Keys to the Kingdom
Map. Room Key. Wait Times. Tickets. Guest Services. Lightning Lanes. Itinerary. Much More!
This is your official guide to the parks including wait times, show times, and most importantly, your map.
You can request a virtual line return time so you can explore while you “stand in line.” The app will alert you at 5 minutes when it is time to go back to the attraction.
There is an itinerary feature so you can plan your day based on your preferences.
Even when you are not in the park, the app can keep you up to date on what is going on in the parks, so you will never feel disconnected! There is, honestly, no way to experience Walt Disney World without this app.
To maximize the effectiveness of the app, create an account. You can easily do this from the app or from a Disney website. You can set this up on the app, or you can do it on a browser. Click the link below to create an account.
The Walt Disney Family of Companies all allow you to use the same username and password, no matter which website or app you are using, so once you create an account, you will use it seamlessly with all Walt Disney companies, including ESPN, HULU, Disney+, National Geographic, and more!
Available on the Apple App Store as well as Google Play, so you can download the app, no matter which device you are currently using! Simply visit the app store on your phone, and get it. It is free, and there are no hidden charges!
It is difficult to navigate the parks without the app, so make sure you play around in it before you go so you will be familiar with functionality.
Next!
The Home Tab
Access the Home Tab on the bottom left of the app right when you open it. This will usually be the first screen visible at opening.
You will find Lightning Lane Pass Service at the top, and you can use this link to purchase Multi Pass or Single Pass Lightning Lanes up to 7 days prior to your trip. Click here for a full tutorial on Lightning Lanes!
You will then see a quick link to Upcoming Plans in the My Day tab and any current reservations you have for the day. You will also see a link to your resort if you have a trip planned.
Showtimes for each park are next, and you can add these items to your itinerary so you do not miss any scheduled events.
Virtual Queue and Lightning Lane information are next, and the link will take you to all of the available virtual queues. Click here to learn more about this feature!
You will see some informational or inspirational videos and special park features next, and any events that are currently happening in the parks. There are also some Play Disney Parks options to keep you entertained. I love to explore these while I wait in line or even when I am not in the parks to keep the magic alive! This is a huge perk to having the app because you will not miss any news!
Map
This is the most important feature of the app! Walt Disney World and Disneyland are so involved, so you need to know where you are going so you do not waste precious time getting lost!
Here you can filter by:
Wait Times | Attractions | Characters | Dining | Entertainment | Restrooms | Events and Tours | PhotoPass | Guest Services | Shops | Resort Hotels | Transportation
Click on any of these filters to guide you to the next adventure! There is also an option to “Show List” on the top right that makes it a little easier than clicking on each filtered item and looking at each one.
If you click on an item with reservation capabilities, like a restaurant or resort, it will bring up a menu so you can Find on Map, Get Directions, or Call to Book something. I also like the little information section each item has because it is super informative!
If you click on an attraction, it will pop up a menu that shows you forecasted wait times for the day, so you can plan accordingly. It also gives information about the attraction, such as height requirements, hours, and accessibility.
Add to Your Trip
This is a very simple way to add different reservations, tickets, and special events to your trip. You can also mobile order food, which I highly recommend to skip the lines!
- Check Dining Availability: See available dining options and make a reservation. This can be done up to 60 days in advance.
- Order Food: Select a restaurant that offers mobile ordering, and you will be notified when your food is ready, via the mobile app. This is much better than standing in line!
- Merchandise Mobile Checkout: Simply use this tool to scan the items you would like to purchase, and check out in the app. Make sure you show your mobile receipt to a cast member at the Mobile Checkout desk before you leave!
- Shop Memory Maker: You can purchase a Memory Maker here to get all of your PhotoPass photos and also link your pass to your account.
- Buy Tickets and Passes: Special events right at your fingertips! You can also purchase theme park tickets here!
- Make or Modify Park Reservations: Until January 9, 2024, all ticketed guests are required to make park reservations prior to entering the parks! You can also make changes to existing park reservations.
- View My Genie Day and Tip Board: This is a quick link to the complimentary service to get recommendations for your day!
