Mobile ordering is difficult for some people....

[Jmljasmine]

I'll be surprised if they don't continue pushing it. It saves them money (less cashiers to pay) and most guests seem to like it. Not to mention they are rolling out even more cell phone capabilities with the MagicMobile announcement.

I get some people are resistant to technology, but honestly we live in a world that revolves around it. Just like when the schools had to go remote this year, there were some families that didn't have Wifi and had to adapt. A smart phone is basically a necessity and although Disney will make always make accommodations, they aren't going to make it super easy as it's such a small number of people.

For the schools, many had to find money for private or quit jobs to homeschool since many rural areas I know don't get internet strong enough for wifi.
For smart phones, forcing them is a bad idea. Some (many) people get/have addictions to them, many use them and miss out on life or walk in front of others... There have been links to depression/anxiety. I'm not going to just give in to it and I hope I'm not the only one.

 

[KittyKitty]

I have allergies (common ones), but they do not have their allergy menu on the app for mobile ordering

I would have agreed with you yesterday, but was searching to see what AoA Landscape's Menu had. I just checked my mobile order app and it has categories under Allergy-friendly, Gluten, Egg allergy, Fish allergy, Milk Allergy, Peanut Allergy, and Soy Allergy .
I didn't look at other eateries menus, but was amazed.

Disney is trying to make it easier to mobile order with allergies.

I do agree there should be a register to order in person if needed.

 

[Heather07438]

We ordered with cash at Regal Beagle in Epcot and at Flametree BBQ in AK.

Funny thing at AK, I asked just to buy one corn bread with cash. Instead of opening the register the manager just got me a piece of cornbread and said don’t worry about it.

Free cornbread tastes even better.

 

[Dug720]

I would have agreed with you yesterday, but was searching to see what AoA Landscape's Menu had. I just checked my mobile order app and it has categories under Allergy-friendly, Gluten, Egg allergy, Fish allergy, Milk Allergy, Peanut Allergy, and Soy Allergy .
I didn't look at other eateries menus, but was amazed.

Disney is trying to make it easier to mobile order with allergies.

I do agree there should be a register to order in person if needed.

I checked the Gasparilla one before I posted. It's not there. Wasn't there in February, not there now. Ditto Capt Cook's and Contempo. For some weird reason AoA seems to be the only one that does have it from reports.

 

[tbssenterprises]

I am a seasoned Disney AP holder, and I have nothing but praise for Disney. However this trip (and mind you I was there last September 2020 so this wasn't my first "covid" rodeo), I ran into quite a few disgruntled employees. Now granted, 99% of them were really nice, but the few I did encounter actually WERE the stop gate people planted in front of QS food places. I guess it's taking their toll on them too.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

If told NO by the "front line" CMs,I feel certain a request to see a Manager would rectify the situation.

I would be absolutely SHOCKED if a Manager would tell a Guest "NO SMARTPHONE/NO FOOD! Have a Magical day".

The problem with that...you've destroyed the experience if you've had to escalate it to a manger. Who wants to show up for lunch and have to battle with management to get them agree to let you order? Even if you are successful, that's hardly a magical experience.

 

[AdamsMum]

I'm having some anxiety about this for my December trip. Coming from Canada. Also senior (well depending on who you ask, 64), need readers to read my phone and not really comfortable with using all the features on the phone. I hardly use my phone, when it rings I spend a few seconds wondering what that music is . Drives my kids crazy.

Can I use mobile order without roaming? I was using Roam Mobility sim card for previous trips but they went out of business. I have a cheap cell phone plan and they don't have a good roaming add on. I was thinking if I have to use mobile order, I might be able to put the phone on airplane mode? I guess I better start getting comfortable with the phone.

 

[Moliphino]

The problem with that...you've destroyed the experience if you've had to escalate it to a manger. Who wants to show up for lunch and have to battle with management to get them agree to let you order? Even if you are successful, that's hardly a magical experience.

