In late August, I exclusively reported on Disney World executives’ plans for the future of Genie+. Today, we found out that two of the four items I discussed have now come to pass. Here’s the original reporting:
While Disney fans may be annoyed by these new increased costs, most are probably unaware that Disney’s plan is to ease them into even more paid services on Genie+. Just as I reported about the new passes coming for the past months, I also talked about additional add-ons that Disney isn’t discussing yet. This is the frog in the boiling pot concept. If Disney released all their coming plans for Genie+ monetization, fans would be up in arms. But by announcing just a few freebies are costing money, they’ll more easily be able to introduce new fees down the road.
So what are some of those other fees we expect to roll out with Genie+ over the next year or so?
1. Paid Meet ‘n Greet Line Skips
2. Premiere Viewing Areas of Nighttime Shows
3. Attraction Bundle Loot Chests (i.e. Lightning Lanes for a bundle of attractions)
4. Select Restaurant Line Skips
— WDW Pro,
Lightning Lane Is Just the Beginning for Disney’s Genie+ Monetization
Up until today, we already had seen Disney implement Genie+ for attraction line skips (Lighting Lane), as well as recent premiere viewing locations they started with the holiday season. Now, Disney is going for the paid Meet ‘n Greet line skips, which I think is particularly egregious. The reason I feel it is so bad is that during the busier times of the year, this is going to extend Meet ‘n Greet times for families whose small children just want to meet a princess, Mickey Mouse, or another hero. Whereas families can still see the parade if they don’t buy Genie+, this change has the potential to extend wait times such that poorer families simply run out of time and can’t let their child see a favorite character.
From WDW Magic:
The Magic Kingdom, locations reopened in late October 2021 after remaining closed since the parks returned in 2020. Currently the meet and greets are standby only, but will now move to offering Lightning Lane access with Genie+ and a standby line.
If you watch the video above, you can probably see why I’m against monetizing Meet ‘n Greets beyond just requiring you enter with a valid ticket into the theme park. I don’t like this new system that not only lets wealthier guests enjoy more perks (which has always been the case), BUT ALSO damages the experience of guests who either can’t or won’t spend on Genie+. I don’t like people with less money receiving less for more while people with more money to spend walk by them. It’s a regressive way of awarding value.
I suppose Attraction Bundle Loot Chests and Restaurant Skips are on the way. They’ll hold them until the late spring or early summer probably… after all, slow and steady is how you boil the frog.
Let me know what you think and share your experience with Genie+ in the comments below.
