Evaluating the First 50 Days of the New Disney Genie+
Fifty days ago, Walt Disney World rebuilt its Disney Genie+ product on the fly.
Based on complaints from park guests, management split a single purchase option into five different ones.
Disney chose this option just before the July 4th holiday and has offered the modified services for nearly two months now.
So, let’s take this opportunity to evaluate the summer of Disney Genie+ and how well the new setup works.
About Disney Genie+
In case you’ve forgotten, the Disney Genie+ change was a subtle but impactful one.
When the service initially launched in October 2021, it only came in one form. You either bought Disney Genie+, or you didn’t.
Photo: Disney
In June of 2023, Disney finally listened to nearly two years of customer feedback regarding the problem.
Disney had offered a “one size fits all” version of the former FastPass system.
As is often the case with such methods, it was more of a “one size fits one.”
Happy 4th of July!
Guests at Magic Kingdom quite liked the new structure, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios visitors didn’t have much choice, either.
For anyone spending the day at EPCOT or Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney Genie+ was frankly a bad deal, and I said as much.
You were paying Magic Kingdom prices for a fraction of the attractions, thereby negating the benefit of Disney Genie+.
So, park officials developed a new, superior approach to the same system.
Photo: Disney
Since late June, Disney has sold five different versions of Disney Genie+. Don’t worry, though! It’s less confusing than it sounds.
You purchase Disney Genie+ specifically for the park where you’re spending the day.
If you’re Park Hopping, you can purchase the Park Hopper version instead.
Photo: Wikimedia
This simple change has allowed Disney to lower the prices significantly at EPCOT and Animal Kingdom. I’ll discuss specifics in just a bit but trust me for now.
Meanwhile, even Hollywood Studios guests can save a bit by purchasing a single-park version of Disney Genie+ when they’re not Park Hopping.
As for Magic Kingdom, well, let’s talk specifics of the new system…
Disney Genie+ Park Hopper and Magic Kingdom Versions
Photo: Disney
Here’s the pertinent data for the first 50 days of the new Disney Genie+ system.
For the four days it was available in June, Park Hopper averaged a price of $25.50.
Not coincidentally, Magic Kingdom’s version of Disney Genie+ did as well.
Photo: Disney
Thus far, the price of these two allegedly different options has remained the same on 50 out of 50 possible dates!
So, when you’re starting your day at Magic Kingdom, you might as well purchase the Park Hopper version of Disney Genie+. It’s the same price.
Photo:visitorlando.com
Overall, here is Park Hopper’s (and Magic Kingdom’s) pricing thus far:
- Average Price of $25.50 in June (4 days)
- Average Price of $25.39 in July (31 days)
- Average Price of $24.87 in August (15 days)
- Average Price of $25.24 for All 50 Days
So, that’s the number you should know. Typically, you’ll pay an average of $25.24 for Park Hopper when you spend the day at Walt Disney World.
That’s the expected range, although it will vary wildly on some dates. As an FYI, Disney will give you a hint, though.
Photo: Disney
The pricing of Disney Genie+ mirrors the daily ticket price at the park. Therefore, it’s a reflection of the expected crowd levels on that date.
When you know the tickets cost an above-average amount, you should expect the Disney Genie+ price to match.
Photo: skillastics.com
Also, I’ll highlight one weird pricing trend I wouldn’t have guessed. The most expensive day for Disney Genie+ thus far (not just the last 50 days) is…Monday.
Here’s the overall ranking based on cost:
- Monday
- Friday
- Saturday (technically tied with Friday)
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Sunday
You can use this knowledge to your advantage in deciding which days merit Disney Genie+ purchases.
Photo: CNBC
Pricing at the Other Parks
Here’s the part of the conversation that I find the most interesting.
These are the average prices for Disney Genie+ at Disney’s Animal Kingdom under the new system:
- Average Price of $16 in June (4 days)
- Average Price of $16.19 in July (31 days)
- Average Price of $15.93 in August (15 days)
- Average Price of $16.10 for All 50 Days
Animal Kingdom
You can already tell how much of a difference the change makes at Animal Kingdom.
Guests save an average of $9.14 or 43 percent by purchasing single-park Disney Genie+ tickets under the current format.
EPCOT similarly benefits, as the following data shows:
- Average Price of $18 in June (4 days)
- Average Price of $18.29 in July (31 days)
- Average Price of $17.93 in August (15 days)
- Average Price of $18.16 for All 50 Days
Photo: Disney
So, you’ll save an average of $7.08 at EPCOT when you buy single-park Disney Genie+ today as opposed to the old system.
As I hinted, the savings at Hollywood Studios aren’t quite as significant, though.
- Average Price of $22.50 in June (4 days)
- Average Price of $22.71 in July (31 days)
- Average Price of $22.00 in August (15 days)
- Average Price of $22.48 for All 50 Days
While the pricing differences aren’t dramatic, you’re still saving $2.76 per member of your party when you buy Disney Genie+.
However, as the ostensible Disney expert here, I’ll emphatically declare that if the savings are that small, you might as well buy Park Hopper.
Photo: Disney
You never know how your day will develop, and $2.76 a person is a modest price to pay to expand your options, presuming you have a Park Hopper ticket.
After all, that’s cheaper than bottled water at Disney!
Final Thoughts
Image: Disney
Disney deserves credit for improving its paid FastPass replacement. The “one size fits all” strategy was sloppy and proved inefficient.
From Disney’s perspective, it hurt the company financially since many Animal Kingdom/EPCOT guests passed.
Credit: Disney
That was definitely the advice I gave vacationers. Under the updated system, the decision grows more challenging.
In truth, I’d argue that the new price structure tips the balance at EPCOT. All the top rides are available on Disney Genie+
Photo: Disney
I’d happily pay an average of $18.16 to ensure that I ride Frozen Ever After, Soarin’, Test Track, and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure without standing in line all day.
The Animal Kingdom decision is up for debate, though. Even at $16.10, I’m not sure you’d get your money’s worth on Disney Genie+ here.
That’ll be the topic for a future article, as it’s a nuanced conversation.
Photo: MickeyBlog
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below, and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!
Feature Photo: Park Savers
