The Pro-Genie App discussion thread - speculate how the app could make your trip next trip great!

[tigger2002]

My only hope is that parades and non ride entertainment start making more of a comeback.

Hey they could start charging you extra for watching a parade. Maybe they could pass around a hat to collect money from people watching the parade. The Mad Hatter hat would be appropriate.

 

[tigger2002]

I think this is pretty much how it will be https://touringplans.com/blog/7-ways-your-wait-in-line-at-disney-world-are-about-to-change/

 

[luv2cheer92]

Ahhhh, yet another positive-based thread that people like to fill with negativity...

 

[fabfemmeboy]

Well, so far several things they've touted as being a "new alternative" have been...exactly what the old version was just with park reservations (looking at you, DL AP announcement!) A version tossed around earlier was essentially 3 FP to use at attractions, M&Gs, or parades/fireworks seating. Which, btw, you could use FP on before anyway. I like MaxPass except for the extra cost, because I'm a person who much prefers NOT to try to plan every minute of my vacation several months in advance. I can do it, I've done it before, but I would much rather pick up FPs for a ride when the mood strikes me and the window is reasonable. So if it were indeed something like MaxPass, I would be pretty happy with that option.

But given DLP's pay-per-ride nonsense (at one of the parks with the lowest attendance anyway! Are you TRYING to get fewer people to come to your already-empty parks?), and given the constant erosion of perks to staying on-site, I'm assuming that it will become a cash-grab. Paying a fee per ride is one thing at a park that's free or cheap to enter, but not when it costs close to $200 per person per day for single-day hoppers. I genuinely hope that, if it's announced as a ppr system or something similar, the outrage will cause at least a little backtracking the way they did with the VIP tour boarding group 'issue' a couple weeks ago.

 

[Marionnette]

I feel the virtual queue system could be a real win. If Flight of Passage is consistently two hours, scan the virtual line, go do something else for an hour then come back and only stand in a physical line for one hour. Multiply this all over the parks and add in that my family might rope drop one ride, pay for LP for a few, and overall I see a touring system that means less standing in line for most guests, even those who don’t want to pay for any LPs.

Of course from a planning standpoint it will take me some time to get used to, but I think there is a lot of potential here.

I keep reading this suggestion as an alternative to standing in line. So what does "something else" entail? Eating? Shopping? Bathroom breaks?

And then wash, rinse, repeat for the next VQ.

If I want to shop and eat, I'll go to the mall. They don't charge for admission and the selection of merchandise is more reasonably priced.

 

[ajiuo]

I’m already in love with the idea that this new system will make Disney trips cost 50-100% more to have at least as good of an experience that you could in 2019. Pricing people out is the best way to make Disney more enjoyable for thoes who can afford it. Bob Chapek really is cracking up to be the best CEO in Disney history. I hope they rename the park Bob Chapek World before this is all over… I would just love that.

 

[ajiuo]

Ahhhh, yet another positive-based thread that people like to fill with negativity...

Unfortunately it’s hard to put much of a positive spin on any of this.

 

[PaladinButters]

APs already gets a lot of benefits and in no way should get more FP perks than everyone else.

Shouldn't there be some sort of perk for them?

APs already have the perk of pass holder preview exclusive access to the newest/coolest rides/lands (and a million opportunities to ride them again, but that’s besides the point). Call that the perk.

 

[luv2cheer92]

Unfortunately it’s hard to put much of a positive spin on any of this.

Maybe for some. For me, I will wait until we actually have real info on what all it will offer.

 

[Turksmom]

APs already have the perk of pass holder preview exclusive access to the newest/coolest rides/lands (and a million opportunities to ride them again, but that’s besides the point). Call that the perk.

If they get the email and respond quickly enough and live locally

 

[ajiuo]

Maybe for some. For me, I will wait until we actually have real info on what all it will offer.

I think Bob Cheapek’s comment about massive commercial opportunity was pretty revealing… but that’s just me. Hopeful it won’t be as bad as it sounds. Doesn’t seem great at this point though.

 

[Marionnette]

I think Bob Cheapek’s comment about massive commercial opportunity was pretty revealing… but that’s just me. Hopeful it won’t be as bad as it sounds. Doesn’t seem great at this point though.

It's not just you. I swear that if he could find a way to charge for the air you breathe at Disney, he would do it.

 

[Liquidice]

APs already have the perk of pass holder preview exclusive access to the newest/coolest rides/lands (and a million opportunities to ride them again, but that’s besides the point). Call that the perk.

Passholder preview access is not an everyday thing though, it only happens occasionally when the ride first opens. It isn't like you can request exclusive AP access at any time.

We'll see what Disney does - but I'd be surprised if Disney gives out free FP's for Resort guests and gives nothing to their AP's.

If you look at Len's post on Touring Plans it sounds like there won't be any "free" FP's given - and there will be 2 paid tiers, one lower priced option just to be allowed to use the standby line when it is full and one expensive option to use the Fastpass line so you can ride right away. I hope that isn't what happens because that doesn't sound like a great experience.

 

[cjlong88]

I think the app will be as good as the user. Many of us on the boards were able to utilize the FP+ system in a way that worked to our benefit, and that required a large sum of guests to be uninformed at the same time. We always got the FP’s we want booked in advance no problem and were able to grab additional ones all day (great ones too, not just people eaters).

