Hey, friends. It’s been a while since we all checked in on a personal level, and I couldn’t help but think that the gigantic Mickey-shaped elephant in the room was a good opportunity to reconnect. I believe that most of us can agree that it’s been a tough couple of years. The 2020 decade hasn’t been so kind to us so far, and with the cost of living crisis swirling around us, sometimes, it can feel like it’s all too much. The news of a new Lightning Lane Premium Pass broke yesterday, and it seems to be, for many, the straw that broke the camel’s back.
When we face stressful times, it’s common to turn to the things in life that provide relief; our passions and interests can alleviate some of the pressures of the modern world. However, when the thing you turn to becomes a source of that stress, it starts to feel overwhelming. Disney’s new service is set to launch in Disneyland on October 23rd, 2024, and in Walt Disney World on October 30th, 2024, and fans are divided on its impact. I’ve read so many comments over the last 24 hours, and I have some thoughts I want to share.
At its core, the new highly-priced pass is Disney’s long-awaited answer to that of Universal Studios. After years of rumors, the product has finally surfaced, offering a top-tier experience for those who can afford it (and want it) to expedite entry to some of the most popular attractions in the theme park without waiting for an assigned return time. While the offering might feel unfair to some, it doesn’t serve as much more than a glorified VIP Tour experience for those willing to shell out the funds for it. In any case, frustrations are swarming, and I’m wondering if they are partly misplaced.
When Disney made the original, ill-fated change from the legendary FastPass system to that of the paid Genie+ service, Walt Disney World guests felt a bit ripped off by the removal of the three FP+ passes for Disney Resort guests perk. In this circumstance, the new tier of Lightning Lane Multi Pass isn’t replacing an existing one, meaning there is no reduction in access to the existing services. What is changing is the perception of what a Disney vacation should be.
Disney has always been a luxury destination, but it wasn’t something that most of our global population would ever have the chance to experience. Even though it was more accessible at one time, it has always been a privilege. As we watch our economic standings begin to shift, it is often easier to place blame solely on the companies increasing our prices rather than see the bigger picture of the costs they incur as well. Now, this isn’t a pro-Disney lecture about the big corporation actually being the good guy, but it is a bit of a reality check that they aren’t necessarily the bad guys, either.
Let’s take a step back. I don’t know about you, but one of the highlights of my Disney year is the D23 news of all the expansions and special projects that are currently in the works. Everything from the Tropical Americas re-imagining of Disney’s Animal Kingdom to the controversial Cars attractions coming to Magic Kingdom. Not to mention doubling the size of Averngers Campus in Disney California Adventure, a Monsters, Inc. Land, a Villains Land, and just about everything in between. I’m not sure what you think, but none of these projects sound cheap to me. Maintenance has long been a talked-about factor with the aging Disney Parks, and keeping up with the current demand while adding new (and, let’s face it) expensive innovations at the same time, we are talking huge dollars.
Moving back to today and yesterday’s news, I’m pretty excited about the new addition to Disney’s services. While I don’t consider myself to be in the elite tier of guests who will be able to afford the service, if the money spent by those who can ultimately fund the new expansions for me to enjoy, then I’m all for it! My Disney experience remains unchanged. The new opportunity that a small minority might enjoy doesn’t phase me or make me feel like my experience is one of any less value than it was before now. When I think about it more deeply, it doesn’t really affect me at all. In truth, I see it as an opportunity for Disney to acquire the funds needed to pursue park expansions and adventures without affecting my bottom line.
On another level, my thoughts are reduced to one simple business phrase: supply and demand. For years, guests have been complaining about waiting times and a lack of comparable options to Disney’s main competitor, Universal Studios. If Disney has the capacity to supply such a service without affecting the average park guest, and demand is high enough to warrant it, why not? I know the feeling of being ripped off can be strong, especially when it feels like we don’t all have equal access to the same opportunities in life, but really, is this the tip of the iceberg? I am reminded of how lucky I am to be in the minuscule percentage of the global population who will get to enjoy Disney Parks, and at that rate, far more than once or twice in my lifetime. I am filled with more gratitude for what I can access than resentment for what I can’t.
It’s a tough pill to swallow, I know, and I am sure that for many, my thoughts might seem unrealistic or confusing. However, as I pay my electricity bill in the next browser tab across, noting the steep increase in cost over the last four years, I do wonder why we are so quick to assume that bigger corporations aren’t struggling with the same increases that we are, albeit on a much larger scale. While I have the ability to reconsider luxury items in my weekly grocery shopping to balance my expenses, businesses like The Walt Disney Company aren’t given an inch when it comes to taking away from our vacation experiences. We like them to remain consistently magical, and even a 10-cent increase in the cost of a churro will make headlines around the world. If Disney can use new money-making services to further the advancement of our common interests (the Disney Parks experience for all guests), why wouldn’t I be happy for those more affluent than I am to help pay for it?
While I know this won’t make some feel any better about the lack of accessibility to this elite Disney Parks option, I do hope that it might help to reframe the thinking of others who felt jilted. Those of us who are fortunate enough to share this common love of Disney Parks, we are already the lucky ones. I try to remind myself that the value is in the experience with my family, not in how quickly I can do it compared to others. I hope your Disney days ahead are just as bright and filled with enchantment as always, remembering that our Disney Parks vacations remain as they were, as magical as we choose to make them.
