No Cell Phones in the Parks!

[Skjhjb]

When we went in 2012, I was the only one in the family with a phone that we bought the US data plan for (we're from Canada), so we left it in the room safe. Mostly because it was a texting only phone.

This time, DH actually has a cell phone (his first ever) so we will both buy the US plan so we can't separate and text each other if need be.

Or, as the kids are older, we can send them off on their own with one phone and DH and I can have some parents only time.

 

[Suellen]

We always bring them for emergencies... plus DH is always "on call". yeah. 24/7 365.

 

[Skjhjb]

Don't get me wrong, I use cell phone on vacation to navigate, find restaurants, etc. Its just that in a theme park there's usually no reason to do anything but hang out together. Spending time next to your family is more important that splitting up because someone doesn't want to do one ride or another.

Well, this trip is our 20th anniversary. DH and I would actually like to spend some time by ourselves. We are loving that our three kids (18, 16, 13) WANT to travel with us, but are grateful that they can also go off on their own for a bit.

We spend time together every day....family meal time happens every night in our house. We get plenty of together time.

And yes, the majority of the time we will be all together, but DH and DS have no desire to meet the princesses and will go off and do rides, same when the girls and I go to tea one afternoon.

Several reasons for us to separate!

 

[surferdave]

Meh. The only time my own cell phone ever brought me any heartache in the parks was trying to use MDE.

I think a large percentage of people have no understanding of how rude it is to talk on a cellphone in some settings like a restaurant but that doesn't bother me that much anymore since the chirping, shrieking Nextel style 2 way speaker phones fell out of fashion. I think those came straight from the ninth circle of hell.

If I sense that someone sitting near me in a restaurant gets a bee in their bonnet over people at other tables looking at their smartphones I'm going to pull mine out, start Angry Birds and hand it to my daughter just so I can enjoy their angst. Now that's entertainment.

 

[patty57]

If I sense that someone sitting near me in a restaurant gets a bee in their bonnet over people at other tables looking at their smartphones I'm going to pull mine out, start Angry Birds and hand it to my daughter just so I can enjoy their angst. Now that's entertainment.

Ooooh, you have a mean streak. I think I like it.

I have to admit that I just read the entire thread, even after posting in it twice. The "we call them IPhone zombies" comment smacks of some moral superiority by the OP. I find that more annoying than cell phones (unless, of course, you're driving).

 

[flutterby3744]

Meh. The only time my own cell phone ever brought me any heartache in the parks was trying to use MDE. I think a large percentage of people have no understanding of how rude it is to talk on a cellphone in some settings like a restaurant but that doesn't bother me that much anymore since the chirping, shrieking Nextel style 2 way speaker phones fell out of fashion. I think those came straight from the ninth circle of hell. If I sense that someone sitting near me in a restaurant gets a bee in their bonnet over people at other tables looking at their smartphones I'm going to pull mine out, start Angry Birds and hand it to my daughter just so I can enjoy their angst. Now that's entertainment.

Omg I HATED those Nextel glorified walky talkies! You are correct sir, straight from the ninth circle of hell.

I think a few people are taking comments a little too personally. I can't speak for anyone else, but I know all the comments I have made are for my family and the way I feel about it. I could care less what someone else is doing or not doing on their phones. I do care about MY teenager choosing to play flappy bird in line instead of experiencing an awesomely themed que, for example. Your teenager, or yourself for that matter, is up to you.

 

[disneyfreak33]

I agree cell phones are for necessity. More times then not you actually need it. Especially now for the fast pass system.

Folks with large groups and/or teenagers off on their own is a lifesaver. Even for parents with young ones who split up. My youngest doesn't like some of the rides my oldest does so we split up and go on different ones, therefore texting where to meet up, where they are in line, etc. It helps.

I use mine for the FP and camera. It is better then lugging around a regular camera, my phone, things for my kids, plus money and cards needed. It alleviates at least one thing.

Also good for the times we have to wait in standby lines for things, it keeps my kids occupied and not so bored.

On the flipside of all of that, unfortunately even on vacation my husband has to keep in contact with work so it is necessary for at least him to have it. The only time I think they should be put away and I stress it for all of us as a family, is when we are eating breakfast/lunch/dinner.

I see other families all the time playing with their phones at dinner, which is fine, it is none of my business what they do with their time but for us that is our time to connect with each other and I like to keep it that way.

 

[Sheaboys]

I use the cell phone to change plans, make reservations and check ride times. Dh and I along with our older 3 (15, 13, and 11) use our cell phones to communicate. Such as, the older 3 will head over to Space Mountain, while Dh and I ride something with the younger 2 (7 and 5). Or I ride with older 3, dh hangs with younger 2. Although we are always almost all together there are a few times when we separate.

We don't chat on the phones, unless in our room or at the pool or something. No one usually calls us on vacation. In 2012, I was a realtor, and it was the tale end of the deal, closing was happening while I was on vacation, so I did need to speak to the other realtor a few times and my client. DH does get calls from work occasionally as well, but he never answered while in line or on a ride. We also never whip out our phones while we are all sitting together for a meal.

 

[EMode]

I agree with you... I leave my phone in the room safe... I have a DSLR camera I use for pictures... No need to social media with anyone or thing...vacations are to be free of that, plus news and newspapers...it's only for a week...unattach yourself from the electronic world and enjoy your family and friends

There are people who do both, they can enjoy their family and friends and still be "attached" to their social media. Sharing their family vacation with friends and family via FB or twitter or whatever may be part of how they enjoy it. And really, no news for a week? That may be how you enjoy your time, but that isn't the only "right" way to do it.
One could say "People should stop being so concerned with how others choose to vacation, and focus on their own family time. Do you always have to be all up in everyone elses business, its only one week and your vacation should be free of that".

