Let's face it, a Disney vacation is stressful. It's hot, there's a lot of walking, huge crowds, long lines, and chances are, your group is going to get very cranky at some point, regardless of age. Disney knows how hard it can be to plan and carry out a vacation in one of their parks, and they also know that just about all of their guests have smartphones. It can be helpful have certain Disney apps on your phone for planning or for a distraction while you're on line for Soarin.
1. My Disney Experience
This app is an absolute must have. It coordinates with your MagicBands (or park passes) and has all of your dining, resort, FastPass+, shopping, and entertainment options in one place. It shows you the appropriate ages for all attractions, wait times, character locations, bathrooms, prices, and many many more. It also allows every member of your party to have access. It's also free to download!
2. Hidden Mickeys
If you're unfamiliar with the term Hidden Mickey, get ready to have your mind blown. Disney Imagineers have hidden images of everyone's favorite mouse all over Disney parks, and Steven M. Barrett is helping Disney fans from all over the world keep track of them. There's many books you can use to keep track, but the app is more convenient. It's a lot of fun to search for them!
3. Disneyland Explorer
This app is exclusively for Disneyland in California. You can explore classic attractions, check ride wait times, and share digital postcards with friends. Best of all, it's free!
4. Disney World Lines
This app has accurate wait times for the Florida park. It shares the posted wait time, and gets input from users in order to share the actual wait time, which is usually a few minutes shorter than expected. It's very handy!
5. Magic Guide For Disney World
This app is similar to Disneyland Explorer. You can search through WDW, exploring maps and rides, and even make a dining reservation.
6. Disney World Secrets!
This app comes in both a free version and a priced version, the latter of which obviously has more features. You can get advice on special events and learn some trivia!
7. Shop Disney Parks
This free app is the perfect way to bring some authentic Disney magic back home with you, especially if you don't have room in your suitcase! You can purchase anything from apparel to photo albums to Christmas ornaments.
8. Disney Memories HD
You can use this wonderful app to enhance pictures from your Disney vacation. You can transform them into greeting cards with your favorite characters and send them to friends!
9. Story
This app lets your kids utilize aspects of social media to access and share photos. You can access all of the pictures via iCloud as well!
10. Radio Disney
This is the definitive Disney music app. The younglings in your party can jam out to Disney stars while on the Monorail or while the adults are relaxing back at the hotel.
11. WDW Trivia
This app is the perfect way to prep for your Disney vacation. Test your knowledge of the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studies, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and the different resorts! You might learn something new!
Even with all of these helpful apps, the best thing you can do on any vacation is remember to look up from your phone occasionally and remember that you're there to relax, enjoy yourself, and spend time with the people you care about--and get the Mickey's autograph, of course!
