DAS Outrage vs Genie Plus Outrage?

[BrianL]

I would agree for something like the Universal pass. But G+ is $30. $30 isn't a mark of status or class.

Yeah, that's kind of what I was getting at. Then again, $30 per person, per day, can add up for a larger family for sure, though it's still a small percentage of the overall cost of a Disney vacation.

 

[BrianL]

Of course we remember it. Would we like to return to a free way to stand in a shorter line? Sure. But it ain't gonna happen. As HerzerHerrick said in the posting you were responding to, "Disney is a business first and foremost so they are going to do whatever it takes to maximize profit." They found a way to monetize shorter lines. Heck, even TSA did that. (Although PreCheck is a bargain given its five-year lifetime.)

As several people have pointed out, it does little good for one's blood pressure to be angry about everything in life that's easier if you can throw more money at it.

It's not even "just" about maximizing profit. There are simply too many people going for the older systems to keep up. As more people fought for the same amount of fast pass availability, they became a premium item. It makes sense that it happened, even if I don't personally love that it had to.

 

[JerrodDragon89]

I would agree for something like the Universal pass. But G+ is $30. $30 isn't a mark of status or class.

Magic Key Holders, many people go more then one day Racers and ROTR are 30 bucks per person per ride.

Also Universal has a AP with FREE Express pass on it.

Also Disneyland Tickets Cost more then other parks so in some ways your already paying for it but just no benefits.

 

[ralphie]

We have been coming to WDW since 1971, with five kiddos - everyone went to the bathroom before getting in line. If someone had to go to the bathroom during the line - we all got out and started over. Now it's just two of us, we continue to use bathroom prior or get out of line if emergency and start all over again. We do not purchase any additional LL or G+ and use stand by lines - we ride very little. Basically we're just buying the option to enter the park.
Fast passes were great and we did not all get in line for a ride and designate one to run to get passes and then jump back into line. Line Jumping!! In an ideal world - all would play by the rules - wouldn't that be great! And FAIR!

 

[BriannaRuth]

One of my daughters has a disability that qualifies her for DAS, but it isn't usually obvious (until it is). She's 20 years old, the right age for the social media types who brag about gaming the system, and I always feel like people are thinking we're cheating--so I hope the new process might make people less likely to suspect that. Personally I'd have no problem with the doctor's note if it would help in that regard.

I will say, to whoever said something about people with DAS shouldn't be able to pick up food, or whatever else, during their return time -- no, I really disagree with that. Yes, it would help with the cheating. But a lot of people who deal with real disabilities are already so disadvantaged in our society that allowing them an extra 30 minutes at Disneyland to grab a bite to eat is fine by me.

I don't have a problem with people paying for Genie+, etc., either. That's how our society works.

The only time that kind of thing really bugs me is when it's necessities, like health care. Because I do have a daughter with a disability, I know how expensive healthcare can be for her, and how long it can take to get an appointment with a specialist, and what it's like to hope the specialist we're seeing, who's pretty much dictated by our insurance, is a good one. However, I have a very wealthy relative who pays for concierge medical. He wants to see a doctor, he sees one the same day. He needs an important procedure done, it's quick and he has the best care money can buy. Some people can't even afford to go to the doctor at all. Now that's messed up.

Faster ride entrance for Genie+ is small potatoes and not worth worrying about.

 

[BrianL]

I will say, to whoever said something about people with DAS shouldn't be able to pick up food, or whatever else, during their return time -- no, I really disagree with that. Yes, it would help with the cheating. But a lot of people who deal with real disabilities are already so disadvantaged in our society that allowing them an extra 30 minutes at Disneyland to grab a bite to eat is fine by me.

Yeah, I don't think most people have any problem with that - I know I don't. I mean, even at WDW people complain about how busses load wheelchairs and scooters first, or even back when people in wheelchairs did get priority access to lines, etc. I just never worried about that. My personal perspective is that people would much rather not need to use those accommodations at all! So what if they get a little, and I do mean little, deference? Use your time as the system allows, and don't feel bad if you sneak in an extra Mickey Bar.

 

[starlite_]

Magic Key Holders, many people go more then one day Racers and ROTR are 30 bucks per person per ride.

Also Universal has a AP with FREE Express pass on it.

Also Disneyland Tickets Cost more then other parks so in some ways your already paying for it but just no benefits.

LL+ is not the same as G+. The conversation, and my response to BrianL was about G+.

Your question was also about DAS and G+. Not about anything else you just mentioned so lets not move the goalpost.

 

[Brian Noble]

I would agree for something like the Universal pass. But G+ is $30. $30 isn't a mark of status or class.

See my followup post: It's not the reality of it, it is the messaging.

“All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others”

I'm not sure how else you can explain the vitriol because you are right--it's not a huge amount in the grand scheme of things.

 

[BrianL]

See my followup post: It's not the reality of it, it is the messaging.

