I find it interesting that the $15 cost of Genie+ has people upset so much more than the huge price increases. We went in '17 and then again in '21. We stayed in the same hotel, same park days... But in '17 we had a quick service meal plan in '21 we did not. Both times were during peak season. We paid over 50% more 4 years later. WITH NO FOOD! That is CRAZY. and in any other venue would not be tolerated. We are going again this year and agin the prices are higher, but our hotel and days stayed are different so its not quite apples to apples. Although, as others have stated, we are still going, are we not? This will be our last trip for quite some time.
I notice quite a few people saying they should have just upped the price and kept FF/Genie free. Well, they upped the price AND made you pay for the line cuts. For them it is a WIN WIN. If they suddenly upped their price $30-$40 a ticket people would have been livid. This aloud them to get the higher ticket price, reduce how many people are LL ( because let be honest not EVERYONE is getting the Genie), and get extra money from those who pay for Genie.
As for the line cuts (whether FF or Genie), they are nice. Even only getting a few. When we went in '21 I think it was at 35% capacity and we could ride the little mermaid and haunted mansion all we wanted, but splash Mountain stayed at 2-3 hours as did 7DMT. My kids had no desire to wait for any of those. 2-3 hours for one or ride haunted mansion 10 times?!?!? LOL- yes we rode it that many times. I couldn't imagine what it would have been at capacity or the larger crowds we are seeing now. Having no lines under an hour would be a hard trip. yes, first thing in the morning and late at night are always the best times, but with children that is not really ideal. Having 2-3 big rides help brake up the longer lines. If you get more, even better.
AS for deluxe getting more LL than any other hotel. You think there are complaints now? It would be horrible then. I don't think you can compare a $400-600 a night hotel to $100-$200 a night hotel. a 6 night stay goes from $3600 vs $1200 that is a big difference. Don't get me wrong, I understand those that pay more will get more. That is life. But if you make it too much more you will have people very upset. Give Deluxes free parking or other smaller perks and you have people adding up the differences in what they will pay with added fees vs paying for the nicer hotel. People justify the perk with a nicer hotel- you get more. But more ride time? goodness.....People are already upset with the extra two hours they are getting ( really not many people with kids can do this, unless they are older), I couldn't imagine what it would be with extra LL Staying out to 1am ( with the time change it feels like 2am) and then getting up the next morning to book your LL at 7am....UGH! Not quite as amazing as it sounds at first. And that is just people staying onsite. They would be missing so much money on those that stay off-site. Although dinner has a lot of hotels, still the bulk stay off site or live close by.
Just my thoughts.
Since I haven't used the Genie, I am just hoping it will give us SOME relief from the long lines. It has been quite busy for the slow season and we are going in summer. We will see how it goes.