Does anyone NOT have a smartphone???

[disneyseniors]

Just wondering? I don't have one. I am guilty of having the old flip phone by tracphone I find that's all I need or want. But it seems you need a special app to get fp+ changed at Disney or for other updates. I was wondering if anyone else felt like they were being "forced" into buying a new smartphone? It's a personal thing with me. Maybe because I am a "senior" and wasn't raised on technology? Anyway, just wondering????

 

[MsThumper]

Just wondering? I don't have one. I am guilty of having the old flip phone by tracphone I find that's all I need or want. But it seems you need a special app to get fp+ changed at Disney or for other updates. I was wondering if anyone else felt like they were being "forced" into buying a new smartphone? It's a personal thing with me. Maybe because I am a "senior" and wasn't raised on technology? Anyway, just wondering????

DH and myself also have tracphones, but one step up from a flip phone, but still not a "smartphone". We each have an IPOD Touch, which if you don't know, are almost like an IPHONE, but without the phone capabilities and much cheaper. We can use the same apps, but don't incur, what I consider for my own needs, ridiculous data plans. We also each have an IPAD. We are also seniors, but we spent 30 years working in the information technology world, so we try to keep up with technology, but at our own pace.

 

[nkereina]

DH and myself also have tracphones, but one step up from a flip phone, but still not a "smartphone". We each have an IPOD Touch, which if you don't know, are almost like an IPHONE, but without the phone capabilities and much cheaper. We can use the same apps, but don't incur, what I consider for my own needs, ridiculous data plans. We also each have an IPAD. We are also seniors, but we spent 30 years working in the information technology world, so we try to keep up with technology, but at our own pace.

iPod Touches are good alternatives for folks without smart phones - easy enough to carry around and will let you access the app. But do keep in mind tha tthe iPod Touch will require it be connected to wifi in order for you to access the apps. Disney offers free wifi throughout, but we found the wifi to be very slow and spotty.

 

[disneyseniors]

Thanks msthumper: We have a kindle fire hd that my husband uses to read, watch movies, etc, or play games. He loves it! I can't see paying the smartphone prices for all those data sites too. Guess I'm either too cheap or don't really feel the need to be connected all the time.! I guess that's what bugs me. I see parents at wdw with children who spend a lot of time looking at their phones instead of looking at the faces of their children as they take in all the wonders of disney I just wish we could put them away for a few hours at least and look at the world, not a screen. I know,, I know, I will get comments about this, but it is just my personal opinion.

 

[mitsguy2001]

I do not have a smart phone, since I refuse to pay the ridiculous prices for a data plan. I am 35 years old, so I'm not a senior.

 

[sunflowerfields]

I don't have a smartphone either. I am 62 yrs. old My daughter gave me a phone which is very basic, but does have texting. The kids are teaching me to text, so I can at least call and communicate with them while I am gone.

I thought about getting a smartphone for my trip, but can't justify the cost. Between my husband and myself we have just one cell phone and I never use it. He uses it to call me from the field etc. which makes me feel secure he is safe. He farms. I personally don't like to use a phone at all, and only feel I need a cell for real emergencies. If I am gone on the road for a day or something my husband makes me take his.

I am coming to Disney next week with my sister. I hope we will be fine without the smartphone...which I am probably not smart enough to figure out anyway! LOL

 

[Aaeolien]

We just upgraded to smartphones. We never did it before because we didn't want to pay the crazy data plan prices. We chose republic wireless and are super happy we did. $10 unlimited talk and text and all the wifi data we want obviously and when we travel to disney or wherever we will upgrade one phone to the data plan for the month which is $25 a month unlimited talk,text, and data. No contracts which is the best part. Saves us a small fortune over our 2 line dumb phone plan we were on with verizon.

 

[ChanFO]

My DH doesn't have a cell phone at all! When he did, it was a "dumb" phone. He barely used it and has said no to any offer to replace it. We are under 35, to give a reference... we are strange folk for our age. I have my smartphone though... it's not as smart as it used to be, though, given that it's several generations of iPhone behind at this point.

