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Planning a Walt Disney World Vacation may feel like a full-time job, especially since the addition of Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, fans have been wondering if it’s all become too much.
The social media buzz surrounding just how complicated visiting Walt Disney World has become, has only been exasperated by price increases that both domestic Resorts earlier this week. With ticket prices nearing a 10% increase on some dates in the latest Disneyland update, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance coming in at up to $25 for an Individual Lightning Lane purchase, we can see why fans are questioning if the whole experience has become too complicated (and expensive).
Credit: Disney
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If regular Disney Park fans are perplexed by the process of visiting the theme parks as of late, it has to be quite the undertaking for more casual Guests to plan a successful trip. But even beyond the fans, one former Disney Imagineer has spoken out on Twitter sharing his thoughts on the complications of visiting Walt Disney World.
Morgan Lee Richardson previously worked in Walt Disney Imagineering on several projects around Walt Disney World, including Pandora and the design of the Disney Conservation Fund buttons in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and at The Seas With Nemo and Friends and The Land pavilions in EPCOT. Outside of Disney World, Richardson worked on projects like the Rivers of America in Disneyland and the Frozen Land in Hong Kong Disneyland.
In a recent Twitter post in which Richardson revealed that he has not visited a Disney Park since February 2021, the former Imagineer shared his thoughts:
Haven't been to a Disney park since 02/21 and frankly I don't know how to go back. Like there's apps (multiple?) and reservations (multiple?), and park hopping restrictions that I have no clue how to navigate. I designed the parks for years and now don't know how to go to them.
— Morgan Lee Richardson ?? (@MRichardsonArt) October 11, 2022
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“I designed the parks for years and now don’t know how to go to them,” Richardson said at the end of his initial tweet. In addition to mentioning the apps (My Disney Experience and included within it, Disney Genie+) the former Imagineer notes the confusion that can arise over required Park reservations and restrictions on Park Hopping.
He continued his discussion noting that the cost of participating in new Disney Parks procedures is also something Guests should consider, as he (and many of us) have questioned how much of the experience that tends to lengthen the process should come at an added cost.
I just think it's silly. And obviously folks can figure it out if they take the time. But how much attention should Guests really have to pay to the ticketing/scheduling procedure vs their park experience? Anyway…here is a photo of an empty Main St. taken at noon on 02/04/21 pic.twitter.com/MumPY6WrV8
— Morgan Lee Richardson ?? (@MRichardsonArt) October 11, 2022
Despite Guests, and even former Imagineers, expressing the complications of the current system for visiting Disney Parks, CEO Bob Chapek has continued to view Disney Genie+ and the theme park reservation system a success for its ability to manage crowds.
What do you think? Are you still able to seamlessly plan a Disney trip, or has it simply become too complicated? As always, check back here on Disney Tips for the latest updates from Disney Parks, and tips to make sense of such complications.