Search
Search for anything in the app here, and it will also save your recent searches for your reference! I use this often so I do not have to scroll through every item, especially when filtering in the map.
This is also especially useful for finding a specific restaurant to make a dining reservation!
My Tickets and Passes
Go to the hamburger menu on the bottom right to get to this tab. It is the first button in the top left.
This will show your current tickets and passes and also allow you to upgrade your ticket.
You can reassign your ticket to someone else or save it to your wallet for use on your phone or Smart Watch.
Lightning Lane Passes
Go to the hamburger menu on the bottom right to get to this tab. It is the first button in the top right.
This is where you book your Lightning Lanes up to 7 days in advance of your trip. You can also book more lightning lanes the day of your trip from this tab.
This shows you all of your currently booked Lightning Lanes as well for both Multi Pass and Single Pass.
At the bottom of this tab, there is a link to a tutorial for Lightning Lanes.
Reserve Dining
Go to the hamburger menu on the bottom right to get to this tab. It is the second button in the top left.
This is another place to make dining reservations. Choose your party size, date, and preferred time, and it will show the available options.
You can book the reservation from right here on the app!
Order Food
Go to the hamburger menu on the bottom right to get to this tab. It is the second button in the top right.
You can schedule a time here to pick up your mobile food order. Choose ASAP or schedule for later to select your time. Then, choose from the available restaurants shown by selecting “Begin Order.”
You will be able to see prices and the menu once you choose a restaurant.
Merchandise Checkout
This feature is so neat! Click on the hamburger menu, and Select Merchandise Checkout.
When you are at a store on property that offers Mobile Check Out, you can go to this section, select your store, and it will allow you to skip the lines!
Scan your merchandise on the bar code, just as you would on the register, and you can add them to your cart to check out with a credit card.
It will produce a virtual receipt code, and you can take that to the Mobile Checkout check point and be on your way!
This is such a wonderful option, especially for the HUGE Disney store at Disney Springs!
Today's Plans
Go to the hamburger menu on the bottom right and select “Today’s Plans.” You will see My Day or Tip Board on the day of your trip. The My Day section is what you have already booked. The Tip Board is where you will select lightning lanes.
The Tip Board also gives you showtimes and wait times so you can select what to put on the My Disney Genie Day section. This is also another place to purchase Lightning Lanes, order food, making dining reservations, and join a virtual queue. Change the park at the top right under the current park, and pay attention to the Wait List for dining. Sometimes, this can help you snag those hard to get reservations!
Note: You can change the time on one of your lightning lanes by clicking on the time you have selected and clicking “Change time.”
You will see all of your scheduled plans on the My Day tab and also get helpful recommendations for the day.
To view a different day, click “Change Day” next to the current date. You can also modify recommendations on the top.
Note: You can add showtimes, dining reservations, lightning lanes, etc. to your My Day tab. It will show booked events as well as events you have added through the app. Make sure you are making actual reservations and not just selections. The shows are more of a reminder than an actual reservation, so give yourself some time to get to the location for the show!
Future Plans
This section will only show days you have reservations at the parks. If you have a resort or ticket linked, it will show up by the dates you are booked. After you are booked, when you add something from the Tip Board, it will also add it here.
This is a great tool for creating an itinerary you can keep at your fingertips while navigating the parks!
Hotel Reservations
This is one of the best tabs on the app! It is only applicable if you have a trip planned, and it has all of the information you need for your stay.
Go to the hamburger menu, and scroll down to Hotel Reservations.
My Reservation: This tab allows you to see your room number, get directions to your resort, call the resort for assistance, and find it on the map! It will list your room type, confirmation number (for linking), and if you have any promos for your package. The guests traveling with you will be listed as well, so you can make sure everyone is linked properly. Note: There is a View All button at the bottom if you have multiple reservations booked (Lucky you!)
Dining Tab: All of your dining options for your resort will be listed here for your convenience! Each resort has a good selection of dining, so click the one that looks good and check out the menu! Then, mobile order or make a dining reservation right from the app!
Guest Services Tab: Here, you will see any amenities or services you need from the hotel. Click when you find what you are looking for, and you will see a map, contact info, and general information about each option. I particularly like the ability to do a mobile check out!
