Disney thinking of offering wireless phone service

[mickeymule]

I don't know if this has been posted or not, but here is a link to an interesting article.

http://www.wired.com/news/wireless/0,1382,64009,00.html

 

[manning]

If they do that they better figure out how to get complete coverage within Disney World. There are dead spots/poor signal all over the place now.

 

[Lebjwb]

Originally posted by manning
If they do that they better figure out how to get complete coverage within Disney World. There are dead spots/poor signal all over the place now.

I agree. I use Sprint and normally I can get a signal when most others can't. However at WDW there is no reception in the Hotel Rooms and scant service in the Parks. Also...and this is weird considering the lack of phone use...but while at WDW my cell phone batteries drain very quickly. Has anyone else noticed this?

 

[Luv2Roam]

I know at WL if you get a cell signal you are lucky. I am guessing it has to do with the metal roof. Even in the lobby is very difficult, if not impossible. As soon as I step outside I can call easily.
When we stayed there last August we have a courtyard view. We had to stand on the balcony and lean towards/over the edge. We saw others doing this too.
I haven't had much trouble generally on WDW property. (We use Alltel.)
Once on WDW property, driving into MK my phone beeped that I had a voice mail message. My phone was on and working. There was no reason the call should not have gone through. I must have been in a dead zone while the call was coming through.

 

[manning]

The story I've heard is Disney doesn't allow towers to be built on property. The phones have only .6 watt power and the weaker the signal the more power your phone uses to get a signal, thus the drain on the battery.

 

[mickeymule]

I have Nextel and had hardly any issues at WDW I was also fine in WL, dunno why. As for the battery drain, when you are in an Analog zone you draw more power and when you are out of service area, the phone is constantly searching for a signal so the battery will drain quite quickly.

 

[Lebjwb]

Originally posted by mickeymule
I have Nextel and had hardly any issues at WDW I was also fine in WL, dunno why. As for the battery drain, when you are in an Analog zone you draw more power and when you are out of service area, the phone is constantly searching for a signal so the battery will drain quite quickly.

Ahh..that makes sense. I thought maybe the infrared for Pal Mickey set up around the parks had something to do with it! Just kidding! LOL ºoº

 

[mickeyfantroy]

I also agree that cell coverage is spotty in DW. I know from an Verizon employee that they do have at least one cell site on property but per Disney it had to be completly hidden and blend in with the environment and not a regular ugly cell towel. The normal range depending on terrain and environment for a cell phone is up to three miles. So a company could place towers around disney property and get decent coverage. Verizon does use COWS, or portable cell towers they can move around for special events. They look something like those portable light towers you see. Disney will let them on property for special events when they expect usage to be high.

The service I'm waiting for Disney to start using on property is Wi-Fi. They could automatically download to you event times, or other specials (kinda like pal mickey I guess) but also charge a small fee for internet access or to check email.

 

[manning]

Doesn't Disney have something going with Nextel ?

 

[mickeyfantroy]

I talked to a friend who works for Verizon Wireless and found out they just had an internal memo announcing Verizon has installed seven cell sites on Disney property so far this year, with two more coming by the end of the year. Don't look though because you will never find them, even the one on top of the Rock and Roller Coaster. They also have repeaters, or mini-antennas inside the convention centers to insure coverage for large events. They are saying all four theme parks should now have a good signal.

 

[manning]

Now only if the others (AT@T for one) will do the same.

 

[one_cat]

My AT&T phone worked great there though Nextel and Verizon are awful. My wifes sprint seems to do passable. I imagine with all the people and all the cell phones on, bandwidth must be an issue too.

 

[mickeymule]

The only place I had any problems with my Nextel was inside WL and at Fort Wilderness near my dads camper. Outside of that, I had no issues at all.

 

[ccotis]

We were at WDW 3 weeks ago and noticed a crane parked next to the Contemporary. I asked aCM what was happening and he told me that Nextel was putting an antenna on top of the CR.

 

[greenhornet]

I had a good signal all over the park. I guess disney relaying heavly on nextel this would be why.

 

[mitros]

Our son uses Nextell, and he was able to converse with another family member back in NJ from inside the Malestrom ride at Epcot. We use Alltel and seem to get get decent reception most places on property except in elevators for some reason.

 

[rcraw45425]

I used my Nextel constantly while staying at the CR in June. I was usually calling WDW Dine for PS's, no issues there. We also used the 2 way a good bit, actually ran into good friends while in line for BTM, looked down and there they were. We were constantly 2waying each other from then on. Hope they are putting an antenna up, make it better!

 

[jxgriffi]

Originally posted by mickeymule
I have Nextel and had hardly any issues at WDW I was also fine in WL, dunno why. As for the battery drain, when you are in an Analog zone you draw more power and when you are out of service area, the phone is constantly searching for a signal so the battery will drain quite quickly.

Wanted to jump into this one...I used to have Sprint until I went to WDW! I think everyone else has covered this...

That's when I switched to Nextel and I'll give you the reason why...with all of the construction, there are usually "portable" Nextel towers in various backstage locations because both WDI and most of the contractors use Nextel to communicate. With the portable towers, they can be hidden much easier, but there are more of them around the property. They also are temporary and can be moved around depending on the construction project.

Hope that helps answer your question as to why your reception is pretty good!