Why Disney World Mobile Ordering Can Be a Misleading & Unhelpful System [& how to make it work for you]

Heard about or experienced the Walt Disney World Mobile Ordering system, and want to make it work for you?

Whilst this system has its flaws (which I will talk about later on in this post), it is certainly possible to make it work!

Disney World Mobile food Ordering is supposed to help you skip the line and get your food faster.

But, let me tell you, it isn’t always as good as it sounds.

The system isn’t always as straightforward as you’d hope (we’ll discuss this more), so it can be quite frustrating.

If you’re planning to dine primarily at Quick Service locations or some bars and Table Services (that offer take out food), you’ll want to know these Disney World Mobile Order tips!

This post is all about why Disney World Mobile Ordering is can be challenging, and how to make it work for you – with some great Disney Mobile Ordering tips!

Disney World Mobile Ordering

How to Use Mobile Ordering at Disney World

How does Mobile Ordering work at Disney World?

Download the My Disney Experience App: First things first, you’ll need the Disney World mobile app on your phone. It’s free and available on both iOS and Android. You don’t need a separate Disney World mobile ordering app – just the one My Disney Experience app!
Browse and Select Your Eatery: Once the app is set up, you can browse the Disney World restaurants with Mobile Ordering (Quick Service and Table Service restaurants and bars – filtering by parks/resorts).
Choose & Customize Your Order: You can choose your selection right in the app before adding it to your cart.
Select a Pickup Time: Choose a time that suits your schedule. You can plan ahead or be spontaneous (sometimes you can collect your order as soon as you place it!).
Make Payment: Pay through the Disney World mobile app using your card or even Disney dining plans if eligible.
Click “I’m Here, Prepare My Order” and Collect Your Orer: Once you get the notification that your order is ready, simply head to the restaurant’s designated pickup window/counter/area. Your food will be waiting for you!

Benefits of Mobile Ordering

So, why should you use Disney World Mobile Ordering? Here are some great reasons:

Save Time: Skip the long line and get straight to enjoying your food! It also lets you spend more time on attractions or exploring the parks/resorts.
Convenience: Rather than hunting down a restaurant menu in the park, everything you need is in your hand. Plus, you can order while standing in line for a ride!
Avoid Decision Fatigue: With predefined options and some customization available, it’s easier to make choices without staring at a menu board.
You can Mobile Order & Eat in Your Hotel Room: After a long day in the parks, Mobile Ordering food at your resort can be pretty perfect!

Issues with Mobile Ordering

It Can be Difficult to Customize Your Order

Do you ever want to switch a side or to drop an ingredient from your food at Disney World?

Sometimes the app just won’t allow this.

It’s frustrating when you want something specific and can’t get it the way you’d like. For example, the app might not let you substitute fries with fruit or vegetables at certain places, even if you know they have these alternatives.

So, you end up stuck with choices that aren’t quite right for you.

It may even mean you have to wait in line and order your food the “old-fashioned way”, which kind of defeats the object of the Disney World Mobile Ordering system.

disney world mobile app — To access the full menu, sometimes you can’t rely on Disney World Mobile Ordering

Technical Glitches

App Crashes: Imagine the app closing just as you’re about to place your order.
Slow Loading Times: This is especially annoying if you’re in a rush.
Difficulties with Updates: Sometimes, an update might cause more problems than it fixes.

That being said, these issues can be rare, so this shouldn’t be a common issue.

Limited Availability

You might think every restaurant at Disney World offers mobile ordering all the time, but that’s not always the case.

Some places have specific hours, and others might not support it at all. This can be confusing and disappointing, especially if you’re counting on quick access to food.

Keep in mind that during peak times, like lunch and dinner, mobile ordering might be unavailable or limited.

If you’re planning on dining at a super popular on a busy park day, you may want to order hours in advance …

Making Disney World Mobile Ordering Work for You

Navigating the magical experience of Disney World can be a bit tricky, especially when it comes to meal times.

With so many attractions and shows to see, optimizing your schedule is key.

The Disney World Mobile Ordering system offers a way to simplify dining, but to truly make it work for you, some planning and strategy are necessary.

Let’s explore a few ways to make the most out of this system:

Planning Ahead

It’s all about timing! Choosing when and where to eat can make or break your experience. Here’s how you can plan ahead:

Check park schedules: Start by reviewing the park’s schedule and choosing your meal times wisely. Align your eating times during quieter hours when attractions may have longer lines.
Select restaurants early: Use the My Disney Experience app to select restaurants ahead of time. Look for spots near your planned attractions to save time.
Set reminders: Plan meal times and set reminders on your phone to pre-order. This way, you won’t get caught up in the excitement and forget.
Make sure you don’t have to collect food when you have a Lightning Lane pass booked! You don’t want to miss the attraction or the food!

By doing a bit of pre-planning, you can avoid the hangry moods that could come from poor meal timing.

Understanding Menu Options

Before you go to Disney World, familiarize yourself with what’s on the menus:

Browse menus on the app: Take a few minutes to explore different restaurant menus on the app. This helps in quickly deciding and avoiding those last-minute worries.
List your favorites: Once you know what’s available, make a note of your top picks. This will streamline your choices when it’s time to order.

Having a game plan prevents indecisiveness and saves precious park time. After all, who wants to spend their vacation stressing over what to eat?

Using Mobile Ordering for Special Dietary Needs

If you have special dietary requirements, the Disney World Mobile Ordering system may not meet your needs:

Explore dietary options: Many restaurants provide information about food allergies and special dietary needs. Check these in advance to ensure you have plenty of choices. You may need to check this in person (though some information should be available online or on the app – though the helpfulness of this may vary depending on your dietary requirements).
Speak to a chef: If you’re not sure, don’t hesitate to ask to speak with a chef. They can often provide more insight into how dishes are prepared.

Ta Ta For Now

Despite its flaws, understanding how to navigate the Disney World Mobile Ordering system can streamline your Disney dining experience.

Have you used Disney World Mobile Ordering before? What do you think about it? Please share your own Mobile Ordering Disney World tips in the comments!