How Necessary is the MDE App?

[mello]

We're going in July - expecting higher than normal crowds. Currently the MDE app won't download onto any of our devices - phones, kindles... not compatible, apparently.

Is it going to be necessary for us to spring for a newest generation phone in order to successfully navigate the system?

What do you think?

 

[Ametista]

I am wondering the same. I just got a new Windows phone and there is no MDE app for Windows phones. It will be a pain if you want to change your FP+ time or cancel a reservation. Honestly I would have ordered a different phone if I knew there was no MDE app for it!

I also had to switch to a different wait times app but so far I like this one even more.

Are your phones old or are they Windows?

 

[TheLittles]

Hmm, I wonder why it won't download. I have it on my Iphone, Ipad, and you can also access it from a computer. I would not say that I would go as far as to get a whole new phone over it but I will say that it helped me a ton in the past. My upcoming September trip will be my third trip using it. I use it to keep track of wait times, it has maps, I make my payments on my vacation on it, and to make or modify as well as keep track of all ADR's. I swear by it!

 

[brettcw23]

It's not ESSENTIAL...but sure does make life easier. Bottom line, you can got to kiosks and such to make modifications to FP+ selections. The MDE app essentially eliminates the need for manually tracking your various reservations and getting the FP from the machines.

 

[mello]

Our phones are old. They are "smart" (sort of, lol), and they are Android, but 4 year old Android, so I'm thinking that probably our version of Android isn't supported? We keep getting a "Device is not compatible with this application" type message.

My Kindle is pretty new - just got it for Christmas 2013, so I don't understand why it says "not compatible" with it. I've read threads from last fall saying people had the app installed on Kindles, but haven't read any recent posts saying that, so not sure what's going on there...
Could use wifi on the kindle I suppose, but concerned about the slowness factor.

I was at Starbucks today trying to update things on Disney's website using wifi, and it was painfully slow - you know, just the combination of public location wifi and Disney's glitchy website... add in the exceedingly small print on my tiny old phone screen, and I was ready to throw the phone out the window!

I'd like a new Galaxy with a nice big screen, but $500-ish just before our trip seems a bit excessive. Just not sure what to do.

 

[letsgoreds]

Having a specific App isn't essential...can't you just access the MDE website from any device like you would on a computer? The parks all have Wifi, so I don't see the need for kiosks unless you want to, right?

 

[agavegirl1]

The website is slow but the app can be "glitchy". If you have little reason to change or modify your FP+ choices while on site, you can get by without the app. You can use the kiosks for required changes and have to use them (currently) to obtain 4th, 5th etc. FP+. Even though I have the app, I hope that my selections will require few, if any changes. I will also have my ADRs and other important information printed out for each touring day. I really don't want to "interact with my smart media while in the parks" even if Tom Staggs thinks I do.

 

[hydrotony]

I use a small tablet connected to the Disney wifi and get MDE using the web browser that came with the tablet (Chrome light). It's slower than smart phone apps but it does work.

 

[NY Pirate Princess]

I had all of my FP disappear once before my trip (all recovered) and I had an A&E FP, so I didn't dare touch MDE until the trip was mostly over. I almost got a smart phone prior to the trip (we have dumbphones!) and decided it wasn't worth the cost to upgrade early. I am so glad I didn't. If spending a lot of time on your phone is important to you, go ahead and upgrade, you will enjoy at home too. If not, use the other tech to make changes if you want and have a blast anyway!

 

[CAS239]

If you can't download the app, as long as you have a smartphone and can access the internet you'll be fine. You can go on your internet browser on your phone and do basically everything on the disney website that you can do on MDE

 

[bexter12]

We're going in July - expecting higher than normal crowds. Currently the MDE app won't download onto any of our devices - phones, kindles... not compatible, apparently. Is it going to be necessary for us to spring for a newest generation phone in order to successfully navigate the system? What do you think?

