Four Changes I’d Make If I Ran Disney
I think every Disney fan participates in the same little fantasy. We shut our eyes and imagine how we would run the parks if we were in charge.
In reality, most of us would be terrible at this job. Not many people can manage a workforce of 100,000 people, much less undergo layoffs and union negotiations.
Photo: Playbuzz.com
Those less-fun parts kill the fantasy, but they’re part of the gig, too. So, we must think about the hard parts as well.
Here’s how I would change Disney in 2023 if I were in charge.
The Booking Benefit of Disney Genie+
Photo: Walt Disney Company
Bob Chapek, the living embodiment of The Grinch, removed several long-standing amenities during his tenure.
We’ll discuss one, Magical Express, but it’s the tip of the iceberg. Chapek looked at the spreadsheet. If something looked too expensive, he cut it.
Photo: CNBC
In the process, many Disney fans grew disgruntled, something new CEO Bob Iger has conceded. Iger has proven apologetic.
During his time outside the company, the CEO recognized the growing discontent, especially within the parks.
Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
In early 2023, he basically apologized via several policy changes. Still, I believe Disney should do more.
If I were in charge, I would update the amenities for the post-pandemic era.
Photo: Disney
Specifically, Disney no longer offers a free FastPass system. Instead, we have Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane.
My suggestion rewards Disney’s most loyal customers, the ones staying at official Disney resorts.
Photo: Disney/The Street
Guests at hotels at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort should gain an additional amenity. We should get Disney Genie+ or a Lightning Lane option for free.
I’ve evaluated both sides of this idea and worry it could collapse the digital queue system economy.
Photo: Disney
Without getting too technical, Disney faces practical limits on how many people can/should use Disney Genie+ on a given day.
Similarly, Disney cannot give every qualifying hotel guest a Lightning Lane for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Otherwise, nobody else could ride.
2023 Rise of the Resistance
However, in the previous FastPass era, Disney implemented a first-come, first-served system that would work just as effectively here.
If the setup proved too detrimental to the existing system, then I’d modify the request. I’d provide official resort guests with an extra Disney Genie+ reservation per day.
Also, I’d allow them to book this one ahead of time as in 2019. Also, official resort guests should get to buy Disney Genie+ ahead of time.
Expand Disney Skyliner
Photo: orlandoattractions.com
One of the challenging parts of Disney park management involves long-term planning.
You cannot satisfy yourself with impending changes. You must think several years down the road as well.
For Disney, that consideration proves challenging in terms of logistics. Car traffic isn’t decreasing any time soon in Central Florida.
Similarly, numerous setbacks have derailed the autonomous car concept, something that intrigued Disney a few years ago.
Nobody remembers the move now, but Disney signed an agreement to add a fleet of driverless shuttles. This happened all the way back in 2017.
We’re six years past that point, and Disney’s still trying.
Photo: Central Florida Develo0pmnet Council
Beep, Inc. operates out of Lake Nona, Florida, the home for Disney’s future headquarters.
Recently, Beep and Disney discussed the usage of automated shuttles on the Disney campus in 2024.
Photo: Disney
So, two years from now, something may happen.
Disney cannot wait that long on maybes. For this reason, the time is right for the company to take the next logical step in logistics.
Photo: Disney
Disney should spend the money to extend the Disney Skyliner to Disney Springs, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Magic Kingdom.
By taking this approach, Disney could connect all four parks, plus the entertainment complex.
Eventually, Disney should perfect its gondola system with connections to every Disney resort on campus plus ESPN Wide World of Sports.
The gondolas make financial sense since they’re substantially cheaper than monorails. Also, they’re fun for guests.
Disney should commit to this premise. Frankly, I’m surprised it hasn’t yet.
PS: I’d also consider adding the Disney Skyliner or a similar gondola inside the parks, especially at Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom.
Remember that Magic Kingdom once operated the Skyway to Tomorrowland/Fantasyland as an attraction. It was even better than the Walt Disney World Railroad!
Solve the Magical Express Void
Rock n Roller Coaster
Most people fantasize about all the roller coasters they’d build at the parks. I’m boring in my practicality.
I desire a better vacation experience for all guests, which forces me to contemplate logistics solutions in all forms.
Photo: Disney
In 2022, we all felt the absence of Magical Express. For more than 15 years, this free transportation service reduced our vacation stress.
When guests touched down at Orlando International Airport, all we had to do was board the Magical Express to our official Disney resort.
Magical Express bus
Disney took care of our luggage and our transportation needs. Even better, the buses showed Disney cartoons and park tutorials.
Magical Express effectively extended the Disney Bubble to the moment we deplaned in Orlando. It really was magical.
Photo Credit: DVDRentalStore.com
Sadly, Disney lost faith in the local transportation company that operated Magical Express.
Not many people know that Disney outsourced that and some aspects of Bell Services to third parties.
Photo: Disney
When that company proved unreliable, Disney killed the Magic Express program.
I fully understand the why of it just as I haaaaaate that it happened.
Seriously, I’m cranky when I touch down in Orlando now because I’m more focused on what I’ve lost than my impending Disney visit. That shouldn’t be.
Obviously, I view Magical Express as a necessity, something Disney must offer its guests.
If the finances dictate that Disney loses money on this service, I’m perfectly fine with introducing a modest fee of $15 per guest.
That’s cheaper than competitors offer for their Magical Express knockoffs. It’s probably a loss leader for Disney rather than a profit generator.
Photo: Washington Post
However, this move comes across as a make-good for past mistakes during the Bob Chapek regime. I suspect fans would accept it as a workable compromise.
The Unlimited Disney Genie+ Plan
Photo: Disney
Disney loves its recent changes that have increased per capita spending for guests.
Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane have proven especially lucrative since they’re monetizing the old FastPass system.
Photo: USA Today
Similarly, Disney VIP Tours have exploded in popularity recently, which has allowed the company to increase hourly prices for this service.
So, I propose something akin to a current Universal Studios offering.
Image Credit: Universal Orlando
Universal sells a much more expensive answer to FastPass, the Universal Express Pass.
This pass entitles guests to ride most attractions at the park once. However, Universal adds a second, vastly superior version of the product.
Photo: universal
Guests who stay at Universal’s most expensive resorts gain the Universal Unlimited Express Pass as a “free” amenity.
With this pass, park visitors effectively get the run of the place. You can ride any Universal ride you want as much as you want.
Photo: universal
Disney should sell something similar. You should think of it as Disney Genie Max.
I envision this service as offering unlimited, repeatable Disney Genie+ bookings for roughly the same price as the Universal Express Pass. That’s usually around $100.
Photo: Wikimedia
Most guests would eschew this option or save it for special events like birthdays, anniversaries, and other celebrations, the kind for which you wear a Disney button.
On those dates when you buy Disney Genie Max, you’re essentially enjoying Disney After Hours but DURING a standard park visit!
I doubt that more than ten percent of daily visitors would take advantage of this option. If many more than that did, the system might collapse.
So, this one comes with ancillary concerns, as it may prove too popular to work effectively. I still believe it’s worth a trial run, though.
Photo: Disney
Note that I wouldn’t include any of the current Lightning Lane attractions in this offering. It’s just the deluxe version of Disney Genie+.
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