Here is how you can best voice your displeasure (or approval) regarding the Genie/Genie+ Service

[GatorChris]

I'm seeing a lot of people say, "Wait and see before you complain." Listen, it's not the system we're complaining about. I like a system where we can book things from our phone on the same day. Love it, in fact! What I don't love is that it's the ONLY way to get a FP. There's a daily fee, and that doesn't even cover "premium" rides. That will cost even more, which is stupid. THAT is the issue I have wit this. Here's the email I just sent off. I hope enough of these get through and then "get through" to someone who can make adjustments.

Dear Disney,

I wanted to make sure you knew my extreme disappointment in the new Genie Service. Having to pay for FastPass, which in the past has been free and has set you apart among all theme parks, will spell a hastening end to my family coming to Disneyland or Walt Disney World. You already have industry high ticket prices, all while currently limiting the offerings that used to come with park admission (parades, live shows, Magical Express, etc.). Also, your hotel costs have risen far beyond inflation could ever account for. But at least we could all say, "Once we're in the parks, we're all equals. We all have the same chance to get a short line with a FastPass." No more. Now we have to pay $20/day ($100/day for my family) just to try to keep up with the Jones who also spent money to try to beat some lines. Not just that, but if I want to take my son on Radiator Springs Racers and want to avoid a 2 hour long line for him to roast in and have about 3 meltdowns (so magical), I'll have to spend "who knows how much more" to do that. All when just a year ago, I could grab a FP for free and keep the kids busy elsewhere.

We have a DL trip planned in October (only because we're using tickets we bought pre-Covid and never got to use them) and a WDW trip in December (that is a makeup trip from when we had Covid right before our summer trip). I've told my wife that unless Disney abandons this cash-grabbing Genie Service, these will be our last trips ever to Disney theme parks. That would be sad, as Disney has been a part of our lives for nearly 20 years. But I can't justify spending what we do now for a Disney trip, and then add on these ticky-tack charges to gain something that has been non gratis for two decades. It's unacceptable. It's not magical. And I will find other places to prudently spend our family vacation funds - unless you decide to return to reasonable business practices.

 

[dez1978]

My issue with Genie+ really comes down to one thing: No ability for groups that have already given Disney a huge amount of money (aka DVC and AP) to get any of it for free. I don’t actually mind the $15/day. I could even get behind individual rides, assuming it’s a low price and doesn’t apply to that many rides. What bothers me is the fact that it appears nothing is being done for those of us who have already invested a huge amount of money in the company.

This is mostly my issue too. I don't hate the idea of Genie +. What I do hate is that they have taken away any incentive to stay on Disney property. I could sell my DVC and stay offsite at probably a nicer hotel for less than the price of my yearly MF, and not lose a single thing except the Disney busses. And I'm not even talking about DVC perks, just things that would be a reason to stay at an all-star vs off site.

 

[Sakiki]

Yet 100% of those downvoters haven’t actually used genie+ thus far…

“There are three kinds of lies: lies, d*mned lies, and statistics.” The number of people reacting to the videos is minuscule in terms of WDWs customer base - and I suspect consists mainly of ‘hard core’ fans.

The only real world test will be how Joe Smith from Poughkeepsie reacts when he gets to MK with his wife and three children for their first ever dream holiday visit to WDW and only realises once he’s inside the gate that unless he spends extra there and then, they might not get on 7DMT - and if there are no slots left for their one day in that park they might not get on it at all…

 

[StageTek]

I've been on these boards for 14 years and in that time have seen four WDW changes that caused people here to declare they were done either going to WDW completely or would stop staying on site.

Allowing dogs at some resorts.
Daily room checks.
Resort parking fee.
Magical Express going away.

There were emails sent, phone calls made and a lot of proclamations made here on the DIS Boards. I know Disney doesn't release detailed info but none of those deal-breakers seem to have effected the attendance or occupancy at WDW Resorts.

I'm thinking that if 80% of the Disboarders who say they will either not go back to The World or stay off site in the future did what they said, it wouldn't be a blip on the Disney radar. And I suspect the percentage of Disboarders who actual change their plans is closer to 5%.

