Goodbye Genie+: The New Lightning Lane Multi-Pass Isn't What We Hoped For

Disney announced earlier this week that Genie+ would be replaced with a brand new service known as Lightning Lane Multi-Pass, and whilst people are rejoicing that Genie+ is gone, we want to explore whether this is a positive change for guests or simply a rebrand of a service that nobody wants.
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[@TheNinjaDC]

Disney: "We replaced Genie + with a new system. " Guests: "And you made it better and easier to use right?" Disney: 😏 Guests: "You made it better and easier to use, right!" 😦

[@dayoldbread1696]

I wouldn’t be surprised if iger will start charging guests a monthly fee to use the Disney parks app 😂

[@mr.pencilsharpener8004]

Even as a US guest that usually stays on property, I haaaaaaate pre-booking rides. It takes away so much spontaneity from the day. It basically guarantees that all the big rides will be gone before you even get to the park. Never mind the inequality it gives for international, offsite, or shorter stay guests. Genie+ wasn’t good, but I thought it was an improvement over FP+ for that reason. This is just the downsides of both systems combined into one. As an industrial engineer, I’m aware that so much pre-booking is a nightmare for people distribution. Also, obligatory comment for checking out Defunctland’s Fastpass video.

[@MattMcIrvin]

At least it's not 60 days. But you're right; for very popular rides, the capability of pre-booking pretty much ends up implying the *necessity* of pre-booking. Defunctland's Fastpass video is a masterpiece. My favorite is the Square!

[@legacysquid0625]

I don’t really agree with you. You can’t be spontaneous with genie plus either because the most popular rides will all be used up or have super late return times if you don’t book them right at 7 am. You already are pretty much pre booking, just a couple of hours before you enter the park. Pre booking days before is a lot better as you aren’t panicking the day of to get the rides you want, such as on the bus to the way to the park or in line for early entry.

[@livingandlearningeachnewday]

As an international guest, I always loved Fastpass+. I could book my rides in advance and then not worry about it. When I got to the park there was no being on my phone all day trying to book things, waking up at 7.00 am hoping to book a ride, instead I could just go on my rides and enjoy the day. Plus, the queues never seemed so long in either lanes back then.

[@SpaceShot]

It's so interesting to me why the original FastPass in Anaheim worked well for what it was. It wasn't trying to do more than add 2-3 rides to your day without interfering with the Standby queue. The paper system (perhaps unintentionally, but not sure) forced you to make a physical investment in going to the ride to get a FastPass. They did have the system tuned pretty well so that standby riders barely noticed a difference. Now, over the years, marketing and customer service folks started noticing that they could get a lot of mileage out of it. Give an upset guest a FastPass. Give hotel guests more FastPasses. The early days of its transplant to WDW was FastPass+, and I get why travelers to WDW might need more of a scheduled experience. But eventually the suits all noticed that FastPass was a valuable commodity and the pandemic let even Anaheim finally pull it as a guest-focused feature and make it into a revenue line item. Now Standby lines that used to be 20 minutes (given its length) are 60 minutes and everyone's days are turned into working your phone all the time. PhotoPass was always a nice inclusion at Disneyland. It was nice to be able to visit and get a ton of great photos, including ride photos. Sometimes the people working in Anaheim, who often grew up with the resort, still have a soft spot for its history.

[@moomie1634]

One of the biggest problems with the push to all digital was the fact that the Disney app straight up does not work on some phones, especially older ones. I remember being in Disneyland with a party of 5 and I was the only one that could reserve lanes and order food just because the app didn't work on other's phones. If Disney really wants to make the Disney app and experience tied to it work, they NEED to fix the app.

[@peanutismint]

Not to mention Disney and theme parks in general are one place where a lot of people want to actually DISCONNECT from their digital devices, whereas Genie/Lightning Lane basically requires guests to be on their apps constantly throughout their visit.

[@ArtBellJr]

And with 50 to 80 thousand people using the same cell phone towers I noticed my internet sucked at Disneyland.

