Navigating Disneyworld with Cell Phones

[weewuvvdisney]

How does everyone handle all the changes? For me, I'd prefer a map when I arrive. The thought of doing everything on my phone, I don't look forward to it. If our daughter would be with us, we would be fine. Just hubby & I, I think we would waste so much time to trying to figure things out.

 

[Becky2005]

I still grab a physical map even though I also use my phone on occasion. I like to cross off the rides on the paper map as we do them. I tend to use the Magic band for scanning in things. The last time I was there was the first time I used mobile ordering otherwise, we just went and ordered at the place for quick service. I have never used the online check-in for sit-downs. My brother & sister just got the admission cards (we bought out tickets at Disney Springs) and they just used those.

We didn't use what was Genie+ back then when my siblings went but I did when my son & I went in 2023, so I did use my phone to grab those but that was about it.

Basically, I wasn't on my phone much at all and my siblings & I went this past summer. It was only for one day.

 

[Skippyboo]

I use the app for checking wait times, show times. I have no problem using mobile order or online adr check in. Have gone enough times that I know where stuff is so don’t need a map.

I do bring a portable battery to charge the phone since most of my trips are solo so I use the phone to kill time in line.

 

[weewuvvdisney]

I still grab a physical map even though I also use my phone on occasion. I like to cross off the rides on the paper map as we do them. I tend to use the Magic band for scanning in things. The last time I was there was the first time I used mobile ordering otherwise, we just went and ordered at the place for quick service. I have never used the online check-in for sit-downs. My brother & sister just got the admission cards (we bought out tickets at Disney Springs) and they just used those.

We didn't use what was Genie+ back then when my siblings went but I did when my son & I went in 2023, so I did use my phone to grab those but that was about it.

Basically, I wasn't on my phone much at all and my siblings & I went this past summer. It was only for one day.

I didn't realize that maps were still available. We haven't been back since 2010. From 1988 till then we went every two, three years. Loved the fast pass. I'm usually the one who does all the research and planning. Fine with a computer but even then with all the changes, I find it overwhelming. I used to plan out the days by what time the parks opened and closed, which parades we wanted to see, when we wanted to squeeze in Downtown Disney. Was able to find out all the info online. I'm sure that is all still available. Then I get to thinking of reservations for meals? We don't have favorite restaurants so I just can't see planning what I will want to eat in advance. Booking rides, we always just would go with the flow. Guess I will have to sit down, get a notepad and start checking out things. So much to figure out.

 

[Becky2005]

I didn't realize that maps were still available. We haven't been back since 2010.

Yes they are still there as of this year anyway. There is a funny story attached to this. We went in 2023 for my son's 20th birthday and I just grabbed a map at MK but had grabbed the French version by mistake (obviously wasn't paying that much attention). My son said something but wished he didn't so he could see how long it would take for me to realize! Fast forward to this year and I went for 1 day with my siblings, I was going to intentionally grab the French map just to see how far I could manage. I believe now if you want the different language ones, you have to go to guest services so didn't want it that badly.

I will never live that down. *Every* park we went to after that, he always added "be sure to get the English version" when I was grabbing a map.

On the flip side, the map didn't help us that much with my siblings as we ended up in Ariel's Grotto instead of the ride! At least these are the stories that make the trips memorable!

 

[Tink3815]

The trick is to play on the Disney app as much as possible from home before you visit. There is so much on it. We went in April 2024 while Genie plus was the thing. Now, I have to learn a new system before we visit again. I like to pop in and see the wait times for the rides.

 

[loves to dive]

You can use your phone as little or as much as you want. As others have said, there are still physical maps at every park, right when you walk in. They also still have the physical tip boards in every park where you can see the wait times and the show times. Heck, you don't even need to use your phone to get dining reservations, you could just go to guest services and they could do it for you. Mobile ordering for the quick service locations does make it faster at times but you can still stand in line a order and pay at every one of them. You don't need to plan your meals in advance, again just go to GS and let them see what is available (either the ones in the building usually at the front of every park or the people under the blue umbrellas). I do use the app. but not as much as a lot of people. I do mobile order if I'm eating QS but I don't eat QS that often. I also use it for walk up wait lists for some of the restaurants or to check and see if there are any ADRs (reservations) available for anywhere I might want to eat at a time I might want to eat. I never book my ADRs in advance, just day of while walking around. I also don't buy any of paid skip the line options, don't need them. I rarely look at the wait times on the app. I just look while I'm walking by an attraction and decide if I want to hop in line. I'm not much of a planner, more of the go with the flow type person. I do use my phone to read my kindle while in lines or while eating since 80% of the time I go solo. I also always carry some sort of charger with me but since I take breaks at some point in the day and go back to my room for a few hours, I can't remember the last time I needed to plug my phone into one. There is a UTube channel where they experimented going to the parks and not using their phone and it has lots of information in it. I'm not sure if we can mention other channels so just search UTube for going to WDW without a phone and it will probably pop up.