I'm one of those people: I'm starting my AP at the end of Sept 2021. I will stay on site two times this year. Then I'll explore staying off site for a couple of visits. But then one more on site visit for the last two weeks of my AP in Sept 2022. Then I'm thinking that will be it for me. No more AP. No more staying on site. And down to (maybe) one visit every other year rather than three or four a year.

But then again; I suspect I'm in the 95% of Disboarders who say they won't be back, but Disney will pull me back...

 

[snowwhite84]

Ummm, not when 90%+ of your base think its a BAD program... Disney needs to seriously rethink this.

I don’t think dislikes on a YouTube video show that 90 percent of guests won’t like the new system.

 

[DizKids2]

I was so distracted by how much more this will cost is if we want to do it that I skipped right over the possibility we might need to be up at 7 AM every day to secure the lightening lane. Hopefully this won’t be like getting a RoTR pass and if we plan to get to the parks later we can just reserve later.

What is interesting to me is that many of the changes Disney is making seem to be removing or at least not rewarding staying on property. We have been a 100% on property family for almost 17 years. With the removal of Magical Express, changes to extra magic hours and little benefit to onsite guests with Genie+, I am thinking offsite or split stays with Universal seem more appealing. It will be interesting to see how it all pans out. We are a family of 5, so if we want to do this, the extra $75+ per day will need to come from somewhere else in the vacation budget.

 

[meremac]

I've been on these boards for 14 years and in that time have seen four WDW changes that caused people here to declare they were done either going to WDW completely or would stop staying on site.

Allowing dogs at some resorts.
Daily room checks.
Resort parking fee.
Magical Express going away.

Don't forget:

Elimination of appetizers on the DDP
Having to make FP+ 60 days in advance
NOT being able to make FP+ 60 days in advance
Addition of MNSSHP and MVMCP
NOT having MNSSHP and MVMCP
CL guest getting to make additional FP+
Having to wear Magic Bands
Not getting Magic Bands anymore
Having to share your fingerprint
Facial recognition scanning to eliminate fingerprints
Having to share your fingerprint again

The list goes on and on. This is mostly tongue-in-cheek but the point is I totally agree with you. That has been the main point of what I've been trying to say today. There are always proclamations, Walt is rolling over in his grave, people are going to take their business elsewhere, then it's never as bad as it seems. Could this time be different? I guess. But speaking from experience, I don't think so. Only time will tell though!

 

[PaladinButters]

Don't forget:

Elimination of appetizers on the DDP
Having to make FP+ 60 days in advance
NOT being able to make FP+ 60 days in advance
Addition of MNSSHP and MVMCP
NOT having MNSSHP and MVMCP
CL guest getting to make additional FP+
Having to wear Magic Bands
Not getting Magic Bands anymore
Having to share your fingerprint
Facial recognition scanning to eliminate fingerprints
Having to share your fingerprint again

The list goes on and on. This is mostly tongue-in-cheek but the point is I totally agree with you. That has been the main point of what I've been trying to say today. There are always proclamations, Walt is rolling over in his grave, people are going to take their business elsewhere, then it's never as bad as it seems. Could this time be different? I guess. But speaking from experience, I don't think so. Only time will tell though!

You've both forgotten the obvious ones - every single ticket price increase and every retheme or removal to an attraction (except for Stitch, nobody likes Stitch).

 

[bsmcneil]

You've both forgotten the obvious ones - every single ticket price increase and every retheme or removal to an attraction (except for Stitch, nobody likes Stitch).

BOOOOOO. I enjoyed Stitch very much. Yes, I'm weird.

 

[iheartglaciers]

This is mostly my issue too. I don't hate the idea of Genie +. What I do hate is that they have taken away any incentive to stay on Disney property. I could sell my DVC and stay offsite at probably a nicer hotel for less than the price of my yearly MF, and not lose a single thing except the Disney busses. And I'm not even talking about DVC perks, just things that would be a reason to stay at an all-star vs off site.

I was most surprised at how quickly so many incentives to stay on Disney property got taken away. I guess they don't feel they need them, but only time will tell.

