Mobile ordering is difficult for some people....

[tbssenterprises]

OK, I don't want to generalize and say it is difficult for "seniors" because not all seniors have a problem, but I am a young senior with bad eyesight and I am here at WDW having a very difficult time (standing outside) ordering. Also, as computer saavy as I "think" I am.....I really have a very difficult time using my phone in the parks whether (AP discounts, resort door opening, etc). Anyway, I'm guessing that the majority of the guest probably love using their phones, please remember that there are some of us for (whatever) reason, have difficulty with it.

 

[MrsPrice]

So sorry. I completely understand. There is a lot on the app to do and unless you really practice working your way around it, it is difficult. My hubby has me do all the app stuff.

 

[WEDWDW]

Remember,Guests can still go in and order at a Register if they prefer.

 

[drkate]

Remember,Guests can still go in and order at a Register if they prefer.

When we went in February, there were quite a few places that were requiring mobile order, even when we said we wanted to make modifications to the order.

 

[TCRAIG]

Remember,Guests can still go in and order at a Register if they prefer.

Some allow but many do not allow counter ordering - its mobile app only

 

[Aimeedyan]

When we went in February, there were quite a few places that were requiring mobile order, even when we said we wanted to make modifications to the order.

Which ones? We are on site a lot (every week-two weeks) and I have yet to come across anyplace that doesn't have a register open. They definitely prefer mobile order but have not had a problem ordering in person upon request.

 

[KMarston]

OK, I don't want to generalize and say it is difficult for "seniors" because not all seniors have a problem, but I am a young senior with bad eyesight and I am here at WDW having a very difficult time (standing outside) ordering. Also, as computer saavy as I "think" I am.....I really have a very difficult time using my phone in the parks whether (AP discounts, resort door opening, etc). Anyway, I'm guessing that the majority of the guest probably love using their phones, please remember that there are some of us for (whatever) reason, have difficulty with it.

I had to laugh! I haven’t tried mobile ordering yet but as I was reading your thread I was trying to kill the mosquito on the screen with my thumb. I get you with the failing eyesight!

 

[TCRAIG]

Which ones? We are on site a lot (every week-two weeks) and I have yet to come across anyplace that doesn't have a register open. They definitely prefer mobile order but have not had a problem ordering in person upon request.

Woody’s Lunchbox, Pecos Bills and Roaring Forks were some that would not allow counter ordering when we were there in December -

 

[cyndiella]

We found a few very nice CMs who helped us thru mobile ordering when we just couldn't seem to make it work. Other times, it was a breeze! My DH and I are pretty tech savvy as well. Just sometimes Disney I.T. is glitchy..
PS.. we are seniors

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Which ones? We are on site a lot (every week-two weeks) and I have yet to come across anyplace that doesn't have a register open. They definitely prefer mobile order but have not had a problem ordering in person upon request.

In my experience, Satuli Canteen had only mobile ordering in recent months. YMMV.

 

[Debbie Jean]

We found a few very nice CMs who helped us thru mobile ordering when we just couldn't seem to make it work. Other times, it was a breeze! My DH and I are pretty tech savvy as well. Just sometimes Disney I.T. is glitchy..
PS.. we are seniors

This is so true... if anyone needs assistance, just ask the CM's at the front of restaurant for help. And keep in mind, there is nothing you do that you can't cancel/change. Even after the order is completed... if you realize you ordered 5 of the most disgusting item on the menu, you do have the ability to cancel/update the order. Did that several times, actually. Never had an issue... I believe you don't get charged until the order is picked up.

Senior here, too. And I have to say, I have actually become a fan of mobile ordering.

 

[Becky Mouse]

I'm not a senior, but I don't have a smart phone by choice. I read these posts about needing to use the app, so I actually purchased an iPod for our trip. I think it's pretty stupid that people have to buy a smart device in order to eat at Disney World! Now I have to figure out how to turn my flip phone into a hotspot or whatever, connect the iPod to it, and learn how to use the app... all to be able to eat a meal at Disney World. I get that for some this whole thing is convenient, but for others, it's very much the opposite. I'm really stressed about this and started just making ADRs so I don't have to deal with mobile ordering. You'd think if it was required, they'd put up a digital kiosk to order from like McDonald's does or something. You know, like the kiosks they used to offer for people to make FastPass reservations if they didn't have a smart phone.

 

[BethanyMouse]

I am so sorry! I have thought about this before. I am not a huge fan of using my phone for everything either. My battery dies quick and I hate having to constantly open it on vacation!

 

[Moliphino]

Which ones? We are on site a lot (every week-two weeks) and I have yet to come across anyplace that doesn't have a register open. They definitely prefer mobile order but have not had a problem ordering in person upon request.

Yeah, you probably need to be more firm with the CM that you need to order in person. They are strongly pushing mobile order, but not everyone has cell phones, some need to order in person for allergies, or just want to pay cash.

