Has The AT&T Cellular/Data Service At The Fort Improved Lately?

[bama_ed]

All,

I am about to do a serious cell phone upgrade for the family and I remembered that this past summer AT&T picked up the Disney service in the theme parks.

Link: AT&T becomes the official wireless provider for the_Disney theme parks

Since I have AT&T service, I wondered if any of you had noticed an improvement in the cell/data coverage at the Fort. My experience at the Fort had been that the voice coverage was okay and the data coverage with AT&T had been thin. But that was before the announcement.

So, for those of you who might have been at the Fort recently with AT&T service:

1. Did you notice a change/improvement in cell/data service at the Fort?
2. Any "4g" coverage or improved upload/download/connectivity speeds?
3. In the parks is there WIFI or improved data connectivity? That had been REALLY poor in my experience pre-announcement.

The announcement above came out in July 2013 so it may be too soon yet to see a change. But I was just wondering.

Thanks in advance,

Bama Ed

PS - I'm an Android guy and am leaning toward the Samsung Galaxy line for my upgrade. Pro/con comments are welcome. (Don't say Apple iPhone - won't happen).

 

[SinceDay1]

It seemed much better when we were there last week, not sure how it will be on more crowded days like summer, but I did notice an increase in coverage and my data service was faster too. As for phones, well I am only going to say since I use Apple, I can't comment on the others. But, there are some that have caught my eye that aren't Apple, so I hope others chime in.

Richard

 

[tiggerdad]

I've been an Android user for as long as I can remember, while my wife turned to the Darkside last year and changed to an i phone. I haven't had any issues with the droid, but I have considered the Galaxy as well should I ever decide to change.
As far as the parks go, I can't help you there since I haven't been since 2012 and won't make it back til 2014.

Sent from my Desire HD using DISBoards

 

[Judique]

All,

I am about to do a serious cell phone upgrade for the family and I remembered that this past summer AT&T picked up the Disney service in the theme parks.

Link: AT&T becomes the official wireless provider for the_Disney theme parks

Since I have AT&T service, I wondered if any of you had noticed an improvement in the cell/data coverage at the Fort. My experience at the Fort had been that the voice coverage was okay and the data coverage with AT&T had been thin. But that was before the announcement.

So, for those of you who might have been at the Fort recently with AT&T service:

1. Did you notice a change/improvement in cell/data service at the Fort?
2. Any "4g" coverage or improved upload/download/connectivity speeds?
3. In the parks is there WIFI or improved data connectivity? That had been REALLY poor in my experience pre-announcement.

The announcement above came out in July 2013 so it may be too soon yet to see a change. But I was just wondering.

Thanks in advance,

Bama Ed

PS - I'm an Android guy and am leaning toward the Samsung Galaxy line for my upgrade. Pro/con comments are welcome. (Don't say Apple iPhone - won't happen).

Ok...not sure if my answer will help you or not, but here goes.

First, I am a Virgin Mobile user and I have an HTC EVO 4G phone.

I am here now and have been in and out of all the parks.

I am using the My Disney Experience app.

I've repeatedly tried to first use the Disney wifi in the parks. It is slow and doesn't always connect. I then switch my settings to my Mobile Network and don't have a problem.

I was walking behind some people in line yesterday as I was doing an attraction and he kept telling his companion that the APP was down . I had just tried the Disney wifi at the time and it wouldn't work. My mobile network was working fine and I was busy changing my next fastpass+, so I could eat earlier. So I figured it was a coverage problem....or maybe it was his iphone.

My immediate family has 3 samsung galaxy 3's, 1 iphone 5, and my htc evo (which is nearing the end of what I consider it's useful life). The Samsung Galaxy's are awesome!

And my disney experience and fastpass+ are also awesome right now. Not so sure about the future when every guest can use the same resource...I imagine it will be much less effective once the number of users are increased. But for a trip right now - it's amazing.

 

[jbrostek]

I have found that depending on where in the park and overall client load that park wifi is sporadic. My hope is that improves over time, but its a big investment. If I have wifi issues, then I drop it and stick to cellular.

 

[bama_ed]

Thanks for the feedback so far folks. Bama Ed

 

[jhomuth]

I can't comment on the service, as I haven't been since 2011 (but going back in 2 weeks!!!)

I have AT&T and had the Galaxy S2 Skyrocket. I LOVED it. Love it. Until I left it on the back bumper of my truck, drove off, and it went crashing to the ground. Screen looked like fireworks went off inside it. I put a piece of packing tape over it to protect my fingers, and aside from being hard to look at, it still worked. But the phone function didn't work properly, so I had to get a new phone. The S3 had just come out, so I went with that thinking new=better. I was wrong. I haven't loved my S3 like I loved my Skyrocket. It is a bit slower, locks up, didn't like the change in buttons, etc. I don't dislike it enough to move away from Samsung though. It's still a great phone, just not as good as the Skyrocket. I have no idea how the S4 is though. I'm not eligible for an upgrade for another year, so I'll probably be getting an S5 by then lol.

I'm with you, i-Anything is absolutely out of the question. I had an iphone before my Skyrocket. HATED it. HATED iTunes. HATED everything about that phone.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) The computer Cable & Wireless service provider changed to AT&T.
. . . AT&T replaces Verizon as the Official Disney Carrier
. . . most cellulars have been changed to AT&T
. . . but, still many CM' will retain their Verizon cellulars, maybe forever
2) The wiring and infrastructure remains the same.
3) There was no upgrade in the service level or bandwidth.
4) Thus, speed still depends upon the number of people using WiFi.
. . . we were hoping for a MAJOR speed upgrade
. . . we were also hoping for a BIG FAT PAY INCREASE
. . . many of us were also hoping for more hair on our head and smaller waistlines
5) None of which have come to pass.

NOTE: If coming and you have a phone with Internet, might be good to use it. It
does seem like Verizon still gets the best cellular service bars and reception.