So you’re on your way to Disney — hip, hop, hooray! You’ve finalized all your travel plans, packed your bags, ran those last-minute errands and hired the dog sitter. You’re all set … well, almost! Your frog friends here at Undercover Tourist also want to remind you to prep your phone before heading off on your vacation.
In our current digital age, it is no surprise that we use our phones for just about everything. The same is true for navigating through Disney World —your cell phone will basically be your lifeline. You’ll use it for so many things. Here's just the shortlist:
- Accessing the My Disney Experience app
- Mobile ordering your meals
- Making or amending dining reservations
- Purchasing the new Lightning Lane Multi Pass system (formerly Genie+) and making ride reservations
- Joining a virtual queue for select attractions
- Making Disability Access Service passes
- Checking wait times for attractions & entertainment
- Unlocking your resort room door and scanning into the parks via Disney MagicMobile (if you don’t use a MagicBand)
- Capturing precious photo & video memories along the way
With that list top of mind, it's easy to see why you'd want to make sure your phone is prepped and ready to go. Having everything loaded up beforehand will save you time and provide peace of mind knowing that you’ve got all the tools you need right at your fingertips.
Our Top Tips for Prepping Your Phone for a Disney World Trip
Download the Right Apps
Before we jump into all of the apps you'll want to have on your phone, you'll first want to make sure that you have the most updated system software.
- Check for updates! Make sure your software is up to date to avoid any glitches.
- Back it up! This is always important, but especially before going on vacation. No one wants to accidentally lose all their precious photos.
My Disney Experience App
Before you arrive, you’ll want to have the My Disney Experience app downloaded to your phone. Once you’ve created an account, you can link your theme park tickets and Disney Resort to the app. You can do this by clicking on the three lines on the bottom right of the app and then scrolling down to where it says, “Link to Account.” You’ll enter your information with the prompts given on the screen, and then ribbit! You’re all set!
If you’re traveling with your family or friends, adding them to your Family & Friends List within the app is super helpful. This allows you to easily create plans together, such as park & dining reservations, Lightning Lane selections, etc.
You will scroll down and click on "Profile," then on "Family & Friends List." The app gives you three options to add a family member or friend to your list. First, click on Add a Guest, and then you’ll be able to add a guest by either entering their name and age by scanning their linking code (once your family member or friend has created their own Disney account, a linking code will show up next to their name in the app) or through the connected guests.
Now that you have your My Disney Experience account all set up, you’ll want to take some time to explore the features within the app, such as mobile ordering, park maps, wait times, the entertainment schedule and character greeting locations.
You’ll find park hours and a link to purchase the new Lightning Lane Multi Pass system (formerly Disney Genie+) on the home screen. You will also see a link to set up a MagicMobile Pass. That means that you can use your phone to enter the parks instead of a MagicBand. This is a smart move, even if you plan on wearing MagicBands. MagicBands and cards can be lost or left behind in the resort room. Having the MagicMobile Pass set up on your smartphone ensures that you’ll always have your tickets on you and ready to go.
If you’ve purchased the Lightning Lane Multi Pass system, make sure to become familiar with the Tip Board and the My Day features of the app. You’ll be toggling between those two screens while using the new system to make ride reservations.
Did you purchase the Disney PhotoPass Memory Maker? You can link it to the app if you’ve bought it in advance. If you didn't purchase in advance, you can purchase Memory Maker within the app during your vacation. Looking to find out where Disney PhotoPass photographer locations are? These can be found on the map. You’ll also be able to view all of your photos within the app as well.
For more information, hop over to our detailed My Disney Experience guide.
Undercover Tourist Theme Park Apps
Did you know that the Undercover Tourist also offers our very own app (for iPhone) to help you plan your Orlando theme park vacation? In addition, there are two separate park planner apps to help navigate the Orlando or Southern California theme parks. You can download the apps from your Apple app store. It’s FREE! And not to toot our own horn, but all three apps are pretty frogtacular!
