Why does Disneyland make it such a pain to use their app?

[DizMe]

Right. I won't even need a MB+ there if all it does it get me into the park. Why bother? My room key will do everything.

I wouldn't spend a ton of money on it, but it can be kind of fun--my grandson is 6 and he loves the lights and vibration. It's nice for scanning into lightning lane rides/MEP and the parks. I love not having to have my phone out any more than I have to, but I am also balking at spending the extra money for Genie+ so quite honestly, I don't get that much out of mine. The $30 I spent for it last year, though, has been worth it since I go fairly often.

 

[Pluto468]

Well, maybe it's just me. I never remember whether to hit the + or the 3 bars for my pass, to order food, find the tip board, etc. I mean, I can find it and will EVENTUALLY remember, but by the next trip it's gone from my brain again.

I also hate using the virtual room key. Physical keys are SO MUCH FASTER AND EASIER. I didn't ask for one at check in this trip and regretted it, so I broke down and asked for one on the second day. Wow, what a relief.

I also dislike always checking to make sure my battery still has juice and/or having to carry a backup power source, but that's been an issue for years. It just seems a lot more important these days to make sure your phone is functional since almost everything is done through the app.

Don't get me wrong, there are wonderful things about it. I'm not really complaining about having an app, just that the design of this one isn't intuitive for me and I get frustrated sometimes.

Old lady rant over.

I know what you mean. I requested a physical key every day we were there, the virtual one never worked for me.

 

[Nonsuch]

I requested a physical key every day we were there, the virtual one never worked for me.

Virtual key only worked for me (primary guest on reservation) and not other guests. There have also been reports that using the virtual key disabled the physical keys
I just use a physical key.

Agree with the OP about needing to remember what items are under the "plus" or the "hamburger". One of those buttons on the bottom should be "Ticket", perhaps the poor app design is intended to sell magic bands (which are much easier for park entry).

 

[DizMe]

Virtual key only worked for me (primary guest on reservation) and not other guests.

Oh, right!! Only the primary guest can even have a virtual key. It's a very stupid system since there will obviously be groups/families that split up and go different places and therefore require some sort of key. Since they have to make keys for a lot of people anyway, what's the point of the virtual key?

In WDW, you can use your MB to open the room door, right? So do they only allow the primary guest to do that?

 

[crystal1313]

Oh, right!! Only the primary guest can even have a virtual key. It's a very stupid system since there will obviously be groups/families that split up and go different places and therefore require some sort of key. Since they have to make keys for a lot of people anyway, what's the point of the virtual key?

In WDW, you can use your MB to open the room door, right? So do they only allow the primary guest to do that?

No. When we stayed at WDW all of us could open our door with our MB. Even the kids. That’s super frustrating about the virtual key!

 

[ParkHopper1]

I am very tech savvy and hate the app for use in parks...not at all intuitive or user friendly.

Constantly need to click through to try and figure out were things are.

 

[Tinkaboo]

At WDW now…MB rules! SO MUCH FASTER…hate being in line behind someone trying to use phone

That said, it’s about the only thing I’ve liked…can’t wait to get back to DL in 3 weeks!
The constant drizzle hasn’t helped…it’s way worse than Seattle was, only rained once when I was there!

 

[soniam]

At WDW now…MB rules! SO MUCH FASTER…hate being in line behind someone trying to use phone

That said, it’s about the only thing I’ve liked…can’t wait to get back to DL in 3 weeks!
The constant drizzle hasn’t helped…it’s way worse than Seattle was, only rained once when I was there!

Constant drizzle isn’t very common in Orlando. You must have tainted the weather

 

[Kit Jackson]

At WDW now…MB rules! SO MUCH FASTER…hate being in line behind someone trying to use phone

I sort of agree. I've never used MB, but if I were planning a trip to WDW, I would get MB and would consider skipping tickets with Park Hopper. However, if I were planning a Disneyland trip, I would consider skipping MB because for me, the value of MB compared to the price is not there for me at Disneyland, but I would absolutely get Park Hopper tickets.

The short version is, there are some significant differences between the parks, and what works/makes sense on one coast does not always work or make sense on the opposite coast. This can also vary from person to person.

 

[Tinkaboo]

I sort of agree. I've never used MB, but if I were planning a trip to WDW, I would get MB and would consider skipping tickets with Park Hopper. However, if I were planning a Disneyland trip, I would consider skipping MB because for me, the value of MB compared to the price is not there for me at Disneyland, but I would absolutely get Park Hopper tickets.

The short version is, there are some significant differences between the parks, and what works/makes sense on one coast does not always work or make sense on the opposite coast. This can also vary from person to person.

Absolutely agree…my DL bands really are more of a fashion statement

But for WDW…they work for just about everything it seems, but you still have to I use phone for wait times, DAS, booking Genie , etc.

I am gonna get the Christmas one for DL…

 

[Tinkaboo]

Constant drizzle isn’t very common in Orlando. You must have tainted the weather

Well, I didn’t think that was a rain dance I was doing but it could have been..it is now torrential, we’re ordering Door Dash and watching TNF…hey, I could have done that at home! I don’t mind walking around in a little drizzle but when you are soaking wet in denim , that’s not fun. And getting your face blasted on a ride, I’ll pass. That was okay 20 years ago but I’m way past the “but we paid all this money to be here” phase.

like my friend Jerry says…”Aah, I’ll just do it next time…or I won’t…either way”

 

[soniam]

Well, I didn’t think that was a rain dance I was doing but it could have been..it is now torrential, we’re ordering Door Dash and watching TNF…hey, I could have done that at home! I don’t mind walking around in a little drizzle but when you are soaking wet in denim , that’s not fun. And getting your face blasted on a ride, I’ll pass. That was okay 20 years ago but I’m way past the “but we paid all this money to be here” phase.

like my friend Jerry says…”Aah, I’ll just do it next time…or I won’t…either way”

Downpours are another story. Those happen frequently, sometimes everyday.

 

[macrom75]

Not specific to the DLR app, but our whole experience was quite the opposite of what you get in WDW. No charging to the room, park-wide WiFi was spotty, regular MBs don’t work, DLH holds Amazon packages for days to pass their security inspection. It barely felt like we were at a Disney resort; you could have convinced us we were at a Six Flags with Disney branding. And don’t get me started on the difference with the Cast Members…

Next time we spend thousands on a Disney trip, it will for sure be to Florida!

 

[BrianL]

Downpours are another story. Those happen frequently, sometimes everyday.

Yeah, but they are usually brief. I was caught in a bad one a year or so ago where the monorail track was hit by lightning and the torrential rain lasted well into the night. That's not so common though. Half the time, I'd walk into Space Mountain on a sunny day, then when I come out, everything is wet, but the sun is back out. I'd never even know if it wasn't for the puddles!