Hi all, just back

[Pootle]

We use virgin mobiles and top up every 3 months with $20 and this keeps the phones activated and we then have plenty of credit when we arrive

So that's $120 a year, right? Is that for 2 or per phone? The Tracfone 12 month deal is $99.99 with 400 airtime minutes. I'd had the same problem as Obi and because of my transatlantic 'needs' in 2008, decided that the annual deal was the best one.

May need to re-think this when it expires at the start of 2009 though.

Alas it seems like a convenient way is to buy a new phone (K-Mart had them for $9.99 last month) and a cheap top-up, say 60 airtime minutes for $19.99.

Don't like the idea of throwing away a perfectly good phone though.

 

[lawlesslovewdw]

So that's $120 a year, right? Is that for 2 or per phone? The Tracfone 12 month deal is $99.99 with 400 airtime minutes. I'd had the same problem as Obi and because of my transatlantic 'needs' in 2008, decided that the annual deal was the best one.

May need to re-think this when it expires at the start of 2009 though.

Alas it seems like a convenient way is to buy a new phone (K-Mart had them for $9.99 last month) and a cheap top-up, say 60 airtime minutes for $19.99.

Don't like the idea of throwing away a perfectly good phone though.

Sorry figure quoted was wrong it is $180 per year for 2 phone to keep them working never worked out how many minutes but dh uses his for work back home and i call home every other day (parents are disabled and worry about us ) plus we call each other and never had to top up other than than keeping the phones going. So we use them primarily for international calls. The only problem we had was dialling home the first time - took me 3 days to realise that 0044 wasnt going to work as they are american phones Also means that everyone has us mobile numbers to hand in case of an emergency and work clients have alternative numbers again in case of emergency. We purchased ours at dtd with dvc disount I think we paid about $20 each plus free airtime, you do need to register them on the internet, and give a US address (just used hotel address well dvc is our second home also register first phone then use them as recommendation when registering 2nd phone and you both receive free airtime We travel over on average twice a year and they have never let us down, (however charging to talk time isnt great batteries do need charging daily)

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Will have to rely on the character buffets for that then!!

We did Ohana and that was busy as well.
Though Pluto was hilarious (kept trying to steal little 'uns sausage from his plate!)

 

[jockey]

Welcome back Obi! The crowd levels sound hectic. We ere at WDW at that time last year and it was quiet - may have to rethink next years trip!

 

[crabbie1]

Welcome back Obi- sorry you had some lows this time.Perhaps people are catching on to the lsee busy times that were and are now taking advantage of it.I am sure you made the best of it though.

 

[disneyholic family]

Hi Obi and welcome back. We use virgin mobiles and top up every 3 months with $20 and this keeps the phones activated and we then have plenty of credit when we arrive How bad were the crowd levels we have booked for 1 - 14th Dec (thinking of extending to 21st)? With all my usual planning this one was an impulse purchase and thanksgiving next year is the week before, and pop warner is on... have i made a terrible mistake?
Sounds as if a good trip was had though

we use virgin mobile phones when we're in the states (i bought them at kmart, but you can get them anywhere - walmart, etc.)

i buy a $90 top up card for each phone when we get to america and that keeps the phone number for an entire year, without having to top it up during the year.

In other words, last year (nov. 2006) i bought a phone and put $90 onto it (which i mostly spent during the time i was there)...
they told me at the time that the $90 would keep the phone number for an entire year (without having to top it up every few months)...

this year (end of october 2007) we went back to the states.
My phone was still working, though i had to top it up again.
and i bought a new phone for my daughter (for $29) and topped it up with $90.

Both phones worked beautifully during our stay. In Detroit, Orlando and Tucson. No problems at all.

 

[Chilly]

Hey Obi looking forward to the trip report.

 

[CHEK]

Glad you had a great time Obi!, can't wait to read more

 

[valb14]

Hi Obi!
We were out on the same flights as you and yes, the return journey was awful! I thought maybe it was just me over-reacting!! Everyone else seemed to be asleep at the back of the plane - HOW???
Anyway, I too thought that universal was quiet, which was fab for us!!
We also waited about an hour for Tigger and friend in MK but that was the longest wait the whole time we were away. Most wait times were 15 minutes or less, except peter pan so we got a fast pass for that!
The very merry xmas party was HORRENDOUS! So busy ! Fireworks were fab though, but not worth the cost of the tickets!!
Weather was fantastic, and prices were cheap!!!
My absolute highlight was the candlelight processional at epcot - WOW!!
We did so much, and had such a great time, we are now looking at when to go next. Maybe January 2009 - christmas crowds should be gone by then!!
Look forward to hearing your report!

 

[epcot1stfave]

welcome back!

i agree about the ignorant americans multiplying...
we saw some really questionable behavior this time around...

for the first time we saw several mothers "forcing" their much too young toddler/babies to stay in attractions that were frightening them so much they were literally screeching in terror.....
it was terrible for the rest of us, but true torture for their own children...
and completely unfathomable behavior...

and the mothers continued to hold their childrens heads, pointed in the direction of the screen/stage/ whatever and say "look" at this that or the other...

i would almost catergorize it as child abuse....really stupid people....

Totally agree. We got back yesterday and one of our lows was having an american woman change a DIRTY nappy only two feet away from us on the monorail from MK to Epcot

 

[mark&sue]

Welcome back. Looking forward to your trip report. Many DISers are reporting the crowds very low at Universal.

Have a great Christmas



susan