Disneyland App & Technology – 10 Ways to Improve Your Visit
- Now with the Disneyland App: Guests can save time and pre-order their food at more mobile order dining locations; easily make contactless payments and tap into new Disney PhotoPass+ One Day
- Disneyland Resort theme parks reopened April 30, 2021
- Read more Travelivery stories on our homepage
With just a click, a tap, or a swipe, guests can use their smartphones and the Disneyland App in exciting new ways on their next visits to the Disneyland Resort.
These convenient digital features are designed to be easy and intuitive, save time, and also support a more contactless experience.
As the Disneyland Resort reopens its theme parks on April 30, 2021, and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa on April 29, 2021, here are 10 ways guests can tap into digital technology to maximize their experience:
- Download the Disneyland App
The official app for the Disneyland Resort is filled with convenient and enchanting features. Guests can link their tickets, view menus, mobile order food, and beverages from select locations make dining reservations, view attraction wait times, park maps, hours of operation, request to join a virtual queue, and more.
Tip! Guests are encouraged to download the latest version of the app prior to their visit to familiarize themselves with all its tools.* It is recommended to have location services enabled and turn on notifications for important updates and information about the Disneyland Resort.
- Plan Ahead with Mobile Order
The mobile ordering service is the main way to order food and beverages at many dining locations throughout the Disneyland Resort. More locations are being added and existing locations are expanding mobile order lanes and pick-up windows. When in the parks, food and beverages can only be consumed in designated dining areas, following the state’s guidelines.
Tip! It’s recommended that guests place their orders early in the day to make sure their meal is prepared at their preferred dining time. When arriving at the restaurant, guests tap “I’m here,” in the app and head to the pick-up area. The number of available times at each food and beverage location is limited, yet there are many dining choices throughout the parks.
- Join the Virtual Queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Upon reopening the theme parks, the Disneyland Resort will continue using a virtual queue system for one of the most popular experiences at Disneyland Resort, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. The attraction’s virtual queue is only accessible via the Disneyland mobile app, and guests can only experience the attraction by joining the virtual queue. Beginning April 30, 2021, distribution times for virtual queue enrollment will be at 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. daily.** Valid ticket and theme park reservation for Disneyland Park are required. For how-to details, visit here.
Tip! If guests start their day at Disneyland Park, they can check for an available boarding group starting at 7 a.m. on the day of their park reservation right from their phone from wherever they are, prior to arriving at Disneyland. To access the virtual queue opportunity beginning at 12 p.m., guests should be sure to enter Disneyland, or Disney California Adventure Park with a Park Hopper ticket, by noon. Guests who begin their day at Disney California Adventure and who have obtained a boarding group may then enter Disneyland with their Park Hopper ticket after 1 p.m. for their boarding group, subject to availability.
- Capture Memories with New Disney PhotoPass+ One Day
From the beauty of Sleeping Beauty Castle to the free-fall drop on Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, guests can capture their unforgettable moments at the Disneyland Resort with unlimited downloads of your Disney PhotoPass photos from one day. The new Disney PhotoPass+ One Day is available for $19.99 through the Disneyland app. Disney PhotoPass+ One Week is also available.***
Tip! Guests can ask Disney PhotoPass photographers to add a little magic to their photos.
- View Menus with QR Codes
Guests can scan QR codes at select quick service and table service dining locations throughout the Disneyland Resort to view digital menus, reducing contact and adding convenience to their dining experience.
- Join a Mobile Dine Walk-Up List
If guests do not have a dining reservation, they now have the opportunity to add their party to the mobile walk-up list at select table-service restaurants on the Disneyland app.****
- Mobile Check-In for Dining Reservations
Guests can maximize their time—and minimize their contact with others— with this new service by checking in for dining reservations at select table-service restaurants via the Disneyland app.
- Merchandise Mobile Checkout
When shopping at World of Disney in the Downtown Disney District, guests can scan their new treasures to purchase and check out using the Disneyland app. Guests then show their QR code to a cast member as they exit, and they are all set. The Resort will soon be testing this feature in select stores in the parks.
Tip! If an item is fragile, a cast member will be happy to wrap it.
- Use Online Check-In Service for Your Hotel Stay
When staying at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, guests may use the online check-in service before arriving at the hotel, to help shorten the wait upon arrival and to aid in physical distancing. Guests can opt-in to receive a text message to let them know when their room is ready on arrival day, and their keys will be available for pick-up at the Front Desk.
Tip! Guests can check in online up to five days in advance prior to their arrival.
- Play Disney Parks App
Exploring the parks with the Play Disney Parks app offers unique experiences and family-friendly activities. For example, there are enhanced adventures using the Star Wars: Datapad at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, where players can scan encrypted cargo, translate galactic languages, and hack into droids. The Play Disney Parks App offers interactive activities for individuals and groups, themed trivia challenges, and the opportunity to earn achievements.***
* Message, data, and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset or service provider. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first. Some app features require valid theme park admission and park reservation.
**You must have a valid admission ticket and theme park reservation for Disneyland park. Access to a Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance boarding group is subject to availability and not guaranteed. In order to give as many Guests as possible the opportunity to join the Resistance, each Guest can enter the virtual queue no more than once per day. Distribution times are subject to change or cancellation. Joining the virtual queue does not guarantee the ability to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
*** Disney PhotoPass+ products are subject to the Disney PhotoPass+ terms found here. Disney PhotoPass+ One Day includes photos and videos captured at Disneyland Resort beginning at 6:00 a.m. PT on the day you activate the product and ending at 5:59 a.m. PT the following day. Disney PhotoPass+ One Week includes photos and videos captured at Disneyland Resort beginning at 6:00 a.m. PT on the day you activate the product and ending at 11:59 p.m. PT the sixth day after such date. Online registration required. Disney PhotoPass photos and videos in your account will expire pursuant to the expiration policy, found here. Downloads are restricted to personal use only. Not responsible for missing, lost, or damaged photos or videos. Valid theme park admission and park reservation required to access most Disney PhotoPass Service locations. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.
****Subject to availability.