Disney Puts All Rides Behind Second Paywall

After recent controversy at Disneyland and the Walt Disney World Resort, the parks take another step towards mending fences with their vocal and dedicated fanbase. As Genie+ falls, a new and familiar system rises from the ashes in the form of the new Lightning Lane Multipass.

As of today, guests venturing into the Disney parks have the option to use the new Lightning Lane system, which is billed as more straightforward and streamlined than the former Genie+ option. However, longtime Park-Hoppers might notice something oddly familiar about the new deal.

The “new” wait-time-cutting program allows guests to skip regular lines at select attractions by reserving arrival times in advance, offering more control over their park experience. By offering a selection of multiple options in a simple pick-and-choose format, it bears a striking resemblance to the once-beloved FastPass+ service from so many years ago.

Is Lightning Lane the New FastPass+?

A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet, but seasoned Disney park fans remember how much of a game-changer the FastPass+ options were for their trips to the resorts. Anyone who’s ever stepped foot in a Disney park or resort knows that wait times are inevitable, but the original system helped guests manage the process better by scheduling ride windows.

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The new system, an improvement on the traditional Lightning Lane options, gives guests a similar formula by allowing them to choose up to three multipass experiences before they even step foot in the parks. Although it’s undoubtedly a much simpler alternative to the much-maligned Genie+, only one factor keeps it from being FastPass+, and it’s a biggie.

The original FastPass+ service did essentially everything the new Lightning Lane Multipass variant does, but with one major difference: it was free to guests who stayed at the Disney Resort Hotels. This complimentary option served as an extra enticement for guests to stay on park property while building good faith with its consumers.

Because Lightning Lane is still behind a Disney-enforced paywall, many hardcore fans (like Mr. Unofficial CEO below) feel this change is a dollar short and a day late. Charging fans for something they formerly got for free really doesn’t do Disney any favors.

Is It Too Late?

@mr.unofficialceo

In other news, old man shakes fist at cloud… ????????????️ #disney #breakingnews #news #genie #fastpass #disneyparks #wdw #rant #distok #disneyadult

♬ original sound – Mr. Unofficial

As pointed out in the video above, fans are exponentially tired of the hyper-monetization of the Disney magic, and the retroactive nature of the new feature only further drives a wedge between Disney and its fans. While the Lightning Lane Multipass program does essentially the same work as FastPass+, Disney still charges extra for such a beneficial and popular service feels undeniably greedy. 

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While this certainly isn’t the magic fix many fans were hoping for, it’s still a decisive improvement over the overly complex program that came before. In this writer’s opinion, a pick-and-choose model truly serves the guests better, and scheduling a time to ride the more popular attractions makes them more accessible to more people.

While the service remains behind a paywall, there’s hope it might be temporary as Disney continues restoring former popular practices to regain guests’ favor. After all, this isn’t the first familiar feature to make a comeback after years in isolation.

Disney also recently reintroduced the Disney Dining Plan and reduced ticket prices for Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and EPCOT for a limited time. It’s not going to be an overnight fix, but progress has undeniably been made.

Related: Disney Completely Shuts Down Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Weeks Later, Water Drained

If Disney truly wants to make amends with its guests, the powers in charge need to bite the bullet and bring back complementary services like the free passes and the Magical Express to make getting between the parks and the airports easier and improve their accessibility. The question is, will Disney get the message?

Do you think the new Lightning Lane system is an improvement? Tell us in the comments down below!