Walt Disney World continually evaluates how guests interact with technology, especially mobile phones. There are even measures in place to encourage guests to use their phones less if doing so detracts from the theme park experience. The difference, from Disney’s perspective, is the use of phones to aid guest service, such as quickly accessing a ticket or sharing plans more easily within a travel party. See the previous sweeping changes Disney announced to its app and the more recent mobile wallet update. Disney is now rolling out another tech-based service.
Disney World is testing a new tool within its mobile app, aiming to improve the merchandise experience for guests. It’s got a long way to go, but what’s available so far is promising. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including Disney World cracking down on access to resort benefits and one of Disney World’s best experiences for adults.
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Track Merchandise Across Disney World
Across the 43 square miles of Walt Disney World’s vast property, there are 264 places to shop. That’s a lot of merchandise, and finding the perfect souvenir can be overwhelming. This is especially true if you are looking for a hard to find item, especially with so many merch items being shared so often on social media.
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Disney hopes to improve the search for merch with Find Merchandise, a feature now testing in the My Disney Experience app for Walt Disney World guests.
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The feature is currently in a limited-time test that only displays results for World of Disney at Disney Springs. Here’s how it works.
1. Type “Find Merchandise” within the My Disney Experience search engine to reach the tool’s main screen. Then tap “Start Searching” to begin.
2. This will populate with a series of suggested specific items and product categories, such as “Pins” and “Plush”. You can select one of those, or search for an item by typing it.
3. Select the item you’d like to find the location for. I had searched for “Mickey ears,” and the results were populated with an ear headband as well as jewelry items that weren’t actual headgear, but contained Mickey ears in their design. Interestingly, I didn’t see the traditional Mickey Mouse ears cap that I had in mind.
4. If you like what you see, continue by selecting an item. Then tap “Check Shop Availability”.
5. The next screen will show you all the locations where the item is located within Walt Disney World. Since the Find Merchandise feature is still in its test phase, for now, the only location it displays is World of Disney at Disney Springs. Eventually, it would show anywhere the item can be found.
6. Tap “Show Map” to see the exact location of where the item is sold. Again, for now, the only store displayed is World of Disney, but eventually, this will show other locations.
Disney previously tested the Find Merchandise feature with a smaller selection of guests. It now appears to have rolled out to everyone. This indicates a positive step toward a wider launch to other stores beyond World of Disney.
In its test phase, while only being offered at World of Disney, the tool is admittedly limited, but still helpful. World of Disney is the largest store in all of Walt Disney World. If guests know what they’re looking for, the Find Merchandise tool can confirm if World of Disney has the item in stock and save guests the time of rummaging through the store’s labyrinth.
In the long term, one can imagine the Find Merchandise tool will be infinitely more helpful. Sometimes a guest might know what merchandise they want, but not where to find it.
Alternatively, cast members can look up this information for guests, as always. On a recent trip, I pondered purchasing a hat I saw in Discovery Trading Company at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I decided I’d think about it and return at the end of the day if I wanted to buy it. Lo and behold, the hat was out of stock by then, but a cast member was able to look up the item and tell me that it was still in stock at Mickey’s of Hollywood at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Once the Find Merchandise tool rolls out in full, this searchability will be available to guests rather than limited to cast members.
The tool may be helpful to pin traders seeking specific pins to complete any given collection they’re working on. Disney Springs recently introduced new rules that impact pin trading.
Other than the Find Merchandise test, Disney is also rolling out sweeping changes within the My Disney Experience app and easier accessibility for mobile tickets.
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