by Ray Keating
News
DisneyBizJournal.com
August 18, 2021
Disney announced today that FASTPASS, FastPass+ and Disney MaxPass services will come to an end and be replaced by the new Disney Genie service, arriving this fall.
Disney Genie will be integrated into the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps, and is meant to enhance guests’ experiences at Disney’s domestic parks through improved planning and reduced wait times by suggesting and updating an itinerary throughout the day.
With Disney Genie, according to the company, guests will experience enhanced personalization – or greater customization – based on inputs regarding their interests, such as specific rides, themes and food options. The service will suggest a schedule for the day, again with continuous updates as well as forecasted wait times, that all promise to maximize the park experience. As Disney put it on the Disney Parks Blog, “From specific attractions, foodie experiences and entertainment, to general interests like Disney princesses, villains, Pixar, Star Wars, thrill rides and more – just tell Disney Genie what you want to do and it will do the planning for you.”
It also will be easier to make dining reservations and place food orders.
While the Disney Genie service will be free, there will be two additional paid options.
Disney Genie+ will be available for $15 per ticket per day at Walt Disney World and $20 at Disneyland. Guests will be able to choose the next available time for attractions and experiences – one selection at a time during the day – then using the Lightning Lane entrance. Disney called it “the next evolution of the fan-favorite Disney MaxPass service from Disneyland Resort.”
Disney Genie+ also will feature special themed audio experiences in the parks, including behind-the-scenes fun facts. Unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads will be included at the Disneyland Resort, while Disney World guests will have “augmented reality lenses” for photos.
Also available for purchase would be a scheduled time to arrive at up to two in-demand attractions per day using the Lightning Lane. Disney noted, “Pricing for this option will vary by date, attraction and park and will be announced closer to launch.”
Dennis Speigel, founder and CEO of Cincinnati-based International Theme Park Services, told the Orlando Sentinel, “I think this is one of the most important programs that has come forth to give the guests a better experience… [Guests] can plan along with the parks. We’ve never been able to do that. It’s a huge, huge milestone. We’re crossing a barrier in our industry, and it’s something that we’ve been trying to figure out for decades.”
There no doubt will be some backlash for the paid options, but Disney is betting that the experiences for all guests will be enhanced, and Speigel clearly agrees, seeing this as a gamechanger for the industry.
Disney calls Disney Genie a personal assistant, is clearly proud of the technology (based on “more than 60 years of knowledge”) and its ease of use (including “Tip Boards”), and says, “You’ve never had a friend like this!”
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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.
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Keating has three new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13ththriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Again, get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. And order the 15th book in the series What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story – grab it at Amazon.com or signed editions at www.raykeatingonline.com.
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