 

[weewuvvdisney]

You can use your phone as little or as much as you want. As others have said, there are still physical maps at every park, right when you walk in. They also still have the physical tip boards in every park where you can see the wait times and the show times. Heck, you don't even need to use your phone to get dining reservations, you could just go to guest services and they could do it for you. Mobile ordering for the quick service locations does make it faster at times but you can still stand in line a order and pay at every one of them. You don't need to plan your meals in advance, again just go to GS and let them see what is available (either the ones in the building usually at the front of every park or the people under the blue umbrellas). I do use the app. but not as much as a lot of people. I do mobile order if I'm eating QS but I don't eat QS that often. I also use it for walk up wait lists for some of the restaurants or to check and see if there are any ADRs (reservations) available for anywhere I might want to eat at a time I might want to eat. I never book my ADRs in advance, just day of while walking around. I also don't buy any of paid skip the line options, don't need them. I rarely look at the wait times on the app. I just look while I'm walking by an attraction and decide if I want to hop in line. I'm not much of a planner, more of the go with the flow type person. I do use my phone to read my kindle while in lines or while eating since 80% of the time I go solo. I also always carry some sort of charger with me but since I take breaks at some point in the day and go back to my room for a few hours, I can't remember the last time I needed to plug my phone into one. There is a UTube channel where they experimented going to the parks and not using their phone and it has lots of information in it. I'm not sure if we can mention other channels so just search UTube for going to WDW without a phone and it will probably pop up.

Thanks for the information. In the past, we have gone on our spring Break which is the end Feb/First week of March. Was never crowded and I guess we got spoiled. We have also been at end October and back then, it wasn't crowded either. I couldn't imagine being there in peak season or summer heat. From reading trip planning & reviews, I was thinking that we would have to preplan everything. We are like you. We walk around and do what we feel. The only plans really made are which park on which day. That depends on parades and shows etc. Glad to hear we can still enjoy the parks our way.

 

[AnnaS]

My DH used to be my GPS. Never used our phones to check "map", "wait times", etc. Have not done mobile ordering since our COVID trips. Had no choice then.

As far as the "wait times", etc., if I am with my sons or daughter and I am with them, I just follow along.

I was recently on my own 50% of the time last month. I used the map. I use reading glasses. I can't stand having to take them out every five minutes. I know my way around but sometimes don't remember short cuts, etc.

 

[Simba's Mom]

The "real" paper maps were still at the parks when we went 3 weeks ago. I have a 12yo DGD who loves to have a map so that she can lead the whole family around.

 

[fla4fun]

I like the paper maps because I can see the whole park at once, although the only park I still need a map for is AK. I agree with the PP who said to play around with MDE at home before you go, so you are familiar with what it does, and what it doesn’t. You can practice Mobile Ordering (just don’t go to the checkout page) so you get used to how the menus work and how customization works (I love that you can customize most sandwiches with Mobile Order).

I don’t use my phone a lot, other than for taking photos, but I do use it for Mobile order, at the resort to check bus times, to show my AP for discounts, and occasionally for wait times. I do not buy any of the LL products, so I do not use my phone for that. I still bring a small backup battery with me in case I take a lot of photos.

You do not have to use your phone for a room key, although you can. You do not have to use your phone for your admission ticket, although you can. You can use a MagicBand or a key card for these as well. You do not have to use your phone to purchase merchandise, although some stores offer scan and go shopping through the app. You do not have to use Mobile Order for food, although you can. Just because you can do something on your phone doesn’t mean you have to.

 

[tinkerjo]

The trick is to play on the Disney app as much as possible from home before you visit. There is so much on it. We went in April 2024 while Genie plus was the thing. Now, I have to learn a new system before we visit again. I like to pop in and see the wait times for the rides.

I agree with this. Play with the app and watch Molly/mammoth club on YouTube over and over again. I felt very confident and did fine with lightning lanes, and checking wait times etc. even though I do still get a paper map (even though I don’t need it) I hate mobile food ordering though and screwed it up several times. I just want to go into a QS and look up at the menus and order, but sometimes that takes a lot longer and I’m not sure why.

 

[pwdebbie]

I didn't realize that maps were still available. We haven't been back since 2010. From 1988 till then we went every two, three years. Loved the fast pass. I'm usually the one who does all the research and planning. Fine with a computer but even then with all the changes, I find it overwhelming. I used to plan out the days by what time the parks opened and closed, which parades we wanted to see, when we wanted to squeeze in Downtown Disney. Was able to find out all the info online. I'm sure that is all still available. Then I get to thinking of reservations for meals? We don't have favorite restaurants so I just can't see planning what I will want to eat in advance. Booking rides, we always just would go with the flow. Guess I will have to sit down, get a notepad and start checking out things. So much to figure out.

You are right, there is so much to figure out. I'm planning an upcoming trip. I haven't been there since 2015. I don't like the app (I am going to have to keep pulling out my glasses just to see the phone) and I don't like the way the app works. Information overload. So, I am still going to make my good old spreadsheet and take it with me.