With the new Genie app, I suspect people will attempt to find ways to maximize their experience just like they did with the old system. Some of us will be able to use Genie to help us have a better experience and others won’t. And some people will rave about Genie and others won’t.

I’m not optimistic or pessimistic about it, but I’m definitely curious as to how I can use it to maximize our park time at the most reasonable cost for us. We really won’t know what it’s offering until it’s made public.

 

[_19disnA]

So does anyone really know what this new app will actually do? All I see so far are a lot of speculation and a few people quoting statements made in some other blog that is clearly not official word from Disney.

 

[Alison S]

They will have to include some of these features free with staying on property. My first thought is that I'll stay off property for 75% less than staying on property, then use some of the savings to purchase these passes. That can't be what Disney wants.

 

[::danielle::]

What is my intention? I’m just going to refer you to the post that you quoted, as the answer to your question lies within that post.

It’s true that the change has the potential to take the magic out of the WDW experience, especially for us long-timers. It also has the potential to improve it in other ways.

What’s one feature the app could have that would make your trip experience better?

For example, would you like the app to send you a notification that the White Rabbit was going to make an appearance near you in the next 5 minutes? Or maybe as you walk past Pirates you get a notification that says “Immediate complimentary FP available for your party for POC, would you like to claim them?”

I’m asking this with the assumption that we can opt-out of these types of notifications or can navigate the parks without the app.

What feature would actually create magic for you?

 

[crazymomof4]

Family of four at $10 each would be $40 per two minute ride (e.g. SDD). It just sounds ridiculous after paying literally thousands of dollars for hotel and tickets.

I remember one summer we vacationed on the Jersey shore with our 2 little (then) boys. We had to buy tickets for each individual ride on the boardwalk. We bought the paper tickets in bulk but I figured the per ticket cost and then said to my husband, "This is ridiculous! We are paying $2 each (so $4) for those kids to ride around in a circle for about a minute!! By the end of the week, it's going to make a day in MK seem like a value! You pay ONE admission and have unlimited access to quality attractions!"

If this new FP system amounts to: if-you-don't-want-to-wait-2 hrs-for-every-ride-that-you-*want*-to-do, then-you-have-to-pay-a-per-ride-upcharge..... guests will be griping, just like I did way back when on the Wildwood Boardwalk.

 

[cakebaker]

Sarcastic remarks from myself withstanding, of course i’m hoping for the best here. And for the record, I think some people mistake the negativity I convey as if I (or others) are here to only bash Disney. That isn’t the case at all. I care very much for Disney. I love what they have offered us for over 30+ years and have happily gave them our money for unforgettable experiences. I’m attached to the magic, the nostalgia and everything in between. Have been for a long time. I’ve adjusted many times to their decision making and changes, and mostly have done so happily. But like watching a family member making bad choices, it is that level of care that prompts me to take the approach where I express my concerns in a negative way (call it Disney bashing or whatever anyone wants) on a public forum like this. I mean we could write pages and pages about what we love regarding Disney right? But I’m here to learn and consume info regarding changes and how it impacts for future trips, primarily. And in that light, I’m worried that Disney’s potential new cost cutting culture is taking shape and running rampant. I’m worried that the guest experience is not front and center as it used to be. I’m worried that they are getting into the habit of giving us less while we spend more. I’m worried that new cast members will never know the old Disney and the standard that many are used to in terms of hospitality from them. I don’t know where the line gets drawn (meaning when does it become too much and I stop going) but my deep care and love for Disney and our history with it is what drives me to speak out on a public forum in this way, in hopes that other people feel the same way and collectively speak out as well, and that ultimately at the end of the road it all provides useful feedback for Disney to logistically draw from (whether that last part actually comes to fruition or not is probably unlikely I guess, but still).

Of course I’m hoping for the best with a Disney offering (and I’m assuming others are too that mirror my take on this) and want the best for my future trips. And of course if we decide to continue going, then we will adjust again just like we always have. I hope I’m wrong here regarding my assumptions with the current facts and rumors that are out. I said I would take the negative perspective out of this thread and I will, but wanted to make that very clear first and foremost. This is a public forum to discuss Disney. Some people want it to be purely positive talk. Some people want to express their opinions. There is room for both in my eyes.

When someone asks why do you stick around a Disney forum when you "complain" all the time, I'm going to use this as a response. Thank you for saying it better than I could have. Bottomline, those who "complain" about Disney the most are often the very ones who love it the most as well.

 

[snowwhite84]

I keep reading this suggestion as an alternative to standing in line. So what does "something else" entail? Eating? Shopping? Bathroom breaks?

And then wash, rinse, repeat for the next VQ.

If I want to shop and eat, I'll go to the mall. They don't charge for admission and the selection of merchandise is more reasonably priced.

Well, of course you could ride a ride that’s not standby. Or see a show, watch a parade, meet characters, get autographs, fill an Epcot passport, take photos, get a snack/drink/meal, play an interactive game, go to a lounge, trade pins, explore the castles, etc. Or yes, use a bathroom. I’d rather do any of that than wait in a two hour line.

ETA: of course in this scenario I’m assuming some return to normalcy.