Before your trip, you’ll want to check our data-driven Crowd Calendar. The Crowd Calendar shows the level of crowds you can expect during your visit. We recommend using it to help plan your vacation timeframe, especially if you’re trying to avoid those heavy crowd days or seasons.
To use the Crowd Calendar, simply select the month you plan to visit. The crowd level is color-coded to give you a quick way to see how busy that particular day is expected to be.
- Green = Low
- Yellow = Moderate
- Red = Heavy
Another helpful feature in the app is the Park Plans section. Here, you can find specific park plans that give an easy-to-follow itinerary for each park. This helps you take the guesswork out of how to navigate each park. Undercover Tourist’s app also includes a Wait Times section, updated every 15 minutes with the latest information on ride wait times. You’ll also find video clips of the attractions so you know what to expect before you ride, plus height requirements, detailed maps and more.
OpenTable App
If you’re looking for a last-minute dining reservation at Disney Springs, the OpenTable app is a great way to go. With OpenTable, you can search for restaurants such as Summer House on the Lake, or by location, cuisine or price. You can also read reviews from other diners to help you decide. Then, once you find a restaurant you’d like, you can book your reservation right from the app.
A Grocery Delivery App
If you're staying at a Disney Resort hotel (or at almost any nearby hotel), grocery delivery services can drop your order right at your resort. These services are super convenient, whether you're stocking your in-room beverage cooler with bottled water, snacks or just frogot an essential item.
Multiple different companies deliver groceries to the Disney Resort hotels these days (busy moms, you know what this is all about!) — we've listed a few of our favorites here.
- Instacart
- Amazon Fresh
- Shipt
- Kroger
Once you're ready to order, select your delivery window, provide your delivery location and checkout. And just like magic, your groceries will be delivered right to your Disney Resort hotel (typically to the front lobby). Most grocery delivery services will require you to pay a small fee for delivery, but some even offer free grocery pick-up if you're traveling by car and can swing by.
Uber or Lyft
If you plan to use a ride-share service at Disney World, we recommend Uber or Lyft. Both companies offer reliable transportation throughout the property. The rates are also very reasonable since you're usually just motoring around Disney World property. These services are easier to use if you already have the apps downloaded and set up on your device before you need to use them. Disney has also partnered with Lyft for Minnie Vans, so you'll need the Lyft app if you plan on using this Disney transportation service.
A Pedometer or Health & Wellness App
Consider downloading a pedometer or health and wellness app if you’re looking to get the most out of your Disney miles. These apps can help you track your steps, distance and even calories burned. There are tons of different apps to choose from, so find one that works best for you and your device. You'll be amazed at how many steps you can rack up in a day while stomping through the theme parks.
Entertainment Apps for the Kids
As any parent knows, the tadpoles can get bored quickly, especially when waiting in line. To help keep the little ones entertained, download some new entertainment apps onto their devices (or yours) before your trip. You and your kiddos probably already have your favorites, but since you're on a Disney vacation, it only makes sense to download a few Disney-themed games, movies or shows. We love a good theme! And with most of these apps, you can even download content ahead of time so that it's ready to go offline.
Play Disney
The Play Disney Parks app, in particular, is a great option for frogs of all ages. There are a variety of fun games, such as trivia, interactive elements, stories and more. The app is free to download and use, so it's a smart way to keep the gang entertained when waiting in line for an attraction, parade or even your Disney bus.
A Weather App
While Florida's weather is typically hot and humid, it also has a reputation for being outrageously unpredictable. It also rains just about every day in the summer, which is the peak rainy season. It's always a good idea to keep an eye on the weather, especially if you're spending most of your time at the parks or plan on swimming at your resort pool. Download a weather app and you'll be prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws your way. Some of our go-to's are Accuweather, the Weather Channel app and NOAA Weather.
Keep Your Phone Charged
Because you’ll be using your phone for so many things, your phone battery will drain quickly. Be sure to bring a portable charger with you to recharge on the go. We like to pack an extra battery pack or two. You can also take advantage of Disney's FuelRod stations. For $30, you can purchase a FuelRod kit with a portable charger and charging cables. You can also find FuelRod vending machines at select hotels and Disney Springs. And bonus — you can swap your depleted FuelRod for a newly charged one for free at Disney!
