass. It's the most popular ride in the park and if they added Express to it, it would make the lines even longer for everyone else. In my book, Universal comes out on top for not decreasing the experience on Hagrid's for those without Express. If Disney got rid of lightning lanes and kept their most popular rides as normal standby lines for everyone, or if Disney offered lightening lanes for their 2 hottest rides per park and got rid of genie+, I think most of the lines would move faster and people would be happier in general. It would also simplify guests' planning.