If you’re going to Disney World for the first time, then you are in for a ride- hopefully a few! However, if you are, then there is one tool you might not know about that will definitely come in handy, and it fits right in your pocket!
My Disney Experience App- Walt Disney World
The Disney World My Disney Experience app is single-handedly THE BEST pocket theme park companion you could ask for. On its own, it acts as a handy map that doesn’t have to be thrown away at the end of the day, but it offers so much more than that!
The My Disney Experience app acts as a one-stop shop for all things Disney World. It’s got everything! Tickets, hotel room key, reservations, dining, wait times, Lightning Lane, PhotoPass, and more! Let me break it down for you in a list.
Park Reservations
One of the My Disney Experience app’s most notable uses is the ability to make park reservations through it. While a park reservation hasn’t been required for entry since 2024, it is needed on select days for those with an annual pass or non-dated tickets.
Vacation Assistant
Guests staying at Disney World will be able to link their hotel reservation to the app. In doing this, your phone acts as a room key and a guide! The app, now fitted with information on bus wait times and a map of the resort, can give you anything you need to know! Like pool hours and restaurant menus. Not only that, but using the app you will also be able to see your room number and open your room door- which I find is very useful considering I always manage to misplace my key.
Theme Park Companion
The undisputed best use for the My Disney Experience app is its use as a pocket theme park guide. If you have linked a ticket through the app, once the ticket is scanned at the park you enter, the app will automatically gear toward information for that park. If not, you can just select the park of your choosing through search filters. At a glance, you will be able to see the wait times for all of the rides, attractions, and experiences. (Which you won’t have to worry about with Lightning Lane. More on that later.)
When you are feeling hungry, you can peruse through all of the available dining locations with the app, both table-service and quick-service. You’ll be able to take a look at all of the menus and at some locations, you’ll even be able to order your food in the app. You can pick it up when it is ready and you won’t have to put the fun on pause to order.
PhotoPass
When taking photos with the stationed photographers, if you scan a ticket in your digital phone wallet linked to the app, or the QR code within the app, the photos taken will appear directly in your app for purchase. This saves you a trip to the PhotoPass stations. While the stationed photographers might also take photos with your phone if you provide it, PhotoPass photos offer a stunning professional quality and some fun magical edits and effects.
Lightning Lane
Lightning Lane has been around since 2021 as the forever replacement to the much beloved “FastPass.” With Lightning Lane, you can skip the standby line and instead join a shorter line for select attractions and experiences. However it can be a little difficult to understand if you haven’t been to Disney World before.
Through the My Disney Experience app, guests will be able to purchase either a Lightning Lane Single or Multi-Pass or a Lightning Lane Premier Pass.
Lightning Lane Single-Pass offers a one-time shorter line for any of the premier attractions not available with the Multi-Pass with an advance reservation. Typically ranging from $10 to $30 per person, depending on the day and ride.
Lightning Lane Multi-Pass offers this shorter line experience for three select rides of your choosing, excluding the premier rides available with Single-Pass with an advance reservation. Typically around $15 to $30 per person, depending on the day.
Lightning Lane Premier Pass offers the shorter line option for every ride in the park of your choosing (including the premium rides) with no need for a reservation. The price differs between parks and days, but is typically between $100-$200 for EPCOT and Animal Kingdom, and $200-$400 for Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom.
With a wide variety of options, Lightning Lane is able to fit a lot of different theme park needs and styles. Though it might not be necessary, it is very helpful if you want to ride everything and make the most out of your visit.
With all that and more, the My Disney Experience app is my go-to for all things Disney World, no matter which park I am going to or how long I am staying.
The post What You Need to Know: The My Disney Experience App first appeared on The DIS.