[@EspenSGX]

It can't be worse than the Disneyland Paris app, which constantly sends you out of the app and when you come back you're logged out and you can only wonder if any Premier Access purchases have actually gone through. To name just one thing. What's funny about this app, DLP last week got an award for it! 😂😢

[@peanutismint]

The #1 thing a FastPass virtual queue system needs to be is SIMPLE. If i, a bona fide Disney theme park nerd freak, can’t even understand all these different tiers/levels, then how on earth are normie non-enthusiast guests supposed to figure it out?? They need to just have one name, one basic idea (timed entry to an attraction) and one price (ideally FREE).

[@samsaek666]

What the hell are they doing? It should be a virtual queue for free like the OG fast pass. That’s it. If they want to offer a la carte lightning lane they should but anything beyond that is overkill

[@nerdymmermaid]

1st they make it INCREDIBLY harder for people with disabilities to enjoy the park, saying they can pay for extras if they don't qualify. But now they are making those extras worse for Everybody!

[@MaxRebo731]

Since Disney wants “All the money” they might as well just go with a system like Universal’s Express pass and price it similarly. Make it a “freebie” for guests staying at very specific hotels (and price those hotels accordingly). I have seen over and over how many people comment that they hate having to look at their phones constantly to use fastpasses. Having an Express Pass system simplifies the process and minimizes them having to hold up the standby lines for the luxury lane. Also, Lightning Lane is a ripoff at every park but Magic Kingdom. The vast majority of tier 2 rides are usually walkons and selling their guests nearly useless fastpasses is crooked and anti-consumer.

[@Taydar]

So you would rather have the overly expensive useless Universal version rather than variety. Doesn't make sense.

[@himynameiscorey]

@@Taydarthe “overly expensive” is a far better model, because when you don’t have 90% of the park goers buying their express/lightning/fastpass/luxury lane, whatever you want to call it, it means the lane is actually faster and not clogged up with everybody in the park, making it a better deal in the long run. If everybody has front of line, no one wins.

[@notlegitkoolaid4911]

I’m good, bring back back old fastpass that was free for everyone. Universals express sucks too

[@Taydar]

@himynameiscorey I've experienced it. That doesn't happen. People only thinks that it happens.

[@blumoon131]

I'm not surprised they wouldn't replace Genie+ with a smoother, more customer-friendly experience. Not even surprised that they didn't try to make it cohesive for everyone to use.

[@ThisIsDownstate]

international guests should go to Tokyo resort instead. Its cheaper, you can holiday in Japan, its probably the nicest of all the parks i've been to, the whole phone, booking thing is no way as intense as this and not a rip off. couple with that how low the yen is right now and i'd say you're pretty crazy to visit WDW at its current price point. Seems like they're just sucking money out of you for everything possible and removing a lot of perks while they are at it. Its become just total corporate greed imo, none of the changes they make now are with guests experience in mind. Its just about money. The whole headache of pre booking and pre mapping out your entire trip is also horrible. Nothing spontaneous, its like going around to a bunch of appointments and keeping track of time all day ugh. Thank god i went 2 decades ago when it was still awesome !

[@MrNgMichael]

Yep... Food and merch prices are also reasonable compared to the US Disney parks too... And Disney the company is getting jealous of the success that their licensed park is having

[@MrNgMichael]

Yep... Food and merch prices are also reasonable compared to the US Disney parks too... And Disney the company is getting jealous of the success that their licensed park is having

[@himynameiscorey]

Hard disagree, the phone booking system is just as intense and stressful, if not more, in Tokyo Disney than anywhere else.

[@ThisIsDownstate]

@@himynameiscorey for fantasy springs right now I would definitely agree ! But otherwise it's pretty straight forward. You don't have to pick rides a week before and all that stuff. Entering and getting a standby pass for a busy attraction is about all you need to do. But for sure, if you're interested in booking restaurants and all that stuff it is a pain in the ass now since COVID. I miss the simpler times of paper maps and fast pass tbh, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. But that doesn't make them money from DPA and all that stuff ugh

[@hairyson94]

​@ThisIsDownstate totally agreed. We stupidly didnt do our research beforehand but we still figured out how the system worked really quickly once we got in the park, and didnt miss a single ride we wanted to go on! I imagine booking food is still a bit stressful though given how busy the two Tokyo parks are

[@smileycindy]

Great video 😁 We are international travelers going to WDW this fall, and my friend forwarded the link to the news of the update earlier this week as this will affect our trip. I basically had the same reaction you had: I was thrilled that Genie+ was going away, then utterly disappointed to see that they're just rebranding the same paying system with not many additional perks to the guests. I still miss Fast Pass. It was working well, it was easy to navigate and it added real value to the guests. As of right now, it's too votes against one for not paying extra for the Lightning Lanes service during our trip. My sister and I feel this is just wasted money.

