****Official August 2014 Thread****

[jmulvaney]

I think adding our ADRs and park plans is a great idea, but it brings up my huge dilemma. I have 2 plans for our couples only weekend! I can either follow the crowd calendars and try to keep our wait times way down, or I can forget the crowds and eat dinner at BOG. The only problem is that the only ADR I could get is at 9:05pm, which is incredibly late and we'd miss the parade and Wishes. Is BOG worth all that? Or should I just try for a FP at lunch? (My other ADRs are HBD and Sanaa right now). Advice appreciated

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

So fellow Canadians: Which device do you use and who is your service provider? Has anyone bought a SIM card from a US provider, where did you purchase?

Up until now, we have always just added a US travel package to our existing devices with Telus (DH & I both have androids, DS has an iPhone 5).

Now that we know we will be travelling annually (since we have purchased two weeks at the Vistana), we started looking into something that would be more cost effective. We had a two year old Windows phone that was just like new (Telus upgraded both DH & I to new devices at Christmas), so we had it unlocked and then purchased a Roam Mobility SIM. This will allow us unlimited calling and texting (even back to Canada), plus their data options are super cheap. Packages can be customized to exactly what you need, so now I can pay for the exact number of days vs. the 30 day plan with Telus (that was very, very limited.....something like 50 minutes and 50 texts, with data being extra).

Roam Mobility reviews seem to be excellent. I am hoping we love it too!

 

[nadira36]

Up until now, we have always just added a US travel package to our existing devices with Telus (DH & I both have androids, DS has an iPhone 5).

Now that we know we will be travelling annually (since we have purchased two weeks at the Vistana), we started looking into something that would be more cost effective. We had a two year old Windows phone that was just like new (Telus upgraded both DH & I to new devices at Christmas), so we had it unlocked and then purchased a Roam Mobility SIM. This will allow us unlimited calling and texting (even back to Canada), plus their data options are super cheap. Packages can be customized to exactly what you need, so now I can pay for the exact number of days vs. the 30 day plan with Telus (that was very, very limited.....something like 50 minutes and 50 texts, with data being extra).

Roam Mobility reviews seem to be excellent. I am hoping we love it too!

I've looked into roam mobility, but the reviews have me very worried. The reviews I read were not flattering to the service or the company. I would really love to know how you like the service and company while you're down there!

I'm tempted to buy the travel pack from our provider as well as roam mobility just to compare, but that's getting even more expensive. esp since we don't even have a phone to begin with.

We're debating between the iPhone 5 models and the nexus 5 right now.

Our usage will be only for the MDE app - maybe another line app as well.

 

[Disneylover99]

I think adding our ADRs and park plans is a great idea, but it brings up my huge dilemma. I have 2 plans for our couples only weekend! I can either follow the crowd calendars and try to keep our wait times way down, or I can forget the crowds and eat dinner at BOG. The only problem is that the only ADR I could get is at 9:05pm, which is incredibly late and we'd miss the parade and Wishes. Is BOG worth all that? Or should I just try for a FP at lunch? (My other ADRs are HBD and Sanaa right now). Advice appreciated

I've not had dinner at BOG yet, but I have had lunch twice and loved it.

So you're giving up Wishes, the parade, going against the crowd calendar and have a really late ADR to have dinner at BOG. Personally, it wouldn't be worth it to me just for the time alone. But that's just my opinion.

I know the menu at BOG is different at dinner and you get to see the Beast and order alcohol. Those may or may not be pluses for you. But my advice is go for lunch and keep checking for an earlier ADR.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I've looked into roam mobility, but the reviews have me very worried. The reviews I read were not flattering to the service or the company. I would really love to know how you like the service and company while you're down there!

I'm tempted to buy the travel pack from our provider as well as roam mobility just to compare, but that's getting even more expensive. esp since we don't even have a phone to begin with.

We're debating between the iPhone 5 models and the nexus 5 right now.

Our usage will be only for the MDE app - maybe another line app as well.

I will be sure to let you know how it works out . If we do a little mini-vacation over the border at the end of June (maybe Erie, PA), we may give it a trial run .

