Even though we love Walt Disney World and it truly is our happy place, there are some frustrations that we are having lately. Some of these are bigger concerns and others are just mild. Either way, though these issues are causing us some frustration with our favorite place.
We want to share these frustrations with you not to complain, but to help make you aware. We feel if Guests are aware of these frustrations prior to their vacations they will be less of an issue.
Crowds
If you have seen pictures of the Walt Disney World Resort recently, you are well aware that crowds are back in the Disney Parks. This means that we are slowly seeing things return to normal; however, that also means that the times of low wait times are probably in the past.
No matter when you visit, crowds can be frustrating. It makes it harder to move around the Parks, get onto rides, and even find food. Since we know that crowds are back, set yourself up for success.
We have a lot of ways HERE to beat the crowds that can help you have a fantastic time even during the busiest of days. Allow for more time in between attractions, make sure to mobile order early, and take time to step away from the Parks.
The crowds aren’t going away at Walt Disney World. Be ready for them so you can still have a wonderful time. Finally, keep in mind to be kind to both fellow Guests and Cast Members. Everyone wants to have a good time and we can all help make this possible with a positive attitude.
Cost
Another factor that can be frustrating in Walt Disney World is the rising cost. There really isn’t much we can do about this as we are seeing this around the world right now, but having a plan can really help.
Take time to set a budget before heading to Walt Disney World. Know where you are going to spend and where you are going to save. Consider having water delivered instead of purchasing it in the Parks. Share a meal so you can save some money.
Even though the prices in Walt Disney World aren’t going down, you can take steps to save money along the way. Doing this will make you more prepared for the cost and able to enjoy your vacation without worrying about money.
Genie+
A major frustration in Walt Disney World right now revolved around Genie+. If you don’t know, Genie+ is the paid version of fastpass. Guests can now choose to add Genie+ to their day at $15/person.
By adding Genie+, Guests are given access to the Lightning Lanes and are able to skip the longer standby waits. This might sound like a fantastic option; however, there are some frustrations that have come along with Genie+.
First is the overall fact that it isn’t free. Guests that have been going to Walt Disney World over the years might find it frustrating that they now have to pay for something that was once free. Although this is frustrating, if we stop and compare it to other Theme Parks and even Disneyland, Guests have been paying for this service for a while.
Another frustration with Genie+ is that you can’t book your reservations ahead of time. Guests liked being able to choose their fast passes prior to their vacation so they knew what their plan was when they arrived at the Park.
Genie+ is done the day of and Guests aren’t given the option to choose their time. This can be frustrating if you have other reservations such as dining to consider.
The 7:00 am wake-up call is another frustration that Guests have with Genie+. Since all Guests can start booking their first Genie+ selection at 7:00 am it means no more sleeping in on vacation. For many Guests, this can be a huge downfall. They want to sleep in or it starts their morning off stressful instead of magical.
The last frustration comes with being on your phone the whole vacation. Since Genie+ is run through the My Disney Experience app, Guests are frustrated that they are constantly on their phones instead of enjoying their family and the magic.
So many might ask why purchase Genie+ if it comes with all these extra frustrations. We think the overall benefit, especially during busy times, can really be helpful. If Guests are aware of these frustrations prior to using Genie+, it might be less of an issue for them.
All the Planning
For us, a vacation to Walt Disney World has never been a show and up and wing-it trip. Now more than ever though a Walt Disney World vacation needs a lot of planning. Guests that want to just show up and enjoy the magic might be frustrated with everything that goes into a Disney vacation.
Guests now need to make Park Pass Reservations. This means that as soon as they purchase their Disney tickets, they can get on My Disney Experience and select which Disney Park they want to visit each day.
Next comes determining where to dine. At 60 days out, Guests can make their dining reservations for table service restaurants throughout Walt Disney World. This might seem unnecessary; however, many of the top dining locations do book up that early.
Finally, Guests need to take some time to learn about Genie+ and all the new procedures in place. From Park Hopping at 2 pm to no dining plan, there are a lot of little things that now need attention as well.
All of these steps can seem like a lot for Guests who just want to show up and have fun. We suggest taking it to step by step as you are planning (check out our suggestions HERE) to make it easier.
We understand that going to Walt Disney World right now might be frustrating. We hope walking you through some of what could be frustrating will help you have a smoother and more magical vacation.
