Disney Ramps Up Merchandise Mobile Checkout
The future of Disney shopping has arrived. Meanwhile, two classic Disney dining experiences are returning. Here’s what you need to know.
Let’s Talk Merchandise Mobile Checkout
In January of 2018, Amazon Go opened in Seattle. This grocery store offered something we’d never had before: cashier-less checkout.
Guests would put items in their shopping bags and then leave the store. They weren’t shoplifting, though. Instead, Amazon tracked all purchases via security cameras.
During the earliest days of the new program, viral videos showed people “stealing” stuff that they hadn’t paid for.
Little did they know that Amazon wanted this information. The company needed to track potential security issues with the system to lessen the chance of theft.
Over time, Amazon Go streamlined and perfected the checkout process enough that fraud prevention proved effective.
Then, the company expanded to 30 locations, with several more planned. Other businesses obviously took an interest in what they were doing, too.
One of those companies, Disney, introduced a similar system less than two years later.
Merchandise Mobile Checkout debuted at World of Disney at Downtown Disney and the former Mouse Gear at EPCOT.
Disney officials described this process as a test system for allowing guests to check out more efficiently.
You use a My Disney Experience as an online shopping cart for the experience, saving you the aggravation of standing in a checkout line.
How Merchandise Mobile Checkout Works
Under this system, guests scan barcodes for the items they want to purchase. Then, they place their items in special shopping bags.
Once they’ve finished shopping, guests tap the Checkout button on My Disney Experience.
Merchandise Mobile Checkout will determine your amount due, and it will even factor in DVC and annual pass discounts.
Then, the system will charge you for your purchase, all without your ever interacting with a cast member.
Once you’ve completed your purchase, you’ll receive a QR code. This is the only time you’ll need to talk to a Disney employee.
You’ll show the worker your QR code, and they may check your bag to verify the items. Other than that, you control the entire shopping experience.
So, you can be in and out of a Disney store in a matter of minutes. Crowds no longer impact your visit, either. You scan the items you want and then leave when you’re done. It’s magic.
For Disney, Merchandise Mobile Checkout reduces labor costs by quite a bit. It doesn’t need to staff as many people at cash registers.
Almost as importantly, customers enjoy shopping more because they don’t stand idly in lines for extended periods.
The only concern here is fraud, as self-checkout thievery is a thing. That’s why Disney tested its new system for a year.
The New Merchandise Mobile Checkout Locations
Now, the company is ready to ramp up merchandise mobile checkout across its theme park empire.
The Disney Parks Blog just announced the following:
“Mobile checkout is currently available or coming soon to the following merchandise locations:
- Walt Disney World Resort
- World of Disney at Disney Springs
- Creations Shop at EPCOT
- Emporium at Magic Kingdom Park – New!
- Mickey’s of Hollywood at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Coming soon!
- Island Mercantile at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park – Coming soon!
- Disneyland Resort
- Disneyland Park
- Disney Clothiers, Ltd., China Closet and Plaza Point
- Emporium
- Pioneer Mercantile and Bonanza Outfitters – New!
- The Star Trader – New!
- Disney California Adventure Park
- Elias & Co.
- WEB Suppliers – New!
- Knick’s Knacks – New!
- Downtown Disney District
- World of Disney”
That’s seven locations that either recently added or will add Merchandise Mobile Checkout. In other words, Disney has decided that this is the future of commerce.
You might as well get familiar with the Merchandise Mobile Checkout system, as you’ll use it for the duration of your Disney vacations.
By the way, you CAN use Disney gift cards for your purchases. So, you can stack your account with cards before your trip if so inclined.
I know that some folks load up on Disney gift cards around the holidays. The new system will reward you for your savvy shopping.
Two Beloved Restaurants Are Returning This Month!
Okay, one of these updates will matter to DVC vacationers more than ever, but longtime members are huge fans of both.
A few years ago, Disney broke some hearts when it turned Artist Point into a character greeting. I say this because guests could ALWAYS get a reservation there.
While we loved it, Disney did not. The restaurant didn’t make money with empty tables. So, hotel officials switched to a character meal.
Since then, Storybook Dining at Artist Point was one of the most challenging reservations to book at Walt Disney World.
Then, the pandemic happened. Disney chose not to reopen Artist Point with the rest of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge…until now!
The restaurant returns on December 16th, and Disney is already accepting Advanced Dining Reservations! So, you should book quickly before availability vanishes!
The other reopening will happen at Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside. Yes, Boatwright’s Dining Hall will finally come back on December 14th!
We’ve all missed the Cajun cuisine here. Thankfully, the Jambalaya will be back on the menu next week. This place is one of the hidden gems at Disney resorts.
Shopping and dining just got better at Disney, my friends!
DVC Rental Store can help you book your next Walt Disney World! Visit our DVC Confirmed Reservations page to check out our current discounted DVC Villa accommodations. You can also use our DVC availability tool to see if the room and dates for your vacation are available and submit a booking request. From there, you can start the booking process and one of our expert team members will reach out to assist!
