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Credit: Inside the MagicIf you’ve been to Disney World recently—or are planning to go—you’ve probably seen the pictures: families smiling in front of Cinderella Castle, kids eating Mickey ice cream bars, couples wearing matching shirts.
But here’s something you don’t see in those magical snapshots: the phones. Everyone’s on one. All. Day. Long.
And in 2025, it’s only gotten worse.
The Phone Has Become Your Park Map, Hotel Key, and Personal Assistant
Once upon a time, a Disney World vacation meant unplugging from reality and soaking up the sights, sounds, and smells of the parks. But today? You’re more likely to be staring at your screen than admiring the fireworks. Nearly everything you do at Disney now revolves around your phone.
Need to buy Lightning Lane access for a ride? Open the app. Want to check wait times? Open the app. Looking to mobile order lunch, snag a last-minute dining reservation, or unlock your hotel room? You guessed it—open the app.
Disney has tried to make the process smoother by giving guests the option to book Lightning Lanes in advance—seven days early if you’re staying at a Disney Resort, and three days early for everyone else.
That’s helped ease the stress a little, especially for high-demand rides like TRON or Rise of the Resistance. But it hasn’t changed the fact that your phone is basically your park survival kit and that you have to be constantly checking it to stack your Lightning Lane selections after you use your first one of the day.
It’s Hard to Be “In the Moment” When You’re Always Online
Let’s be real: staring at your phone to plan your next move makes it harder to enjoy what’s right in front of you. You’re constantly thinking about what ride to grab next, where to eat, what time the parade starts, or if a new Lightning Lane window just opened.
And it’s not just about the planning. A lot of guests fall into the trap of trying to record everything. Fireworks, ride reactions, character meet-and-greets—they’re filming it all. But in doing so, they’re often missing the very thing they came to experience: the feeling of being present in the magic.
The Hidden Cost of “Convenience”
Disney didn’t exactly warn us this would happen, but it’s now a major part of the theme park experience. There’s no paper FastPass anymore. You’re not picking up a map when you enter the park. Even room keys are optional now if you’ve got your phone—and that’s assuming your battery doesn’t die by 2 p.m.
For some, it’s convenient. For others, it’s exhausting. Battery packs are now as essential as sunscreen, and Wi-Fi hiccups can turn a smooth day into a scramble. Families with younger kids often find themselves juggling strollers, snacks, and schedules while one person or even more (usually Mom or Dad) stays glued to their screen.
That’s not even counting the massive number of people who aren’t even doing any planning or Disney-related activity, but are simply scrolling through their phone.
So What Can You Do?
Bring a charger. Set boundaries. Designate someone as the “planner” for the day and rotate the role. Download the park map in advance. And maybe, just maybe, put the phone down for a while. Let your kids run through the splash pad or enjoy the little things. When you eat lunch or dinner, have everyone in your party put their phones up and spend time talking with one another.
Watch Happily Ever After or Fantasmic! without a screen in front of your face. Trust that the moment is special—even if it’s not on video.
Disney magic still exists. It’s just a little harder to see when you’re constantly looking down.