 

[disneyseniors]

We just upgraded to smartphones. We never did it before because we didn't want to pay the crazy data plan prices. We chose republic wireless and are super happy we did. $10 unlimited talk and text and all the wifi data we want obviously and when we travel to disney or wherever we will upgrade one phone to the data plan for the month which is $25 a month unlimited talk,text, and data. No contracts which is the best part. Saves us a small fortune over our 2 line dumb phone plan we were on with verizon.

What do you mean by "republic"? We live way up in No. Minnesota close to the Canadian border, and have never heard of republic? We only have those expensive phone services, which we can't afford and don't want all that stuff anyway! Thanks

 

[disneyseniors]

My DH doesn't have a cell phone at all! When he did, it was a "dumb" phone. He barely used it and has said no to any offer to replace it. We are under 35, to give a reference... we are strange folk for our age. I have my smartphone though... it's not as smart as it used to be, though, given that it's several generations of iPhone behind at this point.

You guys are so funny!!!! thanks for the laughs. We did meet another young couple with teenagers!!! who didn't even have a flipphone. They said they were living without one and not missing it. It did seem a little odd for a young family to think that way! go figure

 

[Aaeolien]

What do you mean by "republic"? We live way up in No. Minnesota close to the Canadian border, and have never heard of republic? We only have those expensive phone services, which we can't afford and don't want all that stuff anyway! Thanks

It's a relatively new company that piggybacks on the Sprint network. Not sure what the rules are about posting the link to the website, but if you search Republic Wireless on google it'll pop right up. Their niche is wifi calling when you are on reliable wifi network. So if I am home on my network it'll use that to make the calls via VoIP. And when not in range of a reliable wireless network the phone will use the sprint cell towers. Pretty awesome stuff works great for us.

 

[jerseygal]

Just wondering? I don't have one. I am guilty of having the old flip phone by tracphone I find that's all I need or want. But it seems you need a special app to get fp+ changed at Disney or for other updates. I was wondering if anyone else felt like they were being "forced" into buying a new smartphone? It's a personal thing with me. Maybe because I am a "senior" and wasn't raised on technology? Anyway, just wondering????

If I were you, if you are happy with the tracphone and it meets your needs, don't feel compelled to spend more money on expensive data plans! Consider youself "advanced"..Some seniors won't even carry a cell phone or don't want one because they say that they don't need it! I "convinced" my elderly Dad to carry a cell phone and keep it on him for emergencies, but now that Dad has passed and Mom is alone, she doesn't want one or want to learn how to use it, much to my worry! If her landline goes down for a storm or something or there is a power outage, always nice having a cell phone as alternative! Wish that I could convince her!

Enjoy your trip to WDW!

 

[disneyseniors]

I don't have a smartphone either. I am 62 yrs. old My daughter gave me a phone which is very basic, but does have texting. The kids are teaching me to text, so I can at least call and communicate with them while I am gone.

I thought about getting a smartphone for my trip, but can't justify the cost. Between my husband and myself we have just one cell phone and I never use it. He uses it to call me from the field etc. which makes me feel secure he is safe. He farms. I personally don't like to use a phone at all, and only feel I need a cell for real emergencies. If I am gone on the road for a day or something my husband makes me take his.

I am coming to Disney next week with my sister. I hope we will be fine without the smartphone...which I am probably not smart enough to figure out anyway! LOL

I feel the same way about phones, sunflowers My daughter wants us to get a smartphone so we can keep in touch this November while at WDW. She is afraid we will lose each other and not be able to reach each other. We do have a tracphone. We are staying at separate resorts. I told her we should have a meeting place for each day so if for some reason we lose track of each other, we can meet at a certain time, ie: high noon at fronteerland! I agree I would not be able to figure out a smart phone without my grandkids! Hope you and your sister have a great time at WDW

 

[disneyseniors]

If I were you, if you are happy with the tracphone and it meets your needs, don't feel compelled to spend more money on expensive data plans! Consider youself "advanced"..Some seniors won't even carry a cell phone or don't want one because they say that they don't need it! I "convinced" my elderly Dad to carry a cell phone and keep it on him for emergencies, but now that Dad has passed and Mom is alone, she doesn't want one or want to learn how to use it, much to my worry! If her landline goes down for a storm or something or there is a power outage, always nice having a cell phone as alternative! Wish that I could convince her!