[@RankingTheMouse]

Between one ride max per day, no pre-purchases for international guests, different rules on each coast, & the....clunky at best rollout from Diz, this seems like a lateral move at best, even if it's a net positive in 6months time. The system needs an entire revamp, top to bottom. Great coverage Dom

[@samuelwitwicky3900]

Iger: Congratulations, you have been liberated! Disney fans: Does that mean you are giving us the fast pass system again? Iger: Well yes, but actually no. You can instead now purchase more lightning lane passes. Disney fans: *surprised Pikachu faces*

[@blmn564]

Dead meme speedrun

[@HypnoWhale]

I'm from New Zealand and going to Disney World has been a dream since I was a kid. I now have the time and money to finally go, but I'm very hesitant. It just seems like it isn't worth the potential stress and I'd likely not enjoy myself as much as I should. All the logistics has made it lose the magic for me.

[@saturdaymorningfan3123]

Go to disney and disneyseas in japan. One of the best disney parks in the world. Also universal is a good choice also and you don't have to be on your phone all the time to ride the rides.

[@danielhopeuk]

I’d definitely just go to Disneyland & Disneysea in Japan. Florida does not feel like Disney anymore. It was very sad when we made the trip across to the states & probably won’t go back for a long time now

[@BobbyWombat1234]

Can you get around this international block, by using a VPN? If you can use a VPN to get US only TV/Movie content, can you use a VPN to get around the Disney international guest block?

[@yotaiji012]

So f’n complicated. It’s ridiculous

[@chris666rocks]

They exclude international guests because we clog the system up, it happened under the old systems too, so this is their fix for now. As you say international guests book long trips, often blocking out two weeks. You can buy a multi pass 7 days before your first day of arrival at the resort and then you can buy them for every day of your trip that you have ticketed days for, so an international guest with a 14 day trip is booking multi passes up to 21 days in advance. This means USA guests try to buy them for their 4 day trip and all the major attractions are unavailable before they have even been able to attempt to buy a pass, so they won't purchase the multi pass. They want to keep the domestic customers happy because that is their majority customer and the one most likely to return soon.

[@DonutCrazyYT]

Can you make a video on why a family that has only every been to Disneyland should visit Disney World, and vice versa? Focus on how the experiences that are different/better/worse. (Assume the family has to drive/fly in both cases).

[@ReviewTyme]

Great suggestion! I’ll add it to the list :)

[@Becinneverland]

I'm not even an International visitor to DL and WDW and I'm so disgusted and angry. That's just like...so stupid? And so rude? And for why?

[@brodytamanini2713]

Cry about it

[@himynameiscorey]

@@brodytamanini2713log off the internet no one wants you here

[@ZontarDow]

General rule of thumb: if a change to a resort makes a guest's visit more complicated and stress inducing, it's a bad change.

[@district12-]

Should have been rule of wrist.. BDS☘️

[@ThemeParkAngel]

I expect this change will increase the price of the service. They would say they are offering more by giving you access 3 days prior but we all know this is a money move.

[@itsHeatherKay]

Universal is rolling out a new park. Disney’s response? Let’s make things as confusing as possible, so our guests will have the best time… at Universal.

[@jakekuhl1]

You presented this almost exactly like the e-learnings they send out to us for training on products like this... Except you probably did it better lol....I should be on the clock!

[@kalzium8857]

The problem is capacity. Any system will only manage who waits and who gets on the ride. The only way to fix this is building more rides and adding more capacity, but Disney sees this as a money making oppurtunity.

