Disneyland Hotspot’s Mobile Ordering Comeback and How Ice Cream Shops Can Cash In

TLDR

“COOL NEWS! Mobile ordering is coming back to Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats @Disneyland Resort starting Aug. 19!” — That was the headline Disneyland fans were thrilled to see this month.

After nearly five years without the option, the beloved Pixar Pier snack stand is finally bringing mobile ordering back. For many visitors, this means the return of skipping long lines under the California sun and heading straight for that creamy swirl of lemon soft serve.

This move is more than just a convenience update. It’s a smart play that combines nostalgia, customer loyalty, and operational efficiency in one scoop. And for ice cream shops outside the gates of Disneyland, it’s a reminder that mobile ordering can be a powerful way to serve customers better, increase sales, and make each visit feel like a special treat. If you run a local shop, stay with us until the end because we have a practical, easy-to-follow guide you can start using right away.

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The Adorable Snowman Is Back in the Mobile Game

After nearly five years without it, the Adorable Snowman Treats stand at Disneyland’s Pixar Pier is bringing back mobile ordering on August 19, 2025. The stand is known for its refreshing lemon soft serve and towering sundaes that draw long lines in the summer heat. Guests have been waiting for this change, especially since many other popular snack spots in the park still don’t offer the convenience.

This update is not only a seasonal promotion or menu tweak. It is a smart move that keeps the experience aligned with what Disney does best: making every step easy for visitors. People can now pull out their phones, browse the menu, customize their order, and pick it up when they are ready without losing valuable park time. For a place where every minute matters and crowds can test anyone’s patience, this change will likely improve customer happiness and drive more sales.

Why This Move Speaks to Ice Cream Shops

Most neighborhood scoop shops will never see the crowds that Disneyland does, yet the way customers behave is not so different. Both have times of day when the line stretches out the door. Both balance a core set of best sellers with seasonal specials that keep menus fresh. And both thrive on spur-of-the-moment decisions.

When ordering is quick and straightforward, you shorten the gap between the craving and the first bite. That short gap can decide whether a customer walks into your shop or keeps walking. For ice cream shops, that is an open door to turn more passing interest into actual sales.

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What Ice Cream Shops Can Learn from Disneyland’s Mobile Ordering Comeback

1.  Make the App Launch a Celebration

When Adorable Snowman announced the return of mobile ordering, it landed like a headline fans had been waiting for. It was treated as a milestone. Now you might be thinking, “But my shop is not in a famous park or a tourist spot.” You do not need a big-name location to make your mobile ordering launch feel special. Your loyal customers already care about your shop, and with the right buzz, you can make them feel just as excited as park guests.

You can capture that same spark by making your own launch an event worth talking about. Host a “mobile order kickoff weekend” with special menu items available only to app users, or give a first-order reward for anyone trying the feature. Pair it with social media countdowns and in-store signage to build momentum. The goal is to make the launch feel like something your customers should not miss.

2. Create Excitement Around Seasonal and Small-Batch Flavors

Disneyland knows that limited flavors carry a natural sense of urgency, and mobile ordering makes securing them easier. You can take the same approach with your seasonal scoops or experimental batches. Let customers know these flavors are only available for a short window and allow them to lock in an order before they sell out. Use vivid photos and mouth-watering descriptions in your app posts to make each flavor drop an event in itself.

3. Give Customers the Gift of Time with Pickup Scheduling

In a theme park, every minute counts. That’s why giving guests the ability to order ahead and pick up at a set time feels like such a win. The same principle applies to your busiest weekends, after-school rushes, or special events. By letting customers schedule their pickup, you remove the stress of long lines and help them fit your treats into their day more easily. Convenience often turns a maybe into a definite yes.

4. Make Ordering a Memorable Part of the Visit

Disneyland’s ordering process does not feel like a chore. It’s part of the fun. From browsing colorful menus to selecting toppings and extras, the process builds anticipation. Ice cream shops can adopt this mindset by making the app experience as delightful as the in-store one. Use engaging photos, playful names for menu items, loyalty rewards for every order, and short videos or posts that give customers a peek into how their favorite flavors are made. This turns the order into the first chapter of the experience, not just the transaction.

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How to Launch Mobile Ordering Like a Crowd-Puller

A simple, practical guide to help you roll out your mobile app in a way that draws attention, drives orders, and keeps customers coming back.

Step 1: Choose Your Launch “Moment”

Disney timed the return of mobile ordering to sunny summer crowds and high demand. You can do the same by picking a moment that aligns with your shop’s best opportunities. It could be the first warm weekend, a local event, or the return of a seasonal favorite. You can even plan it for winter and make it fun with rewards. One of our ice cream shop customers, Josh & John’s, does this brilliantly by increasing customer rewards as the temperature drops with every order.

Step 2: Plan Your App Launch Like a Mini Event

Give your launch a name such as “Mobile Scoop Reveal” or “App Opening Weekend.” Build excitement with teasers, in-store flyers, and social posts that count down to the big day. Offer a small treat like a free topping or bonus reward for anyone who uses the app in the first few days. Make it feel special and worth talking about.

Step 3: Send an Intro Email to Existing Customers

If you already have an email list, use it to announce your app with a warm, personal message. Include direct links to download it and a first-order incentive like a discount or free topping. This is one of the fastest ways to drive early adoption and make your launch successful from day one.

Step 4: Add Limited-Time Items to Boost Urgency

Offer exclusive mobile-only flavors for a weekend or a short series, such as a seasonal fruit blend or a creamy new swirl. Spread the word through app banners and in-store reminders so customers know they have to act quickly before the flavor is gone.

Step 5: Use Visuals and Messaging that Pop

Disney’s app shows bright, clear photos of the treats people crave. In your launch posts and app banners, use high-quality images of your most tempting items. Keep descriptions short, fun, and irresistible. A phrase like “pineapple upside-down scoop” or “choco-chip surprise” can be enough to get someone tapping.

Step 6: Use In-Store Signage to Promote the App

Let customers see the app in action while they are waiting to order. Display clear signs near the register, on tables, or even at the door showing how easy it is to order ahead. Pair it with a short QR code that takes them directly to the download page.

For detailed guidance, read our complete 6-step guide to mobile success. 

If you have not thought about mobile ordering yet, now is the time. This blog shows why it is no longer optional for ice cream shops in 2025. Customers want speed, choice, and a reason to keep coming back. If you want a deeper look at why this tool is so powerful and how to put it to work in your own shop, read our full guide here: Why Every Ice Cream Shop Needs a Mobile Ordering App in 2025.

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Final Thoughts

When the Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats stand brought mobile ordering back after years without it, it became a small but meaningful upgrade for guests. Your ice cream shop can create the same type of buzz by giving customers a smoother way to enjoy their favorite treats. A thoughtful launch, combined with creative promotions, can turn mobile ordering into more than a feature. It becomes part of your shop’s identity and a reason customers come back again and again.

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