What are smart phones required for at Disney Parks?

[StarWarsGirl]

It’s been up and down since COVID - I feel like it’s a good balance in Florida right now - they have enough registers for those wanting to order in person. It appears to me that mobile order has evened out things and helped the long waits.

In California it can still be a cluster at many locations with each place making up different rules for how they want you to stand in line to a silly extend.

I have found that to be the case in CA as well, but I have also noted that WDW tends to be a bit more operationally efficient than DL, especially when it comes to crowd control. So unsurprising.

I really do not mind mobile order. I can be standing in line for a ride, place my order, and walk up and have it ready quickly. I also had to use an ECV on my last trip due to an injury and REALLY appreciated it as some of the food lines would have been difficult if not outright impossible to navigate.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I really do not mind mobile order.

I don’t either - as long as it is not forced on all guests - or used as an excuse to make things operationally inefficient and not properly staff to accommodate in person guests.

I’ve seen the former take place but as I said - in Florida it’s evened out well and I think it’s a good balance from what I’ve seen this year.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

or used as an excuse to make things operationally inefficient

I think if anything, in Florida, they saw things were inefficient and that they had overworked staff and could add mobile order to make things run more smoothly. And it worked.

Much as I love DL, management over there needs to take lessons on efficiency from WDW. Number one being entry procedures...

 

[Jon81uk]

Gotta say though, I really do NOT miss the days of standing in line for an hour at QS locations.

Although mobile order won’t always let you order for instant pickup at Disney either. We didn’t use it much because often once we decided where we were eating mobile order had the next available slot over 30 minutes away so the 15 minute cashier line was better.

 

[Comped]

I think you can get an RFID card if you really wanted it; however, it basically works for getting in the park and LLs. It doesn't work for discounts; you have to pull up the app for that. My old RFID card still shows as active in MDE, but I use MBs.

DVC members also no longer have ID. It's buried in MDE. Extremely stupid if you ask me.

Annual passholder physical cards, according to people I've spoken to at guest relations and merchandise outlets, only give you discounts if they have your expiration date printed on them. Disney does not advertise that they give these out, but they do if you ask and claim you don't have a cell phone... I got one a couple months ago just in case my phone ever died and I wanted to make sure I could still have my discount...

 

[WorldExplorer]

Gotta say though, I really do NOT miss the days of standing in line for an hour at QS locations.

Me neither, I used mobile order all the time. From reading people talk on here I think a lot of the complaints about it are from people who don't use it properly; they show up at the restaurant and then stand in the lobby waiting for the order to be completed, removing the advantage. I know it says hit it when you're there, but it doesn't check your GPS or anything like the mobile restaurant check in, go ahead and hit it while you're buckling in on Big Thunder or poking around a store.

Or people who think you need to actually book a time to eat in advance, which I have never found was actually necessary. At worst on super busy days the nearest window won't be right when you look but the alternative would have been standing in a line for that amount of time anyway.

That said, another benefit of the line used to be that you could ask for just a main entree without the side of fries and get the price shaved down to reflect that, but they stopped that option altogether.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Although mobile order won’t always let you order for instant pickup at Disney either. We didn’t use it much because often once we decided where we were eating mobile order had the next available slot over 30 minutes away so the 15 minute cashier line was better.

I usually decide while standing in a line so that I can pick a time. Then I hit it a few minutes before I walk up and my food is waiting for me.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

only give you discounts if they have your expiration date printed on them.

which begs the question (to Disney management) why not… 1. Print the expiration date on the card. And / or 2. Allow the merchandise systems to validate the card.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

which begs the question (to Disney management) why not… 1. Print the expiration date on the card. And / or 2. Allow the merchandise systems to validate the card.

Or scan your MB like they do when you're picking up the magnets.

 

[mkt]

At WDW you can still get a card and it does work for dining discounts and magnet giveaways in my experience - it’s merch that needs the phone for some reason - again not sure if that’s 100% required. I have the app on my phone so I can just show them.

That's what we have for our son. He's old enough to have his own AP, but too young for a smartphone.

 

[JIMINYCR]

As one who hates having to use techie devices and abhors having to rely on and use one when at WDW, I call on either DW or DS to use their devices when it's needed. My usage is pretty much on bringing up "find friends" when either of them separate from me and I have to see where they are. DS handles mobile orders for us. He arranges LL's, keeps up on wait times and anything else I might need. I joke with DS that he's along as my tech support guy.
So if you don't want to use your phone or limit its use you got to get a park buddy that wants to take on that role.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

As one who hates having to use techie devices and abhors having to rely on and use one when at WDW, I call on either DW or DS to use their devices when it's needed. My usage is pretty much on bringing up "find friends" when either of them separate from me and I have to see where they are. DS handles mobile orders for us. He arranges LL's, keeps up on wait times and anything else I might need. I joke with DS that he's along as my tech support guy.
So if you don't want to use your phone or limit its use you got to get a park buddy that wants to take on that role.

