mobile phones at wdw

[vanessat]

We would like to use our mobile phones while in wdw, by using local sim cards in our tri-band phones, as it is much cheaper than international roaming. Where near wdw would it be possible to purchase sim cards for pre-paid / pay as you go calls; which stores usually sell them? Are there any shops selling these at the MCO airport? Which phone company would you recommend using?

 

[waspnest]

Good luck. I know that when dh went to get a prepaid account he had to get a whole phone, they wouldn't give him just the sim (this was with Cingular). But I'm not in the Orlando area, so maybe someone closer to there or who has visited recently can give you more help.

 

[QT Pooh]

Hi Vanessat,

There are currently only two companies in the US that provide GSM services and that would offer you a SIM card - T-Mobile and Cingular. I'm not sure of their availability in the Orlando area, but I'm pretty sure they have these cards available through their website. You may want to investigate that avenue.

 

[feefreehosting]

Cingular offers SIM cards for $10-$15 on subscription plans, as for prepaid? I don't know.

gophone . com is the cingular prepaid website, calling their customer support may be the best option for you.

SIM cards though are often $15/ea, and special phones are $29.99 ... prepaid minutes are .25/minute


Also VirginMobile does prepaid in the US. I saw their site has phones for $24.99/ea. If you only needed 4 and plan to talk a lot under $200 should cover your needs for the trip.


Anyway here are all the mobile phone companies offering your needs. But I'm not sure if any will let you just simply swap SIM cards, they may want you to use their phones.

VerizonWireless
Tmobile
GoPhone / Cingular
VirginMobleUSA
Net10
TracFone

I can't post URL's yet so just add the correct ending to each of the above.

Good luck.

 

[vanessat]

Thank you so much for the advice to all of you. I will do as you suggested, and enquire directly with the phone companies you have mentioned.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Thank you so much for the advice to all of you. I will do as you suggested, and enquire directly with the phone companies you have mentioned.

That's the best idea.

Unlike the rest of the world, the US is very backwards with our cell phone service. Many people here wouldn't even know what a SIM card is. I don't know about your area, but I do know in Europe you just walk into a convenince store and buy a new one in a new country and have at it. Here, it's rare to actually find phones that use removable SIM cards - my Motorola v180 through T-Mobile is the first phone I've ever used that it could be removed on.

I'd suggest talking to T-mobile, as they have pre-paid plans and I bet you could work it out with just getting a SIM card. I've also been pleased with their service in the Orlando area.

Good luck!

N.E.D.

 

[PortieOwner]

I am pretty sure I have seen SIM cards available on Ebay.

There is a good cell phone web site which can answer your questions fast--howardforums.com. Also check fatwallet.com, they will have links to good deals on pre-paid plans and some of those threads will have SIM card replacement discussions.

Portie

 

[vanessat]

I don't know about your area, but I do know in Europe you just walk into a convenince store and buy a new one in a new country and have at it. Here, it's rare to actually find phones that use removable SIM cards - my Motorola v180 through T-Mobile is the first phone I've ever used that it could be removed on.



It's true: in every country we travel, we usually just walk into any phone shop and buy a prepaid "starter pack", which includes a sim card which you can install in your phone, and a new phone number. This allows us to use our own phone at cheap local rates. It is even available in South Africa. I was hoping we could do the same on our upcoming visit to wdw in October.