So as reported on the Disney Dish, Disney is testing new Lighting Pass and Lighting Pass + attractions access plus more virtual lines and boarding groups. This sounds miserable.
I'm working on the first printing of the 2022 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, which goes to print in October and
touringplans.com
Oof, there's a *lot* to unpack here. There's a lot to say about this, too. But to keep this somewhat manageable...
Considering how WDW's system couldn't handle FP+ and Boarding Groups, adding multiple other elements to it (Standby Passes, Genie etc.) is a choice.
Add in closing off standby at whatever capacity/wait they deem, ughh. Cedar Point learned real quick this year that guests really don't like lines getting closed off early to wrap up for the night. I really doubt WDW guests are gonna' be understanding if a line is closed off at any time during the day, and told to get a pass to get in the standby...but it's not FP. I really feel for the CM's since this is going to be a nightmare explaining to guests...which brings up...
I wonder, if with Genie, this is a feature not a bug.
It honestly feels like they're purposely tanking their lines just to sell anything off Genie/Lightning Lane + etc., and for me that's probably one of the scummiest things you could do. You could joke that a lesser park would do something like that, but it feels like this is what Disney is doing...and this does not sit well with me.
I know very well that all theme parks are a business and a main goal is parting folks from their money. This is no secret, they all want our money! Thing is, it's pretty easy to do if you give guests a great experience. Be it the rides they offer, great customer service, efficient ops etc. Make a guest happy, they're staying longer and buying all the important food and merch. The past several trips for me (Cedar Point, Uni (multiple times), King's Island and WDW last December), have all been good times! So it was easy shelling out the cash.
But all these hoops just to get in line for a ride? I don't see myself enjoying that one bit, it's just a punishment to try and upsell the expedited line system. That's the kind of perception which leads me to spending my money elsewhere, since over at the Cedar Fair parks and Uni, it never feels like anyone without a Express Pass or Fastlane is getting punished for not having one. It's a nice thing to have, yes. But everyone can still have a great day at the parks without one thanks to a plethora of rides and great ops...that and you can just get in line for them at anytime.
As for Disney, I really don't like this kind of direction they're taking. There's skating on thin ice, and then there's playing with fire at the exact same time. An if that ice breaks, that water is unforgivingly cold.