 

[_19disnA]

I still like paper maps when walking around Disney. Way easier to see what is where, what are the choices to eat/etc. instead of fiddling with some phone app. I doubt the wait times displayed on your phone are any more accurate than the ones posted at the ride entrance. We always find some are way too short, while others are obviously too long. Checking how fast the line is moving and how long it is seems to work best for us.

 

[lovethattink]

Maps are still available at the front of the park, guest services, and most of the retail stores.

What’s missing would be the Times Guide. But you can find times on the app, out front of most of the shows, asking at a blue umbrella, there are some digital boards located throughout the parks, etc.

 

[Gina Renae]

Thanks for the information. In the past, we have gone on our spring Break which is the end Feb/First week of March. Was never crowded and I guess we got spoiled. We have also been at end October and back then, it wasn't crowded either. I couldn't imagine being there in peak season or summer heat. From reading trip planning & reviews, I was thinking that we would have to preplan everything. We are like you. We walk around and do what we feel. The only plans really made are which park on which day. That depends on parades and shows etc. Glad to hear we can still enjoy the parks our way.

"We walk around and do what we feel. The only plans really made are which park on which day."

Now THAT is how I like to vacation. Planning is great, up to a point, but sometimes it gets in the way of being fully present in each moment. A favorite memory is a stay at Caribbean Beach with my young daughter in the 1990s. After a few days of rope-dropping and rushing around, we started taking our time each day, heading to the bus stop after a leisurely breakfast, and taking whichever bus to whichever park came first. Those were the days.

 

[iwannabdduck]

The only thing I want to use my cell phone for at WDW is to take photographs, and sometimes mobile ordering. Otherwise I avoid it like the plague. When we were at MK last spring, we had an ADR at the Plaza restaurant. When we showed up 10 minutes early to check in, the cast member at the front door asked if we texted them on the MDE app to let them know we were ready. When I said, excuse me, what? I was basically told that I really needed to let the restaurant know ahead of time via the MDE app that we were there for our reservation instead of physically showing up. I remember saying in response, that one of the reason I come to Disney is to get away from all that technology, the guy we were talking to said "yeah, but ..." After he walked away, my wife just smiled and said, "Well dear I think you just got a lecture like you used to give the kids when they were young." A few minutes later we received a text message letting us know our table was ready. I tipped the waiter, but definitely would not have bothered tipping that rude CM who seated us. A couple of days later we were at the Kona Cafe at the Poly, and had a really nice waitress. To my wife's horror, I asked her about that incident at the Plaza. She just smiled and tactfully said, "The park restaurants are busier than we are in the resorts, and the MDE computer system does make it easier to manage reservations." Live & learn I guess.

 

[Judique]

The only thing I want to use my cell phone for at WDW is to take photographs, and sometimes mobile ordering. Otherwise I avoid it like the plague. When we were at MK last spring, we had an ADR at the Plaza restaurant. When we showed up 10 minutes early to check in, the cast member at the front door asked if we texted them on the MDE app to let them know we were ready. When I said, excuse me, what? I was basically told that I really needed to let the restaurant know ahead of time via the MDE app that we were there for our reservation instead of physically showing up. I remember saying in response, that one of the reason I come to Disney is to get away from all that technology, the guy we were talking to said "yeah, but ..." After he walked away, my wife just smiled and said, "Well dear I think you just got a lecture like you used to give the kids when they were young." A few minutes later we received a text message letting us know our table was ready. I tipped the waiter, but definitely would not have bothered tipping that rude CM who seated us. A couple of days later we were at the Kona Cafe at the Poly, and had a really nice waitress. To my wife's horror, I asked her about that incident at the Plaza. She just smiled and tactfully said, "The park restaurants are busier than we are in the resorts, and the MDE computer system does make it easier to manage reservations." Live & learn I guess.

I probably would have gotten goofy and said, 'I don't know how to text. Can you teach me?' And then pulled out a flip phone with the big numbers.....

Which I don't actually have but I do think it's a bit out of line to expect a guest to carry around tech that matches their expectations.

 

[leebee]

I probably would have gotten goofy and said, 'I don't know how to text. Can you teach me?' And then pulled out a flip phone with the big numbers.....

Which I don't actually have but I do think it's a bit out of line to expect a guest to carry around tech that matches their expectations.

I don't have a smart phone. I have a flip phone from work, very basic (mostly for emergencies at work) and I don't know how to text (not sure I can on this phone). All true!
I do just fine at WDW without a phone. On my last trip (Nov 2024) the only reservation I had was for Up Close with Rhinos, so I knew that on that day I was going to AK. The rest? I took it as it came. If I wanted to make a dining reservation, I talked to guest services. I also had success just walking up to restaurants and asking if they had seating for a party of one. I have my laptop and check things regularly from my resort room in the morning and evening (in case of flight changes, etc, and to let DH know the day went well and I am OK) and the rest of it? I did and went where I wanted, when I wanted. It was awesome!

 

[OKW Lover]

We almost never use the app. But then we are local and have visited the parks so much that we pretty much have it all memorized. Still, you can get along just fine by reading the signs and generally following the flow of traffic when going through the parks.