Disney Mobile ceasing operations on 12/31/07

[belleandthebeast]

I just received an e-mail stating Disney Mobile is ceasing operations at the end of the year. How sad. I truly enjoyed working with this company.

Off to find a different carrier. Just one more thing to add to my "to do" list.

 

[DisneyMissy318]

Not surprising I guess - they announced they would stop publishing the Disney Adventures Magazine as well.

It's like they are immune to what their consumers actually want - because if they don't provide it under one marketing heading - magazines, cell service, online shopping, etc.... we are still Disney Fans overall - and will still go to the movies and visit their parks and buy their merchandise. Seems as if they have us where they want us!

 

[TheRatPack]

Wow, hate to hear that. I really enjoyed their Disney Magazine and it was just about the only one I would subscribe to for my kids. Nick mag has gotten really bad since I'd seen it last. I read one in the dentist office the other day and every other page was something on body odor, body functions, gross ways to freak out your friends....etc.

 

[dis-happy]

I'm really bummed, we've had the mobile phones since the beginning of this year and I really liked the Locate feature for my kids; nothing like that peace of mind in a crazy world. Guess Disney wasn't making enough money and decided to sever the contract with Sprint??? I hate to give up my Disney ringtones too...

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

I really liked the Locate feature for my kids; nothing like that peace of mind in a crazy world.

I think Verizon's "chaperone" feature is very similar. You can locate your child's phone with GPS via your cell phone or your computer. We just got one this week. DH's business has had Verizon cell phones for 15 years. I was lamenting over the fact that they don't have Disney stuff (phones) - but not so much that I was willing to go to Sprint (their coverage here is very poor).

 

[all4fun]

We looked into DM however the cost of their plans kept us away. I wouldn't be surprised if low sales was a major reason for their decision.

As far as Disney Adventures - didn't even know it existed! We used to love getting our old "Disney Magazine" and were really disappointed when they closed the doors on that operation a while ago.

 

[Mouse Mom]

I just can't believe it ....my daughter started Middle School this year and for her b-day in early September --- I got rid of all of our other cell phones (Sprint) and switched everyone over to Disney and got new equipment. I didn't even pay the first bill yet!!!! And another thing, I like the Disney Adventures magazine!! We're DVC members and they always have free copies at the Beach Club or Boardwalk and my kids like reading about the likes of Hannah Montana or Johnny Depp's real life dad, Keith Richards (what ev!)..... anyway, there was a market for these products -- at least I thought there was -- but maybe Disney mobile was just too clean cut, too family oriented, too everybody get together and sing Kumbaya (spelling people???)....instead maybe I'll pick up one of those phones that you load with minutes as you go along that have canned porn links (I did in fact see this on the news...an innocent, unsuspecting parent bought her son a pay as you go phone and it had let's just say a suggestive picture already in it with a link to something equally nefarious. Needless to say very un-Disney. My daughter will be crushed...she loves her Disney phone ...and to think I almost got the Steam Boat Wille one....I don't know what's going on -- I think Disney is probably kicking themselves in the &*! for not coming up with Webkinz and is brainstorming right now to hit up that market of 7, 8 and 9 year olds with something equally addictive. This stinks and I'm not happy -- and by the way I like the way the Pirates of the Caribbean ride was BEFORE they stuck the slushy, slurry stoner here's Johnny into every barrel and corner you turn....somethings are simply not sacred....Progess it is not!!! I demand restitution, forthwith.

Okay, I'm done...thanks for listening

 

[belleandthebeast]

The e-mail indicated something about refunds for the products purchased. I don't have it with me. And to be honest, I was so upset when I got the e-mail, I don't think I got past the 1st line (that indicated they were ceasing operations). It just stinks. I finally found a cell company I loved and they decide to close. end. my sister has cingular which she loves, but the problem is, there's not another company out there as "Disney" oriented (downloads and such).

 

[Mouse Mom]

This is a giant pain in the you know what -- now I have ship all of my Disney phones back (3) and get new phones w/ a new provider. Well, first I have to call them and see what is going on and how to accomplish that. I use to have Sprint for years and never had a problem and only changed LAST MONTH to Disney Mobile b/c of my 11 yo - u don't think they knew then that they were finito???? They should have stopped taking orders ....I dunno if I should go back to Sprint or use Verizon or what -- I heard Verizon is really good but who knows -- they are just cell phones. I liked all the features available on the Disney phone -- the Family Monitoring system, locator, limiting minutes, etc. Are there other plans out there that function the same way? Like somebody said, just one more thing to do on my long list of things...UGH!

 

[The Disney Bunch]

Man, they just started and they are giving up already? I was really thinking of looking into them next year when my contract was up! Bummer!


And Disney Adventures is going under? We love that mag!! that is awful -

 

[Mouse Mom]

just fyi everybody - I got a couple of messages on my home phone the last couple of days from Disney Mobile and I just got a chance to call back today. i finally got a live person on the line and advised them I was returning their call. The rep had no idea why or who called me according to my account (no notes she said about anyone calling me). I asked about returning the equipment, getting my $$ back, etc. (I've only had the phones 1 month) --- she gave some canned answer about on October 8th more will be posted on the website, blah, blah, blah.

She was not exactly helpful.... just robotic.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

First I don't have Disney Mobile, so this really doesn't affect me but I am curious. What does your contract say regarding the phones you got with the service if THEY CANCEL. I know it is standard that if you cancel before the end of the contract you pay a "fee" that pretty much pays for the phone. But why should you be penalized if they cancel the service, I say the least they can do is let you keep the phone to use with your new carrier.

 

[Mouse Mom]

as far as I know the rep said the Disney phones will not work with any other provider that 's why they will take them back -

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

as far as I know the rep said the Disney phones will not work with any other provider that 's why they will take them back -

That may or may not be true. When DH and I switced to U.S. Cellular, we had two different carriers(he had been using Verizon because of a company discount and I was using ATT because it had better coverage in our area), his verizon phone was transferable my ATT was not. The rep explained to us the yes the ATT phone would work but because it had a similar code(or something like that) to US cellular it may still pick up the ATT towers and I could be charged for roaming. If Disney is going out of the cell phone business I don't think picking up their towers(roaming) would be an issue.

ETA: Many areas have programs to "recycle" old phones to be used by women in abuse situations(easy access for 911, or something like that). So if other companies phones can be reconfigured I would imagine the Disney phones could too.