I agree, they should not make it that hard. I use and like mobile ordering, but it just doesn't work for everyone.

I'm having some anxiety about this for my December trip. Coming from Canada. Also senior (well depending on who you ask, 64), need readers to read my phone and not really comfortable with using all the features on the phone. I hardly use my phone, when it rings I spend a few seconds wondering what that music is . Drives my kids crazy.

Can I use mobile order without roaming? I was using Roam Mobility sim card for previous trips but they went out of business. I have a cheap cell phone plan and they don't have a good roaming add on. I was thinking if I have to use mobile order, I might be able to put the phone on airplane mode? I guess I better start getting comfortable with the phone.

You should be able to put it on airplane mode and use the park wifi.

 

[Miffy]

I'm concerned about this because I'm vegan and sometimes there are menu items that can be made vegan, but you have to request X or Y or Z to be removed, for example. This doesn't always neatly fall into the "allergy" category.

 

[noahdove]

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!

I am with you the whole way. I think I can find my way around different areas, but, I am sure once I get there in July I will have a problem. My oldest DGD will be able to do this, however, I need to pay for 3 of us, so therefore I will need to order for the 3 of us.. I can't practice as it bounces me off....

 

[Blondie58]

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 am 100% in agreement with you!!! I do not like all the phone "stuff". I do not like missing my three fastpasses either.

 

[Grumpylarr]

We had experienced where mobile ordering was down and we had to show the message to three different cast members before we could order at a register. While mobile ordering gives the opportunity to customize your order it did not have the ability to specify how You would like your order cooked . As a result D-Lux burger went from being one of our favorite places to not going back until you can order at the register.

 

[bakerworld]

Personally we avoid anything that requires mobile ordering. I guess we're lucky in that we're not big eaters. We have a light breakfast in our room so in the parks we do rides and people watch with a beverage. We tried mobile ordering but the bars want to see you. We carry our phones to check wait times.

 

[Shellyred8]

I checked the Gasparilla one before I posted. It's not there. Wasn't there in February, not there now. Ditto Capt Cook's and Contempo. For some weird reason AoA seems to be the only one that does have it from reports.

Some places have the allergy menu on the app, some don't. It's frustrating. If some can have it, why can't all of them have it? I just don't understand. Regal Eagle and Backlot Express are ones that have it too. I was surprised when we were there last time and Gasparilla didn't!

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

I'm not a senior and I don't mind using technology but MDE and mobile ordering always has issues. We stayed a week after WDW reopened in August and mobile ordering was super glitchy when we were there for many. The app would say your order didn't go through only to hear them call your name and your food was ready. We used gift cards for most of our orders and the MDE can't store a GC number so I had to keep the GC number in my notes and copy/paste it many times daily. If it can store a CC why not a GC?

Disney's technology has never been cutting edge and if they're going to continue to change policies and move this way, they need better application developers.

 

[Dug720]

Some places have the allergy menu on the app, some don't. It's frustrating. If some can have it, why can't all of them have it? I just don't understand. Regal Eagle and Backlot Express are ones that have it too. I was surprised when we were there last time and Gasparilla didn't!

In February, only in-park QS had the allergy menu. NONE of the resort QS did. Fortunately they never gave me a hard time at the Poly. I did see someone come in claiming "allergy" and I was glad that they did require her to order from the allergy menu. The manager who spoke with her said (politely, but the point got across) "If you don't have a smartphone or don't want to charge, just say that. Please don't claim allergy when you don't have it. It makes those who DO have allergies get questioned." Another time I was in there, we were chatting and she said she herself has allergies and gets very frustrated with people who claim them then when they've gotten what they want are all "Oh, I don't really have them..."

 

[MickeyMouse3!]

