Disneyland Resort Introduces New Official App

August 4, 2015, 10:42 AM · The Disneyland Resort today introduced a new version of its official app, which is now available via the Apple App Store for iPhones and iPads and the Google Play store for Android devices.

New Disneyland app

The new Disneyland app allows visitors to buy tickets and use their phone for admission to the park. The app also includes current attraction wait times and maps showing rides, shows, shops, character meet and greets, restrooms, and PhotoPass locations throughout Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and the Downtown Disney district. You can zoom in or out on the maps, and the app can access your current location, allowing you to see what is nearby when you are in the park.

Disneyland app map

You can browse listed locations via maps or a list, toggling between the two using the icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.

Disneyland app list

The Mickey head logo takes you to the page where you can access park hours, as well as buying or displaying your ticket. I logged in using my existing Disneyland.com account, and the app instantly brought up my account information, including a barcode for my annual pass, which I could have scanned for admission to the parks.

Disneyland app personal page

Unfortunately, annual passholders cannot use the app to get Fastpasses or their AP discounts at restaurants and shops within the resort. Disneyland's Fastpass machines and many registers are not equipped to read the ticket barcode on the app, nor does the app seem to incorporate its phone's NFC tag capabilities, which allows you to "tap and pay" using other apps at other retailers. AP holders will need to bring their regular passes to the park for Fastpasses and discounts.

Day and resort guests who use the app for park entry will get traditional paper tickets at the front gate, which they can use to get Fastpasses inside the parks. If you want to use the app to make a restaurant reservation, just drill down to the restaurant's location in the app, then click the "Find a Table" link, which will open your phone's Web browser and launch the Disneyland.com website page for making a reservation.

While the app seemed easy enough to use on my WiFi connection at home, the real test will be in trying to use the app in the Disneyland parks, where there is no free public WiFi system and cellular data connections can be slow or impossible to access during busy periods. As much as I like Disneyland's new app, I would love a big, new Disneyland Resort in-park free public WiFi network even more.

Replies (16)

August 4, 2015 at 11:44 AM · Hi Robert
Perfect for our trip in two weeks but i just looked in the App Store but could not find the "official" Dineyland app I've been using Mouseaddict App do you know how it looks in the app menu?
Thanks for the article!!
August 4, 2015 at 12:51 PM · I'm in Anaheim, CA and the app is still not averrable on the App Store for iPhone. Any news?
August 4, 2015 at 1:18 PM · +1 on the in-park wifi. This is so needed. I'll take your word for it that cellular access is almost as scarce as it is costly for foreigners stuck with roaming. We can't even practically use the park Twitter feed to track special promotions etc. until back to hotel. Takes some of the fun and engagement out of social media if you can only engage when you're NOT in the park.
August 4, 2015 at 1:33 PM · Speaking from personal experience launching stuff into the App Store, it takes several hours (at least!) for new products to show up in search. So please just use the direct link in the first paragraph of the post to access the download page for the new app.
August 4, 2015 at 2:32 PM · Hey all,

This app is live in stores, but has not hit the actual search cache yet. If you'd like it on your device(s), try taking the link provided and accessing it on your device, or emailing/messaging to yourself. Worked flawlessly for me!

August 4, 2015 at 2:35 PM · My wife and I were just visiting Disneyland Park two days ago. Interestingly enough, this app seems very similar to the app for WDW. So far it's the first evidence I have seen of any magic band prep, as neither my wife not I saw any magic band infrastructure in the park at all during our visit.
August 4, 2015 at 2:49 PM · I wish the app told you the current fastpass return window for each fastpass attraction. I guess leaving that bit of info out only makes it clearer that the long-term goal is for this to be part of some kind of new fastpass+ system.
August 4, 2015 at 3:20 PM · I had to use my computer to find the app for my iPhone!
August 4, 2015 at 3:23 PM · Well I downloaded for my iPhone and the app will not even open.
August 4, 2015 at 7:52 PM · Now they just need the app to push to the apple watch.

iPhone App + Apple Watch = Magic Band for Disneyland

August 4, 2015 at 8:25 PM · Downloaded the app but can not create an account. And cannot use it without an account. So it pretty worthless
August 5, 2015 at 2:09 PM · ^^^^

It can still be used without an account, but not all features are avail. You can still get wait times, maps, dining info, character info, etc. all without creating an account.

An account is needed to link ap passes, purchase tickets, etc.

August 6, 2015 at 7:51 AM · Got the app but it won't let me create an account.
August 6, 2015 at 8:33 AM · I am expecting to go to Disneyland this Sunday. I've already loaded the app, and it seems to be working fine. I'll exercise it while I'm there and give an update as to how easy it was to use, including using it instead of my AP at the turnstile.
August 7, 2015 at 12:58 AM · Downloaded the app maybe 18 hours ago. Just logged in - piece of cake. Although the bar code looks pretty anemic. And I can't really try a lot of it out since both parks are closed.
August 10, 2015 at 11:31 AM · I went to DLR on Sunday August 9th to try out the new official Disneyland App. The bar code worked like a charm entering both parks. The staff at the turnstiles didn't bat an eye when I presented my phone screen. I use AT&T as my service provider and honestly didn't have any trouble using the app. There were the usual dead zones, but anytime I had a question that I wanted to use the App for, I was able to get it. Wait times seemed to be posted right at or within about 10 minutes of what the signs at the ride indicated. I agree that the info available on the app needs to be expanded. For someone who is not a local including the menus at the F&B location would be a huge help. I also think there ought to be a way to view your Disney PhotoPass photos on your device, but that sort of thing should wait until if/when Disney improves WIFI at DLR. I also wish it would give real time info on which parking lots are being used. I always prefer Mickey and Friends, but if I could check the app as I am approaching the parks, I'd rather change course and go to Toy Story from I-5, than get rerouted around the park.

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