Disney Called Out On Their Long-Lasting “Scam” to Raise Prices

Fans have once again called out the Walt Disney Company on one of their paid services, which some allege is just a “scam” to raise ticket prices.

Going to the Walt Disney World World Resort and the Disneyland Resort in Southern California is universally agreed upon by Disney fans to be one of the most incredible ways to enjoy Disney magic.

Whether it’s enjoying a ride like Space Mountain in Magic Kingdom Park or Disneyland Park or taking in enthralling lands like Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park or Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Park, there is certainly a lot to love about going to Disney.

However, in recent years, fans have been concerned about one aspect of the Disney Park experience: the cost of going to a park itself. It is no secret that the cost of going to either Disney World or Disneyland has shot up exponentially over the last few years.

Time and again, fans have talked about how the Disney experience is far too expensive for most to afford, and studies have even been conducted that explain how fans have gone into debt to go to Disney World. 

The main reason for this increase in prices is unfortunately not limited to only one aspect of going to a Disney Park. The reason for the increase in prices comes from higher ticket prices, more paid services at the parks, and increasing food and beverage prices while at a Disney Resort. 

Of all the services that Disney has introduced in the recent past, one of the most controversial is the Disney Genie service. Many fans have complained about it multiple times. Guests have talked about how this service which replaced the complimentary FastPass system is just another money grab from the Walt Disney Company. 

Most recently, fans once again took the time to explain how the Disney Genie service, consisting of Genie+, Lightning Lane, and Individual Lightning Lane, is just another “scam” from Disney.

A Disney fan took to Reddit to explain how the Disney Genie product was just a “scam” to increase theme park prices.

The fan wrote, “Instead of increasing tickets’ prices even more, Disney created Genie+ so the average ticket price could go up extra $15 — assuming that not everybody buys it (obviously a random number pulled from my head). It’s cheap enough so a LOT of people can buy it, but expensive enough so you think it actually gives you some advantage. Getting a time slot for a ride should be a regular benefit for everyone by first-come first-served.”

Many fans in the comments were in agreement with the OP.

One wrote, “For me, having to use the app to plan my day takes the fun away. Instead of being present in the moment, I have to keep my face glued to my screen to get the rides/food I want. Before we would go grab our fast passes, meander around the area around the ride and enjoy the sites. I remember seeing so many little magical things.”

Another lamented the lack of FastPass, sharing they missed when FastPass was a thing.

The reality is that many feel like the Disney Genie service ruins the immersive experience of being at the parks; guests miss when Disney was more focused on providing a guest experience fans have become accustomed to receiving. However, senior executives have made it clear that Disney Genie is certainly not going anywhere.

So fans will, for better or for worse, have to make their peace with the service.