Disney Genie+ was introduced just about a year ago, and due to its popularity, Disney is increasing pricing for the service effective immediately. The paid service allows you to schedule times to skip the line and use the Lightning Lane at certain attractions at each of the theme parks.
Here is the statement from Disney:
Disney Genie+ service continues to be very popular among our guests. As we continue to manage the strong demand we are seeing for this service, we are introducing variable pricing for Disney Genie+, beginning Tuesday, October 11.
At Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Genie+ will also vary in price based on the date a guest is visiting. Similar to theme park tickets, throughout the year, prices may be lower on less busy days and higher during peak periods like Thanksgiving and Christmas. For example, now through the end of October, prices will be $15 per Guest, per day on less busy dates, $22 on some of our busier dates, and somewhere in between on other dates (plus tax; prices subject to change beyond October). As a reminder, single-day purchases of Disney Genie+ at Walt Disney World Resort are only available directly through the My Disney Experience app on the guest’s date of visit.
At Disneyland Resort, Disney Genie+ will now be $25 per day when purchased in advance as an add-on with a new ticket or vacation packages. Single-day purchases for Disney Genie+ through the Disneyland app will begin at $25 per day, and may vary by date, based on demand.
Additionally, WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure at Disney’s California Adventure Park is now part of Disney Genie+, providing guests with even more options to choose from when using this service.
A portion of a wall collapsed Monday morning at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, leaving a storefront looking exceptionally decrepit.
When visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Guests expect to experience jaw-dropping attractions like Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Guests also love the “fantastic” nighttime show featured at the Park.
Ever Since Walt Disney World Resort reopened, Guests have been eagerly waiting for Fantasmic! to return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The nighttime spectacular is a fan favorite, taking Guests on a journey into Mickey’s imagination, enjoying magical scenes with beloved Disney characters and battling fearsome villains with breathtaking sounds, sights, and effects.
However, A building collapsed at the entrance of the Park. The specific store was Keystone Clothiers, a popular shopping location on Hollywood Boulevard. You can see the damage in a tweet shared by Jason (@ozborn82):
There are reports that the Hollywood Boulevard area has been closed off due to the damage. At this time, we are unsure what caused the wall to collapse.
When the sun rose this morning in Orlando, it was a very different world than when it had set the night before. Hurricane Ian battered the area relentlessly over Wednesday and Thursday. Millions were without power, at least 12 people Western and Central Florida had died and many more faced uncertainties about their homes.
Walt Disney World closed its parks on both Wednesday and Thursday as the storm raged overhead. This morning the storm was gone, it was on its way to the Carolinas for round 3 (having already wrecked havoc in Florida and Cuba). The central Florida area awoke to calm skies once again. Calm skies do not mean all is well though. There is much work to do as historical flood levels recede and people begin to assess the damage and rebuild.
Disney has released a statement today expressing their concern for the victims. The statement which was posted to The Walt Disney Company Twitter page read, “Our hearts go out to those impacted by Hurricanes Ian and Fiona. We are grateful for all first responders who are doing heroic work, and to our employees who helped keep our guests safe. In addition to providing impacted employees with assistance through our relief fund, we are providing support to the American Red Cross, Feeding America, Heart of Florida United Way, and others working on local relief efforts.”
Recently we reported on how you can help victims of the deadly storm. We are pleased to see Disney has joined in that effort as well. The American Red Cross is accepting not only financial donations to benefit victims, but also good donations to help those who have been injured as well.
Our thoughts are also with the victims tonight and we hope for the safety and rapid recovery of all who were in the hurricane’s path.
Hurricane Ian has rocked central Florida over the last 24 hours. As the sun rose on the waterlogged state this morning the storm began to run out of steam and was downgraded to a Tropical Storm. Ian is currently on Florida’s East Coast, with rain bands still affecting much of the state.
The storm is expected to be on its way out to sea and on its way north by Friday. Because of the flooding and damage to the area, albeit minor damage, relatively speaking Disney is acting in an abundance of caution to protect Cast Members and Guests and despite rumors to the contrary, the Resort will be enacting a phased reopening today Friday September 30, 2022.
Hurricane Ian has battered down on the area and as it moves away, time is needed as clean up efforts commence. Many are still without power. Many Cast Members lack the ability to report to work still and as such, the staggered openings help alleviate not only Guest traffic but allows Cast Members ample time to make arrangements.
It is unknown what exactly is meant by the phased reopening. Disney has not yet released Park hours but we would.imagine that each Park will have a different opening time to stagger the demand in the morning. They have promised more information will.come regarding the details and hours later today.