My father says he dislikes technology...but is a mobile order pro at WDW. Also is on there booking LLs at DL.

Meanwhile, at WDW, he'll ask me to check waits, and I'm like "you 100% know how to do that."

 

[StarWarsGirl]

which begs the question (to Disney management) why not… 1. Print the expiration date on the card. And / or 2. Allow the merchandise systems to validate the card.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

My father says he dislikes technology...but is a mobile order pro at WDW. Also is on there booking LLs at DL.

Meanwhile, at WDW, he'll ask me to check waits, and I'm like "you 100% know how to do that."

I’m the first paragraph and my Gf is the second, I absolutely loathe being on the phone in the parks, I just want to look around and be in the moment, but I’m good with tech so I’m always looking at wait times, handling the LLs, mobile orders, dining reservations, etc… drives me crazy but it’s a necessary part of an efficient Disney trip now.

I recall struggling with FP, ADRs, and all the other little details as a new visitor 15 years ago, it must be twice as confusing now.

 

[Disstevefan1]

I’m writing this on my iPhone, so I’m not living this yet… but I’ve heard from several friends and seen reports on other online forums that more and more people are intentionally limiting their smartphone use.

At the same time, I’ve seen reports that Disney themselves are looking to reduce smartphone use for their guests. That got me thinking about how much of the guest experience currently requires a smartphone in the parks.

For example, mobile ordering is an obvious one. While Disney seems to be moving toward making it more optional, there are still some food locations that are effectively mobile-order-only… or at least extremely inconvenient if you don’t use it.

Another area is discounts and passes. I think it’s required to have a smart phone with your pass linked to get annual pass discounts for merchandise at WDW.

Lightning Lane is another big question: is it even possible to make Lightning Lane reservations without a smartphone? If so, how practical is it in reality?

At Disneyland specifically, it also seems nearly impossible to get a physical Magic Key. I’ve asked both Guest Relations and ticket booths and have been told that I couldn’t get one.

just curious whether Disney is actually prepared to support guests who want (or need) to be less dependent on smartphones, especially as interest in disconnecting seems to be growing.

And of course… many are saying the smart phone will be like the pager in a couple of years with smart glasses taking over.

And maybe someday, bionic modules

 

[mkt]

I’m writing this on my iPhone, so I’m not living this yet… but I’ve heard from several friends and seen reports on other online forums that more and more people are intentionally limiting their smartphone use.

I absolutely am. And also eliminating some social networks from my life.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Dropped by the canteen for lunch after dinosaur - only 2 registers open and a long line. Rather than open more registers, a manager is explaining to guests in the line they should mobile order.

Reminds me of the office.

Small issue - I did mobile order and will still get my delicious food soon!!! And my recent ride on dinosaur was so good!

Edit…. Another issue with mobile order - by the time the food goes to the window, gets lined up, and they call your number and then you retrieve it - it’s not as hot as if it’s delivered right from the window.

Again…. Small issues I know.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Dropped by the canteen for lunch after dinosaur - only 2 registers open and a long line. Rather than open more registers, a manager is explaining to guests in the line they should mobile order.

Reminds me of the office.

Small issue - I did mobile order and will still get my delicious food soon!!! And my recent ride on dinosaur was so good!

Edit…. Another issue with mobile order - by the time the food goes to the window, gets lined up, and they call your number and then you retrieve it - it’s not as hot as if it’s delivered right from the window.

Again…. Small issues I know.

Is it really that big a difference between mobile order and line/register order now?

From my recollection of the last couple quick service meals where i didn't use mobile order, I ended up going to the register, ordering my food there, paid for it, and then had to wait for the food to be made and my number to come up. Basically the register was pushing my order to the food queue for making, as opposed to my iphone and the mobile order system, so i really didn't notice a difference in time, unless you are at a location where you order at the register and that is right where they pull the food out for you.

From a manpower perspective, I have seen the move to mobile ordering as being favorable, as with a more limited work force, I would rather have more people in the back preparing food, as opposed to taking them away to be out front taking orders.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Is it really that big a difference between mobile order and line/register order now?

To be fair… this was the first time in a while it has been an issue. It was past prime lunch time so I was surprised with the line.

But I think Disney can afford to staff 1 more register without taking a chef out of the kitchen.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

To be fair… this was the first time in a while it has been an issue. It was past prime lunch time so I was surprised with the line.

But I think Disney can afford to staff 1 more register without taking a chef out of the kitchen.

I mean more in general. If you take "regular" restaurant/food place, in many cases now you have 3 ordering streams, either in person, mobile, or drive through. In Disney take away the "drive through" but now you have 2 ordering streams, 1 of which, mobile ordering is unlimited in the sense that you can have more mobile orders coming in, than a person is going to process at registers. In almost every food industry area i have seen, lack of a work force is a problem. So, if i am going to prioritize where i am putting the people i have, i want more making food, and less taking orders.