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 froggy friends here at Undercover Tourist also want to remind you to make sure that you prep your phone before heading off on your vacation.
Trust us here! Your cell phone is basically your lifeline while on a Disney trip. You’ll use it for so many things such as:
- Mobile ordering your meals
- Making or amending dining reservations
- Purchasing Genie+ and making reservations
- 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
The above list is just the basics. You can do so many other things with your phone while at Disney. That’s why it’s essential to make sure your phone is prepped and ready to go. This will save you time and provide you with 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
1. Download the Right Apps
Before we jump into all of the apps you'll want to have on your phone, 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, especially before going on vacation. No one wants to lose all their precious photos!
My Disney Experience App
This is a must! 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, Genie+ selections, etc.
You will scroll down and click on My 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 app. This is where you’ll find just about everything you need while at Disney World.
You’ll find park hours and a link to purchase 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. We think this is a brilliant idea, even if you do have MagicBands. MagicBands and cards can be lost or accidentally 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.
You’ll also want to explore the features within the app, such as mobile ordering, park maps, wait times, the entertainment schedule and character greeting locations. If you’ve purchased Genie+, 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 Genie+ system.
Did you purchase the Disney PhotoPass Memory Maker? You can link it to the app if you’ve bought it in advance. You can also purchase Memory Maker within the app during your vacation. Looking to find 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. Nice!
Undercover Tourist Theme Park Plans App - Orlando
Did you know that the Undercover Tourist Frog Family has our very own app (for iPhone) to help you plan your vacation and navigate the Orlando theme parks? Yup! You can download it from your Apple device's app store. It’s FREE! And not to toot our own horn, but it’s pretty frogtacular!
Before your trip, you’ll want to check out the Crowd Calendar. The Crowd Calendar will let you know the level of crowds you can expect during your visit. We recommend using it to help plan your vacation, 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 just 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. This can be incredibly helpful when you’re trying to plan your day, so you know which rides have the shortest lines and are worth spending your time on. You’ll also find video clips of the attractions so you know what to expect, height requirements, detailed maps and more!
OpenTable App
If you’re looking for a last-minute dining reservation, the OpenTable app is a great way to go. With this app, you can search for restaurants 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. Plus, if you have any dietary restrictions, you can use the app to filter restaurants that can accommodate your needs.
A Grocery Delivery App
If you're staying at a Disney Resort hotel, grocery delivery is available to your resort! Grocery delivery services are super convenient, whether you're planning or frogot an essential item.
First, choose your grocery delivery service. A few different companies deliver groceries to Disney Resort hotels — we've listed a few of our favorites below. Once you select a company, download its app and create an account following the prompts.
- Instacart
- Amazon Fresh
- Shipt
- Kroger
Once you have an account set up with your favorite grocery delivery app, it's time to start shopping! First, browse through the grocery items available and add anything you need to your cart. When you're finished, select your delivery window and check out.
Most grocery delivery services will require you to pay a small fee for delivery, and some even offer grocery pick up if you're short on time.
And that's all there is to it! In no time, your groceries will be delivered right to your Disney Resort hotel — leaving you more time to enjoy your vacation.
Uber or Lyft
If you plan to use a ride share service at Walt Disney World, we recommend using Uber or Lyft. Both companies offer reliable transportation throughout the property. The rates are also very reasonable since you're usually just motoring around Walt Disney World. 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, which return June 29, 2022, so you'll need Lyft app to use 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 (or two) at Walt Disney World!
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 entertainment apps onto their devices before your trip. There are tons of great options available, from Disney-themed games to movies and shows. And with most of these apps, you can even download content ahead of time so that it's ready to go offline — perfect for when you're on the go.
Play Disney
The Play Disney app, in particular, is a great option for tadpoles of all ages. There are tons of fun and interactive games and Disney movies and shows that can be downloaded for offline viewing. The app is free to download and use, so it's a great way to save some money on entertainment while at Disney.
A Weather App
While Florida's weather is typically known for being 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!
That's why it's always a good idea to keep an eye on the weather, especially if you're planning on spending most of your time at the parks or swimming at your resort pool.
There are a few different ways to do this, but the easiest is to download a weather app. Some of our go-to's are Accuweather, the Weather Channel app and NOAA Weather. Download any of these, and you'll be prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws your way.
2. Keep Your Phone Charged
Because you’ll be taking so many pictures and videos, your phone battery will drain quickly. Be sure to bring a portable charger with you to recharge on the go. You can also find charging stations throughout the parks to power up while you’re waiting in line for rides.
If your phone dies and you need a quick charge, there are plenty of places to turn. Charging stations can be found throughout all four theme parks and Disney Springs. In addition, most locations offer both standard USB and Lightning connectors, so you can charge no matter what type of phone you have.
We like to pack an extra battery pack or two to save time. 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. The FuelRods are fully interchangeable and can be found at any FuelRod station throughout the parks. You can also find FuelRod vending machines at select hotels and Disney Springs. You can swap your FuelRod for free at Disney!
Charging your phone is easy if you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel. Each room has outlets that you can use to plug in and power up. You can also find charging stations in common areas such as the lobby or restaurants. So no matter where you are in Walt Disney World, there’s always a way to keep your phone charged and connected to the magic.
3. Protect Your Phone with a Case
You will be doing a lot of walking and riding a ton of attractions at Disney, 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. You can find a few bucks by purchasing a phone case before arriving at Disney. If you 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!
Water parks are a great place to have fun and cool off, but you need to be careful with your belongings. Waterproof phone cases are essential for protecting your phone at a water park.
4. Make Sure Your Phone Has Enough Storage Space
You will be taking many pictures and videos while at Walt Disney World, so make sure your phone has enough space. One of the worst things is realizing that you can't take more pictures because your phone is full.
If your phone is running low on space, try deleting some old photos and videos that you don't need anymore. 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.
No one wants to run out of phone space while on vacation, so make sure to delete any unwanted files before your trip. This will help ensure that you can take as many photos and videos as possible!
5. Learn to Use Mobile Wallet
Most people use Mobile Wallet to store their credit and debit cards, loyalty cards and coupons. If you're going to Disney, you'll want to have Mobile Wallet set up on your phone. That way, you can quickly pay for your tickets, food and souvenirs without carrying around a lot of cash or cards.
To use Mobile Wallet at Disney, just look for the contactless payment symbol (usually a wave) at the register. Then, open your mobile wallet app and 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.
6. 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. Then, if something happens while you're at Disney, first responders will have the information they need to help you.
7. Enable Find My Phone
If you're like most people, your phone is always with you. And that's a good thing because it can come in handy in all sorts of situations, including when you lose it. So before you head to Disney, enable Find My Phone on your device. That way, if you lose it, you'll be able to track it down.
You can also connect your family members' phones to the app. This is a beneficial way to find each other if you get separated or decide to explore different parts of the park.
8. Screenshot Important Information
Don't froget to screenshot important information such as a dining reservation, Disney Genie+ selections, resort information, etc. Technology errors can occur, and Wi-Fi accessibility 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 prepared for Disney, we're confident that you're officially ready for your trip! Do you plan on using any of 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!