 

[nkereina]

Apparently 90% of the people don't like something about it.... some valid possibilities:
- increased vacation expense
- inability to plan in advance
- 7am wake up times on vacation
- etc...

I understand your point and those are valid concerns. But what if the residual benefit of each of these perceived "pain points" is that the timeslots are relatively easy to grab? What if you can essentially have your choice of time which allows you to ride multiple times at a time that's convenient for you? One of the things Disney keeps mentioning related to Genie+ is "flexibility". By nature, there will be less people using the system. That has to, in some way, equate to more opportunity to ride for those who have purchased it. If that ends up being the benefit, many people will be ok with the additional cost, inability to plan in advance would become a moot point, and people will get accustomed to having to wake up at 6:55 and then go back to sleep at 7:05, if need be. If that ends up being a benefit, then it is in fact too soon to complain about the above-mentioned issues. We simply don't know yet.

What I don't love is that it's the ONLY way to get a FP. There's a daily fee, and that doesn't even cover "premium" rides.

Fair point when comparing to FP+. But FWIW, Universal has been charging for express pass for years with no free fast pass option. People either live with the cost and chalk it up to part of a Universal vacation because its such a great system OR they go without it and still have a great time. Universal doesn't have an additional cost for premium rides, but the overall cost of express pass is significantly higher per person per day than what Disney is proposing with Genie+, and likely still will be higher than Disney even when the premium ride pricing comes out.

 

[MrWonderful]

Fair point when comparing to FP+. But FWIW, Universal has been charging for express pass for years with no free fast pass option. People either live with the cost and chalk it up to part of a Universal vacation because its such a great system OR they go without it and still have a great time. Universal doesn't have an additional cost for premium rides, but the overall cost of express pass is significantly higher per person per day than what Disney is proposing with Genie+, and likely still will be higher than Disney even when the premium ride pricing comes out.

all fair points. Although one thing you are forgetting is that UO Express Pass is INCLUDED with stays at their deluxe resorts... So far that is not the case at WDW.

 

[nkereina]

all fair points. Although one thing you are forgetting is that UO Express Pass is INCLUDED with stays at their deluxe resorts... So far that is not the case at WDW.

That is true, and that makes the deluxe resorts worth the cost at Universal. It seems Disney can fill their deluxe resorts as it is without this benefit, so they probably didn't see any financial incentive for them to include it. I agree that's disappointing for us as consumers, but from the business perspective, I get it.

 

[GatorChris]

Fair point when comparing to FP+. But FWIW, Universal has been charging for express pass for years with no free fast pass option. People either live with the cost and chalk it up to part of a Universal vacation because its such a great system OR they go without it and still have a great time. Universal doesn't have an additional cost for premium rides, but the overall cost of express pass is significantly higher per person per day than what Disney is proposing with Genie+, and likely still will be higher than Disney even when the premium ride pricing comes out.

The counter point is that Universal's ExPass is SOOOOOOO expensive per day, hardly anyone buys it. It's not $20/day. It's $120/day. So hardly anyone actually gets it. About the only people doing Express Pass are the ones from the Deluxe hotels.

But at Disney, the price point is just right that many people will get it, especially knowing that probably 80% of everyone coming will get it. So then it becomes a "must-get" because the Genie+ app will stretch those lines out for miles like old FP used to. If you don't have it, your Disney trip will be sub-standard. That's not the case at USO. I actually just cut my WDW trip in half yesterday and added Universal to our trip because of this. I know what I'll get at Universal. This Genie mess is exactly that...a mess.

 

[luv2cheer92]

Look at Disney's own video announcements:

Disney video 1: 9100 thumbs down, 861 thumbs up : a 91% disapproval rate
Disney video 2: 14000 thumbs down, 1400 thumbs up : a 91% disapproval rate
Disney video 3: 6300 thumbs down, 762 thumbs up : a 89% disapproval rate

as of 8/23/21 10:00am EST

Don't let facts interrupt your argument. All opinions welcome.

Its pretty well known that people are a whole lot more likely to voice their displeasure with something than their excitement. As someone who feels overall pretty positive, I have no intentions on going through and "liking" those videos.

