Dean
DIS Veteran<br><a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com/dis
- Joined
- Aug 19, 1999
- Messages
- 39,228
I think we can all agree that a hardwire phone that is powered from the phone line and connected directly into the national phone system would offer some protections. I don't know specifically for Disney but the last I knew this wasn't the case for most hotels or resorts though I know there were efforts a couple of years ago to change that. Many systems have gone to VOIP and I believe most still show up as the resort or hotel. From what I understand some still don't allow direct 911 calling at all though I know that many were working on that over the past year. As I said, there are ways to handle this issue for every objection other than convenience. IMO it's not something that I would think a great idea but if a company took the stance to do so or even just to have internal and 911 phones, I think there are ways to handle it accordingly.E911 is more reliable with a landline, trying to determine a callers location on a cell phone can be hit or more often a miss. Cell phone location requires that the user has the correct options set to on, that the cell sites and cell carrier have the correct software and hardware.
Bill
We just returned from 15 nights in Aruba. We got local SIM cards for our iPhones so we could get in touch with others in the group without big charges (like $2.50 per minutes or 50¢ a text. Our first trip we rented phones, our second and third I bought cheap unlocked flip phones and bought SIM cards. We used those phones and bought SIM cards for MX last time as well. Our cost for Aruba this trip $80 for 3 SIM's. Adding the international plan to AT&T phones would have been more, $30 per plus taxes, fees and additional charges but would give free texts and drop the per minute from $2.50 to $1.00 per minute (incoming is free). IMO it's a safety issue to have a cell phone if nothing else. Regardless a given exception doesn't negate the validity of the general point, there's always an exception.I leave mine at home when I fly to Orlando because of the cost of making texts and calls. I would only be using it with wifi which i have my iPad for so I don't take it. Most people I know do not travel stateside with a UK mobile due to cost.
It has never occurred to me to investigate getting a local cell phone as if you get a pay as you go you have to keep them topped up and used or they cancel the number and we only go every other year. Plus I like the fact that work can't call me for that 16 night period.
There are options that'll work in your situation but keeping the same number active can be tricky and can get expensive as well though it's not really necessary for every 2 years. Most companies also have travel plans that make using the regular cell phones not too unreasonable. Most US companies don't ship SIM cards outside the US and may require a US address but there are ways around those roadblocks. An International SIM card can be a good option if one travels to different places. Also a smart phone with the data turned off can offer some options that work for some as well. For us to keep our Aruba SIM's active would require $12-15 per SIM per year based on the stated options but the company has already told me they'll keep the SIM's active if I just email them shortly before it expires each time.