Victor Chi
Updated on: October 14, 2024 12:01 am GMT
Disneyland and Walt Disney World faced a significant disruption this morning as guests encountered widespread payment issues that left many unable to purchase food, merchandise, or access popular attractions. The glitch affected both the My Disney Experience app and Disneyland app, causing considerable inconvenience for families eager to enjoy their time at the parks.
A Company-Wide Payment Glitch
This morning, guests trying to use the Disney Store website or mobile apps were met with error messages, making it impossible to complete transactions. The My Disney Experience app, which streamlines access to dining, Lightning Lane reservations, and mobile food orders, displayed a message stating, “Some of our payment options are unavailable, and only PayPal is available at this time in select flows.”
The issues were evident as soon as our reporters entered the park. Guests attempting to place mobile food orders or purchase tickets found themselves stuck in a loop of spinning wheels and error messages. Surprisingly, no charges were incurred during attempted purchases, prompting concerns among visitors.
Specific Issues Encountered
Visitors reported several specific functionalities that were impacted:
- Inability to book Lightning Lane passes.
- Failure to process mobile food orders.
- Problems with mobile checkout at merchandise stores.
- Restrictions on dining reservations, which require credit card information.
Many guests resorted to seeking assistance from Cast Members, leading to longer lines and wait times at stores. Since the parks heavily rely on digital transactions, this technical issue added an unexpected layer of frustration to visitors’ experiences.
Resolution in Sight
Disney representatives were quick to announce that they were actively working to fix the technical issues and restore services. As of 12:15 PM ET, reports suggested that some functionalities, including mobile orders, began returning to normal. However, glitches were still possible as the systems adjusted.
By lunchtime, the ability to process mobile food orders was reportedly restored, alleviating some of the congestion that had built up during the morning. The Disneyland app also saw functionalities come back online, providing some relief to those in the park.
Guest Reactions
Many guests expressed their frustration over the experience. “It’s a real hassle when you’re in the park and can’t order food,” one visitor remarked. “We had to wait in longer lines than we expected.” Guests took to social media to voice their concerns and share their experiences, reflecting a mix of disappointment and understanding given the scale of the company-wide system issues.
Looking Ahead
Disney has acknowledged the challenges its guests faced and is making efforts to ensure that such disruptions are minimized in the future. While the technical problems were temporary, they highlighted the reliance on digital platforms in today’s theme park experience.
As Disney continues to improve its systems, guests are encouraged to stay informed via official channels for updates on park services. For those who were affected by the payment issues, sharing experiences with Disney’s customer service may help convey the impact these disruptions had on their park visits.
Today’s payment problems reminded us that even the best plans can hit some bumps in the road. Disney’s team is working hard to fix these issues so that guests can keep making magical memories.
