Your must do after booking you Disney holiday
- planmydisneyholiday
- Aug 19, 2019
- 4 min read
In my previous posts I have written about the Disney World app: My Disney Experience.
As soon as you have booked your holiday you need to download this app; it is extremely useful and is a must need for any Disney holiday.
A few things you should know, the parks do have Wifi, so as soon as you go to the park for the first time make sure you log in.
Because of the size of the parks it can be temperamental in some places, so you may need to screen grab certain information.
Before you do anything you need to have your holiday information ready to link to your account. You will be able to use an ID code on your Disney ticket or Magic Band (Disney ticket bracelet) or you can use your confirmation number and last name on the reservation to link your account.
So what does the app offer?
1) A map of the whole of Walt Disney World.
On the map you can change a number of things highlighted. The default setting is showing the wait times for the rides. You can also change so that the maps show attractions, characters, dining, shops, transportation and restrooms.
The ride times is really useful because, if you have a park hopper, and you find the park is busy, have a look at the ride times because it might be quieter else where.
2) Book a FastPass+
You can book your Fast Passes on your phone. You can start booking the fast passes 30 days in advance of your holiday or 60 days if staying at a Disney resort hotel. You can have fast passes all on your phone to remind you, and this is why you might want to screen grab them just in case you are out of Wifi service. You can also continue to look for Fast Passes on the day in case someone cancels them, so might pick up a fast pass to a ride you may want.
3) Reserve dining.
You can start reserve dining up to 180 days before hand, and if you stay at a Disney resort hotel you can actually book a for a further10 days after your first day. Again some places will be booked up very quickly, so you may need to book these on the 180 days (I advise which restaurants to book as part of my service). You can cancel the dining reservation up to 24 hours before hand if you want to make any changes. Like the Fast Passes you can keep looking on the app to see if any bookings open up on the day.
4) Order food.
As discussed in my counter food blog you can order your food at certain counter service restaurants - I have never did this myself but I will do it next time. It means you don't have to join the line and save yourself some time. On the map the service is shown as a small icon.
You order what you want, then tell the restaurant when you are ready for it, and pick it up from the order window.
5) Link your accounts.
You can link friends and family and one person can book the above for the whole party. I was responsibly for this during our last holiday with my sister-in-law starting starting to book her own by the end of the holiday.
When you book the meals and Fast Passes you choose who you want to include if you want the whole group, or just certain individuals.
6) View photos.
If you have Memory Maker (it is a photo service supplied by Disney) it can be purchased or included in some deals when booking your holiday. Your photos will appear in the app which have been taken by a staff member or a ride photo. It uses your Magic Band or ticket to link the photo to your account make sure to tap your ticket or band at the end of the ride to get the photo. Staff members will scan your ticket or Magic band if they are taking your photo.
7) My plans section
Your plans (food and fast passes) will be stored on your phone and keeps it simple to keep track of what you are doing and where. This will be the screen you want to screen grab; just to share my experiences: I rarely had any problems opening the app, and if I did, a short walk to somewhere else in the park solved the problem.
8) Keep the 'young ones' entertained.
Disney are developing the app so that you can have something to play in the queue for the ride. Certain attractions have unique games such as Slinky Dog Dash, Space Mountain, and they are adding more.
My experience was very hit and miss during my last visit sometimes the game took a while to load and other times it keep us entertained for a small while, but this is something Disney is wanting to improve, so you might have a better experience.
9) Shopping
You can view what is available to buy throughout Walt Disney World and even have some delivered to your hotel. So if you have seen something you liked in Walt Disney World but cannot find it - this is the place to look.
10) Park information
There is opening times for each park so you know what time to get up and start your day. If you are staying at a Disney Resort hotel you will have the option for Extra Magic Hours at a certain park and this information is also available on the app.
So there is 10 reasons for you to download the My Disney Experience app. I would recommend, again, that as soon as you have booked your holiday you and your party download the app and sign up. Even though you cannot book anything yet it will help you to prepare for the holiday, and it will save you time on that 180 days when you can reserve your dining.
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