Recreation Tab: Check out all of the fun activities at your resort! If applicable, you will see pools, sports options, cast member involvement activities, and more! Click each one to learn more!
Shopping Tab: This is an extensive list of all shopping available at your resort along with a description of merchandise, map, directions, hours of operation, and the ability to mobile check out from the store right on your phone!
Spas Tab: If your resort offers a spa, you will see it here along with hours of operation, treatment options, directions to get there from your room, and contact information. I highly recommend the spas at the Disney resorts!
Tours Tab: If your resort offers a tour or special events, they will be listed here with extensive information!
Entertainment Tab: Any special events or shows viewable from your resort will be listed here!
Events Tab: Any special events taking place at your resort will be listed here!
You can check in and check out through this section and skip the lobby, so take advantage of that offer! You can also keep up with your spending and pay your balance at the end of your stay!
Virtual Queues
Go to the hamburger menu and click Virtual Queue. If you join a virtual queue, it will show up here. You can make changes to the virtual queue here and also check how much longer until your window.
If you have not already joined a virtual queue, you can do that here as well.
Photo Gallery
Go to the hamburger menu, and click Photo Gallery. Your Disney PhotoPass photos will show up here. You can see all of the photos from family and friends that are connected to you, but you can also hide these photos.
It takes about 2 hours for the Magic Shot and Ride photos to show up, but the others sometimes show up instantly!
You can also link photos from special events, like the Enchanted Tales with Belle attraction with the PhotoPass card they give you. This is where you link Memory Maker as well. You can scan the code or type it in to link it so your photos show up here.
PhotoPass Lenses
I see this as a Disney themed Snap Chat filter. You can access all sorts of photo filters that make standing in line a fun experience! Remember, you must purchase Disney Genie+ to gain access to this feature.
It is under the hamburger menu as well.
Shop Memory Maker
Purchase Memory Maker here. You can choose to purchase a pass for your entire trip or a pass for one day at a time.
The prices are cheaper if you purchase this at least three days before your trip. Memory Maker is always worth it because the PhotoPass Photographers are everywhere, and they take the best photos!
Car Locator
After parking in one of the parking lots, enter your parking information to save the location so it will be easy to find when you are done with your visit for the day. This works with location services, or you can manually enter the information. You can even set up a reminder!
When you get onto Disney property, the app will send you a reminder to set an alert on Car Locator. They really do not want you to get lost.
Transportation and Parking
Disney transportation is so important because the parks and surrounding areas are so vast, so being strategic about transportation can really maximize your ability to experience more.
You can filter transportation by location, see it in map form, or see it in list form. I recommend searching in list form.
This tab is great because you can see all of the different transportation options, including:
- Car Locator: After parking in one of the parking lots, enter your parking information to save the location so it will be easy to find when you are done with your visit for the day. This works with location services, or you can manually enter the information. You can even set up a reminder!
- Disney Skyliner: View the Skyliner docking stations and the special hours and operations. Be sure to check this if you are leaving the parks via Skyliner so you can plan accordingly when some of the routes are closed.
- Minnie Van: These adorably themed vans work with Lyft, and can be summoned via the Lyft App. Read all about them on this tab on the app.
- Parking: Here is your guide to all things parking. You will see options for parks, resorts, and other Disney locations. You can even find the hubs on the map. If you have an electric car, this is your guide to finding charging stations as well. There is special parking for guests with disabilities, so
- Walt Disney Bus Service: Find information on the bus stations and operating hours of Disney locations. Bus times are located under the My Resort Tab, but this is only accessible when you are in the area.
- Walt Disney World Monorail Transportation: Access the monorail hubs, as well as operating hours. The monorail also goes to the Transportation Center, so it is a good option if you want to park then go to Magic Kingdom.
- Walt Disney World Water Transportation: There are more water transport options than people think. Access operation schedules for the Ferryboat (for TTC), Red Launch (Wilderness Lodge), Green Launch (Fort Wilderness Lodge Campgrounds), and Gold Launch (Grand Floridian and Polynesian Resorts). These are for Magic Kingdom area. There are also water options for EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Disney Springs and their surrounding resorts.