Enjoy your trip to WDW!

thanks, jerseygirl, I needed that My 87 y/o Mom has a cell phone. Great. Wonderful. EXCEPT she never turns it on, and if she does turn it on, she doesn't answer it. Gotta love it

 

[ChanFO]

You guys are so funny!!!! thanks for the laughs. We did meet another young couple with teenagers!!! who didn't even have a flipphone. They said they were living without one and not missing it. It did seem a little odd for a young family to think that way! go figure

Yeah, we are pretty odd to be sure. We're not texters, either, obviously. We're not luddites by any stretch of the imagination (we practically live online!), we just hate the feeling of always being forced to respond whenever a phone beeps! Honestly when we get to our resort, I may just throw my phone in the safe and be done with it.

 

[disneyseniors]

It's a relatively new company that piggybacks on the Sprint network. Not sure what the rules are about posting the link to the website, but if you search Republic Wireless on google it'll pop right up. Their niche is wifi calling when you are on reliable wifi network. So if I am home on my network it'll use that to make the calls via VoIP. And when not in range of a reliable wireless network the phone will use the sprint cell towers. Pretty awesome stuff works great for us.

I'll check it out! Thanks

 

[disneyseniors]

Yeah, we are pretty odd to be sure. We're not texters, either, obviously. We're not luddites by any stretch of the imagination (we practically live online!), we just hate the feeling of always being forced to respond whenever a phone beeps! Honestly when we get to our resort, I may just throw my phone in the safe and be done with it.

oh ChanFO, "throw the phone away" What a great idea We hate the beeping too. It's just nice to not have that around. I usually don't carry my tracphone while at the parks. I don't like to carry a purse either, or backpack. I have a small pouch on a necklace that I put pills in, a few bandaids, ibuprofen, and some dollars. It's all I need, then I put it under my top and it is hidden and out of the way So, keeping it simple is what I try to do. Have a great time at WDW

 

[Jedana]

I don't even have a cell phone.



I'm at home all day. I'm at home all night. Landline works just fine. DS has a cheap $5 cell phone (he wants better, he can save up and pay for it.) DH has an android type cell phone

 

[MsThumper]

iPod Touches are good alternatives for folks without smart phones - easy enough to carry around and will let you access the app. But do keep in mind tha tthe iPod Touch will require it be connected to wifi in order for you to access the apps. Disney offers free wifi throughout, but we found the wifi to be very slow and spotty.

Yes, guess I should have mentioned the need for wifi. Glad Disney installed it in the parks. We have always found the wifi in the parks adequate for our few needs while we were in the parks, but we usually travel during the less busy times of the year.

 

[shoes99]

Just wondering? I don't have one. I am guilty of having the old flip phone by tracphone I find that's all I need or want. But it seems you need a special app to get fp+ changed at Disney or for other updates. I was wondering if anyone else felt like they were being "forced" into buying a new smartphone? It's a personal thing with me. Maybe because I am a "senior" and wasn't raised on technology? Anyway, just wondering????

We are seniors and also have tracfones. I have the newer model that can be a smart phone if I use up more minutes to connect to the internet, but I don't.
Sometimes I feel forced to get a tablet, smartphone, etc. but I don't need one.
When I wanted a FP+ changed I went to the kiosk on my last trip.
I think I can get into the app via facebook on my trusty old laptop which I bring with me when staying in a Disney hotel.