Will Disney Genie+ Increase Prices This Summer?
Will Disney Genie+ increase its prices soon?
I don’t mean to sound doom-and-gloom with a title like this one, but here we are.
There’s a reason why many fans are wondering what Disney will do, and it’s oddly…a positive explanation.
Let’s discuss the surprise and its potential fallout.
The Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Surprise
Last week, Disney officials confirmed their plans for the upcoming debut of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
We learned the opening date, details regarding annual passholder and DVC member previews, and even how the previews will work.
The most shocking announcement hasn’t garnered enough attention yet, in my opinion.
Magic Kingdom management has chosen to position Tiana’s Bayou Adventure on Disney Genie+.
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sevendwarfsminetrain.webp)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sevendwarfsminetrain.webp)
Image: Disney
I had mentioned in a recent piece that I expected Seven Dwarfs Mine Train to switch to Genie+ soon.
My belief focused on the age of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, which turns ten around the time you read this.
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure in My Disney Experience app](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-wdw-my-disney-experience-app-map-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure.jpeg)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure in My Disney Experience app](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-wdw-my-disney-experience-app-map-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure.jpeg)
Photo: Disney
I contrasted that to the newness of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and (wrongly) assumed Disney would make the switch.
Well, I’m the idiot here because I overlooked something obvious.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure offers tons more throughput than Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
The roller coaster delivers a near-perfect ride experience, but there’s a limit to how many people Disney can cycle through in an hour.
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-photopass-photo.jpeg)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-photopass-photo.jpeg)
Photo: Disney
After all, even with the slowdown in the middle section where it becomes a dark ride, the whole thing takes three and a half minutes.
We don’t have a precise time for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure yet, but Splash Mountain hovered around 11 minutes. So, it’s just math.
![WEBSLINGERS](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Screen-Shot-2022-04-12-at-1.01.13-PM.png)
![WEBSLINGERS](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Screen-Shot-2022-04-12-at-1.01.13-PM.png)
Photo: Disneyland
Despite Tiana’s newness, it should function like WEBSLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure and gradually match demand.
The Disney California Adventure attraction started with wait times in the range of 200+ minutes.
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-12-at-20-47-13-Tianas-Bayou-Adventure-Opens-June-28-at-Walt-Disney-World.png)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-12-at-20-47-13-Tianas-Bayou-Adventure-Opens-June-28-at-Walt-Disney-World.png)
Photo: Disney Parks Blog
Within months, that total had dropped to under 60 minutes and now hovers in the 45-minute range.
That’s the behavior I expect from Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which should be the hottest ticket in town throughout 2024.
Due to its massive throughput, the wait times should shrink quickly, though.
Why Disney Genie+?
![Lightning Lane](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-wdw-epcot-remys-ratatouille-adventure-lightning-lane-1-scaled.jpg)
![Lightning Lane](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-wdw-epcot-remys-ratatouille-adventure-lightning-lane-1-scaled.jpg)
Lightning Lane
Of course, Disney didn’t have to make an either/or decision here.
Magic Kingdom could have just as easily selected Lightning Lane for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
![Lightning Lane](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-wdw-dak-animal-kingdom-kali-river-rapids-lightning-lane-1-scaled.jpg)
![Lightning Lane](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-wdw-dak-animal-kingdom-kali-river-rapids-lightning-lane-1-scaled.jpg)
Lightning Lane
Yes, that would have given the park three different Lightning Lane options, but it’s also the most trafficked theme park on Earth.
Guests could and would pay for all three or, at the very least, the one they preferred on their visiting day.
Disney has saved everyone that choice, though. Instead, you can purchase Disney Genie+ and roll the dice with a reservation.
Now, that decision comes with some downside for park guests.
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-construction-night-mist-1-scaled.jpg)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-construction-night-mist-1-scaled.jpg)
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
On the one hand, you don’t have to pay to play for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, as Disney will also host a virtual queue.
Conversely, you will increase your odds by purchasing Disney Genie+.
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Night](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-WDW-MK-TianaMG_9116-scaled.jpg)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Night](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-WDW-MK-TianaMG_9116-scaled.jpg)
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Night
Nobody currently knows how much inventory Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will offer in Disney Genie+.
This is the ultimate caveat emptor situation wherein you understand when you purchase Disney Genie+ you might not get lucky.
![Phone](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Genie-Service-768x432-1.jpg)
![Phone](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Genie-Service-768x432-1.jpg)
Photo: Park Savers
I fully expect Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to work like Slinky Dog Dash and sell out its reservation allotment quickly each day.
Then again, Slinky Dog Dash offers arguably the worst throughput of any Walt Disney World attraction.
As discussed, Tiana’s throughput is largely a known quantity, and it’s massive.
Splash Mountain was previously a part of Disney Genie+, and I found it one of the easiest reservations to book.
![Slinky Dog Dash](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Slinky-Dog-Dash.jpg)
![Slinky Dog Dash](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Slinky-Dog-Dash.jpg)
Disney
Your mileage may have varied, and it’s buyer beware with Disney Genie+, which guarantees little.
When Disney first offered the service, it promised eight attractions daily.
