iPhone Tips/Apps for Disney

[noogagirl]

This will be my first trip carrying around my baby (aka my iPhone). No, I'm not that obsessed with it, but since it did cost so much I'm protecting that thing like it is a baby. I've already downloading a WDW Wait Time app (not sure if this will work or not) and the WDW Dining app. I typed in all of my ADRs and am excited to have easy access to the menus to show the rest of our group. I also have the Toy Story Mania app - which is awesome! - to pass the time in lines.

Are there any other apps I need? I have all of the basics like FB, Twitter, Flickr etc that I use on a daily basis anyways. I'll be uploading photos and documenting our trip through those.

 

[Danauk]

I love my iphone too, I used it quite a bit at WDW. The only other apps I have are the upoint maps for all the parks and DTD which I find useful.

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Okay, I don't have an iphone, so I can't help you directly. But you really need to read this trip report, by PrincessV. She titled it "There's an App for That" and each day she talks about a different helpful app that she used on her trip. Plus, its really funny!

 

[rita s]

Noogagirl - Let us know how the wait times app works. My son programs iphone aps ('WDW Park Hours' is his) but he's never tried a wait list app. He fears that everyone wants the data but few are willing to input data so info isn't accurate and the software would get the blame. If that's true there won't be a good wait time ap until Disney creates and enters data.They could just have the college program kids who run the rides input data every so often. It would be such a hit with iphone and itouch users too.
My favorite ap (besides my son's) is the DVC point calculator. Helps me plan for future trips. A person should always be on vacation or planning a vacation. This and late January are the best times to visit. No crowds, great weather. Wish I was there.
....Danuak, What's the DTD app? I never heard of it? What does it do?

 

[noogagirl]

I love my iphone too, I used it quite a bit at WDW. The only other apps I have are the upoint maps for all the parks and DTD which I find useful.

I was thinking about getting the map app too. That's not a free one, right? Just trying to spread out my app purchases so DH doesn't freak out.

Okay, I don't have an iphone, so I can't help you directly. But you really need to read this trip report, by PrincessV. She titled it "There's an App for That" and each day she talks about a different helpful app that she used on her trip. Plus, its really funny!

Thanks for the link to the TR! I'll definitely check that out.

Noogagirl - Let us know how the wait times app works. My son programs iphone aps ('WDW Park Hours' is his) but he's never tried a wait list app. He fears that everyone wants the data but few are willing to input data so info isn't accurate and the software would get the blame. If that's true there won't be a good wait time ap until Disney creates and enters data.They could just have the college program kids who run the rides input data every so often. It would be such a hit with iphone and itouch users too.
My favorite ap (besides my son's) is the DVC point calculator. Helps me plan for future trips. A person should always be on vacation or planning a vacation. This and late January are the best times to visit. No crowds, great weather. Wish I was there.
....Danuak, What's the DTD app? I never heard of it? What does it do?

Yes, I'm anxious to see how accurate the wait time app is. We're going with a large group that can split up to actually verify the wait times, but I'm really hoping the app works or a working one is developed. I love having access to so much information at my fingertips. It gets addicting sometimes though!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Yeah, definitely let us know how this works out. I REALLY want to get an iphone, I just can't justify the extra monthly cost right now. But maybe... in time for our next trip. I'll see if I can convince hubby!

 

[noogagirl]

Yeah, definitely let us know how this works out. I REALLY want to get an iphone, I just can't justify the extra monthly cost right now. But maybe... in time for our next trip. I'll see if I can convince hubby!

Well, my husband and I just switched from Verizon (where we each had a Blackberry) to AT&T. The bill for the Blackberrys was outrageous too b/c of the mandatory data plan. Those phones sucked, and we figured out it was cheaper to buy 2 new iPhones and pay the Verizon cancellation fee than buy 2 new phones at Verizon. We didn't qualify for any early renewal pricing yet.

