NEWS: Mobile Ordering Coming to Magic Kingdom Counter Service

Guests of Disney World know that during the busy times, waiting to order your quick service meals can be a long process. We’ve waited in lines for over twenty minutes just to order our food. Seeking to improve guest experiences, Disney made a great advance last month testing a mobile order system that allows guests to place food orders on the My Disney Experience App and dramatically reduce wait times. Disney will now roll out the service to five very popular quick service restaurants at the Magic Kingdom Park. Read all the detail below:

Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café, Pinocchio Village Haus, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café and Columbia Harbour House will all offer the mobile order service this summer. The pre-pay for your meals ordering system is already in place at two Animal Kingdom restaurants: Pizzafari and Satu’li Canteen.

Here is a run down of how the system works. Instead of waiting in line, you can save time by ordering from wherever you are—imagine the convenience of reviewing the menu and making your selections while you’re waiting for an attraction.

Open the My Disney Experience app and either:

• Tap on the image of your character, scroll down to “My Plans” and press the “Order Food” button.
• Select “Dining” from the top of the app, tap on the restaurant you want and press the “Order Food” button.

From there, just select the menu items that you want to order!

Once you’ve added everything that your family cares to enjoy, you can review your order and purchase it right from the app.

Note that the Mobile Order is currently only accepting credit cards and debit cards for mobile order payments. If you would like to use Disney Gift Cards, Disney dining plans or any discounts that may be available to you, you need to order in person at the restaurant.

When you arrive at the restaurant, open the app, tap on the image of your character and press the “I’m Here, Prepare My Order” button. This lets the restaurant know you’re here, so they can start your order.

When your food is ready to enjoy, you will receive a notification from the app and you’ll pick up your meal at the area with the “Mobile Order Pick Up” sign.

Below is a video that explains the process.

RELATED ARTICLE: 5 Best Counter Service Restaurants in Magic Kingdom at Disney World

by Ryan Miller

When it comes to dining in the Magic Kingdom, there are plenty of options from fast casual to fine dining. While the table service restaurants get all of the glory, the counter service restaurants can make for equally memorable dining experiences. Whether it’s a mid-day lunch break or settling down for dinner, each counter service restaurant offers a menu with something for everyone. If you’re looking for somewhere new to try or you’d love to try them all, we have put together a list of the 5 best counter service restaurants at the Magic Kingdom.

5 – Casey’s Corner

As one of the iconic locations along Main Street U.S.A., Casey’s Corner has been a delight to guests for years. While the menu isn’t extensive, the style and atmosphere immediately transport you to a baseball state of mind with the feeling that you’re heading off to the ballpark to catch a game and grab a bite to eat on the way there.

With the bright red and white pinstripes and the concession stand-style marquee overhead, you can feel the anticipation build as you head up to place your order. Apart from your standard Hot Dog, the menu also features a Chili-Cheese Dog, Polish Sausage and a Barbecue Slaw Dog with pulled pork and coleslaw. The snacks include classic cotton candy, French fries and of course Cracker Jack. One of the gems on the menu are the Corn Dog Nuggets, which bridge the gap between snack and meal – regardless, they’re delicious. And while they’re easy to share, you might just need to order your own when you become their newest fan.

4 – Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café

If everyone in your group is craving something different for lunch or dinner, Cosmic Ray’s in Tomorrowland offers a 3-sided counter with different options available on each side. From Angus Burgers and fries to pulled pork, rotisserie chicken and Greek salads, there’s lots to choose from at Cosmic Ray’s and a ton of seating for everyone. Between the counter and your seat is a topping bar, fully stocked with things you’d like to add to your meal, whether it be toppings for your burger, or extras for your sandwich.

Once you’ve topped off your meal, head to the main dining area where you can take in a performance by Sonny Eclipse, an audio-animatronic alien who plays the Amazing Astro Organ and sings lounge-style songs that are out of this world.

3 – Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe

After undergoing a recent menu change, Pecos Bill in Frontierland now serves Tex-Mex dishes in the classic Old-West Saloon guests have come to know and love. The menu features either Chicken or Spicy Beef in a Burrito, as part of a Fajita Platter or on top of a Southwest Salad. You can also order a plate of Beef Nachos or try the Southwest Burger which is topped with Pepper Jack and served with tortilla chips on the side.

Churros have also found a new home at Pecos Bill as the iconic snack is now a dessert option for all guests who are looking to satisfy their sweet tooth with this deliciously fried dough. There’s plenty of seating in this cozy, yet spacious restaurant. It feels like the outside has been brought inside with hanging lights and building facades lining the walls.

2 – Columbia Harbor House

Over in Liberty Square, the Columbia Harbor House is a hidden gem when it comes to quick service dining. It’s not flashy or too over the top. Instead, it’s a nautical themed restaurant that’s quite spacious inside including a second floor filled with extra seating. The dark wood, mooring ropes and even a captain’s wheel combine to make a relaxed atmosphere where you can rest, cool down and enjoy your break during the day.

Starting off your meal with a cup of New England Clam Chowder would be enough for many guests, but beyond that, some of the unique entrées include a delicious Lobster Roll, Grilled Salmon with Couscous and the Lighthouse Sandwich, a fan-favorite mix of hummus, tomato and broccoli slaw on toasted multi-grain bread. Finish your meal off with a seasonal cobbler and you’re ready to head back out into the park to continue the excitement.

1 – Be Our Guest

Since its opening, the Beast’s Castle in Fantasyland has seen a constant stream of guests through its doors into the Be Our Guest Restaurant. Not long after opening for a table service dinner, the restaurant began to open as a counter service during lunch and then breakfast. Guests who had a hard time getting a dinner reservation now have more opportunities to experience the restaurant first-hand, with reservations available all day. During lunch, guests order at kiosks or through My Disney Experience up to 30 days before their reservation. That way, guests don’t have to wait long for their food and they still get to enjoy the incredible atmosphere the restaurant has to offer. Wherever you dine in the castle, be sure to take in all the sights and sounds as it is a truly magical experience.

With a menu offering dishes like a Croque Monsieur, Tuna Niçoise Salad or Braised Pork, you’re sure to find something delicious to try – just make sure to try the Grey Stuff as well.

What are your favorite quick service restaurants at the Magic Kingdom? Let us know about your most memorable experience in the comments!