You’re used to packing your bags before a trip, but do you prepare your phone as well? Here are 10 apps you should download before your next Walt Disney World vacation.
Before we talk about the apps themselves, I want to share one of my favorite tips: Create a vacation folder on the front page of your phone to temporarily store all the apps you need to use while you’re traveling.
Let’s take a look at which apps will put your phone into Disney vacation mode:
1 – My Disney Experience
If you only download one app, this is the one you need. The My Disney Experience app is your portal to ride times, park maps, reservations, and more. Plus, you can use Mobile Ordering to save time at restaurants and manage your resort reservation.
2 – Play Disney Parks
The parks offer so much more than rides and shows. With the Play Disney Parks app, you can interact with attractions throughout the parks with games, trivia, and scavenger hunts. It’s a great option if you’re waiting in line or looking to take a break from the thrills. If you’re looking for more games to play, check out the app Heads Up!
3 – Google Maps
Use the ever-popular Google Maps to plot out your road trip, your ride to the airport, or even your route from your resort to the parks. You can even select the time you’d like to leave to get a more realistic estimate of traffic (which is especially useful when you decide how early you want to leave for the airport).
4 – Airline Apps
Speaking of airports, be sure to download the dedicated app for the airline you’re using. You can download your boarding pass for easy access and set notifications for flight updates. Depending on how often you fly, you may also want to download your airport’s app (which is especially useful for locating terminals and dining options).
5 – Ride Share Apps
If you like to use Uber and/or Lyft while you’re traveling, make sure you have their respective apps. You’ll be ready anytime you want to arrange a private ride to your next destination. While I love Disney transportation, this is a great backup for early morning dining reservations or traveling between resorts.
6 – Trip Plans
Now, this app is specific to clients working with me, but it’s also one of my favorites. Trip Plans by Travefy puts your entire itinerary at your fingertips. Not only can you view all your plans day-by-day, but you get easy access to links and resources (such as our amazing tips & tricks guides for the parks). You can also view your flight information here, so it’s another way to check for updates.
7 – Weather App
We all know that Orlando is known for its rain, especially in the summer afternoons. Be sure to make your favorite weather app easy to access on your phone’s front page. Here are a few of the most highly recommended apps: AccuWeather, The Weather Channel, and Dark Sky.
8 – FuelRod App
FuelRods are swappable battery packs you can use to charge your phone on the go. They’re available in all Disney Parks and most airports. If you’ve purchased one in the past, you’ll want to learn if you’re eligible for free swaps. If so, be sure to download the app and set up an account. The app is also useful for locating kiosks and making touchless transactions.
9 – DropBox
One of the worst feelings after a vacation if finding out that your photos have been accidentally deleted. And while I love iCloud backups for iPhone, you’ll want to set up a second backup option if you can. DropBox is a free file service that can be linked to your photos. Bonus Tip: Try to clear your phone before you travel so you don’t run out of storage space for all your amazing new shots!
10 – Reading Apps
I don’t get nearly enough time to read in daily life, so I love to read on vacation. If you’re like me, be sure to download a few of your favorite reading apps. Some of my favorite ones are Kindle, Scribd, News+ (for magazines), and Audible (for audiobooks). You’ll be all set for the plane, car ride, or just quiet evenings in.
Which apps do you love to use most when you travel?
Put These Apps to Work
If you’re ready to start planning your next Disney vacation, I’d love to help. As a travel concierge specializing in Disney destinations, my goal is to streamline the planning process and design dream vacations. My clients head out with all the tips they need for an unforgettable trip.
Want to learn more about how I can help you plan your next adventure? Contact me for a complimentary eBrochure and consultation:
“Young people with a passion for shaping the future put the power of the computer in everyone’s hands.” – Spaceship Earth