Personally, we are not fans of the mobile ordering. We are mid 50's and can work technology pretty decently. We walked up to a mobile ordering window to place an order (not knowing it was a mobile ordering window). The CM immediately told us, quite rudely, "This is a mobile order window." We got on the MDE app and it said there was a 30 minute wait. We watched another person mobile order at that time. We got in the "walk up" line and had our order within a few minutes. The mobile order person didn't get his order until 10 minute later. We thought mobile ordering was supposed to be quicker? There was also a lot of people hanging around the entrance waiting for their order which made us think, "What's the advantage of mobile ordering?"

 

[disneyseniors]

Thank you for the advice, but I don't want a smart phone. I'm someone who gets hooked on social media and such, and if I had a smart phone, I'd live my life with my head in my phone! So, I only use social media and accounts like these when I'm home and can get on the computer. It helps me keep a better balance in my life! So, I appreciate the input on cost, but I would rather pay more for something like an iPod than to have a smart phone.

My flip phone somehow does let me connect to the internet. People asked me about data plans and such, and I'm going to be honest: I just don't know. My husband has a smart phone, and we pay $80/month for mine and for him to have whatever he needs with his phone (data or whatever). I don't know if my flip phone has data or needs data, tbh. Even though it's a flip phone, I do know that I can use my phone for internet! It's some sort of LG flip phone, and when the power has gone out at home (no wifi), my husband has turned it into a hotspot or whatever for me, and my computer can connect to that for internet. So, I know it can be done. However, if I can use the iPod with internet at WDW and not have to use my flip phone for internet, that would be great! I didn't know that was a thing. Do devices connect to WDW internet automatically? My problem right now is that I've only connected a desktop and laptop to internet before. Usually on my laptop, I have to choose a connection, and then sometimes there is a password. I don't know how to connect an iPod, and I'm hoping it's easy for me to figure out when I get to WDW. My husband won't be there, so he won't be able to help. Maybe my 9 year old can help me

I just think it's kind of stupid I have to put so much time, energy, and money into this in order to be able to order food at an amusement park.

I am in the same situation as you, OP> I am older and never had a smart phone, nor do I want one. I have an old flip phone which I only turn on when I am out and really need to call someone for something that can't wait til I get home. Otherwise, it's turned off.
I was wondering which Ipod you are talking about? Is it the Ipod touch or tablet?? I have the Ipod touch and I love it. I have the apps downloaded to it and you can do anything with it that you can with a smart phone, Except phone calls. However, you can face time. I was wondering if you have a tablet or Ipod touch? I know the Ipod touch connects with the internet and you can get the disney app with it. You can get anything with it, the news, tv programs, etc, but no phone, which does not bother me.
I am like you in that I "get hooked" on technology and would have a smartphone linked to my hip all the time, LOL. I have a laptop, kindle, andthe Ipodtouch. I don't want to have a smart phone beside me at all times where I have to check it all the time, like my kids and grandkids.
I guess we are from a different generation that survived without one and we think differently about tech.
Anyway, sorry I rambled on, LOL, but just want to know what kind of ipod you have?
We will also order from the counter while at disney and I can't see them changing this in the near future.

 

[g3pak]

I would have agreed with you yesterday, but was searching to see what AoA Landscape's Menu had. I just checked my mobile order app and it has categories under Allergy-friendly, Gluten, Egg allergy, Fish allergy, Milk Allergy, Peanut Allergy, and Soy Allergy .
I didn't look at other eateries menus, but was amazed.

Disney is trying to make it easier to mobile order with allergies.

I do agree there should be a register to order in person if needed.

Our DD has multiple food allergies: dairy, eggs, nuts. I appreciate Disney having a dairy allergy section and an egg allergy section and a nut allergy section, but there is not a way to indicate all allergies and come up with something on mobile order. I wish we could check all allergies like you do when making TS ADRs but I don't see it on QS mobile order

One reason my wife LOVES WDW is because of how they handle DDs allergies. They bend over backwards to take care of her food and she feels like a princess. I would rather do mobile order but I can't see how to handle her needs with it.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

When we were there in November we had zero problems with the App. Last week though, it was really glitchy.