[@himynameiscorey]

International booking ban? What is this, Shanghai Disney?

[@weston407]

That was like trying to buy a concert ticket in Japan - absolutely impossible 😔

[@ThousanWhite]

I'm convinced that as long as people are having to pay for it, they will come up with any arbitrary reason to dislike this. To me, this kinda solves one aspect of what some people didn't like about Genie+; however, I can also see this creating some other challenges down the line that could negatively affect the experience. Even though I can see this being a pretty good update overall, I can also clearly already tell people are still going to find something new to complain about...and it'll probably have to be changed again to another system in 3-4 years...

[@davidblackburn2567]

Thanks for sharing this good news. Hopefully Disney has learned their lesson! There may be some hiccups but hope this doen’t become the lightening rod that was Genie. BUT, the international booking ban is asinine. All in all - agreed - bring back the old system.I really love the pieces you do - thank you for sharing lesser known international destinations as well as smaller, lesser known parks. Keep up the great work!

[@jamesssydney]

As a fellow Aussie can we use a VPN to get around this booking process?

[@lars7282]

I would just go into a park. Just chilling, no apps or phones and uncharged stuff.

[@jakekuhl1]

P.s. can you bypass the geolock with a VPN to book your pre arrival lightning lane?

[@ChuckE.CheesesIllinois]

I'm pretty sure ride photos were always free at DL, as i got my Splash Mountain photos when i went. However, professional photographer photos you had to pay for

[@TheChip5303]

Thank you for an informative video. I was trying to read the differences and not understanding.

[@ReviewTyme]

Glad it was helpful!

[@frankcarty]

It's absolutely not a positive change for anyone travelling to Disney World from over seas, as you can't book a lightning lane until you are on US soil.

[@dw1419]

VPN?

[@frankcarty]

@@dw1419 a VPN won't work, as the my Disney experience app has access to your phone's GPS data. However, I believe installing a mock GPS app will work

[@user-oo7dw4qw4b]

They should've just went with a system similar OLC's DPA and Standby Pass at the Tokyo Disney Resort. They can divide slots throughout the day so that not all the slots aren't hogged by the people rope dropping.

[@michaelc_1955]

Disney doesn’t listen to the guests, the Disney execs just like the sound of their own voices

[@Elmerstudd007]

A potential work around with the international booking of Multipass LL is maybe try booking through a VPN and making it appear as if you're purchasing within the US, but that also might mess up your tickets if you're purchasing the extended tickets for international guests. I would honestly try speaking to a 3rd party booking agency to see if they have a few work arounds that arent available to the public. The disney company has always been greedy and devious but lately its disgusting how blatantly money hungry they've been, and I'm hoping that the numbers reflect how bad an idea this truly is. In an ideal world they would return to paper fast passes or fast pass+ but unfortunately i thing those glory days are far behind us.

[@kaitscott5768]

How do you find the deals for international people?? I'm in NZ and will be going in October

[@AngelunaLovegood]

Omg fr I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go back to WDW from Sydney. Last time I went was right before all this new genie and LL stuff got introduced. I couldn’t even start to wrap my brain around it all, let alone justify the price for all that extra work. Guess I won’t be going home again 🥲

[@NewEnglandModz]

Why don’t they just do what every other park on earth does and just charge a high (but flat) fee for a fast pass that allows you to go on the faster lines for the whole day? They made it so complicated when the solution is so simple.

[@MKLettis]

I don't know what's more confusing the actual Multipass system or what's included in Disney World and not in Disneyland. Also, it's just heartbreaking knowing how international guests are being screwed over by this.

[@wanaan]

How are the system for Tokyo Disney parks?

[@ThisIsDownstate]

at 6:34 what is this screenshot of ? it says 1100 usd for a 3 day ticket ? that's for multiple guests right ?

[@ryan-uk6jf]

right? please? oh Jesus fucking Christ if it’s $1100 for one person ima lose it

[@ThisIsDownstate]

@@ryan-uk6jf I know right. It must be for 3 I think. I bloody hope so

[@ItsameBS]

Note: Your Dining Reservation trumps any LL, ILL, or VQ booked. Meaning as long as you have a dining reservation during the return time your LL, ILL, and VQ will not expire and be valid when used later in the day.

