Putting your Smart Phone to Work

If you’ve got a smart phone, make sure to download a Disney App!

There are lots of aps to choose from, so check your App store and read reviews before you make your selection. Some are free, and some have a cost. Here are some suggestions on Apps to consider:

Mobile Magic:

Verizon Wireless and Disney have teamed up to create this app. You can get real-time attraction wait times and fastpass return times and watch short videos to see what an experience is like before riding. You can find restaurants and contact Disney Dining to schedule reservations.or learn about the days events, and set alarms so that you don’t miss a reservation or show time or scheduled meet-up time. There’s even a transportation feature that will show you the optionf for taing Disney Transportation from your current location to wherever you’re heading.

This is a great overall app, but it’s got some limitations:

1. You are limited to current park information only. If you have park-hoppers, and want to search for information on another park, you will need an additional app.

2. This app is available to Verizon customers only, and it does not work on all devices.

Click here to see if the app is compatible with your device, and download it for free.

Unofficial Guide’s “Lines” App:

This app allows you to see attraction wait times and fastpass return times, along with a prediction on what time the Fastpasses are expected to run out for the day. The app also makes recommendations for the best and worst parks for the day based on crowd level predictions. You can even look into the future to plan your evening, or decide which park to visit later in your trip. The app is available for iPhone, Android and Blackberry users. This app will also allow you to see information on other parks – not just your present park, which is great news for guests with park-hoppers.

Limitations:

1. This app is based on statistical models – not real time information, although real time information is also provided by other users currently in the park. We have personally used this app, and found it to be accurate. Even in unusual circumstances, user submitted wait times have been sufficient to let us know.

2. This app is only available to subscribers at www.touringplans.com. Non-members can download the app but will have limited capability, so you should be prepared to join if you want to use this app.

You can download the Unofficial Guides App here.

Undercover Tourist’s Disney World App:

This app shows wait times, dining and maps information. One great feature for families or groups is the “Find a Friend” tool. The group can split up and see where the rest of the group has gone. You can see crowd levels in your current park, as well as in the other parks.

This app is available on a variety of platforms.

This app comes in a paid version, or a free ad supported version. No special phone provider is required, and there are versions for iPhone, Android and Blackberry.

Disney Magic Guide

This is a great overall app that contains a lot of features.

Limitations:

1. It works with iPhone, Ipod and Ipad. Android and Blackberry users are out of luck!

2. It’s a bit pricier than many of the competing aps, but users are generally very satisfied with it.

Supplemental Apps

None of the above apps have identical features, so whichever app you choose will be missing some capability. Here are some add-ons that don’t try to do it all, but have useful features.

Mouse Memo for iPhone and Android:

Keep track of dining reservations and confirmation numbers and other trip information in one handheld application. Get more information.

WDW Hours for iPhone and Android:

Park Hours at Disney World vary based on the time of year, and can change with little notice due to crowd conditions at the parks. This app is frequently updated to show opening and closing times, and has daily event schedules for shows and parades. This Disney World app covers the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and the water parks.

 Disney World Dining for iPhone and Android:

This app has full menus for all 160 restaurants, making it easy to choose a restaurant. The Disney World Dining app will locate restaurants that are nearby. Got picky eaters? The food-finder capability will help you locate the closest “hot dog” or other specific food. This app also has one-touch dialing for the Disney dining reservations number.

The Transportation Wiz for Android and iPhone:

The Disney transportation system is made up of buses, boats and monorails, creating a network of hubs and connections. This gives you a complicated list of possibilites for getting from point A to point B. With this app, you pick a starting location (where you are) and then pick the place you want to get to. The transportation wizard will give you all your options, and estimate how long each method will take to get you there.

You can tap along the route for tips about the transportation system, and you can share your experience along the way with other users.

WDW Maps for Blackberry

This application contains park maps for the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios and allows you to quickly search for attractions, restaurants and restrooms. GPS will help you get from your present location to wherever you’re headed.

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