ipad/mini or iphone in park?

[swcolleen]

I am an avid iphone user. We are planning a trip for the spring and I keep a lot of stuff synced to it and I am thinking about bringing an ipad mini as an alternative to printing things out or carrying a book. I know I can use my iPhone but I was wondering if anyone else had found it beneficial to bring an ipad or ipad min into the parks? I have heard wifi is spotting but I am not thinking about using it FOR wifi, more as my travel guide book instead of a bunch of papers.

thoughts? experience? opinions???

thanks!

 

[bscheaffer]

You are able to bring in all those devices into the park

 

[swcolleen]

I assumed you could bring those items. I guess my question was more towards have people done this and found it easier or harder than bringing paper? Is info on my phone enough that I don't bed the ipad too? I know they are popular these days and u was curious on other people experience and thoughts.
Thanks for replying

 

[wdwmom0f3]

We have all of those things too but we will only use our phones. The others would drive me crazy, plus they could get broken or stolen. I really think if you do your research ahead of time, a park map will do just fine.

 

[dlo1027]

I do it all the time, I take videos with my ipad.

 

[OKW Lover]

Sure you can bring your iPad/Mini to the parks for reference. Not a problem at all but some practical issues to consider.

• What happens when it rains? Where do you put it to keep it dry and what if you need to refer to it then?
• Is it easier to just pull out a piece of paper then the ipad to access some information?
• If you're thinking of using the ipad as a camera, its going to be very awkward to use in the parks and especially on "dark" rides. Please be considerate of those behind you as well.

 

[Ashlander]

We only ever take our iphones. I think it is plenty. I ususally review the plans for the day in the hotel room but just reference my phone if I need to. I have updated MDE with all of our reservations and things we want to do so it is all ready to go.

 

[swcolleen]

Thanks for the responses.
I always have zip locks ready for bad weather
I dont use it as a camera-I use a real camera or my phone lol

It was more of a thought since when I was there last all I had was a pink flip phone but I did keep my rsvp numbers on it

I think I was more thinking about the fact I can have all my info on it but, and I do this now, I can always have it all on my phone and I have no issue with just using my phone. I guess b/c I am planning to use my phone more of a camera and I know the battery will drain I was thinking about multiple options but I will put the important stuff on my husbands phone too and bring my back up battery-much smaller

Thanks!!!

 

[xipotec]

Smaller the better!

 

[robinb]

We bring both iPhones and our iPad mini into the parks. The mini isn't too big and I like the videos on it better than the ones on the iPhone.

 

[mara512]

Thanks for the responses. I always have zip locks ready for bad weather I dont use it as a camera-I use a real camera or my phone lol It was more of a thought since when I was there last all I had was a pink flip phone but I did keep my rsvp numbers on it I think I was more thinking about the fact I can have all my info on it but, and I do this now, I can always have it all on my phone and I have no issue with just using my phone. I guess b/c I am planning to use my phone more of a camera and I know the battery will drain I was thinking about multiple options but I will put the important stuff on my husbands phone too and bring my back up battery-much smaller Thanks!!!

I have been debating this also but decided I will just take my charger for my iPhone since they have added charging stations.

 

[rachael95]

Instead of bringing a fairly bulky item (even the iPad mini can be bulky when you're walking all day). I'd look into an external battery pack charger for your phone. They're about the size of a deck of cards. You can pre-charge the battery pack, then when you're phone runs low, you can plug your phone into the battery pack to get a charge. Usually you can get at least a 70% charge on those, and usually more. That way, you're not having to sit someplace and hope for a charging station and waste time while your phone charges. You can have your phone charging as you're walking to other things to see.

They're fairly inexpensive and can be used to charge other devices as well, even laptops.

 

[Redbudlover]

Instead of bringing a fairly bulky item (even the iPad mini can be bulky when you're walking all day). I'd look into an external battery pack charger for your phone. They're about the size of a deck of cards. You can pre-charge the battery pack, then when you're phone runs low, you can plug your phone into the battery pack to get a charge. Usually you can get at least a 70% charge on those, and usually more. That way, you're not having to sit someplace and hope for a charging station and waste time while your phone charges. You can have your phone charging as you're walking to other things to see.

They're fairly inexpensive and can be used to charge other devices as well, even laptops.

I'm with Rachael! Bring the external battery pack. They work great. Brought my first ipad with me on EE and poor thing freaked out and died.... Apple replaced it and said that should not have happened, but it must have been sensitive to backwards volition... Second one manages OK but it is heavy! The mini doesn't appeal - I just bring my Iphone and battery pack.

 

[dawnhaze]

I have two battery packs with me and they're lifesavers. I'm a heavy phone user, haha.