Disney World's Genie+ pricing this week suggests new peak period price level is double that seen in 2021

Nov 22, 2022 in "Disney Genie"

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Walt Disney World's Genie+ priced at $29

Posted: Tuesday November 22, 2022 8:54am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney began Walt Disney World's busy Thanksgiving week yesterday by introducing a hefty price hike to its Genie+ ride reservation system, which continues today.

Genie+ has seen new record price levels this week of more than $30 with tax

Disney World's Genie+ remains at $29 per person today, or just over $30 with tax. This is an increase of $14 compared to the same period in 2021, or a 93% price increase.

Those guests paying the new record-high price for Genie+ should not expect to get anything extra for the price increase. Most guests can only obtain 2 to 3 Lightning Lane entrances with their $29 Genie+ purchase, the same that was possible a year ago with the $15 Genie+ purchase.

Making matters worse is that Disney has also increased the price of Individual Lightning Lane purchases for those attractions which are not included with Genie+. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is now priced at $25 per person, up from a previous high of $22.

Lightning Lane access to Star Wars Rise of the Resistance is priced at an eye-watering $100 for a family of four this week

These latest price increases to Genie+ drastically raise the cost of a day at Walt Disney World's theme parks. For example, in addition to their standard admission ticket, a family of four visiting Disney's Hollywood Studios for a day this week may be paying $116 for Genie+ and $100 to ride Rise of the Resistance. Including tax, that s $229 of Lightning Lane cost (formerly FastPass) that was included at no charge with every theme park ticket just a few years ago.

Walt Disney World's Genie+ priced at $29

The high daily cost imposed on guests by Genie+ is very much in keeping with current strategies developed by the now-departed Bob Chapek. Instead of expanding the parks to increase capacity and revenue, the current system revolves around driving higher spending from consistent guest numbers visiting the parks, all controlled via park reservations.

Frequently praised by ex-CEO Bob Chapek and current Park's boss Josh D'Amaro, it will be interesting to see if the deeply unpopular Genie+ experience sees any changes with the return of CEO Bob Iger.

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bwr8271 hour ago

When you used to enjoy WDW, did you find paying for tickets magical?

Epcot81Fan3 hours ago

Just curious, did they find paying extra for a convoluted line skipping service and then individual charges for rides per person on top of daily tickets “magical”?

MickeyLuv'r3 hours ago

It isn't just purely knowing how to use FP+/G+/MPLL, but also knowing or being willing/able to use the peripheral park hours, and maybe making a few sacrifices. It also isn't just us learning the latest system, but also how Disney tweaks each system over time. Early FP+ and early G+ both lacked the ability to modify. When FP+ first started, the only way to modify a pass was to stand in line- 20minutes- for an in-park kiosk. And that was to get an 8pm FP for the Teacups. People lost more park time in the line to get the FP than they saved by using it.

MickeyLuv'r4 hours ago

This is what I want to know, and this thread doesn't have many first hand accounts. An aspect of G+ that was frustrating was the way times would jump around when choosing a pass time. You had to know to ignore the times offered until you got to the last screen just before confirming the time. I wonder if the new version has a similar issue? In this case, it sounds like the times offered on the tip board do not match what is actually available to book. People reported seeing say a 10am Buzz on the tip board, but they could not book it. Then when they refresh/go back to the tip board, it still says 10am Buzz is available. Might be a temporary glitch, or just something we need to learn about the new system.

MickeyLuv'r4 hours ago

Mostly I agree, but that depends what = a use. I could always get a pass for Philarmagic, but it was 100% useless. So sure, I could always 'use' a Philarmagic pass. Remember back in the days of paper FP, if you pulled a pass for Pooh, you also got a 'bonus' pass for Philarmagic. That wasn't actually a FASTpass, it was an ad- to steer people into Philarmagic so there were fewer vacancies. That's still true today. WDW should add Hall of Presidents to the lineup of available passes!

Ayla4 hours ago

Thank you, that is what I thought.

Ayla4 hours ago

Yes, that is how I understood it, but the wording was throwing me off.

GoofGoof4 hours ago

Once per day. If you purchase LLMP on a different day for the same park you can reserve the same ride or rides again.

Saskdw4 hours ago

It can only be used once per day on each ride.

Ayla5 hours ago

Thank you for the reminder. He won't be a problem, anymore. :)

bwr8275 hours ago

It’s gotta be once per day, just like Genie+.

MickeyLuv'r5 hours ago

To some extent, WDW is always seeking ways to charge higher prices for further rationing of their product. To some extent, every new version of FP succeeds, at least for a time, because people buy it to try it out, or they fear missing out (favorite rides) This new version benefits WDW too because it is non-refundable. In the past, we might not have bought G+ if the weather looked iffy or we didn't feel up for a busy park day. And many of us would not have bought ILL's if we got a VQ. Now VQ's are in opposite land. If you don't buy the SPLL, then you are at the mercy of luck in getting a VQ. That a reversal of sorts.

Ayla5 hours ago

I want to clarify the bolded ~ with this new system, you are only allowed to bypass an attraction once for the entirety of your ticket?? That can't possibly be correct.

bwr8275 hours ago

And when I talk to people who’ve returned, they are using “magic”. Anecdote vs anecdote. But, fewer people can afford the trip. And the extra costs for things like LL.