Since Disney World reopened last summer, we’ve seen a LOT of changes. There have been updates on masks, park hours, park hopping, and maybe most relevant to us: dining.

Due to capacity limits and health and safety measures, the way a lot of Disney restaurants function has changed — and some still haven’t reopened since the closure over a year ago. Quick Service restaurants became almost exclusively available on Mobile Order, and we’ve gotta be real with you…that hasn’t exactly worked out as conveniently as advertised.

Ordering via Mobile Order on the My Disney Experience app has long been one of our favorite tips to give our readers. Pre-closure, it was an under-used feature that could get you your food faster, or at a scheduled time that worked for you, without having to stand in long lines.

Now, however, Mobile Order is the status quo for eating at Quick Service restaurants in Disney World. You’ll be expected to utilize this feature pretty much all the time. And while you can technically go up to the counter and order (for example, if you have an allergy or need to pay with cash), that is no longer the norm.

But lately, we’ve noticed a few issues with the system! First of all, Mobile Order can be one of the longest waits in Disney. If you’re hoping to hop on My Disney Experience right at noon to grab a lunch order, you might end up sorely disappointed. Nowadays, lunchtime is one of the most bogged-down periods for Mobile Order, and you could end up not getting to eat for hours if time slots are already full!

You definitely don’t want to be stranded without a meal — plus, it can be really disappointing if you don’t get to eat where you planned! So here’s a NEW tip: open up Mobile Order a couple of hours before you actually want to eat. Plan ahead and schedule a spot before everyone else does, and you’ll be sitting down with your favorite meal exactly when ya want to be.

The restaurant won’t start preparing your food until you tell them you’re there, so your 9AM fries won’t be soggy by your 12PM arrival time!

However, this is another Mobile Order perk that has gone a little sour. Since you don’t actually hit “Prepare My Order” until you get to the restaurant, there’s a lot of backup in the kitchen during busy times of day! Even if you can get a time slot for lunch and show up on time, you might be waiting well past your arrival window to actually receive your food.

While you’re waiting, you are may not be allowed to enter the restaurant, so you may find yourself standing outside. Suddenly, what’s supposed to be fast and easy has now become a major hassle! So what can you do about it?

Plan ahead. We like to hit “Prepare My Order” when we first start walking over to the restaurant. That gives the kitchen time to get a head start on our order, so there’s a better chance it’s actually ready when we arrive.

And to be EXTRA prepared, we’ve got a few other backup plans for ya! Pack some snacks to tide you over just in case you miss out on a prime meal time window or get caught waiting for a while. And remember to check Mobile Order availability and schedule your meal as soon as you get to the park — or at least once you’ve solidified your plans. This is especially true if there’s a particular Quick Service spot you don’t want to miss out on.

While this is a not-so-glamourous side of Disney, it’s our job here at DFB to give you a heads-up, so you can avoid any hiccups! We’ll keep you posted with plenty more Disney tips and tricks, so stay tuned to DFB.

You’ll Need to Know This if You Mobile Order!

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Have you tried to Mobile Order lately? Let us know how it went in the comments!

The post The Harsh Reality Behind Mobile Ordering in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog.