MDE & Fast Pass+. Anyone else feel like a 2nd class guest?

[PanamaMike]

Yes, I've booked FPs for my upcoming trip but I will be unable to modify them at the parks without finding a kiosk or check wait times for the Haunted Mansion when I'm standing in Tomorrowland.

Why?

I don't own a smartphone.

I know I belong to a dying breed but I can't be the only one.

Anybody else in the same boat?

 

[nco91590]

You can do just about everything through a smart phone nowadays and pretty much every company in the US allows you to take care of business through an app/mobile site. I don't think Disney is trying to alienate customers, but make things easier in the digital age.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

You can buy a cheap prepaid one for less that $50, never activate it, and use park wifi, problem solved!

 

[Jupiter&Wolfe]

Recently had to downgrade when my iphone crapped out on me out of nowhere. Not exactly the same boat as you but right now I am the owner of a flip phone til my upgrade kicks in! Hoping I can afford the difference even with the upgrade before my Disney trip otherwise we WILL be in the same boat!

Does anyone in your family have a smartphone? Total bummer, I'm sorry. Disney is racing to stay ahead of the technology curve and leaving everyone else in the dust.

Is there a particular reason you don't have a smart phone? You can get a fairly cheap LG that is pretty bare bones but will support MDE for just over $100, if you wanted to upgrade.

EDIT to add PP had a great idea with the prepaid phone. something to consider!

 

[CAS239]

You really should look into getting one.

Or even if you don't want a smartphone, another great option would be buying an iTouch. Either brand new or cheap off eBay. You could use that just like an iPhone while on Disneys wifi and get new FP's, modify them, play games, check email, etc.

 

[AngiTN]

You can buy a cheap prepaid one for less that $50, never activate it, and use park wifi, problem solved!

Or an use iTouch if you happen to have one of those. Or can get an used one

 

[kj2mom]

It doesn't have to be smartphone, it can be an ipod with Wifi capability or a tablet (some of them are pretty small and portable).

How were you able to check the wait times from a different location previously? Would you prefer Disney not to have the option at all? I am a little thrown off by that part of your post.

ETA: Sorry I was slower than the above posters, didn't mean to repeat just their posts weren't there when I opened my reply box.

 

[smallworldnh]

Yes, I've booked FPs for my upcoming trip but I will be unable to modify them at the parks without finding a kiosk or check wait times for the Haunted Mansion when I'm standing in Tomorrowland.

Why?

I don't own a smartphone.

I know I belong to a dying breed but I can't be the only one.

Anybody else in the same boat?

It took me awhile but I finally broke down and got my first smartphone last year. I had the Disney app on it but they've since upgraded it and now my android is no longer compatible with it. My only alternative is to upgrade my phone (which I don't want to do) or use the Disney website and access MDE from there. I hope using it in the parks won't be an issue since I don't have the app!

I have to say though that now that I have one, I don't know what I did without one in the past!

 

[AngiTN]

It took me awhile but I finally broke down and got my first smartphone last year. I had the Disney app on it but they've since upgraded it and now my android is no longer compatible with it. My only alternative is to upgrade my phone (which I don't want to do) or use the Disney website and access MDE from there. I hope using it in the parks won't be an issue since I don't have the app!

I have to say though that now that I have one, I don't know what I did without one in the past!

Don't worry, you are at an advantage actually. The app is pretty awful. I use the website 9 out of 10 times anyway.

 

[kj2mom]

It took me awhile but I finally broke down and got my first smartphone last year. I had the Disney app on it but they've since upgraded it and now my android is no longer compatible with it. My only alternative is to upgrade my phone (which I don't want to do) or use the Disney website and access MDE from there. I hope using it in the parks won't be an issue since I don't have the app!

I have to say though that now that I have one, I don't know what I did without one in the past!

No worries, I found going through a browser much more efficient than using the app.

ETA: Eeeek @AngiTN I did it again, so sorry!

 

[4GoofyCrew]

While we aren't in that boat, I completely understand. We were just talking about that the other day and how, if certain family members went, they'd be at a huge disadvantage by not having a smartphone.

That being said, it isn't only a disadvantage at Disney. They'd also be at a disadvantage with many other technology based things involving travel (maps, GPS, airline checkin). Still completely doable without a smartphone, just more difficult. It is a personal choice to not have a smartphone, or any phone for that matter. The pros and cons have to be weighed out before making that decision.

 

[PanamaMike]

You can do just about everything through a smart phone nowadays and pretty much every company in the US allows you to take care of business through an app/mobile site. I don't think Disney is trying to alienate customers, but make things easier in the digital age.

Yep. Not debating that smartphones are the new norm.

Or even if you don't want a smartphone, another great option would be buying an iTouch.

You can get a fairly cheap LG that is pretty bare bones but will support MDE for just over $100, if you wanted to upgrade.

You can buy a cheap prepaid one for less that $50, never activate it, and use park wifi, problem solved!

All of the above options require that I purchase something I don't have a need for otherwise.

How were you able to check the wait times from a different location previously? Would you prefer Disney not to have the option at all? I am a little thrown off by that part of your post.

My point is it used to be nobody was able to check wait times from across the park (unless you were near one of the tip boards) so it was the same for everyone. Is the new system better? Absolutely.

I think it's GREAT that Disney has all these new features available for guests and they have obviously taken into account that some people will need the kiosks by the very fact that they have the kiosks.

I was merely wondering if there were any other Luddites out there.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Luddite discussion being moved to TP Comm.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Luddite here. I used my son's old ipod. Heck, he hasn't used it since he got an ipad, so why not? It worked great. Would I have been okay without it? Yes. But it added to the fun to check times on rides and know that the one we just got off doubled it's wait time from when we were in line.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

I was merely wondering if there were any other Luddites out there.

Luddite= a choice
It doesn't make you a second class citizen if you are choosing not to use the tech. Anyone going to WDW can certainly afford to buy a $50 phone, tablet, or ipod to use. It isn't a class issue. I don't see it an unfair or unequal.

 

[nco91590]

Yep. Not debating that smartphones are the new norm.

You're right...it's not a debate. So what is your real question then? You said you feel like a 2nd class guest because you have to stand in line for additional FP's that you would otherwise be able to get on MDE with a smartphone you are not interested in getting. How is Disney NOT serving the needs of people without smartphones?

 

[bumbershoot]

Not exactly the same boat as you but right now I am the owner of a flip phone til my upgrade kicks in!

Please check with your provider to make sure they are still doing free upgrades. Not all are.

 

[smallworldnh]

Don't worry, you are at an advantage actually. The app is pretty awful. I use the website 9 out of 10 times anyway.

Good to know!