The bill will be high w/ an iPhone but you will have access to SO many apps and information that are both convenient and good for productivity. Mostly...haha.

 

[CallMeKel77]

Great thread! I was wondering what Disney aps were out there for the iPhone

 

[jkuglin]

Great thread! Looking forward to trying some of these.

 

[mrsannb]

Is there free Wi Fi at WDW for Ipod touch users?

 

[noogagirl]

Is there free Wi Fi at WDW for Ipod touch users?

Nothing is free at WDW! (That's my usual answer to DH). I think the only free place to get free wi-fi is at McDonald's?? Don't quote me on that though.

 

[rogerwillson]

Hi...
For the iPhone the internet wireless connection is there??? Actually i am looking for the system... Thanks for sharing

 

[noogagirl]

Hi...
For the iPhone the internet wireless connection is there??? Actually i am looking for the system... Thanks for sharing

Well, for the iPhone you just use the 3G network for internet access. However, that really sucks the battery life down. You'll just be charging your phone more often. The iPod Touch can only connect using wireless internet access. It doesn't have the 3G network on it.

 

[mrsannb]

Nothing is free at WDW! (That's my usual answer to DH). I think the only free place to get free wi-fi is at McDonald's?? Don't quote me on that though.

You've been quoted.

Is wi-fi offered at the resorts? (Wilderness Lodge?)

 

[noogagirl]

You can pay for wi-fi in any of the resorts. I think it's $9.95 or $14.95/24 hours of use. If you are staying DVC, I think it's free but you're technically using points to pay for it.

I did find this link where you might be able to find free wi-fi spots in the spots. Looks like they are near guest relations/front of the parks. And they're probably not "secure" connections.

http://www.squidoo.com/Wifi-Walt-Disney-World

 

[noogagirl]

You can pay for wi-fi in any of the resorts. I think it's $9.95 or $14.95/24 hours of use. If you are staying DVC, I think it's free but you're technically using points to pay for it.

I did find this link where you might be able to find free wi-fi spots in the spots. Looks like they are near guest relations/front of the parks. And they're probably not "secure" connections.

http://www.squidoo.com/Wifi-Walt-Disney-World

 

[disney_teen]

Hey. I just wanted to comment that wi-fi is not free in the parks or resorts nor is there connection for the iphone. You have to use the 3G network. You have to go to the front desk and pay for a cable to connect to your computer. The only place that you can get free wi-fi is at the McDonalds. Hope this helps!

 

[mickey1717]

The free WDW Wait Time is a great app if for nothing else than getting that occasional Disney "fix". It does provide a tab called Recent Times so you can see when times were updated. 99 days 15 hours an 18 minutes from the time of this post I'll be putting it to the test

 

[rita s]

You can still use some aps without wireless access. For example if you connect to 'WDW Park Hours' it'll download 90 days worth of park hours that you can then access without reconnecting so you can use the info when you don't have a wireless connection. The down side is that the info is only as up to date as your last hook up. This approach is also used by people from outside of the US where they don't have unlimited data access. Lots of aps work this way. Before you buy the ap read the description - this kind of stuff should be clearly spelled out in the description....
On a related note - did you notice - there's a new FREE ap for Disney wait times. It was just released today so I haven't tried it out yet. Free works for me! I wonder how they are able to make any money. Maybe there are ads.
I just noticed that there are free books and audiobooks too that could be sync'd before leaving home. The Treasure Island free audiobook would be great to keep the kids occupied on the air plane or in the car. The poster who talked about the battery life is right though... Don't forget your charger. You'll need it.

 

[HLAuburn]

So I'm a little confused...I just got an iPhone and we're going to DW in Nov. Will I be able to use the apps in the parks? I guess I'll be on the 3G rather than WiFi - but can you get a 3G signal in the parks?

Also, I'm looking for good ways to take advantage of my iPhone in the parks. I have MouseMemo, wait times, and park maps. Any other helpful apps I could use on the trip?

Thanks!