Possible to navigate disney world without using the app?

[sdc10]

So my parents (who are not super technologically inclined) may be spending a night or two at disney, and spending a day at Epcot. Is it possible to navigate without having to rely on the app for things like getting into their hotel room/entrance into the parks?

Trying to avoid the situation where they cant locate the app, or know how to find their park tickets, etc. while they are there. They are still very much a "paper copy of everything" type of people.

 

[bdrex28]

So my parents (who are not super technologically inclined) may be spending a night or two at disney, and spending a day at Epcot. Is it possible to navigate without having to rely on the app for things like getting into their hotel room/entrance into the parks?

Trying to avoid the situation where they cant locate the app, or know how to find their park tickets, etc. while they are there. They are still very much a "paper copy of everything" type of people.

I think it's possible if they are ok with waiting in lines and such. for only a night or two, you could go ahead and book their LLs if they want that. Then you can put them on paper the times they have to be where they need. Outside of those, they could always just walk around and enjoy it and enter lines that they want to but they'd at least have some pre determined times for rides if they wanted that? or they could just go old school , walk around and do what they want and pick the lines to stand in.

Also, depending on when they are going I'd say Epcot may be the best if you don't have an app. So many food booths and festivals usually going on and frankly right now not many rides. I'd just recommend they rope drop Remy or go to Remy at close if they don't have an app. They wont be able to ride Guardians because it's ONLY through the app. The rest of the rides they can just walk on but they may really enjoy the festival stuff and just hanging out.

You could also show them how to use the app and put it on their home screen. The app can be confusing and I'm a multiple time per year WDW visitor.

Side note, the app "should" be better for a company as large and dependent on the app as Disney is.

 

[lanejudy]

Yes and no. At the very least they will need to have their tickets linked to the app -- if they don't have (and don't want) their own log-in you can set them up as profiles in your account. But there is no such thing as a paper ticket anymore. Even buying a ticket at the gate they would be instructed to create an MDE account and link the tickets.

So if you are willing and able to help them with some upfront steps, I do think they could then do the parks "old school" and just walk around, getting in whatever queue they want. As PP mentions you could even go so far as to schedule them LLMP, but maybe they don't want to be tied to a schedule. I'd steer them towards QS because TS may not be an option without ADRs.

 

[scrappinginontario]

It would be best that they request a ‘Key to the World’ card (looks like a paper cc) when they check-in at their resort or enter their first park. They will need that or the app to access their room and the parks.

 

[rdevans_2000]

I think if you are going app-less you should start early (rope drop) and spend about three or four hours in the park, then leave for lunch, relaxation at the resort, other site-seeing, etc. Then head back into the park for the last three or four hours of the night. This helps with crowds and many wait standby wait times are shorter. App-less can certainly be done, and if an older person is not tech savvy, I think the app will possibly frustrate them. It can be complicated even us tech savvy peeps.

 

[erinch]

The CMs are also soooo kind. If they do have LLs and any problems, the blue umbrella CMs can work with their phone and get them sorted. If you could talk them into wearing magicbands, CMs can fix many things on their end and load it into the app, which is linked to the magic band.

You could also give them on paper a list of the best things to do in each land and pavilion, and they could have their own little scavenger hunt.
See the manatees
Admire the mural in the LWtL queue
Visit the day of the dead exhibit and artisans in Mexico
Some of the quieter restaurants are Coral Reef right at 11:30. Ask for table by the tank
Hacienda San Angel, ask for water view
Shika sai if they are adventurous
Spice Road Table if they like that food
Monsieur Paul if they have the $$$$$$

 

[Rory607]

I think it can be done and as long as their expectations are reasonable, they would have a good experience. Epcot is a great park for this because there is enough to see at WS without waiting in lines. I agree that they should get a Key to the World card and you could get them lanyards ahead of time. My parents prefer the cards to magic bands. I would go ahead and download the app for them and link their tickets. And I agree to let them know about the blue umbrellas. We’ve gone to them with questions and they’ve been incredibly kind and helpful.

As far as dining, Epcot probably has the most choices as far as QS. WS has lots of options, of course. Sunshine Seasons could also be a good one because there is so much seating. I know my parents dislike having to hunt for a table when they’re already holding the trays, lol!

 

[loves to dive]

It would be best that they request a ‘Key to the World’ card (looks like a paper cc) when they check-in at their resort or enter their first park. They will need that or the app to access their room and the parks.

This. It's easy to do, just ask at the front desk when they check in for it. It will get them in their room and into the park. It's easy enough to navigate Epcot without the App. as well. If they want to ride rides, there are boards located throughout the park that list wait times so they don't have to go to the actual ride to see them (can't remember where they are right now). Just pick up a paper map at the entrance and it will show everything. They can also go old school and just go to the ride and look at the posted wait time there or look at the line itself. They can get in line at QS to order food, it might take longer but it's possible and pay with either cash or a CC. They can go to the physical Guest Services location near SSE to have them book any kind of TS reservations they want or go to the actual restaurant and ask to either get on a wait list or find out if they have anything available. Epcot is one of the easiest parks to go without your phone in. I don't use mine to get into my room or the parks, I use my MB for that and don't buy lightening lanes, I'm a wait in line type gal. I will mobile order on it and will sometimes look at wait times but not very often. I also book TS or walk up waits on it but it's easy enough to use GS for that. Depending on the time of year, it's possible there is going to be a festival happening which will also work for food.

 

[leebee]

I don't have a cell/smart phone at all and do just fine at Disney! I use my magic band as a room key and have my park tickets linked to it (and I also ask for a hard key as back up for the room, just in case, when I am traveling solo). I don't do lightning lanes or whatever iteration Disney is using these days (already give too much money to the mouse) and managed to get on every ride I wanted, including SDD; longest line was about 20 mins. (although I was there at a slow time- but I am a "wait in line" girl anyhow- and TBH Jingle Cruise was closer to 30 mins). If I have made ADRs, I bring a copy of the confirmation number, and if I want to do something "spur of the moment," I either walk-up or use Guest Services to make the ADR (or cancel them). You really don't NEED any kind of app or advanced tech to enjoy Disney World, if you pack your patience and are happy to discover and explore on your own timeline!

 

[imbelle]

I don't have a cell/smart phone at all and do just fine at Disney! I use my magic band as a room key and have my park tickets linked to it (and I also ask for a hard key as back up for the room, just in case, when I am traveling solo). I don't do lightning lanes or whatever iteration Disney is using these days (already give too much money to the mouse) and managed to get on every ride I wanted, including SDD; longest line was about 20 mins. (although I was there at a slow time- but I am a "wait in line" girl anyhow- and TBH Jingle Cruise was closer to 30 mins). If I have made ADRs, I bring a copy of the confirmation number, and if I want to do something "spur of the moment," I either walk-up or use Guest Services to make the ADR (or cancel them). You really don't NEED any kind of app or advanced tech to enjoy Disney World, if you pack your patience and are happy to discover and explore on your own timeline!

Disney does make it a challenge to have a phone-free vacation. Even with copies of ADRs you still get Cast Members who want you to check in to your ADR on a phone (when you're right in front of them). No getting on a Virtual Queue only ride. And even with an Annual Passholder card and a MDE print out showing your Current Annual Pass, they still want you to pull it up on your phone to apply discounts. Ironic since the phone adverse demographic probably has the most disposable income on the whole.