Disney Genie+ sells out for the first time at Walt Disney World

Feb 19, 2023 in "Disney Genie"

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Posted: Sunday February 19, 2023 1:!1pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney World's Genie+ has sold out today, the first time it has happened since its introduction.

Genie+ was at its peak price for this Presidents' Day Weekend, costing $29 per person, per day. Even with this high price, the service hit capacity around midday, and sales of Genie+ was halted.

Disney added the ability for Genie+ sales to be suspended in an update to the service in May 2022 when the company also stopped advance sales of Genie+.

Disney Genie+ is an option within the Disney Genie service that makes the former FastPass line available at select attractions, now called Lightning Lane. Certain headline attractions are not part of Genie+, and Lightning Lane access at those attractions requires an Individual Attraction purchase which varies in prices.

Learn more about Disney Genie from our recent articles, including a Disney Genie FAQ, and Genie discussion on the WDWMAGIC Forums.

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Crunchie9Feb 23, 2023

So I’m buying photopass twice ?

DisneyDreamer08Feb 23, 2023

Bummed we miss this by a few weeks! This is great update.

Lil Copter CapFeb 23, 2023

I have to disagree. The few times I've used it (as a local who will utilize the product when guests are in town), we've had surprise time slots appear on the confirmation page. Example being: We tried booking Haunted Mansion for 2:00pm and after officially confirming our selection, we were pushed to 3:05pm. The product is "good" on days with lower usage. And further, your statement about someone using the product wrong is more of the fault of Disney than of the consumer. If you are correct in that statement (let's say you are correct), then Disney should be blamed for lack of understanding on how to use this service. FastPass+ had similar issues, but the difference? It was free. Regardless, I agree with @Sirwalterraleigh and think the real issue is park capacity.

DCBakerFeb 23, 2023

Disney has announced the date for the inclusion of Photopass attraction photos with Genie+ - March 20th. "Starting March 20, guests purchasing Disney Genie+ service will also receive digital downloads of their Disney PhotoPass attraction photos, taken in the park on the day of their purchase, at no additional charge. Attraction photos are taken while in the parks at more than a dozen of our most popular attractions including Space Mountain, Slinky Dog Dash, Test Track, Expedition Everest and more. I always love looking back at family photos at our favorite attractions – it’s a perfect way to remember and celebrate your theme park visit together. An exact launch date will be announced at a later time. Disney PhotoPass terms and conditions and expiration policy apply." https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2023/01/3-changes-walt-disney-world-is-making-to-bring-more-value-and-flexibility-to-your-visits/?CMP=SOC-DPFY23Q2wo0223230001A

MrPromeyFeb 20, 2023

Good to know there actually is a scenario where they will put a limit on how many of these they’ll sell in a day… Interesting how prior to May of last year they didn’t even have a way built into the system to do that, though. Really drives home their priorities with the initial launch, doesn’t it? Also makes me wonder, is this saying they are busier on President’s day weekend than they were over winter break or are they just starting to cut back now in an effort to improve the guest experience? Obviously, overselling LL on really busy days just makes the whole system work worse both for those who paid and those who didn’t. That only matters if you’re concerned for the guest experience, though, so I’m wondering if this is coming from the same place free parking at the resorts sprung up from.

celluloidFeb 20, 2023

This is my point for sure. Like fast pass it gets guests on a few favs but they spend their time walking and staying longer with more opportunities to buy food/beverage or find a gift shop item they want. You are also likely to get less if a family has a variety of interests and accessibility, popularity of day, weather variables ect... Now instead of paying Disney for your lack of wait with opportunities to spend more money(almost like an ad supported feature in real life) you are paying for the same idea. It is like paying twice . I am glad you utilized it to the best when you could though.

MagicHappens1971Feb 20, 2023

This product was very clearly designed to benefit Disney much more than the consumer. If you do not do a solid amount of research about stacking and the 2 hour wait in between booking, etc. you will not benefit from this product. FP+ was very straight forward, at 60 or 30 days out, you would book your 3 selections for the day. For example, last month I purchased Genie+ for maybe my second time, and I was able to get over 10 LL's throughout the day. I'd say the average would be 2-3 and may not even be the most effective

celluloidFeb 20, 2023

I didn't. You just need to know vocabulary of what you said. You said the same thing without using the word. na·ive /näˈēv/ adjective (of a person or action) showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment. To be naive is to be unexperienced. I am agreeing with you on this aspect. That is how you phrased not knowing how to use the system correctly as if someone were taking one or two trips in a lifetime vs the experienced Disney guest. You think it is a good system for people who are experienced and it should not cost money. Also, even with hyperbole, your use of the word obscene would not be appropriate for this situation.

JD80Feb 20, 2023

Don't put words in my mouth. It can be just as equally underutilized as FP+. Plenty of issues with fastpasses for the people who don't understand the system. Not booking at 60 days, trying to book the day of, not knowing you could book your 4th or 5th after using 3. Not getting up at the right time at your 60 day mark. Not refreshing. Not knowing when new FPs dropped at certain times of the day. The G+ as a tool is better than FP+. It's just obscene that it costs money.

celluloidFeb 20, 2023

I like that you just said they designed the product for the naive. It's like saying it is for suckers without saying it. Getting up early and starting with E tickets or.lrkorties in your party is hardly an impossible strategy for anyone to know. It should come with the ability to use the tool, but you don't really get the selection choices that go well with that. Staying onsite or dining in park is not only for the one or two in a lifetime crowd. Genie Plus should be no different. Instead of using your own strategy, you are paying Disney to go where they want you to so you can spend more money with the more foot traffic time spent between rides and staying longer in the day. The same reason fast pass existed. It was. It just for the consumer, it was to give the consumer more.tkme.snd.oppertunitirs to spend money. The system would be more beneficial if you got to use lightning Lane for any three of your choice.

DisneyDebRobFeb 20, 2023

They announced in January that it would start in a few months. Don’t think there was an exact date. Remember though it’s only for attraction images which includes about a dozen attractions? Nothing about photos taken by photographers throughout the park.

DunstonFeb 20, 2023

Is included PhotoPass in effect yet?

SirwalterraleighFeb 20, 2023

Ok…but my point still stands I’ve used it…not hard to work it. I liked maxpass too But the numbers problem is only gonna get worse

MrPromeyFeb 20, 2023

Nah. Admission gets you through the gates to enjoy the atmosphere crowds, retail, and smell of food from nearby open doors to restaurants. Thinking that ticket buys you entertainment is soooo 2010’s