Hi Carly!
I have a good friend who still uses her flip-phone from more than 10 years ago. As she put it, the phone works and she doesn’t really need anything else! So, I totally get the fact that we don't all want to have our nose in our phone all day. While for the safety of Cast Members and other Guests,
Mobile Order is strongly preferred, it is not required at all locations, so there are options!
First, you probably already have, but just be sure you have updated your
My Disney Experience App to the most recent version. They tend to put out updates more than you might think, and so I always update it the day before we leave. I can tell you from personal experience, that while the Mobile App has many cool functions and I love having it all at my fingertips, I too sometimes have difficulty with things working the way they should. I’m not sure if it’s my wifi connection or the fact that so many Guests are using it at the same time, or just Stitch messing with the computer systems again, but rest assured, I struggle too!
If your Mobile App is fully updated and it still will not allow you to place a Mobile Order, you’ll find most of the walk-up carts and snack locations do not require Mobile Order. For example ice cream and popcorn carts, and locations like Liberty Square Market, Gaston’s Tavern, and
Sleepy Hollow at Magic Kingdom (oh my gosh, try the chocolate-hazelnut and fruit waffle!),
La Cantina de San Angel and Yorkshire Fish Shop at Epcot, Anaheim Produce, or the
Trolley Car Cafe at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or
Yak & Yeti Local Foods Cafe at Animal Kingdom.
It also never hurts to ask at standard quick-service locations. Find a Cast Member and explain that you have older phones that don’t seem to work with the Mobile App, and you’d like to place an order. I know that if you are paying with cash versus credit card, this is another situation where Guests may be allowed to bypass Mobile Order, so consider paying with cash. Also, avoid peak dining hours. You might still not be allowed to place a walk-up order at that location, so I would have a back-up plan for one of the locations I mentioned, in case you are turned away.
Safety for Cast Members and Guests is, of course, the highest priority. While I know it may be frustrating to not be able to place a walk-up order at all locations, know Disney is truly trying to keep everyone safe so that the Most Magical Place on Earth can remain open during the pandemic.
Wishing you a magical visit to the Walt Disney World Resort, Carly!
- Kate