[@himynameiscorey]

Also your VQ will last all day long regardless if you have a dining reservation or not. I had a Guardians VQ starting around 9 am, didn’t enter the park til at least 2 pm, and got on with my VQ without any issues. No one should make you have to enter the park early and not catch up on some sleep if you don’t want to. It’s vacation, not a job.

[@ItsameBS]

@@himynameiscorey not for Tron

[@Wingcake1]

I saw plenty of aussies in the disney resort in japan i say just keep going the american parks aint worth it atm and i grew up going to disneyland, plus i was surprised the japanese staff was excited to see my anaheim pics i told them american disney fans think tokyo is the best but they still want to visit the original.

[@Anthony.386]

without using it. How are you able to ride the rides that you wanted to

[@mariahsart]

Me: Yay! Maybe I dont have to be on my phone all day and as the main trip planner actually enjoy my time too! Disney: Nope! 😂

[@jasonyau326]

Just like how they replaces Fast pass+ with Genie+, Lightning Lane Multipass will eventually be replaced with something else due to the backlash the last incarnation will surely receive, if it has not already 🤨🙄🤔As Disney is still trying to find the sweet spot for this thing!

[@weston407]

yeah, he knows it's a multipass

[@craigcavaliere6744]

They've abandoned Australians? They've abandoned the working class.

[@ark7204]

Great... more good news 😢

[@notlegitkoolaid4911]

I just want old fast pass back. Lightning lane sucks

[@BCrouts06]

Why not just rename it Lightning Lane and Lightning Lane+? The latter being certain attractions are extra charge and the former is complementary with theme park admission and u make selections digitally with the one lightning lane per attraction per day? Oh wait, I forgot they’re greedy.

[@Banjo_Tails]

# Bring back the beard!

[@rebeccakravitz7711]

The international thing most likely is for legal reasons, not because Disney are total dumbasses. (Though they also are)

[@cornjobb]

bye bye genie! don't be a stranger! they are micromanaging so many potential visitors right out of the parks. why can't someone at disney with a little sense of humor introduce park visitors to the "multi-pass"?

[@Donyourmom]

“Alienating” is a better term for this whole mess.

[@NRRenggli]

I hate 🤬 all of these money making scheduling schemes! They all run afoul of every fiber of my egalitarian being!! I want them all to go to where you get sent on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride!!! I love Disney but I will NEVER classify it as a ‘Premium’ product!!!! (Can you tell what park I grew up going to?) 😅

[@juniorcasemiro]

I’m from Brazil and I’ve been to WDW in 2013 and it was the most magical time ever. I rode everything I wanted and used the free FastPass only twice (Toy Story Mania and the Safari). Now I’m going back in October and I feel like everything has changed. This new paid service is absurdly expensive to me, I cannot afford that… I’m afraid I won’t be able to ride the new “premium” rides (Tron, Guardians…) without it. It’s such a shame that Disney is trying to create FOMO within the guests and are separating who has the money to actually enjoy the parks and who doesn’t.

[@chamberlain8242]

It seems if you’re a domestic guest who stays on property you get the best value. Outside guest are kinda fucked…..

[@rebeccakravitz7711]

Yes that’s purposeful, if you are paying the Disney up charge you get special perks, that’s literally how it always works

[@katherinealvarez9216]

🤦‍♀️

[@AJ-wg7fj]

I found the whole international-unfairness monologue whiny and dramatic. The vocal delivery was too harsh. Beyond that, the video was generally fine.

[@thejokerking9268]

Omg please grow your mustache back. You look like Gru.

[@alvaroramirez7260]

Yes please, stop going to Disney and go somewhere else. Lol

[@FaeDruid]

Dude, the background music please turn it off

[@ReviewTyme]

But smooth jazz is what we’re known for!

[@prudencepineapple9448]

@@ReviewTyme Ditto and Kudos to you and Luke!

[@egel7736]

What a rude way of leaving feedback

[@synsol1008]

U would probably get 10 times more views if u covered last nights debate

[@himynameiscorey]

Wtf log offline