Been here for 2 days so far. Our first trip since fp+ and with the MDE app. I have done extremely well with it and the "lines" app. I wouldn't come without them.

 

[AngiTN]

If you can't download the app, as long as you have a smartphone and can access the internet you'll be fine. You can go on your internet browser on your phone and do basically everything on the disney website that you can do on MDE

This is my advice also. If you have another reason to upgrade your phone then do but don't do it just for MDE. The website is just fine (better even) since the app is way more glitchy than the website

 

[Disfan1968]

I am wondering the same. I just got a new Windows phone and there is no MDE app for Windows phones. It will be a pain if you want to change your FP+ time or cancel a reservation. Honestly I would have ordered a different phone if I knew there was no MDE app for it!

I also had to switch to a different wait times app but so far I like this one even more.

Are your phones old or are they Windows?

Windows Phone users, do not despair. The newest version of the app Disney Expedition patched in the very last of the major My Disney Experience functions and you can now manage fast passes, see wait times, park activities etc, just like in the My Disney Experience app. Thank you, Disney, for working with these developers to bring us Windows Phone users "into the fold."

 

[Happyjen27]

When I complained to Disney about not having a smart phone, and being at a disadvantage, they happily pointed out that I could do everything I needed to do in the parks without a smart phone.

But, it sure was easier when I was with DH and using his smart phone. For the most part, how we tour, we didn't use MDE a lot. I knew our ADRs. I knew our FP+ windows. However, when we were killing time, it was nice to check wait times and see what we could do. However, when I would tour without DH (like when he went golfing or whatever), I did fine without any access to MDE.

I wouldn't buy a new device just to access MDE, you won't lose much if you don't have it. But, I would think about using a device to access the website now and then if it's something you already have and can conveniently carry.

 

[arielmomma]

Here now. I've been here for 2 weeks. I don't own a smart phone so no app and I don't feel that I missed it. Definitely not a necessity.

 

[mello]

I will also have my ADRs and other important information printed out for each touring day. I really don't want to "interact with my smart media while in the parks" even if Tom Staggs thinks I do.

I got a kick out of this! Well said.
And yes, I suppose we absolutely could print out our info to take with us, just like we've always done with the itineraries I made in excel. See how dependent we're all getting on technology, when it takes us awhile to realize we could just do things the "old fasioned way"?! LOL

 

[MannyB]

TIFWIW,

On our last trip I only "needed" MDE one time.

That one time was the Fastpass for Anna and Elsa when my niece and Sister-In Law was told there was no Fastpass showing up for them. I brought my phone and showed them on MDE and they were able to proceed on.

Think that was the only time any of us ever had to use it...but that was a pretty huge savior when we did.

 

[Unearned Happiness]

Having a specific App isn't essential...can't you just access the MDE website from any device like you would on a computer? The parks all have Wifi, so I don't see the need for kiosks unless you want to, right?

This.

I don't think the line times are on the site. But in order to switch fast passes, ADRs, you just need a browser.

As for the Kindles, the MDE app is available in the Amazon App Store, but it's telling me it is only compatible with my phone, not my kindle. Not sure if the newer Kindles are compatible or not. But again, as long as you have an internet connection, you can still get on the MDE site through the browser.

 

[DummbGiRL]

This is my advice also. If you have another reason to upgrade your phone then do but don't do it just for MDE. The website is just fine (better even) since the app is way more glitchy than the website

 

[amg35]

Windows Phone users, do not despair. The newest version of the app Disney Expedition patched in the very last of the major My Disney Experience functions and you can now manage fast passes, see wait times, park activities etc, just like in the My Disney Experience app. Thank you, Disney, for working with these developers to bring us Windows Phone users "into the fold."

Wow, thanks!!! I have a Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows phone which I loooove and no MDE for my trip was the only drawback, but this is awesome!

Question, how much is the app? I need to purchase it when it is time to do fast passes.

And are the wait times accurate?

thanks!!

Also, yes, the website works just fine on the phone too!