Disposable Phones

[Disney_Alli]

Is there anywhere to buy a disposable phone with about 50 or so minutes on it (I won't need many) and the ability to text somewhere along Harbour preferably between the Sheraton Park and DLR...

I was thinking (Hoping? Praying maybe) that the 7/11 would have them but I wanted to see if anyone knew for sure.

TIA!

 

[jacs1234]

I'd like to know if 7/11 have them too. I know you can't buy them through Vons. Maybe a quick taxi ride to Target?

 

[Jen&Trenton]

I was wondering the same thing. With 3 adults and 3 kids it would be really helpful to have two phones to communicate with.

PS I'm from Calgary too!

 

[Disney_Alli]

PS I'm from Calgary too!

That's awesome! Iove finding neighbors on here! When are you heading to Disneyland next?

Has anyone bought phones near DLR?

If no one answers I guess I'll report back in a couple of weeks when I get home.

 

[Jen&Trenton]

That's awesome! Iove finding neighbors on here! When are you heading to Disneyland next?

Has anyone bought phones near DLR?

If no one answers I guess I'll report back in a couple of weeks when I get home.

Going July 10-15. I hope someone has advice for you before you leave!

 

[mama2dutchies]

where are you staying?
A couple blocks west of PPH I see a CVS (drug store) and they usually carry stuff like that.. Also call your hotel, they might know if 711 does.

I'm there the same time, I might be able to pick one up for you since we're driving?

 

[jory29]

We live in Alberta too, and what we do is use our own UNLOCKED GSM (sim card) phones that we use here in Canada daily (you can unlock for around $20 or less at mobileincanada website) and then any sim card should work in your phone. Bell sim cards can be a little iffy in unlocked phones, but anyway, next, we have a sim card from T-mobile that we bought on eBay. Texting with a $15 a month (no contract pay as you go) plan gives unlimited texting in USA between phones, and to send a text to Canada is then 10 cents a min. and receiving texts from Canada is free. On the $15/month plan from T-mobile, the calls from USA to Canada should be around 60 cents a minute, but apparently incoming calls from Canada are free. I was able to use T-mobile pay by the day data, $1.49, and used mousewait application for my android phone. You can top up points for your T-mobile from Canada through pinzoo website. You can also test the sim card from home (Canada) by sending a text, but do NOT use it for any data or phone calls from in Canada as you would be charged for roaming fees. We use our own sim card when still in Canada, and swap out the T-mobile sim card when in the USA and this has worked for us for around the past 4 trips. It is a great idea to have a phone, and super easy to use your own phone if it is a GSM sim card phone and can be unlocked. Sim cards that are activated with around $3.34 air time can be purchased on eBay for around $10 incl. shipping. If you top up with $10 every 90 days you can keep it active until your next trip, or, you can buy a new activation code online if the sim card expires before your next trip.
If you have any questions, ask!!

 

[Jen&Trenton]

WOW! You totally rock! Thanks so much for that advice....AWESOME

 

[jory29]

WOW! You totally rock! Thanks so much for that advice....AWESOME

You are welcome! Also - if you buy a $100 phone card (air time) it has a 365 day expiry date which can be great if you get out a couple of times or more a year, or want to share sim card with friends, etc.

 

[DisneyLovin]

I remember going to the 7/11 to pick up some drinks and the people in front of me were buying cell phones. I'm not sure if they have a huge supply or anything but I know they have had them before. Maybe a good back up incase the unlocking doesn't work or something. Enjoy your trip!

 

[candygirlIRE]

We are in Alberta too!!

Last time we were in the US we bought a pay-as-you-go phone at Target (you can buy them online and have them sent to your hotel) and activate them online via your own computer or the hotels. We really ended up only using the free card that came with it, but most companies had options of how much to top-up.

I *think* we can reactivate ours when we go back next time. I think we do it online (from what I've read).


I would be interested in hearing more about how to unlock our Canadian phones though... I think we'd be better off buying a US sim card and just use our own phones (has all our numbers etc in it). Where would you buy a SIM card in the US?

Thanks!!

 

[mama2dutchies]

We are in Alberta too!!

Last time we were in the US we bought a pay-as-you-go phone at Target (you can buy them online and have them sent to your hotel) and activate them online via your own computer or the hotels. We really ended up only using the free card that came with it, but most companies had options of how much to top-up.

I *think* we can reactivate ours when we go back next time. I think we do it online (from what I've read).


I would be interested in hearing more about how to unlock our Canadian phones though... I think we'd be better off buying a US sim card and just use our own phones (has all our numbers etc in it). Where would you buy a SIM card in the US?

Thanks!!

You can probably go right to AT&T and buy a "gophone" sim card w/o the phone... you can reactivate sim cards, you can probably go to whereever the manufacturer's website and there is a FAQ about it You will probably get a new number though

 

[Disney_Alli]

Thanks for all the info about unlocking phones... The only problem is that I have an iPhone and I like the warranty I paid a lot of money for and I'm pretty sure it's not valid if I unlock my phone

where are you staying?
A couple blocks west of PPH I see a CVS (drug store) and they usually carry stuff like that.. Also call your hotel, they might know if 711 does.

I'm there the same time, I might be able to pick one up for you since we're driving?

I'm staying at the Sheraton Park... I saw a post about picking one up at Target. There's one not too much farther down Harbour. If the 7/11 doesn't have one I guess I'll try over there.

I don't want to ship a phone to my hotel if I don't have to and really if I sent 2-3 texts on my phone it won't kill me to pay that bill I just won't make any phone calls.

 

[candygirlIRE]

When we bought ours at the Target there were LOADS of choices, different prices etc

If there's a Target near to where you'll be then I would do that over 711, as 711 will have less options.

 

[smile4stamps]

Thanks for all the info about unlocking phones... The only problem is that I have an iPhone and I like the warranty I paid a lot of money for and I'm pretty sure it's not valid if I unlock my phone




I'm staying at the Sheraton Park... I saw a post about picking one up at Target. There's one not too much farther down Harbour. If the 7/11 doesn't have one I guess I'll try over there.

I don't want to ship a phone to my hotel if I don't have to and really if I sent 2-3 texts on my phone it won't kill me to pay that bill I just won't make any phone calls.

Do you have to pay roaming if you have it on? You might try the app "text now". You can send free text messages over Wifi or the 3G connection....

 

[mama2dutchies]

Usually we do the same thing if we are international, we text. I figure at $.25/text it takes a lot to make up having to buy a new phone or refills.



Good luck!