MDE on iPhone 5s

[Joe Arkansas]

I have an older iPhone 5S. I have been playing around with the My Disney Experience app, and it seems kind of clunky ... slow to load, etc.

Is this a function of my older phone? Does the app (or the site) tend to work better on newer phones? Is it time for me to upgrade?

I have also noticed my battery life isn't what it used to be. How often is that a problem for folks in the parks, with older phones or otherwise?

 

[FCDub]

5S is an old phone. That's likely your issue.

 

[Robo]

I have an older iPhone 5S. I have been playing around with the My Disney Experience app, and it seems kind of clunky ... slow to load, etc.

1. Is this a function of my older phone?
2.Does the app (or the site) tend to work better on newer phones?
3. Is it time for me to upgrade?

I have also noticed my battery life isn't what it used to be.
4. How often is that a problem for folks in the parks, with older phones or otherwise?

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Past time
4. Frequently

 

[greg9x]

I have also noticed my battery life isn't what it used to be. How often is that a problem for folks in the parks, with older phones or otherwise?

Depends on him much you use your phone... But I burn through battery more quickly at Disney than anywhere else. Always checking FP's, maps, line waits, taking pictures, etc.
If you use it like that, an old battery will be dead in a few hours.
A new phone would be better.. at least will probably need a portable charger.

 

[DisneyOma]

Depends on him much you use your phone... But I burn through battery more quickly at Disney than anywhere else. Always checking FP's, maps, line waits, taking pictures, etc.
If you use it like that, an old battery will be dead in a few hours.
A new phone would be better.. at least will probably need a portable charger.

Maps? I wouldn't waste battery on maps. But between MDE and photos my 5S last about half the day, then it gets a boost from my portable charger. I charge both overnight, and between the two I'm good for 10-12 hours in the parks. MDE wasn't too sluggish on my phone, but we liked the option of a FP kiosk now and then, especially when we were taking it easy. It also helps to have everyone access the app, so one person doesn't have to drain the battery/stare at the phone all the time.

 

[Balthuszar]

they also sell battery chargers in several of the shops around property...called fuel rods...you buy one for 30 dollars, it comes fully charged and i believe the connecting cables for a variety of phones, and as you go through it you just find another dispenser and exchange it for no further fee

 

[dlavender]

I have an older iPhone 5S. I have been playing around with the My Disney Experience app, and it seems kind of clunky ... slow to load, etc.

Is this a function of my older phone? Does the app (or the site) tend to work better on newer phones? Is it time for me to upgrade?

I have also noticed my battery life isn't what it used to be. How often is that a problem for folks in the parks, with older phones or otherwise?

I just went to the 8 from my 5s two weeks ago.

Couldn't believe how much better MDE was in the parks last weekend with it.

And my battery lasted all day without a charger vs lunch time with the 5s.

 

[scard192]

last trip I had an older Samsung phone that could not run the MDE app. I used the website and was able to do everything I needed to do.

I have an Anker charger that is great for charging phones. They may be on sale next week on Prime Day. We lost power at home for 36 hours last March and cell phones in my house never went dead.

it wasn't in my budget to upgrade a phone for a 7 day vacation.

 

[Gehrig1B]

You can purchase a portable 10000 mAh External Battery for under $30 with enough power to recharge an iPhone 3+ times. And yes, you need a new phone.... although Apple may very well replace your very old battery for a minimal fee.

 

[greg9x]

Maps? I wouldn't waste battery on maps.

Eh, the maps in the app are handy at times. Been a few times, but still don't know the parks completely from memory.
Yeah, can use the paper guide maps.. But sometimes a pain to find what your looking for, where it is in the map (having to keep referencing the attraction numbers to figure out what is what), then best route to get there. With the app just select where you want from list and the route there pops up, and will even navigate there if you want.

 

[Joe Arkansas]

Thanks for the great responses everybody!

 

[married2mm]

I have a 5s and have experienced loading issues
The battery life is still great tho-so I'm keeping for now...
Kids tell me it's not cool

 

[Robo]

I have a 5s and have experienced loading issues
The battery life is still great tho-so I'm keeping for now...
Kids tell me it's not cool

You would not believe the other differences between the 5 and even the 7.
The camera, alone, is astounding.

 

[mamapenguin]

I just upgraded from a 5s to an 8 plus. My battery wouldn’t have stood a chance on the old phone and it was SLOW. At DLR right now and I’m so glad I upgraded. Max pass would’ve killed my battery. We are headed to WDW in 3 weeks and my old phone started randomly shutting off at 23%. No one needs phone issues when traveling. I would recommend upgrading if you can.

 

[DisneyOma]

You can purchase a portable 10000 mAh External Battery for under $30 with enough power to recharge an iPhone 3+ times. And yes, you need a new phone.... although Apple may very well replace your very old battery for a minimal fee.

Nope, not replacing my 5s until it dies completely. I'm not into the 'upgrade or die' mentality that is US consumerism, LOL! My phone wrks for what I need it to do, and I'm not one to be glued to it constantly either.

Eh, the maps in the app are handy at times. Been a few times, but still don't know the parks completely from memory.
Yeah, can use the paper guide maps.. But sometimes a pain to find what your looking for, where it is in the map (having to keep referencing the attraction numbers to figure out what is what), then best route to get there. With the app just select where you want from list and the route there pops up, and will even navigate there if you want.

Oh, this just makes me laugh! Using GPS to get around a theme park, it's so silly. Look at a map, get an idea where you are going, put away the map, go there.

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

I have an older iPhone 5S. I have been playing around with the My Disney Experience app, and it seems kind of clunky ... slow to load, etc.

Is this a function of my older phone? Does the app (or the site) tend to work better on newer phones? Is it time for me to upgrade?

I have also noticed my battery life isn't what it used to be. How often is that a problem for folks in the parks, with older phones or otherwise?

I have a 5S too, and after this last app update it’s got even worse. On a chance, I decided to uninstall the app and redownload it. After it reinstalled its working so much better! Try that and see how it works. As for battery life, I have one of the battery sticks I use when in park to recharge. Hope that helps.

 

[fla4fun]

Nope, not replacing my 5s until it dies completely. I'm not into the 'upgrade or die' mentality that is US consumerism, LOL! My phone wrks for what I need it to do, and I'm not one to be glued to it constantly either.

I was using a 4S and it worked well enough for me. It did have a battery replacement a couple years ago. However, the person who gave me the hand me down 4S upgraded to the X this year and now I have a hand me down 6S, also with a new battery and a battery case for recharging. I may not have the latest and greatest, but I am happy with my “upgrade”. Prior to the 4S I used a very old Nokia non-smartphone, and it did what I needed it to. I don’t spend a lot of time on my phone unless I am on vacation. Otherwise it’s basically for emergencies. I don’t even have a data plan

If you can find someone who doesn’t need to trade in their old phone to upgrade, it can be a win win. Looking forward to using my new phone in the parks next month!