iPhones at Disney

[Queenie]

Has anyone taken an iPhone to WDW recently who could confirm that I have this all correct in my head?!

Hubby and I both have iPhones. I've been researching the wifi at WDW and can see there's a lot both at our hotel and by the looks of it in the parks too, we'd like to use that wifi while we're there.

Am I correct that if we turn off "data roaming" on our phones, that will stop the phone using 3G/4G and mean that any data being processed is via the free wifi so we won't get a big bill? We also use iMessage almost exclusively because everyone in our party also has iPhones. So if we all do that we'll be able to use iMessage for free out there too?

I'm just trying to make sure that I'm not going to get charged a fortune for iMessaging the rest of the group and sending the odd photo to instagram from my phone whilst stood in line when there's free wifi all around me!

Thank you!!

 

[peajay18]

Yes to all that.
As long as you turn off data roaming and ensure your messages are sent as iMessages (you'll need to be connected to wifi) then you'll be fine.

If you are the 3 phone network, then you can contact any UK number, use your data etc as if you where in the UK for that same costs.

 

[Tony Bush]

As we're not on 3 so want to not receive any calls etc whilst away we will put our iphones on flight mode and then just activate wifi. Thus no data or calls but wifi operational for imessages etc.

 

[disneyholic family]

you can also download the whatsApp app - with that you can open a group to communicate as a group..

but yes, be sure to turn OFF data roaming so as not to get a million dollar bill at the end of the trip!!!

 

[cliveywolves]

Just got back yesterday, thats all we did just turn off data roaming and use the free wifi, all messages will go via imessage then and no nasty bills...
Pretty much got WIFI all over our resort AoA and in all the Parks, id say its about 95% coverage not perfect but damn good to have free wifi !!!

 

[zavandor]

WIFI is fine most of the time. But during parades or shows, when a lot of people are in the same place, it might be more difficult to use it.

 

[scoobydooby]

Used wi if fine in May and last summer but beware, there are weak spots. E.g the safari at AK and areas if the resorts. At POR I could get it on one side of the quiet pool but not the other!

 

[RossK]

I would recommend you all download something like Whatsapp and use that over iMessage when abroad. The reason behind this is that if you send an iMessage and either the other person isn't in coverage (wifi or 3G), or you're not in coverage, then the message may be sent as SMS (the green bubbles). Turning off data roaming will not prevent this. This will mean you'll be charged the international rate for sending a text message.

There is no chance of that happening with Whatsapp and that generally works a lot better if you're spending periods in and out of data coverage (and wifi can be patchy, so this is likely!).

Hope that helps and good luck.

 

[thestevied]

Just curious, anyone know if the dolphin/swan have free wifi?

 

[pickers1982]

Whatsapp worked oerfectly for us whilst staying at bc

 

[saintrob]

We've just back and we did a double header of Disneyland California and WDW. I turned data roaming off and put the iphone in flight mode. I do have Whatsapp but didn't use it very often. I found WDW wifi to be very good and much improved from Christmas. There's no free wifi yet in the parks in California but it was good in the Disneyland Hotel. No charge when I've received the bill!

 

[br14n]

I have just got back from wdw and was impressed with wifi, and also got pay as you go 3 SIM cards for me and my wife to have a 'holiday number' always managed to get a good signal using t-mobile and AT&T roaming, called home and each other and used internet via mobile data (on buses where you can't get wifi)

The other benefit is people at home can call you and it cost them no more (and as it's a temp number, you don't get unwanted calls from work etc)

 

[happyj]

We also use wats ap and face time and find the wifi generally excellent. Also with face time you can now call as we'll

 

[ScotScroogeMcDuck]

Just curious, anyone know if the dolphin/swan have free wifi?

Yes, they have free wifi, not the fastest but can skype (just about)!

 

[steel1203]

Hello I hope someone can answer this question if I turn data roaming off on my iPhone can I still use facetime? Want to do this with parents back home . Thanks

 

[Tony Bush]

Yes you can. Face time (both visual and audio only ) works purely on wifi. No phone signal or data required.

Just tested it on my iphone when in flight mode but with wifi turned on.

Tony

 

[steel1203]

Thanks Tony

 

[missnic07]

Yea we facetimed every day at the hotel (Coronado Springs) and once in Hollywood studios, and never had any problems

 

[happyj]

Yes you can using wifi

 

[Queenie]

Thank you everyone, feeling a lot happier about all this now!