 

[Best Aunt]

II read these posts about needing to use the app, so I actually purchased an iPod for our trip. I think it's pretty stupid that people have to buy a smart device in order to eat at Disney World! Now I have to figure out how to turn my flip phone into a hotspot or whatever, connect the iPod to it, and learn how to use the app... all to be able to eat a meal at Disney World.

I haven't been to Disney World since the Pandemic started, and I'm not the most tech savvy person in the world, so others may provide better advice. But I would think that you could use your iPod with Disney WiFi. You shouldn't need a hotspot for your iPod (which would let the iPod run on cell phone data), unless you are using the iPod someplace that doesn't have WiFi. Do you even have data on your flip phone plan?

 

[Debbie Jean]

I'm not a senior, but I don't have a smart phone by choice. I read these posts about needing to use the app, so I actually purchased an iPod for our trip. I think it's pretty stupid that people have to buy a smart device in order to eat at Disney World! Now I have to figure out how to turn my flip phone into a hotspot or whatever, connect the iPod to it, and learn how to use the app... all to be able to eat a meal at Disney World. I get that for some this whole thing is convenient, but for others, it's very much the opposite. I'm really stressed about this and started just making ADRs so I don't have to deal with mobile ordering. You'd think if it was required, they'd put up a digital kiosk to order from like McDonald's does or something. You know, like the kiosks they used to offer for people to make FastPass reservations if they didn't have a smart phone.

Kiosks sounds like a great idea, actually! Maybe when we are beyond the current Covid regulations, they will add these... I think a lot of folks would find them helpful and efficient.

 

[Aimeedyan]

In my experience, Satuli Canteen had only mobile ordering in recent months. YMMV.

Woody’s Lunchbox, Pecos Bills and Roaring Forks were some that would not allow counter ordering when we were there in December -

We have ordered at both Satu'li and Pecos in person recently - have not been to Roaring Forks but easily ordered in person at other deluxe onsite QS so that's odd they refused. In all my trips, we've never eaten at Woody's!

But they are often ridiculous at the door; I wasted a good amount of time at Regal Eagle arguing with 3 CM's who stood hovered over my phone (the app was glitchy and wouldn't process) when I could have walked to the open register 10 feet away, with a bored CM standing at it, in a fraction of the time (and not had 3 people breathing all over me...). Eventually, they let me just order at the register. No doubt the higher up's have drilled in their heads that mobile order is the go-to and it's frustrating.

I'm a fan of mobile order but sometimes, the app doesn't work. Or you want to pay cash. Or you don't have a smartphone. Or you have an allergy. Or you need something not even offered on the app (I found to be the case at Pop recently).

I hope they cool their heels a bit on being so pushy.

 

[Lilsia]

I'm not a senior, but I don't have a smart phone by choice. I read these posts about needing to use the app, so I actually purchased an iPod for our trip. I think it's pretty stupid that people have to buy a smart device in order to eat at Disney World! Now I have to figure out how to turn my flip phone into a hotspot or whatever, connect the iPod to it, and learn how to use the app... all to be able to eat a meal at Disney World. I get that for some this whole thing is convenient, but for others, it's very much the opposite. I'm really stressed about this and started just making ADRs so I don't have to deal with mobile ordering. You'd think if it was required, they'd put up a digital kiosk to order from like McDonald's does or something. You know, like the kiosks they used to offer for people to make FastPass reservations if they didn't have a smart phone.

Unless your flip phone has access to the internet(only a very few new ones do), you can't make it a mobile hotspot. BUT, you can easily use Disney wifi in the parks and at the resorts. Honestly, it would be just easier to get a smart phone instead of buying a tablet that you might never use for the same price.

OP, I am not a senior yet, but I go everywhere with my reading glasses now. I also have to adjust the screen to make the words bigger. I find mobile ordering to be a very easy process, especially for Disney. LOL I would practice at home with it. You can go all the way up to the paying process without it going through. I travel solo and mobile ordering has made my life so much easier. Before, people would send their families to hold tables and I would be walking around, with my food, looking for a spot to sit. Now, I know that I will have a table and be able to eat my food while still warm. I also will order ahead to reserve a time so that I can actually eat at a normal time instead of waiting for off peak because of the seating issue.

 

[cyndiella]

I am so sorry! I have thought about this before. I am not a huge fan of using my phone for everything either. My battery dies quick and I hate having to constantly open it on vacation!

totally agree with this. I do take a portable charger with me but that thing is heavy!! I also like to go "bagless" into the parks if possible - love me my pockets!

 

[fla4fun]

On my trip in December 2020, I was having a horrible time with mobile order. After three days, I figured out that MDE was logging me out and not prompting me to log in again. So once I figured out what my phone was doing, I could work around it. It was really frustrating, and there was one day I lived on snacks because I couldn’t order food. I can’t imagine trying to go right now without a smart device to do mobile order, and I don’t think it’s fair of Disney to virtually make it mandatory for the guest to provide the hardware to make it work.