iPod touch in the parks

[disneydreamgirl]

I don't have one...yet...but I'm doing my research and of course need to be sure the Disney component of my life is addressed. I've gathered that as long as you are near WiFi, that apps will work however I'd like to be sure of this because someone told me that was the case but that you could not get internet access. Also, I've been told there is no additional cost, ie. monthly plan; I can't wrap my head around this because of the internet capabilities among other things.

Someone set me straight, please...will I be able to use apps while at WDW and how about the internet access?

I feel old.

 

[MsLeFever]

Count me in for wanting to hear these answers and a little BUMP back to the top!

 

[Madi100]

I have a Touch, and I can't think of a single place I could use it in WDW. You have to be someplace that offers free wi-fi. Even is Disney rooms offer Internet, you have to use a cable. While I love my Touch at home, it is worthless in WDW as internet. With an iphone you are paying for Internet service. With a Touch you are connecting to internet service that already is in place.

 

[newdrama12]

I don't have one...yet...but I'm doing my research and of course need to be sure the Disney component of my life is addressed. I've gathered that as long as you are near WiFi, that apps will work however I'd like to be sure of this because someone told me that was the case but that you could not get internet access. Also, I've been told there is no additional cost, ie. monthly plan; I can't wrap my head around this because of the internet capabilities among other things.

Someone set me straight, please...will I be able to use apps while at WDW and how about the internet access?

I feel old.

I have an Ipod Touch. It is true there is no monthly plan at all. A lot of apps will work without WiFi, some do require Wifi though. As for using the apps at WDW, it depends on which ones you want to use. If you are going to use like the apps for the dining, which shows you all of the menus on property or the park maps, you don't need Wifi. If you are wanting to use a Wait Time app, then Wifi will be needed. With all of this said, I have yet to find anywhere in the parks to find Wifi. The price of the apps depends on which ones you want to get. Some are free and I have seen others that are priced to way more than the Ipod touch is worth. If you have any more questions please feel free to ask.

 

[Mrs D]

I am still a new iTouch user and while I love it's certainly got me wishing I could get an iPhone (but I use $20 a month in pay as you go phone service - I could never do the $70 or whatever exorbitant amount AT&T is charging).

You can download any of the apps that are for iPhone or iTouch - however anything that uses a GPS (the running app I was looking forward to) or requires an internet connection (any Disney wait times app) you will need to have access to wi fi.

Let's use my running app as an example. I run in neighborhoods, so there is wifi available, but it's intermittent (as in my neighbors have an unsecured wifi signal but get down the block and I'm no longer getting wifi) and there makes the app almost useless for actual running.

The same would be true of a map/directions apps - no way you'll have a wifi signal while driving down the road at 55 mph.

My understanding is there is no/limited wifi while IN Disney Parks. I believe you can get it in hotel lobbies. My Mom is at the World right now and I have her on a mission to find any wifi hotspots she can. LOL!

I hope helps a little.

 

[Bell30012]

I had my iPod Touch with me on our October 2009 trip. Not a WiFi signal to be found anywhere. This year will be different I'm bringing iPhone and iPad. I wonder if the iPad will fit in room safes.

 

[k5jm]

I have used the I touch all over the parks with the below config.

I need a little back ground music....

The Air card is connected to the...Hot Spot Router,
The Hot Spot Router connects to the Ipod Touch via Wifi...

The aircard has a built in GPS. The router gets the GPS data from the aircard and publishes that info as a "KML" file on the router. The iPOD touch polls the router for the KML file (this is called "location Services" on the iTouch). Since Eticket uses the Google Maps API, Eticket will look for the GPS Port. Since there is location data in that port, ETICKET will display your location as provided by the aircard. This works with SPRINT, Verizon, ATT, and Cricket aircards.

FYI - Did you know that Sprint started as a railroad? Southern Pacific Communications Company

 

[disneydreamgirl]

I knew I could count on you guys to set me straight and to have a solution. This makes so much more sense now and I realize that the iTouch may not be the best tool for me, although I have to agree about the monthly iPhone fees, not sure I'm ready to pay that much...then, add on extra fees I would pay due to being on a Canadian plan, which would surely be added for roaming, etc...

Thanks again, all!

 

[HillPete]

I have a free app called "free wifi finder". According to it, you can get wifi at the Dolphin and at any McDonald's on the planet. I have not tested these theories (I just got my iTouch 3 weeks ago), but they have been right about the free wifi spots in my area. You could try that..

 

[Madi100]

I knew I could count on you guys to set me straight and to have a solution. This makes so much more sense now and I realize that the iTouch may not be the best tool for me, although I have to agree about the monthly iPhone fees, not sure I'm ready to pay that much...then, add on extra fees I would pay due to being on a Canadian plan, which would surely be added for roaming, etc...

Thanks again, all!

I do need to clarify. While you can't use the wi-fi, the apps and ipod part of it still work great. Besides when I am with my DIS friends who are constantly posting pictures with their iphones, I don't missing having wi-fi when I am in the parks. I'm too busy enjoying myself.

 

[Mrs D]

I have used the I touch all over the parks with the below config.

THIS is exactly what I have been wondering about! I KNEW there had to be some way to set up your own signal.

PMing you for a little help!

 

[snoopywoodstockus]

You will see lots of connections pop while you are there, but they are all secure Disney networks and not accessible. We did see that Wide World of Sports has a guest Wi-Fi Connection that you can connect to. We saw it while checking in for the Expedition Everest Challenge last year. There may be some others, but not sure. WWoS does have one though.

 

[mainegal]

Besides when I am with my DIS friends who are constantly posting pictures with their iphones, I don't missing having wi-fi when I am in the parks. I'm too busy enjoying myself.

You have your priorities - I like that!

 

[sc9500]

We should start a fb group -- 'Lets get WiFi in the Parks" ....