Buy Tickets and Passes
Go to the hamburger menu and press My Tickets and Passes.
Keep your tickets for park admission here, and you can also see tickets for your travel party. You can reassign tickets as well as saving them to your Wallet.
To link a new ticket purchase to your MyDisneyExperience profile on the MyDisneyExperience App, after you sign in, click the hamburger menu (three lines) on the bottom right of the screen. Select “Tickets and Passes.” Click the blue + in the top right, and select “Link Tickets & Passes.” You can do this with your camera by scanning them or by entering in the ID. This is when you will be able to assign each ticket to each user in your group.
MagicMobile can be set up from this tab, and this is how you will access your tickets to scan them into the parks if you do not use an Apple Watch or Magic Band.
Park Reservations
This is where you can Make or Modify theme park reservations.
You can also purchase tickets or annual passes and view the requirements for Park Reservations.
Park reservations only apply to certain ticket types, and always annual passes. Contact me to learn which tickets require park reservations!
Park Hours & Info
On the Today tab, you will see Park Hours and showtimes for the current day.
On the Park Hours tab, you will see a calendar where you can select the day you are looking to view. The park hours will be displayed for the selected day.
You can also see which attractions are in the process of refurbishment.
Profile
There are two tabs on the Profile tab. You will see your personal information and the ability to change your character avatar.
You can see your passes, MagicBands, Account Settings, Notifications, Payment Methods, and Linking Code.
This is where you check all of the information that is specific to you.
Link to Account
When you buy tickets or passes, you need to link them to your profile. You can do it through scanning it with your camera, tapping your Magic Band to the app, or Typing in the ID on the ticket or pass.
This is where you link photo cards as well to see your photos in the gallery.
Link your resort reservations, dining reservations, memory maker, tickets, special event passes, and more!
Magic Bands & Cards
Go to the hamburger menu, and scroll down to the bottom. Select Magic Bands & Cards.
This tab will help you pair your magic bands to your account as well as your travel party’s magic bands!
You can also see what all features the MagicBand and MagicBand+ has to offer.
Note: This is the place you will connect a ticket card as well for entry into the parks.
Set up MagicMobile Entry
The features of MagicBand are now available on your Smart Phone and Smart Watch! You can even use what is called Express Mode, so you do not even have to unlock your device.
Think of this as your mobile ticket. The same way you can put concert tickets on your wallet app on you phone, you can access your theme park tickets through MagicMobile. This allows you to get into the theme parks using your phone or your Smart Watch.
PhotoPass images can be linked to your account, you can gain access to virtual queues, and you can charge purchases to your Disney resort hotel room.
To use this service, link your tickets and other passes to your Disney account using the app:
- Click hamburger menu on the bottom right
- Select Set Up MagicMobile Entry
- Click Set Up Your Pass
- Select your Pass
- Enter the Code on your pass
- Add to Wallet
You can create passes for anyone in your party!
I can help you link all of this to your account! Just ask!
Other Features
Help: If you cannot find what you are looking for, try here in the FAQ or call Disney!
Chat With Us: A direct line to a cast member for all of your questions, no matter how big or small!
Accessibility & Health Services: If something affects your health at one of the Disney parks, they have a full staff ready to assist you. Access anything from video support from doctors to some ibuprofen for a headache from dehydration. You can also use this tab to prepare for your visit if you or someone traveling with you has a medical condition or disability. Disney is wonderful at keeping you in the magic, but also great at keeping you well! Any amenity, special feature, question, or experience can be found here. Think of this as an archive to get you where you need to go on the app.
Cast Compliment: This is such a fun feature! If a Cast Member goes above and beyond to throw you some pixie dust, tell someone! It may just help them towards that next promotion or raise, but it will certainly brighten their day!
Privacy and Legal: Property Rules and a full set of Disney guidelines! Don’t break the rules!
shopDisney
This tab at the bottom of the Home page takes you to the Official Disney Store!
This will open in another browser and let you shop all things Disney, but I recommend not using this tab and downloading the Offical ShopDisney app! That is a much more efficient way to shop than doing it on a browser.
Don't Forget to Download!