The official announcement from Disney reads:
“Update on Hurricane Ian: We are seeing the impacts of Hurricane Ian across Florida and are thinking of our neighbors in Central Florida and across the state. We will share more information about our plan to support relief efforts for our Florida neighbors soon.
We thank our first responders and community leaders for their courageous efforts in preparing for and managing the storm’s impact. To our cast members in Florida and in South Carolina, thank you for selflessly taking care of our guests.
We continue to closely monitor weather conditions as we assess the impact of Hurricane Ian on our property. While theme parks and many operating areas remain closed to guests today, we anticipate weather conditions to improve this evening. Walt Disney World Resort will resume theme park and Disney Springs operations in a phased approach starting on Friday, Sept. 30. Operating hours will be updated later today on DisneyWorld.com/weather.”
Walt Disney World is located right in hurricane territory. Florida is the number one state impacted by hurricanes in the United States by a large margin, with 102 hurricanes since 1882 (Texas is number two with 64 storms, and North Carolina is number three with 55.)
Hurricane season in the Atlantic lasts from June 1 to November 30. Most hurricanes make landfall in the U.S. in August or September, when the conditions needed- warm water and cooler air temperature are right. However, a June or November hurricane isn’t unheard of.
So what do you do if you happen to be at Disney World when a hurricane hits?
The answer isn’t as simple as “just leave.” Interstates often become parking lots, and flights are often canceled, leaving travelers no choice but to remain where they are and wait for the storm to pass. Luckily Disney is one of the safest places you can be during a hurricane. The best thing for you to do if you’re unable to evacuate is listen to the instructions of all Cast Members. They have been briefed and trained on what to do in these powerful storms. Day-to-day operations may be suspended or altered, but clear instructions will be given.
Will the Parks Remain Open?
Their first priority will always be the safety of Guests and Cast Members. If they make the decision to close the Parks, it’s because experts have deemed it highly unsafe for anyone to be outside in the weather. Disney tries to keep the Parks open for as long as they possibly can. They understand no one wants to be stuck inside their hotel and won’t close Parks until it is absolutely necessary to do so. In fact, since 1971, they have only closed due to weather 8 times. Typically only one operating day is impacted. The longest ever hurricane closure was 3 days for Hurricane Irma.
If they do plan to close, you will be informed at your resort hotel in advance. Sometimes they will close early if a storm is expected to make landfall later in the day. When this happens, you will be told what time the Parks will close when you arrive in the Park that day. There will also be signs throughout the Park as soon as a decision is made.
What Happens at Hotels?
Availability for new room reservations will be paused during a storm that is expected to make a significant impact. This is to keep rooms available for locals who have to evacuate their homes and also for what is known as “The Ride Out Crew.” The Ride Out Crew will be your new best friend in the event of a hurricane. These are Cast Members who have volunteered to weather the storm at work to provide guests with necessities and, in many cases, fun!
Food
Food will be available at your resort. Full operations will likely not occur, but food will be available for every guest. Quick service locations make every effort to remain open during the storm, but often table service restaurants will close, and dining reservations will be canceled. In the event that Quick Service locations close, meal kits will be available. Depending on the resort facilities, sometimes there is a buffet available to guests in lieu of Quick Service restaurants. During Hurricane Irma, snacks were even provided to each guest room.
Activities
Disney does its best to make even a hurricane stay enjoyable. The hotel lobby will become activity central as long as it is safe to do so. Often characters make special appearances in hotel lobbies. It’s not unheard of for a face character to host a story time for kids. Games and special showings of movies usually occur. In many cases, a resort will allow guests to play in the arcade for free. Many bars will remain open under limited hours. Surprisingly, unless the storm is in its worst moments, the pools have been known to stay open, though subject to close at a moment’s notice and completely dependent on ever-changing conditions. Keep in mind none of these special activities are guaranteed. These are just examples of what has happened in the past. Activities will depend on what a resort has available and what their staffing situation is like.
Refunds?
If you’ve already traveled, you’re not guaranteed a refund. Operations This is because of Disney’s generous pre-arrival policy:
“If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area—or for your place of residence—within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you may call in advance to reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Company Disney Resort Hotel Package and most room-only reservations (booked directly with Disney) without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney.” View the full policy here.
Should you cancel?
That answer is as varied as the storms in Orlando are. There is no predicting whether a storm will be a doozy or nothing more than a nasty thunderstorm. Orlando is several hours inland, but that doesn’t mean it’s never hit full force. The best thing to do is watch the weather closely before your trip in order to make an informed decision. Disney resorts are safe, but they are not without risk. No two storms are the same so looking at previous storms is not likely to be helpful. Your best bet is to listen to weather experts and make the choice that is best for your family.
