My Disney Experience App Uses: Unlocking the Magic in Your Phone

Imagine. You arrive in Orlando for your Disney vacation, and you and your crew already have all of the information you need to create Disney magic right at your fingertips. Sound like a bunch of hocus pocus?

What if I told you that it was not only totally possible, but that creating this experience is probably the biggest Disney World Vacation recommendation I have next to booking the vacation to begin with?

Oh yeah, it is that big. 

In this post, we are going to dive in deep to explore everything the My Disney Experience App has to offer, why it is a must have, and what you need to do in order to set your travel party up for success. What are we waiting for, let’s go!

So What is the My Disney Experience App?

The My Disney Experience App is Disney World’s FREE, all-in-one information center for all things related to your resort vacation. Holding everything from the digital room key to your hotel room, to current wait times for your favorite rides, this app is where it’s at for all things Walt Disney World. 

You can find the app on the Google Play Store, or the Apple App store and it is available for download on IOS or Android. Fun fact, you do not even have to have tickets purchased or reservations made to access the app. So if you decide after reading this post that you are ready to go check it out, nothing will be holding you back!

Pretty cool, right?

Hands Down the Coolest My Disney Experience App Uses:

Tickets

All of your Disney park tickets, all in one place? Yes please!

The new Magicband is cute, but inevitably someone in your party is going to lose, or forget theirs. Having your tickets ready to go synced to your Disney account is just so convenient! 

Pro-Tip: Speaking of MagicBands, there is a place in the My Disney Experience App to sync your MagicBands via bluetooth. This enables you to better track your battery levels, and to better understand the MagicBand interactions around the park!

There is also a place in the app where you can report your MagicBand lost or stolen in the event that becomes a need. 

Interactive Maps

 In your My Disney Experience App, you are going to find maps of the Disney theme parks and locations. But if you use the drop downs on these maps, you are going to find that you can toggle them to find so much more than attractions!

Use the drop down menu on the maps to find character greetings, shows and parades, dining locations, guest services locations, and even bathrooms! This is so much more than your run of the mill map.

Pro-Tip: Your Entertainment tab will not only show you parade and show locations, but also the show times for that even throughout the day!

Real Time Ride Wait Times

 My all time favorite feature of the app is it’s ability to show you the ride wait times of the open rides across all four theme parks in real time.

Want to know how I get so many ride’s in during a busy day at Magic Kingdom? I am consistently checking the ride times and positioning my group in the area of the park that makes the most sense. 

Pro-Tip: Check out the ride wait times at different times during the day a few days before your trip to get a good idea on how to structure your day!

Park Hours

Did you know that Disney parks hours can vary by the season and even by the day of the week?

Disney adjusts their park hours for multiple reasons, including special events. It is always a good idea to double check park hours for your specific dates. No need to commit them to memory though, they will be waiting in the app for you if you need to double check them later! This is one of those My Disney Experience App uses that will ALWAYS come in handy.

Mobile Ordering

Did you know that most quick service locations now offer mobile ordering? This means you can put your order directly into your My Disney Experience Mobile App and order food without waiting in line.

Then, you check in when you get to the restaurant and grab a table. The app will buzz you when it is time to pick your order up. So easy! 

Pro-Tip: Mobile Ordering opens for most locations at 7am. If you really don’t want to fight your crew when the hanger sets in, put your meal order in ahead of time. Setting up your order on the way to the parks will make your life so much easier once the hunger set’s in!

Virtual Queues

There are two rides at Disney World that you cannot just walk up an jump in line for. These rides are Tron at Magic Kingdom, and Guardians of the Galaxy at Epcot.

For these, you will need to get in line using the virtual queue system, which is accessible through the app. 

Pro-Tip: Make sure you have the app downloaded long before it is time to start trying to get the virtual queue though. On busy days, those puppies go fast!

PhotoPass Integration

Disney has Photopass photographers and opportunities set up literally all over their parks. Whether you choose to purchase the memory maker package or not, you still have the ability to utilize these Disney Photopass locations.

Simply walk up to a cast member sporting the green PhotoPass vest and toting a fancy looking camera, and ask to have your photo taken. Then, once they have scanned your ticket/Magicband, your photos will magically appear in your My Disney Experience app. All of those beautiful Photopass photos are now in one place!

Pro-Tip: If you are on the fence about purchasing the memory maker package, try it on for size first. Take as many photos using the Disney Photopass photographers in the parks as you can. At the end of the trip, scroll your pics and decide if it is worth it to you.

You will lose the couple of dollars in savings for purchasing ahead of time, but if you don’t find that you actually utilize the service, then at least you didn’t lose a couple hundred. 

Genie Plus

 The My Disney Experience App is home to the Genie Plus, your  best friend if you are looking for Lightening Lane passes.

Genie Plus is a paid service, that is purchased the day of your park visit and is a per guest purchase. Should you so choose to become a magic line skipper, all of your Genie Plus Lightening Lane selections will be booked and edited through the My Disney Experience app. That’s a whole lot of magic at your fingertips! 

Pro-Tip: Be mindful of the price of the Genie Plus service for the park and day your party is planning to visit. While prices can be as low as $15 per person, I have seen reports of Magic Kingdom being $39 per person over the last couple of weeks! 

Disney Dining Reservations

Everybody wants a Disney Dining reservation.

Ok, so maybe not everyone. There are plenty of amazing dining options on resort property that do not require advance dining reservations. If you want one of those coveted Character Dining Experiences though, the My Disney Experience app is were you are going to want to be.

From booking, to reviewing your reservation details, you can do it all right from your phone, even if you make the reservation from your computer on your My Disney Experience account online! 

