Hold up, Disney fans! Get ready to ditch the lines at Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta at Disneyland Resort, because the house of mouse just rolled out some next-level tech that could change the way you eat at the parks forever. That’s right—AI-powered self-checkouts have officially arrived, and they’re already shaking things up in a big way. But is it all it’s cracked up to be, or is this a major glitch in the system?
Related: “It Was a Test,” Disney World Cast Members Speak Out on Their Replacement at Resort
Self-Checkout Stations Are Here… But Not For Everyone
Disney’s got something to prove with these new AI-powered checkouts, but the question is—will it actually work? After testing the tech in Disney World, they’ve brought it to Disneyland California Adventure at Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta, where they’ve set up two brand new self-checkout stations. The futuristic setup’s located near the north exit, but don’t get too excited—this is still a “test,” meaning it could be a total bust, or, who knows, it could be a glimpse into Disney’s high-tech future.
And we gotta say, this setup screams “we’re trying to be cool,” but it’s got a few hiccups.
How It Works (Or Doesn’t)
Here’s the deal: you load up your tray, scan your items, and hope the machine works its magic. But there’s a catch: if your food’s too close together on the tray, the AI has a meltdown. That’s right—if you’re trying to sneak in some extra churros or stack your pizza and salad on top of each other, the scanner’s not having it. No scan, no checkout. Disney might’ve thought they were creating a super smart system, but it looks like the AI needs some extra lessons before it can handle a basic snack run.
Some Things Never Change: The Human Factor
Don’t worry, though—Disney’s not leaving you hanging completely. A handful of Cast Members are stationed around to help if the tech starts glitching out. In fact, the whole AI system kinda feels like it’s in “training mode” at this point. When the system can’t identify items, guests can manually add them. But guess what? You’re not supposed to use this function yourself. It’s only for the Cast Members to mess with. So, if things go sideways, you’ll still need a human to save you.
What You Can Pay With: MagicBands, Cards, and Mobile Payment
Now, here’s the catch—if you thought you could pay with cash, think again. Disney’s gone all in on the digital side, meaning only MagicBands, credit cards, and mobile payments are acceptable. So if you’re one of those people who still carries cash around the park, you’re out of luck. Looks like Disney’s trying to get everyone on the digital bandwagon whether they’re ready or not.
Is This the Future of Disney Dining?
So, is the future of Disney dining all about AI self-checkouts? Only time will tell. If this test succeeds, expect to see a lot more of these stations around the parks. But we wouldn’t be shocked if Disney decides to pull the plug on this experiment like they did at Disney World earlier this year. For now, if you’re heading to Disneyland, don’t be too quick to ditch the human cashiers just yet. These AI stations are still finding their feet, and honestly, it feels like they’re not quite there.
Are you on board with AI checkouts at Disney, or is this all a little too much too soon? Let us know what you think—comment below!
