Do I have to use the mobile app for fast food?

[Suelala]

Do I have to use mobile order to eat fast food in the parks? Can I just walk in and order?

 

[Gracedis1]

When we were there in December you usually could stand in line to order but it took longer. It was way easier to use the app and order ahead.

 

[Skip Coffee for Rope Drop]

Do I have to use mobile order to eat fast food in the parks? Can I just walk in and order?

You can walk in and order, however, you can make more options in person, such as Columbia Harbor House, you can make your trio combo (Shrimp/Chicken/Fish) just two or just one and the app will not let you. At Casey's you can create your own hot dog (such as pulled pork with mac and cheese) but on the app you can't, nor is it on the menu but they will make it for you. Keep in mind that as soon as you order on the mobil app and click you are here, they start to prepare your food and you will have it ready before the people in line even order their food at the register so you can save a good 10-15 minutes or longer on a busy day.

 

[Suelala]

You can walk in and order, however, you can make more options in person, such as Columbia Harbor House, you can make your trio combo (Shrimp/Chicken/Fish) just two or just one and the app will not let you. At Casey's you can create your own hot dog (such as pulled pork with mac and cheese) but on the app you can't, nor is it on the menu but they will make it for you. Keep in mind that as soon as you order on the mobil app and click you are here, they start to prepare your food and you will have it ready before the people in line even order their food at the register so you can save a good 10-15 minutes or longer on a busy day.

Thank you. Someone told me that you HAVE to use the app to buy food. Didn't think that was probably true.

 

[Suelala]

When we were there in December you usually could stand in line to order but it took longer. It was way easier to use the app and order ahead.

Thanks. That's helpful!

 

[Best Aunt]

Thank you. Someone told me that you HAVE to use the app to buy food. Didn't think that was probably true.

When Disney World first re-opened after the pandemic closure, they wanted everyone to order through the app. I have heard that some restaurants had cast members posted outside who tried not to let you enter unless you had ordered on the app. Most would let you in if you pushed back (food allergies or no smart phone) but sometimes you could get a cast member who would not change their mind. There might have been a few places which did not have a cast member working the register inside so there would not be anyone who could take your order.

I think this has loosened up but I haven't been lately so I can't speak from personal experience.

 

[imbelle]

I prefer to pay cash and I have noticed that they have loosened up a bit about ordering at a register since dropping the pandemic precautions. Interesting to note that my sister and friends prefer to use the mobile order feature and I'm always finished with my food while they are still watching that burger flip on their phones.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Thank you. Someone told me that you HAVE to use the app to buy food. Didn't think that was probably true.

That was a Covid thing. It’s gone now.

 

[holden]

Keep in mind the line might be long. I recently mobile ordered lunch and walked past around 30 people in line to get my food. I just walked in, walked up and sat down to eat while they waited in line to order.

 

[sponica]

Thank you. Someone told me that you HAVE to use the app to buy food. Didn't think that was probably true.

I think some locations still strongly encourage it. I feel like Docking Bay 7 doesn't let you in without a confirmed order or they didn't when I was last in Galaxy's Edge. Satuli Canteen didn't require it, but the cast members at the entry were like it's an hour wait in line, whereas the mobile order wait was only 20 minutes or so.

 

[Debbie Jean]

I think some locations still strongly encourage it. I feel like Docking Bay 7 doesn't let you in without a confirmed order or they didn't when I was last in Galaxy's Edge. Satuli Canteen didn't require it, but the cast members at the entry were like it's an hour wait in line, whereas the mobile order wait was only 20 minutes or so.

This is so true. Although in person ordering is now allowed, Disney has used mobile ordering as a way to reduce the number of CMs needed to staff QS restaurants. There will be one register to order so the wait times can be long.

If time is a consideration, mobile ordering can’t be beat. You can pick your time, create your order and… nothing happens! Lol that is until you hit the button for “I’m here”. Up until that time you can edit or cancel your order so nothing is lost by entering one. As you head for the restaurant, click that tab and often your order will be ready when you arrive. No waiting!

If you want to pay cash, I suggest purchasing a gift card ahead of time. I keep the number in my phone and copy & paste it when I create my mobile order.

Obviously if you have special needs, allergies, etc. you will require personal intervention… but plan to wait… unlike pre-Covid, Disney isn’t offering the number of registers it did so it can take time.

 

[Simba's Mom]

And there are a few CS places that don't even offer mobile order. The 2 Bakeries in Epcot, Norway and France, although they have sandwiches and , I think, soup. Also the CS in Mexico and China don't.

 

[Anthony1971]

A few weeks ago I found ordering at the register faster. One of the places we ate had a 40 minute wait via mobile walked in ordered, paid had my order in under 10 minutes. I used Mobile order once the entire trip and that was at the resort CS and truthfully would have been just as fast to walk in and order which is what we did the rest of the week.

 

[Aimeedyan]

It's hit and miss regarding speed - we, too, have often ordered in person and had food faster than the mobile order wait, and have found the opposite to be true.

And there are often times more items in person than listed on mobile order. We ordered in person all weekend, actually, because I was tired of mobile ordering, getting there, and seeing a special menu item that I would have much rather had instead. At the food courts, I like to see the food before I choose

You don't have to mobile order anywhere anymore, thankfully.

 

[leiaorgana]

They still try and force you to mobile order at ABC Commissary at DHS most of the time as well and it’s a struggle sometimes to get past the CM standing at the door to order at the register.