Cell problems in parks?

[branv]

On our recent trip in mid-May 2011, we were using smartphones at WDW for the first time. Both of us have HTC Evo 4G (mostly 3G ) on Sprint. We were all set with our touring apps, etc, to make our vacation easier. But instead we had a terrible problem with reception the whole time. Very slow to load sites, or not loading at all. Even missed and dropped calls.

I might understand this inside some of those buildings, but this was most often out in the open -- it was worst at Epcot. For example, DH was outside of MS and couldn't reach me as I was standing outside the Land, couldn't post items online from near Canada or Living Seas, etc.

In general, when trying to look at ride times from TP or go to book dining ressies on the disney mobile site, it went painfully slow or not at all. What was supposed to make my life easier ended up with me standing for way too long off to the side of some pathway throttling my phone

I do know we haven't had remotely that consistent a level of problems anywhere else So before we take off for our trip next month, where I will need to be reachable by phone far more often than any other trip, I'm curious if this was a "it's just you/your phone type", an "it's pretty common for everyone at WDW" or "it's pretty common for Sprint in the area." Thoughts?

 

[vicki_c]

I have zero reception problems at WDW - including Epcot - with AT&T on my iPhone, except inside the big attractions like Soarin'.

 

[MommytoCaitlyn]

I'm curious about this too. My DH and I both have Evo's through Sprint.

 

[ToyStory Fan]

I can remember back when we were on Sprint/Nextel having problems, but since going to Verizon - no issues. I would also suspect that since Verizon is a partner with the KimPossible misison that they have the best coverage in the parks.

 

[Chaitali]

I didn't have any problems with my i-phone (AT&T) when I was at Disney World in May and October. I have heard this can be a problem when it's really crowded and too many people are trying to get on the network, so maybe that was the problem if it was very crowded when you were there?

 

[bigtony777]

Went over Christmas week and I think Sprint must have gotten a tower added close to MK. I had full bars and 3G almost everywhere in the park. In the past it hasn't been as good. Our friends though with AT&T did have problems and could hardly ever use 3G while in MK.

 

[SheilaHeartsDisney]

I was the over New Years and I had bad reception most of the time in the parks with my AT&T Iphone. It must have been the higher crowd levals

 

[laughinplace199]

I had no issues with Verizon.

 

[Bettie]

We've had no problems with AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile. Browsing speeds were fine for using TouringPlans, etc. We did find that trying to make calls was just not feasible due to not being able to hear either the ring or the call itself because of the crowds, music, etc. We ended up mostly texting!

 

[mindyd]

We were there December 28th thru the 2nd and the cell phones were horrible. We have Verizon and everything took forever to load. We figured it was because it was so busy.......

 

[chartle]

I had no issues with Verizon.

We were there December 28th thru the 2nd and the cell phones were horrible. We have Verizon and everything took forever to load. We figured it was because it was so busy.......

I have this same problem when I go to Heinz Field. It doesn't take a lot to overwhelm a system. I only go to Univ of Pittsburgh games and except for ND games, never gets close to a sellout and I can barely load websites. Can't imagine how bad it is for Steeler games that are always sold out.

 

[bookgirl]

I used my phone all over WDW. Didn't have a problem at all. It's a samsung (probably 2-3 years old) and it does have internet. I can barely use it at work when I'm at my desk. I'm right under a bunch of metal so sometimes it goes through and sometimes I have no bars. It's weird but true.

In fact I used it while I was in AK to check my parents in for thier SW flight.

I'm with AT&T so it may have been specific to your carrier.

Oh and I had my ipad while I was there on 3G and had no problem inside the resorts connecting (also AT&T).

 

[captinhookedondisney]

When handheld (manageable in size) cell phones were introduced I thought they were great for in the park communication.

But I really (I use this world very sparingly) Hate cell phone use in the parks!

You get texts, news updates, work calls, Facebook notification in the happiest place on earth! Which in my opinion reduce the magic! It removes the guest from Disney, the world of hope and laughter and puts them into the world of tears and fears!

Cell phones should be used only to connect family members when lost or separated and to use Disney Related apps.

 

[rafiki14]

It's not reception I have problem with, its using the 3g and data.

So apps won't load, and iMessage won't send. Especially in Epcot.

I use an AT&T iphone and have this same problem every single time.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

I was kind of "stuck" in the bathroom at the Biergarten and tried to text my DH to say I might be a while....but NO SIGNAL. ATT iPhone 4

 

[Bonniec]

Went over Christmas week and I think Sprint must have gotten a tower added close to MK. I had full bars and 3G almost everywhere in the park. In the past it hasn't been as good. Our friends though with AT&T did have problems and could hardly ever use 3G while in MK.

We're on Sprint and always have problems too. I dodn't go over Christmas though. We'll be back in 2 weeks so I'll have to check and see if it's better!

 

[TimeLady]

I've had consistently good service/signal in the parks with Verizon.

 

[kadesha]

I've always had good service with AT&T.

 

[Colleen27]

We had problems when we were with Sprint/Nextel too, but no problems since switching to MetroPCS.

 

[Huff]

I recall having lots of trouble getting signal outside in the open near R&R at DS. I'm with Sprint. Have no trouble at any of the resorts indoors or out.