“All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others”

Yeah, but it does hit a little differently when most of the less equal could easily join the more equal at their discretion. It's not a true systemic inequality but rather a voluntary stratification.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I mean, even at WDW people complain about how busses load wheelchairs and scooters first, or even back when people in wheelchairs did get priority access to lines, etc.

I think with the bus situation, people complain more so about how a party of 12 accompanying the wheelchair user can board first and in some cases fill up half the bus before people that were waiting longer can even get on.

 

[Brian Noble]

See, that's exactly what I am thinking. It's really a near-meaningless amount in the context of a Disney vacation. Yet it is a HUGE DEAL to a lot of people. I don't know how to explain that other than "It just means more." We didn't have nearly this much discussion over the short-lived resort parking fees.

----
With apologies to the ESS EEE CEE.

 

[BrianL]

See, that's exactly what I am thinking. It's really a near-meaningless amount in the context of a Disney vacation. Yet it is a HUGE DEAL to a lot of people. I don't know how to explain that other than "It just means more." We didn't have nearly this much discussion over the short-lived resort parking fees.

----
With apologies to the ESS EEE CEE.

Oh yeah, well, on the DIS anything can be amped up to a thousand! I think a lot of that is more in the Internet DIsney community than it is with the majority of parks guests.

 

[NorCalFanatic]

Yeah, but it does hit a little differently when most of the less equal could easily join the more equal at their discretion. It's not a true systemic inequality but rather a voluntary stratification.

We know many people who go and could easily (very easily) afford Genie+ but don’t do it. “I’m not paying for that Disney money grab” (sounds familiar). We love Genie +, buy it every trip and budget for it. Maximizes our time in the parks. Coupled with early entry we can easily do just about every ride when we go. As far as DAS, we’ve definitely seen a few questionable uses, the group of 11 that boarded the Jungle cruiser on one of our previous trips as one member of their party was DAS seemed a bit excessive to me.

 

[BrianL]

I think with the bus situation, people complain more so about how a party of 12 accompanying the wheelchair user can board first and in some cases fill up half the bus before people that were waiting longer can even get on.

It's tough when it's a large party though. Are they supposed to split up? Honestly, it's never been a big deal nor caused me to wait significantly longer, so it's no big deal.

 

[Smugpugmug]

It's tough when it's a large party though. Are they supposed to split up? Honestly, it's never been a big deal nor caused me to wait significantly longer, so it's no big deal.

Yes they are supposed to split up if they're a party larger than 6 and regroup at their destination. It says that on the signs at the bus stop.

To clarify I don't feel this way but that is a complaint I see about the busses.

 

[BrianL]

Yes they are supposed to split up if they're a party larger than 6 and regroup at their destination. It says that on the signs at the bus stop.

To clarify I don't feel this way but that is a complaint I see about the busses.

Well, if that's the rule, then they should. I have never noticed that rule though. Thankfully, I have never had the need to.

 

[raidermatt]

There has been plenty of outrage about G+. Its reviled. That said, there is nothing inherently unfair about it. You make a choice to pay or not pay, and you go about your day accordingly. You may not like seeing people access the attraction faster, but you know you made a choice.

DAS abuse is essentially straight up line cutting. No different than the people who just push through the line pretending to be catching up to a group. But DAS abuse is much more pervasive because once you have the card, you are not required to risk a confrontation by pushing your way through lines to cut. You have, at least as it appears to others, legitimized your line cutting. So of course this creates outrage. The only choice non-cheaters made was not to cheat. Unlike with G+, they did not make a simple financial choice. They made a commendable moral and ethical choice. It is perfectly fair to expect Disney to minimize the number of people getting away with lying and cheating.

Also, GAC/DAS abuse did not start with G+. This has been a problem for years, long before even FP+. DAS replaced GAC in an attempt to curb the abuse. It has been successful, but not successful enough, especially with the way nefarious information spreads on social media today.

Mobile food ordering? As compared to DAS abusers? Seriously? Choosing to order food via mobile or not is again, a simple choice and either is legitimate. Don't like people getting their food while you wait in line? Mobile order. Don't like DAS abusers cutting in line? Your choice is to lie and cheat.

Putting this on CMs to assist guests? FP did that. FP+. G+. GAC did that when instituted and it increased when DAS replaced it. If Disney successfully weeds out some cheaters, that will reduce CM involvement. If Disney thinks the extra cost (if any) is worth it, so be it.

 

[tink89]

What's interesting is people started to Lie the moment skipping the line went from Free to Paid

Which i think is part of this discussion as well. Some blame streamers but it went up 5 Times as much, do it's not them doing this is normal guests.

I also wish Disney just asked for a Doctors note so CM's weren't the ones who will have to deal with this.

Thanks for the freedback

People have lied before genie.

 

[DLandgirlie]

Don't throw virtual tomatoes at me, but I think they should raise the price of Genie+ for one day guests and lower it for multi-day visitors (which ideally make up out of town visitors).

 

[MonocularVision]

It’s quite obvious that this thing I do not like is solely responsible for this other thing I do not like. Only bad things go together. There are no trade-offs.