Pro-Tip: Were you hoping for a different time for your dining reservation? Continue checking back on your reservation through the app in the weeks, and even days leading up to your trip. As better times come available, you can always modify to get you closer to your ideal time slot!

Mobile Shopping Check-out

 Ready for this super time saver? Some of the stores on Disney property now offer mobile check out, straight from the Disney app!

No more standing in crazy long lines at World of Disney at Disney Springs to check out. Winning! 

Pro-Tip: When using mobile check-out, whatever credit card you have on file for your reservation is the one that will be charged for the purchase.

Also, be sure to keep your check-out screen up instead of skipping back to you home screen, as a cast member will want to check your purchase before you head out. 

Additional Features and Benefits:

Mobile Check-In

Once you have your Disney resort hotel reservations connected to your My Disney Experience App, you can access your resort information within the app.

Sixty days before your trip, you will have the option to do mobile check-in. When you do mobile check in, you can set several preferences for your stay including floor, location, view and request early check-in. Super convenient! 

Pro-Tip: If you happen to be one of the poor, unfortunate souls who loses their MagicBand in the park, never fear, you also have a digital room key for your resort hotel on the app! No need to worry about making the extra trek to the front desk when you are already dead on your feet at the end of a park day.

Disney Genie Service

Want an itinerary personalized to you and your groups needs and wants for your Disney trip?

Of course you do!

One of the My Disney Experience App uses that l LOVE is their Disney Genie Service. Here you can go in and set your groups likes and intentions for your time in the theme parks. Once set, you can visit the tip board to see what Genie suggests you do next in order to maximize your time in the parks.

This helps you to make the most of your Disney Vacation! It also keeps track of your Genie+ Lightening Lane picks (if you purchased this feature for the day) and any dining reservations you may have. 

Pro-Tip: You can go back in and edit your selections for this board at any time. Don’t stress to much when you are playing around with it for the first time. You can decide after a morning of Princesses that you no longer to highlight those characters, and would prefer to go find some Wookie’s instead. It is totally ok. 

Park Updates and Notifications

One of the more helpful, yet often overlooked My Disney Experience App uses are the park updates and notifications.

Florida is knowing for it’s sunshine, but also for its pop-up rain showers and crazy hurricane season. The My Disney Experience app will keep you updated with park closures, special notifications and even ride closures due to inclement weather, all on your mobile device. 

Pro-Tip: It rains in Florida. Like, everyday. Keep an eye on the My Disney Experience app during rainstorms to find out what attractions are still open, and spend some time knocking those off your list.

A lot of people will be hiding in shops, restaurants, and bathrooms waiting for the rain to pass, so it is a great time to throw on a poncho and get some ride time in!

Accessibility Features

I just want to take a moment to highlight a few additional accessibility features that some readers may find helpful:

• For those users who prefer a language other than English, the My Disney Experience App main language has the ability to be changed to your personal preference. 
•  Anyone who is a part of Disney’s Disability Access Service program and has been planning with a cast member, can also use the app to manage DAS return selections. 

Tips for Maximizing the My Disney Experience App:

Download and Connect the My Disney Experience App in Advance

Ok, so I am going to say this real loud for the people in the back.

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE MORNING OF YOUR PARK VISIT TO DOWNLOAD THE MY DISNEY EXPERIENCE APP!

This is especially true if you are wanting to jump in a virtual queue, or if you are wanting to utilize Genie Plus.

Reduce the chances of you feeling the need to break-down and scream/cry/panic over missing an opportunity and just jump on the app store and download it ahead of time. Your sanity will think you, along with everyone in your party when you magically score all of your reservations. 

Utilize Mobile Ordering and Mobile Shop Checkout

I understand some people really enjoy the interaction of ordering or checking out with a person. I get it, I really do.

However when you are on a time crunch before your next lightening lane, have hangry kids, really need to rest your feet or just want something cold to drink already, this whole mobile system really is a life saver.

I promise it is not as intimidating as it sounds, and there is always a cast member ready to answer questions. This is one of those My Disney Experience App Uses that you cannot afford to overlook.

Stay Connected

For some reason, service can be spotty in some area’s on Disney property. Staying connected to their free WIFI ensures that you always have access to up to date information on your reservations, park ongoings, and ride operations.

Also, make sure you have what you need to keep your mobile device charged throughout the day. There are portable charging pods for rent in the parks, or feel free to bring you own!

Dig Into The Interactive Map Ahead of Time

Maybe I am just Disney geeking, but this map is seriously where it is at when it comes to planning your park trip.

I have been known to randomly explore it even when I will not, in fact be at the parks within that month, just to see what the wait time for Space Mountain looks like, or if I can find any cool new features.

Also worth mentioning, Disney Springs, Disney Boardwalk and the two Disney Water Parks are also featured on the map. Get in there. Dig around the maps a bit and familiarize yourself with the features. Then, let everyone stare in awe when you get onsite and magically know how to make all the things happen like a Disney boss.

Wrapping Up The My Disney Experience App Uses

​When it comes to making the most of your Walt Disney World visit, the My Disney Experience App uses listed here only stand to prove just how much this one Disney app can enhance your vacation. Whether you leave for your Walt Disney World Vacation tomorrow or in 6 months, using the app for your future plans will help to ensure that your trip stays magical and that no one turns into Grumpy on you. 

Now that you have checked out all of the My Disney Experience App uses listed above, which feature are you most excited to check out? Do you have questions about something that was listed? Let me know in the comments below! Also, don’t forget to subscribe for more Disney insights and updates. Let’s make your next trip to the happiest place on earth truly unforgettable!

Ready to book your own Walt Disney World vacation so you can get in on the magic? Check out my girl Kameron at Charming Getaways using this link so she can get you hooked up with everything you need for the perfect Disney get-a-way!