If you’re heading to Walt Disney World on vacation, it’s important that you become comfortable with My Disney Experience. My Disney Experience is an application for your phone that lets you manage all of your vacation details including your tickets, resort reservation, dining reservation, mobile food orders, magical enhancements and more. If this all sounds overwhelming, don’t worry! Below is a full guide to using My Disney Experience to help you get the hang out it all!
What is My Disney Experience (MDE)
My Disney Experience (MDE) is a phone application that allows you to keep track of all of your vacation information in one spot. In order to access your information, you’ll need to create a login. If you have Disney+, you already have a Disney login, so this is the email and password you’ll utilize to access MDE.
When you first log into MDE, you’ll be brought to the main page. The main page will include your name, any special badges you have (I’m an Annual Passholder so I have an AP badge) and plans that you have for the day. As you make more reservations and plans, you’ll see more information populate on the main page. As you scroll down, there is additional information such as:
- Park hours for all parks
- Click “Today’s Showtimes” to see times for all shows at each park
- Click “All Hours” to see park hours for the next 60 days, as well as hours for the waterparks, Disney Springs, Disney’s Boardwalk and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
- Disney PhotoPass
- Information about special events and more
There are a lot of pieces to MDE, so let’s break it down. . .
Tickets in My Disney Experience
One of the most important pieces of information stored in your MDE account is your tickets. When you purchase tickets, you will be provided a confirmation number. In order to see the tickets in your account, you will need to link them. To do this, click on the “hamburger menu” – that’s the one all the way to the right on the bottom of the screen with the three lines. Then select “Ticket and Passes.” From this screen will be able to see all passes and link tickets.
Another feature in MDE related to tickets is the Disney MagicMobile. Disney MagicMobile allows you to use your phone or Apple Watch as your ticket. Simply go to the hamburger menu and click on “Disney MagicMobile” to create your MagicMobile pass. You will be able to export your pass to your phone’s wallet and then use it as your ticket when you enter the park. This is a great option if you don’t like using MagicBands or just forget it one day.
At this time, park reservations are required in addition to tickets for each day you are visiting Disney World. To make a park reservation, click on the “+” in the bottom center of the screen and click “Make a Park Reservation.” Then select “Theme Park Tickets.” You will be brought to a webpage outside of the MDE app and will be required to login again. Next, create your party by selecting the members of your party that will be going to the park with you that day. Click continue and you will be brought to a page that allows you to select your date and the park you would like to visit. Select the park you would like to visit and then confirm your reservation.
Reservations in My Disney Experience
Similar to tickets, you may have to link your Resort reservation to your My Disney Experience app. If you are the lead guest and the reservation was made using the same email you use for your MDE login, it should populate automatically. However, if it doesn’t or you need to view your Resort Hotel information, click on the hamburger menu and select “Resort Hotel.” If you have a reservation linked, the reservation information will populate. If not, you will be prompted to add the reservation using the confirmation number.
Once you have linked your reservation, you will be able to see booking information, including your dates of stay, room type, confirmation number, guests on the reservation and check-in and check-out time. You can also access information about the resort including dining options, recreation, amenities and more.
One of the best parts of the Resort Hotels section of MDE is “Direct-to-Room Service.” This function allows you to skip the check-in desk and instead check-in through the app. You will receive your room number on the app and can even unlock your door using the app.
Dining in My Disney Experience
MDE allows you to make dining reservations right in the app. To do so, click on the “+” in the bottom center of the screen and click “Check Dining Availability.” From here, you will be prompted to provide the party size, the date you would like to make a reservation and the time. You will then be given any options available that fit within your parameters. If you would like to make a reservation, select the time you would like to reserve under the restaurant name. You will be asked to provide you email, phone number, and a credit card. The credit card will only be charged if you cancel the reservation in less than 24 hours or do not show up for the reservation.
PRO TIP: If you are trying to make hard-to-get dining reservations, be sure you have your credit card information loaded into the app! This will save you a ton of time rummaging through your wallet to find the card.
If you’re looking for a meal at a quick service location, many allow you to order your food in advance using MDE’s “Mobile Food Orders” function. To order food, click on the “+” and select “Order Food.” Next, find the restaurant you want to eat at and select an arrival window. You will then be able to make your menu selections and place the order. Follow the prompts on the screen to let the restaurant know when you’re ready for your food to be prepared.
Shopping in My Disney Experience
A newer feature in MDE is “Shop in Store.” This function allows you to check out in a number of shops across Walt Disney World right on your phone. Participating shops at this time are:
- Emporium – Magic Kingdom
- Creations Shop – EPCOT
- Mickey’s of Hollywood – Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Island Mercantile – Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- World of Disney – Disney Springs
To Shop in Store, click on the “+” and select “Shop in Store.” Then click the store that you are shopping in (you must be in the store to access this screen). Next, scan the barcode of each of your items and complete your purchase. You will be required to show your items and the check-out screen to a designated Cast Member prior to exiting the store and will be given a shopping bag at that time.
I love this feature because it saves a ton of time!
Navigating the Parks in My Disney Experience
When you’re in the parks, MDE will provide you with a map of the park, wait times at all attractions and showtimes. To view this information, click on the second icon from the left on the bottom of the screen. You will be brought to a map which you can filter by clicking “filter” in the top lefthand corner of the screen. You can also change the screen to show a list of all attractions by clicking “Show List” on the top right hand corner.
You also can access Disney Genie, Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selections in the MDE app. Visit my Guide to Disney Genie to learn more.
Thinking about planning a Disney vacation or need some assistance? Let me help you out! Visit my Travel Planning page to get started!
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