Technology-aspects of a WDW trip?

[leebee]

I don't own a phone so do all my planning on my laptop. DD27 and I are going to WDW in late August (4 day trip w/2 park days MK and DHS, staying at POP). I am doing the planning (and paying!) but we both have MDE accounts, and I have a TP subscription. DD is happy to load whatever apps onto her phone that are really helpful once in the parks/at Disney, but I don't know what apps to tell her and why. What apps do you use while at WDW and why are they helpful, where do I find them, will they eat up the charge on her phone, what about mobile ordering (and are we REQUIRED to use it), etc.? I am a WDW vet with 30+ trips under my belt and more to come- but I am seriously techno-stupid, so patience (and explanations in one-syllable words, hahaha) would be appreciated!

 

[subtchr]

All she really needs is the My Disney Experience app. That will enable her to mobile order food, check attraction wait times, show times, menus, dining reservations, hours, etc.

The Lines app from Touring Plans can be helpful, but I honestly rarely use it, even though I am a subscriber. To keep things simple, I recommend just using MDE.

As for mobile ordering, it is strongly encouraged, but you CAN order in person if you prefer. We find mobile ordering efficient and easy, so we enjoy using it. It's all in the MDE app. She can pay for each order with a linked credit card, Apple Pay, Disney gift card, or Disney Visa Rewards redemption card.

I'm "old" - 63 - but I enjoy the technology available in the MDE app, and feel it enhances my trips, by giving me so much helpful information at my fingertips. Hopefully your daughter will get comfortable using it, to help you two have a great trip, too!

 

[Meglen]

My Disney Experience app would be the one to download. This will let you make any mobile orders, advanced dining reservations, or wait lists for reasturants. Also it's how you would get a Rise of the resistance boarding group. This app will also let you check in and open your resort door if staying in property.

Checking bus times, and park ride wait times. And maps incase you need to find a store or bathroom.

Depending on how often you use this it will drain battery just like all other apps. But I feel unless fast pass comes back the usage will be minimal. Unless you are constantly looking at wait times ect.

 

[glocon]

MDE for sure! That’s the only way to get on Rise. Make sure she is familiar with how to get a boarding group... maybe have her practice a few times as well since you’ll only have two opportunities to get a bg this visit.

 

[CeCe0906]

Also when we are on vacation(even not at Disney), we take a portable charger with us. Ours is a little smaller than a deck of cards and fits easily in a purse, fanny pack or backpack. It can recharge both our phone several times over the day. We just recharge it at night when we sleep. We use our phone to take a lot of photos, so we use it a lot. Easy to plug it it to the charger while not in use in my purse. Beats having to look for a plug when it's getting low, and you need it. The MDE app looks really useful, with maps and wait times.

 

[Best Aunt]

Also when we are on vacation(even not at Disney), we take a portable charger with us. Ours is a little smaller than a deck of cards and fits easily in a purse, fanny pack or backpack. It can recharge both our phone several times over the day. We just recharge it at night when we sleep. We use our phone to take a lot of photos, so we use it a lot. Easy to plug it it to the charger while not in use in my purse. Beats having to look for a plug when it's getting low, and you need it.

I was going to say this. If you look closely, you will see people at Disney holding their phones, but the phone is connected to a cable which disappears into the person's tote bag or backpack. The person is charging their phone on the go. The portable charger is in their bag. You can buy the chargers in the store at Best Buy or Target, if you want to ask a sales person for help. Or you can buy them online. Every so often you will see a thread here on the Dis where people are asking for suggestions about which one to buy. (Anker brand and Mophie brand are both reputable.)

As PP said, you plug the charger itself into an electrical outlet to charge it.

I personally like having it with me when I fly. If there are delays, I don't have to worry about my phone getting run down.

Some people have reported that they have had trouble ordering in person at quick service restaurants. There should be a register inside where you can order in person, but a cast member will be stationed at the door discouraging you from doing so (even to the point of possibly telling you that you can't do so). If you can't mobile order, you may to stand your ground and insist that you be allowed to order in person.

 

[dez1978]

I really do like the lines app from Touring plans. The wait times tend to be much more accurate in my experience.