 

[luv2cheer92]

The counter point is that Universal's ExPass is SOOOOOOO expensive per day, hardly anyone buys it. It's not $20/day. It's $120/day. So hardly anyone actually gets it. About the only people doing Express Pass are the ones from the Deluxe hotels.

But at Disney, the price point is just right that many people will get it, especially knowing that probably 80% of everyone coming will get it. So then it becomes a "must-get" because the Genie+ app will stretch those lines out for miles like old FP used to. If you don't have it, your Disney trip will be sub-standard. That's not the case at USO. I actually just cut my WDW trip in half yesterday and added Universal to our trip because of this. I know what I'll get at Universal. This Genie mess is exactly that...a mess.

And don't forget that $120 is on the low end for Universal. Upwards of $300 even up to $350/day for some days this summer.

 

[PaladinButters]

I was most surprised at how quickly so many incentives to stay on Disney property got taken away. I guess they don't feel they need them, but only time will tell.

They'll be back when the awesome combination of revenge travel and the 50th wears down. Free Genie+ instead of free dining promos next time anyone?

 

[fla4fun]

Specifically referring to the atmosphere as I was- have you been to Universal, Six Flags, Cedar Fair etc.? People who paid aren't running through the passing lanes shoving their passes in the standby lines faces yelling 'whooooo VIP for us, you poor suckers have to wait - YEAH'. So I really don't think people are going to stop letting someone squeeze into an elevator over it, or stop wishing little princesses a happy birthday like the poster was implying. And if someone really is so angry and disgusted that a stranger had $15 more vacation budget that day, that they no longer want that little princess to have a happy birthday - that sounds like a them problem, not a Disney problem.

I don’t think people need to wave and boast about their ability to buy their way to the front of the line for people to know about it and resent it. It’s been all over the news here, and I would guess there will be signs in the park by every queue saying pay and skip the line. Now, instead of that guest thinking “Man, look at them going to the head of the line! I am kicking myself for not planning ahead.” they will be angry with Disney for the whole pay to play system, as well as feeling resentful towards others if they can’t afford to give their kids a better experience.

In turn, this can cause a lot more negative thinking and behavior on the part of guests, and that can carry over into how guests view other up charges like BBB, and their attitudes towards other guests in general. I picture a lot of “Who do they think they are to ________” (insert squeeze into my elevator, or other similar behavior here). and then that disgruntled guest will find some way to feel superior to another guest lower on the ladder, and it goes downhill from there. I think entitlement attitude will escalate. I remember the first time I heard about a physical fight in MK over who was first in line, and thought surely that must be a one off thing. I am concerned it could become the norm as the differences between guest’s ability to experience WDW in full becomes wider.

I really hope I am wrong, and you will be free to give me an I told you so if I am, but I don’t see this being good for the overall guest experience. People are on edge lately for a lot of reasons, and I think this could provoke some really bad behavior in the parks, even if you ignore the part where I think it’s a just money grab. It all goes back to whether the guest perceives they are getting a fair deal, and I think a lot of them won’t.

 

[Dariansue]

We should address the disappointment we feel regarding Genie+ on any and all media they come up with. If they put out a video or anything advertising new things like rides or experiences, we disregard it and in the comments tell them how we really feel about all the different ways they are price gauging us. In other words, why would I care about Boo Bash if Disney is so blatantly showing their true colors. This time there is no sugar coating for this die hard fan. I’m not interested in participating in anything they have to offer until they address their blunder and will cancel my upcoming September 2021 trip and they can forget about their 50th celebration. It’s heartbreaking but necessary.

 

[PaladinButters]

I don’t think people need to wave and boast about their ability to buy their way to the front of the line for people to know about it and resent it. It’s been all over the news here, and I would guess there will be signs in the park by every queue saying pay and skip the line. Now, instead of that guest thinking “Man, look at them going to the head of the line! I am kicking myself for not planning ahead.” they will be angry with Disney for the whole pay to play system, as well as feeling resentful towards others if they can’t afford to give their kids a better experience.

Are those same guests already not angry that they aren't giving their kid a BBB makeover, breakfast with Mickey or a $20 balloon they asked for? All of these things are optional purchases that can enhance your kids park experience.