5 Times Disney World Made Guests Mad This Year
A lot has happened in Disney World in 2021.
Partners Statue
We’ve seen Disney World discontinue and change several big things in 2021, and not everyone has been a fan of all these changes. We asked our readers how Disney World made YOU mad in 2021. And now, we are sharing some common responses.
We decided to reach out to our readers via our Facebook page (give us a like if you want to share your thoughts in the future!) and asked you to “tell us about a time Disney World made you MAD this year!” Here’s what our readers had to say.
Genie+
Genie+ was the MOST common answer from our readers. After FastPasses were officially discontinued, they were replaced by the new paid system called Genie+. Although FastPasses were free, Genie+ costs $15 per person, per day, and often doesn’t include the 8 most popular rides in Disney World. Those rides are known as Individual Lightning Lanes (pay-per-ride) that cost more and are separate from Genie+.
©Disney
One of our readers said that Disney World made them mad by “taking FastPass away, which was free to those booking on the property, and replac[ing] it with the new Genie+ that costs even MORE money when prices have already gone up.” Another reader mentioned the 7AM booking time for Genie+ as a source of frustration, noting that they had “to get up at 6:55AM every. day. of. our. vacation. It’s awful.”
Fight of Passage Lightning Lane
Several other readers also mentioned the difficulty to unplug on your vacation when you need your phone to use Genie+, and that sometimes it’s hard to secure the Lightning Lane reservations you want. Overall, many of our readers who commented were angry to have to pay for a service that was previously free.
Have feelings changed toward Disney Genie?
Magical Express
One reader summed up the responses of many readers with, “2 words: Magical Express!!!” The permanent discontinuation of the free airport shuttle system for Disney World Resort hotel guests, known as Magical Express, was announced back in January, and this is another free service that will now cost guests money. This was the second most common response from our readers.
Disney’s Magical Express will conclude its service at the end of 2021
The Magical Express would not only transport Disney World hotel guests from the Orlando International Airport, but they would also handle luggage too, all for free. But as of January 1st, 2022, guests can now choose between replacement services such as Mears Connect and The Sunshine Flyer, or traditional airport shuttles, taxies, or rideshare options. Many of our readers are upset by the fact that they will now have to pay for something that used to be free.
Disney World is getting rid of their biggest free perk yet in 2022.
High Prices
High prices were a very common response from readers, who generally tied it into Genie+, Magical Express, and more. One reader referenced the increasing ticket prices on top of Genie+, claiming that “paying an extra $50+ for a family of four on top of the $300 tickets each to begin with to skip an hour long wait for one ride” is frustrating. A few other readers mentioned the lack of the Disney Dining Plan too, as well as general price increases of merchandise and food.
They stuck a new price tag over the old one!
Prices have been on the rise in Disney World, alongside the loss of free perks. One reader noted, “Every time I turn around they are charging more and offering less.” Disney World also changed their Annual Passes this year, and one reader said, “the Pirate Pass gives us far less for almost $300 more.”
Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser
The high cost of the Star Wars hotel was also mentioned a few times, as it costs a family of four about $5,999 for a 2-night stay. One reader’s response was pretty clear, “Price, price and price. Price for Disney resort, price for tickets, price for food.”
How much have prices gone up since Disney World first opened?
Early Theme Park Entry
One reader commented, “less early entrance time in parks for resort guests.” Early Theme Park Entry replaced Extra Magic Hours, which previously allowed Disney World Resort hotel guests to arrive early or stay late in Disney Parks, usually for an hour or sometimes two. Now, Early Theme Park Entry has been introduced and hotel guests usually get an extra 30 minutes before park opening.
Resort Guest? Right this way!
A few other readers noted that the now separate program of Extended Evening Hours only applies to deluxe hotel guests, and so far only Magic Kingdom and EPCOT are participating. However, for a limited time, Disney World is allowing hotel guests to enter Disney Parks one hour before opening from December 19th to January 3rd, 2022, so maybe that’s a sign that they might offer this limited perk more in the future? We will keep our eyes on the situation and will be sure to let you all know if anything changes.
Read more about the limited time Disney World offer!
Holiday After Hours Parties
And Disney World After Hours Parties were another common response, with quite a few readers citing their frustration with “decreasing experiences and increasing prices.” Both the Halloween and Christmas parties were replaced with new After Hours parties, and this year we experienced the After Hours BOO Bash and the Very Merriest After Hours events.
©Disney
As one reader said, “They got rid of the Halloween and Christmas parties and replaced them with the After Hours events.” These After Hours events were shorter than the holiday parties from the past with a higher price tag, which a number of readers noted. We still don’t know if the holiday parties have been replaced permanently by the After Hours events, but we’ll have to wait and see if holiday parties return.
The differences between Disney World’s Christmas After Hours event and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party!
The major takeaway from our readers is that the loss of free perks is making a big impact in Disney World, and a lot of people are frustrated with these changes. There are still a lot of new and exciting things coming to Disney World, but we’ll have to wait and see what else the future holds.
If you could get rid of one thing in Disney World what would it be?
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What made YOU mad in 2021? Tell us in the comments!
The post 5 Times Disney World Made Guests Mad This Year first appeared on the disney food blog.
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