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Genie dropped today! How low will it go?
Genie+
Whether you are an occasional Disney traveler or a diehard Disney Parks fan, you have probably heard by now that the paid Genie+ service has replaced the popular FREE FastPass+ system.
This is paid service that allows Guests to reserve a Lightning Lane for many attractions around the parks. For a full guide to purchasing Genie+ head over here.
Variable Pricing
This fall we saw an incredible list of recent price increases, and one of the most unwelcome was when Genie+ moved from fixed to variable price each day. Since its launch in 2021, Disney World’s Genie+ cost $15, and Disneyland’s version cost $20 per person (plus any applicable tax). However, guests have since seen pricing anywhere from $15-$22 at Disney World and $25 at Disneyland with this new pricing.
With date-based theme park ticket pricing and Disney’s announcement that Guests could no longer purchase Genie+ in advance, variable pricing came as little surprise. Disney saw a way to increase revenue during peak crowd levels on this service and capitalized on it.
Over the Thanksgiving holiday, we saw Disney Genie+ prices rise to a whopping $29. After the crowds thinned out, the price for Disney Genie+ decreased as well.
Prices are Dropping
While prices soared once again during Disney’s peak season for the days leading up to and following Christmas, we are now seeing a drop. This drop occurred despite the fact that Disney is pretty crowded for runDisney Marathon weekend.
Today, Genie+ pricing is $17 per person. This is the lowest it has been since December 16 and very close to the original price of $15.
Genie+ dropped to $17 today.
Even at $17, it is still a hefty expense, especially for larger parties. However, it is nice to see it decline despite it being a relatively busy weekend.
It is likely we will see another spike for the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr Weekend. The big question is whether there will ever come a point when Genie drops below that $15 price point.
Would you buy Genie+ at $17? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook. Also, be sure to spread the work about variable pricing to your friends and family who have trips planned and are new to Genie+.
Share the love!
Sam
Friday 13th of January 2023
The Disney experience is becoming to complex and stressful. We do not want to be on their phone at 7am (For some of us that are not adjusted to the time change is 4, 5 or 6am) trying to make reservations. We don't want to have to remember to make reservations during the next available time. We want the vacation to be as stress free as possible. Disney needs to learn from Universal. I book at Premium Universal Resort and have unlimited access to express pass for all rides in the parks except 2. It's makes things so much less stressful to not have to remember to book rides the entire day. Disney's expense for this system must be high as well. They need to eliminate their not efficient, expensive system and offer perks for staying on property. I am planning a trip to Disney and staying off property for the first time in over 12 years because there aren't enough conveniences to stay on property. I will stay at a hotel resort that feels like a Deluxe resort with value pricing. I will get to the parks quicker than the buses using Uber with the money I save on the hotel. However, for Universal (if my budget allows), I will plan to stay onsite. I feel like a VIP the entire day at Universal. I almost skipped Disney this time to go back to Universal just for the stress free experience.
Ella Harmeyer
Monday 9th of January 2023
others are making many of the remarks that come to my mind regarding Genie+. We have used it some days and not others. I guess I knew sooner or later Disney would start charging for "Fastpass"... but I never dreamed they would create a program as complicated and NOT user friendly as Genie+. With Genie+ Disney has managed to BURST the bubble that was Disney for me and many others. One of the reasons I fell in love with Disney was "the bubble". I could make my plans ahead of time, all inclusive... transportation from airport to resort, LUGGAGE HANDLING, (which was a big thing for me but it hasn't gotten much attention in remarks), fastpasses chosed ahead of time, and we could pick the times in planning, dining reservations made (with or without the dining program). I could come, enter the bubble and leave the real world behind. Not now, Genie+ can only be done day of... getting up at 7 am to make sure I have it, not getting any choice of times, and having to stay on our phones during the day. Transportation and luggage handling are gone, left for us to piece together. It's the bubble I miss. The ability to leave the real world behind for a few days.
CT
Sunday 8th of January 2023
We have not and will never purchase Genie+. We are older now, and Genie+ simply does not fit the way we visit the parks (which is only for a few hours later in the day). We have cut our annual spending by thousands of dollars. Disney is no longer as enjoyable. We now spend the bulk of our theme park budget at Universal and SeaWorld.
L.A. Stay Trippin
Sunday 8th of January 2023
I definitely miss fast passes. We knew what we were getting and what times we needed to be in certain places.
I feel for people who aren’t really good planners because with the implementation of Genie +, and the park reservation system, you have to plan EVERYTHING in order to go to the parks. I understand they are tying to make the park accessible and enjoyable for everyone but what they have going on right now is definitely not enjoyable for anyone ☹️
Chris
Sunday 8th of January 2023
DVC member here, just got back from a few days at the parks and my wife and I decided we are selling our points. The new Disney is not the same. Everything is much more expensive and it’s ridiculously crowded. Well done Disney you took huge fans and totally turned them off.