Is Mobile Ordering Really an Advantage?

[KyleAfterAWhile]

if you visit during slower times (early Nov, early Dec, Jan, Feb) is there really an advantage to mobile ordering? What I saw online made it look like you order and then you show up and tell them you are there. But, perhaps that is wrong?

We could not try it on our trip because Disney wont accept their gift cards for payment.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I think it is.
I've only done it at Cosmic Ray's so far but I did it twice.
I walked in and found a seat, ordered, and within 2 minutes walked up and picked it up.
Much better than waiting in a line and then wandering around to find a seat with a heavy tray of food trying to dodge people.
Crowded time of year or not restaurants will be busy especially if you're going at peak meal times.
I plan on using it for all of my meals during my February trip.

 

[Disnsyncey]

I say, if you can order on your phone faster than you can get in line and place an order at the register, its an advantage.....and with the CRAZY lines I saw at my mobile order locations, I saved time....

 

[Wubar]

From all the reports I have read, it definitely looks faster. I am happy that you can't use the DDP credits so far, as it keeps the number of people using it down. I plan on using it as much as possible in January. You just can't beat the satisfaction of knowing that the only thing keeping you from placing your order is the time it takes you to punch it in via your phone - not the length of the line, or the family in front of you that takes 15 minutes to decide what to eat, etc...

 

[Aela]

We are on the DDP, and there are a number of things I wanted to try last year, but couldn’t handle the lines, so we skipped it. Using mobile ordering, even out of pocket, will be great for those times. I really want to try it, but the line was unbelievable.

 

[Sarahraegraham]

Yes it definitely is. You find a seat, place your order, wait 1-5 minutes and pick it up. Used it at Satuli, Cosmic Rays, and somewhere else I can’t remember in October. We had our food before the people who would have been in front of us in line had even ordered.

 

[ShadeDK]

It's an advantage even in slower times. I've used it at multiple locations in different parks and it has always been significantly faster (with one exception I'll mention at the end). With mobile ordering, you skip standing in line to order, waiting for the person to key in your order, and most of the wait at the counter after ordering. All of that can be avoided on your way to the restaurant. The prompt to tell them you're there usually appears about 100-200 yards from the site - not necessarily after you're in the restaurant. I've had times when I walked in and my order was already waiting for pick-up. I've skipped out of the line at Satuli and "jumped ahead" of 10 people waiting to order. I was on the dining plan last week and it was awful standing in line 20 minutes at Flame Tree while mobile orders were flying through.

The one exception? Aloha Isle. I don't think that the mobile line was any faster (and actually chaotic). The orders weren't filled until you got to the counter - makes sense with ice cream - so the wait was still about 10-15 minutes after arriving at pick-up.

 

[gharter]

When we were there in October, it was definitely an advantage.
If you like waiting in a line, even a short line, then no.
We would tell them we were there a few minutes before we arrived. Find a seat, and then wait for the notice that our food was ready. Go up and pick it up. Easy as that.
It worked very smoothly and very fast.
I would try it out. If you don't like it, you can always wait in line next time.

 

[missbrooke06]

We were in MK on the day that they closed at 4:30. We literally did almost every ride because the crowds were low. But Cosmic Rays was PACKED. They were encouraging people to use mobile ordering in line because they could zip through. They didn't get many takers though because it was free dining but it absolutely would have faster.

 

[Disneylover99]

I know that at some counter service locations at peak lunch/dinner times during Christmas week, staff don't let you find a table til you've got your tray of food. I'm wondering how this is being handled now that mobile ordering is out.

 

[deuceswild10]

Can you not use the dining plan when mobile ordering?

 

[SaintsManiac]

Can you not use the dining plan when mobile ordering?

No dining plan. Credit card only.

 

[DisBuckMan]

I know that at some counter service locations at peak lunch/dinner times during Christmas week, staff don't let you find a table til you've got your tray of food. I'm wondering how this is being handled now that mobile ordering is out.

Hopefully, the same way. Only those with food allowed into the seating areas.

 

[Jessirip]

I am seriously considering cancelling the dining plan just to have the advantage of mobile ordering when we go during a peak time in April. I'm coming out about even using Touring Plans dining calculator if we pay OOP anyway.

 

[Hezzy04]

Can you use it to order even if yo have an allergy?

 

[shellyj]

I am seriously considering cancelling the dining plan just to have the advantage of mobile ordering when we go during a peak time in April. I'm coming out about even using Touring Plans dining calculator if we pay OOP anyway.

We have never saved money on the dining plan, even the trip that was very heavy on character meals came out about even. We do much better putting our food budget in our vacation account and paying oop. On the dining plan we always feel like we need to order the most expensive items to get our money's worth rather than the dishes we actually want to eat.

 

[Random Ninja]

Can you use it to order even if yo have an allergy?

No, you still need to order from a manager or using an allergy menu. There wasn't anywhere to put allergies in. We only used it once for that reason as I have 10+ allergies and all we ordered was drinks. It did save time though since there was an oddly long line at the time.

 

[PSULion]

Nov 29- Dec 6 this year it was a GODSEND. Lines at Satuli Canteen and Pinocchio House in particular were extremely long, and we had our food super fast.

 

[Jessirip]

We have never saved money on the dining plan, even the trip that was very heavy on character meals came out about even. We do much better putting our food budget in our vacation account and paying oop. On the dining plan we always feel like we need to order the most expensive items to get our money's worth rather than the dishes we actually want to eat.

Thanks for sharing... I did actually cancel it this morning. I was starting to feel stressed out about having to be somewhere at least once a day to make the TS credits worth it, and I enjoy my wine but don't want to feel like I have to have a drink in order to get the best value. I'm going to do like you mentioned and just put the money aside, and get to enjoy mobile ordering. That "all-inclusive" feeling is really the only thing I'm going to miss about it.

 

[jaiminee krikit]

I used mobile ordering on two trips this year. The first was in July and it was only available at Satuli Canteen. I hit a not-too-busy time, but I wanted to try out the mobile ordering anyway. I put in my order and as I was walking up to the restaurant, I submit my order to be prepared. I walked in the doors and asked a CM if I could find a table while my mobile order was getting ready. She told me "Of course", and as she moved the rope out of my way, my phone dinged that my order was ready! I did it again later that evening at Satuli Canteen again (wanted to try both desserts), and it was just as quick.
We went back in October and it was not as great. I submit my order after I dropped DD off at FoP and decided to just wait outside Satuli Canteen until I got my notification. I waited a few minutes and decided to go inside and check on my order. I walked up to the counter, and my meal was sitting there, but the dessert wasn't on the tray yet. A CM came up to me and asked if I needed anything and I told her that I thought that was my order. She looked at the name and confirmed it was my order and told me it was all set. I told her it was missing the dessert. She looked perplexed, and walked away. She turned around and told me "You still need your dessert". She grabbed it from the cooler and set it on my tray and walked away. I was befuddled a little. Very similar experience half an hour later and Flame Tree, not nearly as fast and somehow confusing. But, both times it was still quicker than the regular line (and it wasn't too busy)! I will definitely utilize the option in the future, hopefully they'll get all the bugs worked out.