 

[AJ1983]

I'm the type of person who lets my phone die in my purse over the weekend because I feel if anyone really has to reach me, they can call my home phone. So, it really doesn't bother me to not be texting/playing games or apps in the park. I'm much to the mind of the OP because my DFi loves his phone, but we agreed we were not using them at Disney. Despite loving his phone, he can't understand why people would waste time with it in DISNEYWORLD haha.

We do TAKE our phones to Disney, mostly because we use them to take pictures. We also take them in case we get separated, so we don't spend an hour circling the castle and just missing each other.

Finally, we have someone staying at our home with our 3 dogs and 3 cats, so if that person needs to contact me, I prefer they not have to wait all day to be able to do so. Other than that, last time we RARELY got any texts or phone calls because everyone knew we were on vacation and didn't want to disturb us, so it really was for our convenience only, which I like.

I've also decided to just go with whatever FP times I have and not worry about changing them, so I won't have to use for my phone for that purpose anyway while in the parks.

 

[vicki_c]

Ooooh, you have a mean streak. I think I like it.

I have to admit that I just read the entire thread, even after posting in it twice. The "we call them IPhone zombies" comment smacks of some moral superiority by the OP. I find that more annoying than cell phones (unless, of course, you're driving).

Yeah, that's pretty much what I thought as soon as I saw post #1.

 

[mjkacmom]

I can't imagine not having them! We split up frequently on our last trip, and when we lost grandpa, I was glad he had a cell phone on him. Why make things more difficult?

 

[drew64]

I am very aggravated tha tDisney is encouraging them with MDE, etc. We always left ours in the room as we are on vacation. don't really car eif others hav ethem, except when their use of them infringes on my space/enjoyment such as:

Screaming into it while on the attraction - your call can wait until you get off the ride.
Screaming into it while in line standing 18 inches from others and yelling at the top of your lungs.
Walking into me and others while looking at your phone instead of where you are going.
Long, loud phone conversation sitting at restaurant table.
Holding your phone and or pad in front of me to repeatedly taking flash photos in the attractions.

don't see why people cannot step out of the way, out of the restaurant, etc. and talk on their phones instead if being so intrusive.

 

[CNYDisneyFan]

I don't like to not my have my phone with me. I'd imagine that when we go in May, my family and I will split up at times. Having a phone to send text messages to send updates is very essential (for us, at least).

 

[JeremyGNJ]

I'm kinda confused as to why people think i'm on some soapbox by starting this thread.

When I wrote it, I was really aiming to see what kind of "rules" other families have about cell phone usage.....since I've kind of come to terms with the fact that we will have to bring them for MDE.

I never had any implicit or explicit condemnation of what other people do at Disney World. The iPhone Zombies comment was just in reference to what we call people who constantly have their face buried in their smart phone, not about people who use smart phones in WDW.

In any event, I'd still love to hear from more people who do have some kind of guidelines on their phone usage. Especially since as kids age there will be more resistance to leaving it behind.

One Day without Phones? Only phones outside of park?

I like how the one family said no phones during meals, which is a most excellent idea I think.

 

[smitch425]

I'm kinda confused as to why people think i'm on some soapbox by starting this thread.

When I wrote it, I was really aiming to see what kind of "rules" other families have about cell phone usage.....since I've kind come to terms with the fact that we will have to bring them for MDE.

I never had any implicit or explicit condemnation of what other people do at Disney World. The iPhone Zombies comment was just in reference to what we call people who constantly have their face buried in their smart phone, not about people who use smart phones in WDW.

In any event, I'd still love to hear from more people who do have some kind of guidelines on their phone usage. Especially since as kids age there will be more resistance to leaving it behind.

One Day without Phones? Only phones outside of park?

I like how the one family said no phones during meals, which is a most excellent idea I think.

The fact that you have a special name for people who like to play on their phones is likely what set some posters off. It comes across as judgmental and makes it sound like you think you are superior. Personally, I didn't get that vibe from the meaning of your overall post, but that line was unnecessary and without it, you likely would have not had so many negative comments. I detest the "I fixed it for you" posts with a passion. I don't put words in other people's mouths. It's rude.

 

[ciera321]

We always have our cell phones with us, including vacation. Like many have stated, if someone gets separated from the group, you can reunite without a lot of worry and stress. Plus, we always have that link to home, in case something happens. In May 2012 we were at CRS when we got a call from my sister-in-law that my DH's Mom was dying....Definitely something we needed to know right away!And just last week I was out of town for meetings when I got a call telling me that my Dad just cut his finger off. So, YES, we always carry sell phones!

 

[JeremyGNJ]

The fact that you have a special name for people who like to play on their phones is likely what set some posters off. It comes across as judgmental and makes it sound like you think you are superior. Personally, I didn't get that vibe from the meaning of your overall post, but that line was unnecessary and without it, you likely would have not had so many negative comments. I detest the "I fixed it for you" posts with a passion. I don't put words in other people's mouths. It's rude.

Yea the "I fixed it" thing is just projection or something else weird. I'm not bothered by it. I'd just rather it didn't distract from the thread, as less people will comment in a thread that is a war-zone.

 

[Tiramisu]

Yea the "I fixed it" thing is just projection or something else weird. I'm not bothered by it. I'd just rather it didn't distract from the thread, as less people will comment in a thread that is a war-zone.

Right, because you really are looking for advice...

 

[JeremyGNJ]

Right, because you really are looking for advice...

Not really advice. I think I know how we will handle it, since we will HAVE to bring them for MDE. But it's just a discussion on the subject, though I could find good ideas and adapt our plan.