Josh D’Amaro Shares What Guests can Expect from Disney Genie in New Interview

Disney just announced a new planning tool for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts: Disney Genie. Check out Josh D’Amaro’s thoughts here.

Rationale For Removing FastPasses

In July, when Disney World re-opened crowds were at an all time low. However, since that time crowds and wait times have continued to increase. This left us wondering when or if some type of FastPasses would return. However, this July is a totally different story. Crowd capacity has increased significantly.

The decision was made to halt the FastPass+ service to allow Disney additional queue space to control capacity at Disney World attractions and maintain physical distancing. Disney cancelled existing FastPasses for all guests after the theme parks closed. Until now, the Disney website stated any future updates on the service at a later date.

Disney Loves “Super Fans”

According to Josh D’amaro, fans, especially what he calls “super fans”, are the most important thing to Disney.

This is going to be a better experience for all of our guests. One of the things that was important to us as we embarked upon this transformation in the theme park space is that we took input from our fans and from our super fans.

Josh D’Amaro, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman

Genie is a tool that Josh is very excited about. According to D’Amaro, Disney Genie will greatly improve the guest experience. What our guests have asked for and what our fans have asked for is simplicity. D’Amaro shares that planning will be easier and more flexible.

Enhanced My Disney Experience

Genie is a phone app within the existing Disneyland and My Disney Experience apps launching this fall. Users tell Genie specific interests. Then, Genie takes all this input to create the best theme park experience.

This is what you should do and how you can have the most fun possible in a Disney park.

Josh D’Amaro, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman

As a fellow KtP writer, Maggie, asks, “Do you want to have fun or not?” According to D’Amaro Disney guests want to have all the fun! D’Amaro shares that this takes all the pressure off you to create a spreadsheet and think, What do I do now? What do I do next? 

Wait, I (Susan) love my spreadsheets. LOL Guests decide on and make changes to what they’re interested in doing. That relieves pressure to make sure you’re maximizing your time. I think that changes everything. Also, onsite guests have an advantage when booking Lightning Lane attractions.

We are taking more than 60 years of experience and data and applying artificial intelligence on top of that.

Josh D’Amaro, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman

Genie+ works within Disney Genie

Disney Genie is free, but for an additional fee, guests will be able to purchase Genie+. According to D’Amaro, this offers guests more flexibility and convenience. Think of Disney Genie+ as the next evolution of MaxPass across our parks.

Also, there are some attractions that use the Lightning Lane queue—which you can purchase individually. Think about Rise of the Resistance. Guests show up in the morning and they try to get into the virtual queue. Now there’s another option.

Why Add All This Information under Genie?

D’Amaro states that coming out of the COVID era, Disney had an opportunity to create a completely experiential suite of products. Disney wants them to all work together. We have the benefit of taking advantage of these learnings we have and products we have had.

And, Disney wants to make sure it was comprehensive and complete. Please note that Disney shared that their Disability Services will be available through Genie also.

Also, it gives guests and fans an amazing amount of flexibility and it’s all simple.

Josh D’Amaro, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman

If guests don’t want to engage at all, they don’t have to. If they just want to engage in Disney Genie, guests experiences will be improved. If I want to engage with Disney Genie+, it’s right there integrated.

If guests simply want to use Lightning Lane alone, it’s right there, as well. It was important to Disney that the transition be seamless, integrated, and flexible.

What if Guests are Overwhelmed by all this New Information?

“Number one, our focus is on a better guest experience. So, Disney started with that premise. Change, particularly with Disney and our super fans, is hard to take in. Experience, though, suggests that when we introduce these new products, guest experiences are improved. We are operating in the best interest of our super fans. This Disney Genie suite of products will make the experience better.”

Why Are Some Lightning Lane attractions à la carte and some included in Genie+?

According to D’Amaro, Disney wants to make sure fans have the ultimate flexibility. Some attractions are in more demand than others, so what we wanted to do was create a mix within that ecosystem whether it be with Disney Genie+ or Lightning Lane individually.

Check out how this affects lines at the new Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.

Why is Genie+ at Walt Disney World $15 and $20 at Disneyland?

“When we went into the pandemic, at Disneyland MaxPass was priced at $20, and that was working well. So, Disney is starting Genie+ pricing there.

At Disney World, the product is brand new for a lot of our fans. Also, the length of stay at Walt Disney World is longer.”

What Would Josh have Genie Plan for Him?

Josh loves everything Disney.

If Josh went into Genie, he states he would look for a comprehensive day that gives him a mix of the classics along with cutting-edge attractions. Also, Josh would be looking for that whole Disney day.

I would certainly buy Disney Genie+ because I would want that added convenience. And there would be some special attractions I’d want to make sure I get on. Rise of the Resistance would be one of those for me!

Josh D’Amaro, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman

Are you excited about the the new Genie and Genie+ service? Also, what do you think about paying for additional rides? Please share your thoughts on our KtP Facebook Page or our KtP Crew group.

Source: d23.com