Did Disney World finally fix Lightning Lane?

Summary

James from Guide to WDW reviews Disney's new Lightning Lane system, comparing it with the previous Genie Plus. He discusses the pros and cons from a guest perspective, noting improved booking for Disney Resort guests but criticizing complexity and disadvantages for offsite guests and international visitors. The summary highlights the system's impact on planning, flexibility, and the guest experience, with a focus on whether it's an upgrade or downgrade.

Takeaways

• 😀 The new Lightning Lane system replaces Genie Plus, offering a multi-pass and a single pass option for Disney World guests.
• 🎟️ Lightning Lane Multi-Pass allows access to multiple rides, while Lightning Lane Single Pass is for one ride at a time.
• 🔄 The new system is considered more complicated than Genie Plus due to its different rules and booking options based on guest status.
• 🏨 Disney Resort guests have a significant advantage with the ability to book Lightning Lanes up to 7 days ahead, compared to offsite guests who can only book 3 days ahead.
• 🌞 The removal of the 7:00 a.m. daily wakeup call to book Genie Plus is seen as an improvement, although some guests may still need to wake up early to secure popular rides.
• 📉 The new system has been criticized for its complexity and potential for guest confusion, especially with the different tiers and rules for Lightning Lanes.
• 🚫 International guests face significant disadvantages, as they cannot pre-book Lightning Lanes until they arrive in the U.S. or Canada.
• 📉 The removal of meet and greets and parades from the Lightning Lane Multi-Pass is viewed as a downgrade from the previous Genie Plus system.
• 📈 For planners and those staying at Disney Resorts, the ability to pre-book and see prices ahead of time is a significant upgrade.
• 🔄 The flexibility of the Genie Plus system, which allowed same-day decisions and changes, is reduced with the Lightning Lane system, which requires more advance planning.
• 🤔 The overall reception of the Lightning Lane system is mixed, with some guests benefiting from the changes and others facing new challenges or disadvantages.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video script is the replacement of Genie Plus with the new Lightning Lane system at Disney World and an analysis of its pros and cons from a guest's perspective.

What are the two types of Lightning Lane passes introduced in the new system?

The two types of Lightning Lane passes introduced are Lightning Lane Multi-Pass, which gives access to multiple rides, and Lightning Lane Single Pass, which is for one ride at a time.

Why did the speaker mention 'James from guide to wdw'?

James from guide to wdw is the speaker himself, introducing his expertise in thinking about how to skip lines at Disney World and providing his analysis on the new Lightning Lane system.

What is the main criticism regarding the new naming of the Lightning Lane system?

The main criticism is that the new naming does not clearly convey the level of attraction or the number of rides included, which can lead to guest confusion.

How does the new Lightning Lane system improve upon the old Genie Plus system in terms of booking?

The new system improves by allowing guests to book Lightning Lanes 7 days ahead of check-in for Disney Resort guests and 3 days ahead for offsite guests, with park hopping included without needing a separate option.

What is the role of 'Keith, Disney's Chief Complexity Officer' in the context of this script?

In the script, 'Keith' is a fictional character used to represent the idea that Disney has made the new Lightning Lane system more complex with various rules and exceptions.

How does the new Lightning Lane system affect guests staying at Disney Resort hotels?

Disney Resort guests have a significant advantage with the new system, as they can book their Lightning Lanes further in advance, potentially securing the most sought-after rides earlier than offsite guests.

What is the issue with the new Lightning Lane system for international guests?

International guests face a significant disadvantage because they can only start booking their Lightning Lanes once they arrive in the US or Canada, which could be the day before or the same day as their park visit.

What is the impact of the new system on the flexibility of guests' plans?

The new system reduces flexibility as guests are required to choose and book their park visits in advance, and changes to these plans can incur additional costs or result in less desirable Lightning Lane availability.

Why does the speaker believe that Disney needs to simplify the Lightning Lane system?

The speaker believes that simplifying the Lightning Lane system would improve the guest experience, as the current complexity leads to confusion and dissatisfaction, especially since guests are now paying for what used to be a free perk.

What is the speaker's final verdict on the new Lightning Lane system?

The speaker concludes that the new Lightning Lane system is a downgrade overall due to its complexity and the disadvantages it presents to certain types of guests, despite some improvements in quality of life for daily users.