If your phone dies and you need a quick charge, there are few places you can turn. Here are some of the charging stations that we've found in a pinch.
- Magic Kingdom: seating area near the Rapunzel-inspired bathrooms and at Pete's Silly Sideshow
- EPCOT: a few wireless charging tables at Connections Eatery, World Celebration Gardens and the DVC Lounge (for DVC members only)
- On the new character-wrapped Disney buses — look under your seat!
- Popup Passholder Lounges - for Disney Passholders
Charging your phone is super easy back at your Disney Resort or off-site hotel. Of course, each room has outlets (some even have USB outlets) that you can use to plug in and power up. You can also find outlets in common areas such as the lobby or restaurants. Just don't forget to plug your phone in before going to bed. Your future self will thank you!
Protect Your Phone with a Case
You will be doing a lot of walking and riding a ton of attractions, which means your phone will be subject to bumps and jostles. To protect your phone, make sure you have a good case. You can find phone cases at most retail stores, both in and out of the parks, but you can save a few bucks by purchasing a phone case before arriving at Disney. If you do forget to pack one, you can always buy one at one of the many gift shops located throughout Walt Disney World. That would make for a fun and helpful souvenir, too!
Got plans to visit the Disney Water Parks? We don't blame ya! They are a great place to cool off while still experiencing the same magic found in the theme parks. Just remember to pack a waterproof case to keep your phone from getting wet. Waterproof cases are sold at the merchandise locations at both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Keep in mind that you'll save a bit by purchasing ahead of time before your trip.
Make Sure Your Phone Has Enough Storage Space
Since you'll be taking so many pictures and videos while on your vacation, you'll want to be sure that your phone has enough storage space. It's the pits when you realize you can't take more pictures because your phone is full.
If your phone is running low on space, do a little clean out and delete duplicate or old photos and videos that you don't need anymore. (I can easily get rid of the 20 photos of my tween's forehead after he secretly hijacked my phone.) You can also transfer your pictures to your computer or a cloud storage service. If you have an iPhone, you can use the iCloud Photo Library to optimize your phone's storage.
Learn to Use Mobile Wallet
If you're not familiar, Mobile Wallet or Google Pay for Android users is a secure digital space to store your credit/debit cards and loyalty cards on your phone. For ease and to save time, you'll want to have a Mobile Wallet set up on your phone. With Mobile Wallet, you can quickly pay for food and souvenirs, or anything else you might need without carrying around a lot of cash or cards.
To use Mobile Wallet at Disney, just look for the contactless payment symbol at the register. Then hold your phone up to the contactless reader. You may be prompted to enter a PIN or authenticate your purchase with Touch ID or Face ID. Easy as pie!
Safety First! Update Your Emergency Contact and Other Health Information
Before you leave for your trip, update your emergency contact information and other health information on your mobile device. If (worst-case scenario) something happens while you're at Disney, first responders will have the information they need to help you.
Enable Find My Phone (or Find My Device App)
If you're like most people, your phone is always with you. This can come in handy in all sorts of situations, but especially when trying to locate a family member who might be in a different area of the park and not responding to texts or calls. (Like our tween ... sigh. But in his defense he was living his best life on Space Mountain.) Before you head to Disney, enable Find My Phone on your iPhone and for others in your travel party. This is also helpful if you lose your phone (it happened to me!), so you'll be able to track it down.
Screenshot Important Information
Don't froget to screenshot important information such as a dining reservation, Lightning Lane selections, virtual queue return times, resort information, etc. Technology errors can occur, and Wi-Fi reliability isn't always a guarantee. Having screenshots of this information makes sure you have the information you need, when you need it, without having to worry about spotty Wi-Fi service or glitchy computer software.
With your phone all prepped for Disney, you're officially ready for your trip! Do you plan on using these tips to prepare your phone for Disney? Are there any tips or apps that we left out? Let us know in the comments!
Related: The Ins and Outs of the My Disney Experience App
Hoppy planning!
