Let’s talk about a common hiccup we see at Disney World, and it’s something that typically happens with Boomers.

No, we’re not talking about missing the latest thrill ride or skipping the churro stand (though that’s a shame, too). It’s about technology. Specifically, how technology has become such a huge part of the Disney World experience, and how not knowing how to navigate it can 100% turn a magical vacation into a stressful slog.
Before we dive in, let’s make it 100% clear that we’re not here to call anyone out or make anyone feel bad. It’s just that Disney World has changed over the years, and honestly, it can be quite a lot to keep up with.

For example, the good ol’ days of showing up with a paper ticket and wandering wherever your heart takes you are long gone. Nowadays, planning a Disney World trip feels like you need a degree in app navigation and scheduling algorithms. So if you’ve struggled with this, you’re definitely not alone.
The Tech Takeover at Disney World
Here’s the deal: Disney World runs on so much tech now. From park reservations to dining, Lightning Lanes to virtual queues, you’ll need to be glued to your smartphone more than you might’ve expected.

It’s not just about booking your trip and packing your Mickey ears. It’s about making sure you have the My Disney Experience app downloaded, knowing when to grab those Lightning Lanes, and refreshing your phone like it’s Black Friday to snag a spot in the virtual queue for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

For Boomers, or anyone who didn’t grow up with this leve of tech integration, it can feel overwhelming, and let’s be real – it’s not the most intuitive system. Disney tries to make things user-friendly, but with so many features and rules to learn, even the savviest Millennials and Gen Z’ers need a few practice runs to get the hang of it.
The Biggest Mistake
The biggest mistake we see Boomers making is waiting too long to figure all this out. A lot of people still assume they can show up to the parks, learn on the fly, and have the trip of their dreams, but at Disney World in 2024 and beyond, that’s a risky move.
Here’s why:
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- Lightning Lanes: This is Disney’s paid skip-the-line system, and if you’re not buying it and booking your ride times in the morning, you’re going to spend a lot of time in lines. And yes, we mean a lot.
- Dining Reservations: If you’re dreaming of eating at Be Our Guest or snagging that spot at Oga’s Cantina, you need to book those reservations 60 days in advance. Otherwise, it looks like it’ll be turkey legs for dinner.
- Virtual Queues: Some of Disney’s newest and most popular rides, like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, don’t have a traditional standby line. If you don’t get into the virtual queue at 7 a.m., you’re out of luck (unless you’re willing to pay for an Individual Lightning Lane).

How to Avoid This Mistake
Like we said earlier, if you’re feeling a little lost, don’t worry! There are ways to get ahead of the tech curve and have a stress-free trip.
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- Do Your Homework: Before your trip, spend some time learning how the My Disney Experience app works. Watch a few tutorial videos, read guides, and practice navigating the app so you’re not fumbling with it on your first park day.
- Ask for Help: Whether it’s your kids, grandkids, or a travel planner, there’s no shame in asking someone to walk you through the tech side of things. Trust us, they’d much rather help you now than help you troubleshoot while you’re standing in the middle of Main Street, U.S.A.
- Book Ahead: The earlier you can make your park reservations, dining reservations, and Lightning Lanes, the better. Don’t wait until the last minute because that’s a guaranteed recipe for frustration.
- Take Breaks: It’s easy to get caught up in all the app-refreshing madness, but remember to set the phone down and just enjoy the magic around you.
At the end of the day, Disney’s tech-heavy system can feel like a lot, but that’s also what makes the parks run so smoothly for millions of guests. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll realize it’s not as scary as it seems, and it actually opens up so many possibilities to make your trip extra special.
So Boomers, we see you. We know it’s overwhelming, but trust us, with a little preparation, you’ll be navigating Disney World like a pro!

Well, those were just some of our thoughts on how Boomers can avoid those common mistakes and start killing it at Disney World right now, and now we’d love to hear from you! In the meantime, stay tuned to AllEars for all the latest Disney news!
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What advice do you have for Boomers going to Disney World? Let us know down in the comments!
Another Boomer here, and I concur with the comments from Glenn, Matthew B., Jurgen, Matthew W., and part of Helen’s. We were smack dab in the middle of our DW trip when this article came out. Had already made our dining reservations 60 days out on the computer. Made the LLs 14 days out on the phone. I’m the one stuck with the task because my husband won’t even try to learn how. The problem I experienced the most was THE SYSTEM with my phone. Kept spinning, freezing, locking up when trying to book the next LL or modifying the ones we had. The most I am ever on a cell phone is when I’m in Disney World. I’m not tethered to the evil device in my normal everyday life, and I’m sure unhappy to be on VACATION and need to be in order for us to avoid standing around a lot. Too much of what we like is either going away or already gone. Our old(er) bodies just didn’t enjoy the trip like we have in years’ past. Will be taking a break from DW for a few years and see if maybe the “magic” will come back for us.
Golly gosh gee! Thank you Gen Z for helping out us old and out of touch Boomers. 68 yo Boomer. Went to Disneyland and had no trouble keeping up with the tech, but it totally ruined any spontaneity that only my generation appears to be nostalgic for when visiting Disney parks. Apparently, younger generations would rather share their expensive Disney parks holiday with their “devices.” All I ask is that you look up from your “devices” occasionally and be aware that you share the park with others, of all generations.
Weeks before our visit to the parks I took an online course that teaches you how to use the app to do all the scheduling for reservations, lightening lanes, etc. It was only $30 but it was extremely helpful. We were able to minimize our time in the parks but maximize the number of rides and attractions.
I live alone in Orlando,just turned 69 and visit WDW every Sunday, using my Pirate,AP. I NEVER use any of the fancy tech services you mentioned. I only use my phone to check for storms. I always use the Standby Lines, unless a SRL is available!
Disney built a World where the journey from the parking lot to MK was supposed to transport you from your daily life to the Magic of something special for all ages. Having been around long enough to experience both the original vision and today’s focus-on-your-device model of park going… We’re doing it wrong. I can watch my device anywhere. Disney should be about getting away from the everywhere, not bringing it with you.
Such an excellent point!
Cruises are the same! And not just Disney cruises.
I totally agree with this. We were at Disney, Epcot, etc in July. Thankfully, our son-in-law knew all the info regarding the app, park hopping and food reservations and was able to simplify for us. (I’m 66 and husband is 71).
I am nearly 71 years old. I use the app for booking dining, checking on the wait time for attractions etc. I have no problems using LighteningLane.
It totally kills the magic of the parks. You have to spend so much time looking at your phone. People walk into you because they are looking at their phones trying to run to the next short attraction queue.