Pro: It’s more readily accessible than stationary queue-based entertainment.

Image: DebMomOf3, Flickr (license)

Prior to the launch of the Play Disney Parks app, the closest Disney got to interactive queues were the random activities found at some of Walt Disney World’s more popular attractions, like the space-themed video games in Space Mountain’s queue, interactive shadows at Peter Pan’s Flight and colorful gem matching game in the line leading up to the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. While these features are still-unparalleled when it comes to immersing guests in a ride’s backstory, it often wasn’t worth waiting in a standby line to experience them—and, most frustrating of all, guests often had to wait a long time before they got a chance to experience the games themselves (or were rushed right past them if the line picked up pace at the wrong moment).

App-based games, on the other hand, are available to every parkgoer at any point in the queue, no matter how fast or slow it’s moving. And thanks to the stealthy incorporation of elements like Tinker Bell’s lost items and rocket upgrade codes, guests can still find fun ways to interact with the queue as they move through it.

Con: It’s not geared toward solo travelers.

Image: Theme Park Tourist, Flickr (license)

While the Disney Parks tend to attract more families, couples, and friend groups than solo travelers, they’re still an important demographic—and even big groups of parkgoers may split off to experience different attractions and shows on their own at some point during the day. When using the app, however, each of the mini games (arguably its most engrossing feature) has a requisite player minimum of two people. This is a great idea for parents who want to distract and entertain young children or friends who need a fun new way to pass time together, but for the single rider, it becomes a non-option unless they create a fake second user to play against. It’s a workable solution, sure, but not one that feels fun… especially for those who may already feel self-conscious about tackling the parks on their own.

Pro: It’s adaptable for future attractions and lands.

Image: Theme Park Tourist, Flickr (license)

This is perhaps the biggest upside to the app so far—like Disneyland, it’s never finished. There’s no doubt that Disney will continue to add mini games, trivia, and other lands to the app in the months and years to come, particularly once Star Wars Land debuts in Disneyland and Walt Disney World in 2019. For now, there’s plenty of time to collect all of the ride badges, exhaust “Rocket Race” and “Andy’s Board Game Blast!” and become a trivia expert before the next big update rolls around.

Hopefully, the future of the app will also include more inclusive features for solo travelers and single riders, more mini games for attractions that see the longest wait times (including Flight of Passage, Splash Mountain, Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission – Breakout! and the Incredicoaster, among others) as well as an expansion of offerings that include rides at Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris.

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Have you tried the Play Disney Parks app? Which do you prefer: the app’s games, music, and trivia options or the hands-on activities already built into the queues?