![wallet](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/102110767-97660088.jpg)
![wallet](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/102110767-97660088.jpg)
Photo: CNBC
That total has since dropped to two to five, which is…less.
The Benefits of Disney Genie+
That statement alone underscores that we live in a different Disney era now.
Bob Chapek may be long gone, but park officials have quietly maintained many of his theme park prices.
![Crowds in Magic Kingdom](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-main-street-usa-crowds-2-scaled.jpg)
![Crowds in Magic Kingdom](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-main-street-usa-crowds-2-scaled.jpg)
Crowds in Magic Kingdom
That’s especially true when it comes to pricing. During all the Disney quarterly earnings reports, everyone raves about the parks.
Whenever someone talks about the high margins and the incredible operating income gains, that’s good for the company.
![Lightning Lane](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-winnie-the-pooh-lightning-lane-genie-plus3-scaled.jpg)
![Lightning Lane](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-winnie-the-pooh-lightning-lane-genie-plus3-scaled.jpg)
Lightning Lane
It’s not great for you as a customer. Many of those improvements stem from Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane.
A few years ago, we had FastPass rather than Disney Genie+, and it was free. And Lightning Lane didn’t exist.
When we want to enter the shorter line queue, we buy Disney Genie+ or Lightning Lane.
Disney park strategists presume they can mitigate the expense of building new attractions by charging extra for them later.
For instance, Tron Lightcycle / Run cost nine figures to build, with many estimates in the $200 million range.
At $20 a pop for Lightning Lane, Disney will profit from this attraction once it sells 10 million line skips.
![Lightning Lane](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lightningLaneHero.webp)
![Lightning Lane](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lightningLaneHero.webp)
Photo: Disney
That’s independent of any other monetization avenues, of which there are many.
You can see from this quick example why Disney officials love Lightning Lane and Disney Genie+.
Customers effectively pay twice for a single service. First, they buy an admission ticket, and then choose their add-on.
Will Disney Genie+ Increase Prices Soon?
Since Disney has yet to add Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to the Lightning Lane system, the ride won’t gain that benefit.
Similarly, the price of Disney Genie+ is already well-established by now.
![Disney Genie+](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-disney-genie-plus-brochure-1.jpg)
![Disney Genie+](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-disney-genie-plus-brochure-1.jpg)
Disney Genie+
Disney Genie+ fluctuates its pricing based on expected daily demand, but there’s a range.
To date in calendar 2024, the price has cycled from $22 to $37, with an average of around $27.
![save money disney fees , fee, money, parking, resort, hotel, guests](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Screen-Shot-2022-05-18-at-6.25.45-PM-e1708448899139.png)
![save money disney fees , fee, money, parking, resort, hotel, guests](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Screen-Shot-2022-05-18-at-6.25.45-PM-e1708448899139.png)
Photo: skillastics.com
The obvious way to monetize Tiana’s Bayou Adventure – and you won’t like it – is to raise the price of Disney Genie+.
I realize that the financial outlay on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure isn’t as much as a new construction.
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure critters](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2024-tianas-bayou-adventure-new-critters-characters-4.png)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure critters](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2024-tianas-bayou-adventure-new-critters-characters-4.png)
Photo: Disney
However, Disney has built some state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics and added new elements to the ride campus.
Such changes aren’t cheap, and Disney wants to pay for them quickly.
Also, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure officially opens six days before July 4th, when Disney Genie+ prices will surge anyway.
Now, we have Tiana’s Bayou Adventure added to the mix, which spikes demand.
![Tiana's Bayou Construction in Magic Kingdom](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/tianas-bayou-adventure-construction-e-scaled.jpeg)
![Tiana's Bayou Construction in Magic Kingdom](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/tianas-bayou-adventure-construction-e-scaled.jpeg)
Tiana’s Bayou Construction in Magic Kingdom
As such, I don’t think anyone should be surprised if July 2024’s average Disney Genie+ price vastly surpasses 2023’s.
Tracking Tiana’s Disney Genie+ This Summer
![accountant](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Screen-Shot-2022-05-18-at-6.29.35-PM.png)
![accountant](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Screen-Shot-2022-05-18-at-6.29.35-PM.png)
Photo:nbjobs.ca
Last year’s July average was $25.39. So, we’ll use that as the baseline to track how much sneaky pricing Disney does.
In case you’re wondering, we can’t compare June to June because the Park Hopper option for Disney Genie+ began on June 27th, 2023.
![fees, resort guests, resorts, parking, fee](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Disney-Money-Mickey-Head-Costs-Prices-Higher-Washington-Post-Credit.jpg)
![fees, resort guests, resorts, parking, fee](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Disney-Money-Mickey-Head-Costs-Prices-Higher-Washington-Post-Credit.jpg)
Photo: Washington Post
I’ll do a year of analysis soon after that, but the 2024 average is $26.51.
When we re-evaluate this later, we’ll use last July and the 2024 average as comparisons.
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-14-at-1.07.56 PM.png)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-14-at-1.07.56 PM.png)
Disney
I fully expect Disney Genie+ to cost more when Tiana’s Bayou Journey opens…but hey! Disney just surprised me.
I hadn’t expected the ride to be on Disney Genie+, either. So, who knows?
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