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

In the evening after the kids are asleep, if I'm not quite ready to sleep, I may get onto FB and post something. I may 'check in' that we're at the Poly or where ever, but mostly we are very out of touch for our trip. This is the first trip here that may change. We're considering purchasing a cell phone so we'll have app access while int eh parks - but not sure yet. And really, even if we have it with us for access, it's not likely to change how we check in - just how we tour. So fellow Canadians: Which device do you use and who is your service provider? Has anyone bought a SIM card from a US provider, where did you purchase?

I have a galaxy S4 and am with virgin mobile. I didn't do a SIM card last year just added an international plan for a month. It cost me 50 but I was the only one to get it for our family as all communications typically go through me.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[nadira36]

I have an android smartphone (HTC raider) from Bell. I add a 1 month US roaming package onto my plan before I leave for my trip. It's not a huge amount of data, but gets me plenty to do little surfing, use line apps, FB, etc... I'll have to go look up the details, I don't recall everything from last time, but it was somewhere around $35 - $40.

I like having it for later at night or early morning because I'm almost always the last one asleep and the first one awake.

I will be sure to let you know how it works out . If we do a little mini-vacation over the border at the end of June (maybe Erie, PA), we may give it a trial run .

I have a galaxy S4 and am with virgin mobile. I didn't do a SIM card last year just added an international plan for a month. It cost me 50 but I was the only one to get it for our family as all communications typically go through me.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Thank you all so much!

How often was your phone on? Did you switch off and use wifi? did you end up with any extra costs when you returned home? We're with fido (rogers towers) but b/c we'll be purchasing the phone outside of a contract we really can go with any company - including roam mobility or picking up a sim in the states.

 

[JMADgrad]

This is exactly why I post here on the DIS! You guys get it! Thanks so much for the comfort, everyone else I told was like, "its so expensive anyways" or "see it wasn't meant to be, to go back so soon". I thank goodness gracious that the kids have no idea because they would be so sad! DD 5th Birthday is July 30th so I am thinking we can go as a birthday/Kickoff to Kindergarten trip? DS birthday is February and he always says he never gets to do anything fun in the winter but he won't care why we will be there he will be ecstatic either way! I think we can figure out a good touring strategy, you guys are right! My only issue is the flights. I got them so cheap and even though I have insurance they charge to change them The prices are so high right now! Hopefully I can find some good ones! Thanks again guys I really appreciate the optimism and positivity, sometimes a little reassurance is all a girl needs

Glad to see the support everyone has given you, and hear that you haven't abandoned your plans just yet! We are heading down there July 30 or thereabouts...we have always gone at this time of year (this summer will be our 4th trip) and honestly, it has not been nearly as hot/crowded/uncomfortable as we have worried it would be each time. Of course, we live in Virginia and about half the time it is more hot and humid here than there in July/August!

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

Thank you all so much! How often was your phone on? Did you switch off and use wifi? did you end up with any extra costs when you returned home? We're with fido (rogers towers) but b/c we'll be purchasing the phone outside of a contract we really can go with any company - including roam mobility or picking up a sim in the states.

I had my phone with me the whole time, was on wifi when available, used it for text and calls to friends in Orlando and home in Calgary and incurred no extra or hidden charges over the 50$ plan fee. It was great. In 2010 when we went we didn't have a plan and spent over 100$ in roaming fees.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[nadira36]

I had my phone with me the whole time, was on wifi when available, used it for text and calls to friends in Orlando and home in Calgary and incurred no extra or hidden charges over the 50$ plan fee. It was great. In 2010 when we went we didn't have a plan and spent over 100$ in roaming fees.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Great thanks! I have no idea what our regular usage might be like, let alone trip usage so want a really good idea of what to get before we go so it doesn't cost us an arm and a leg.

 

[PennockFive]

Our family of five will be heading to disney at the end of August. Really looking forward to the trip. First time for everyone except me!!!

 

[nadira36]

Our family of five will be heading to disney at the end of August. Really looking forward to the trip. First time for everyone except me!!!

First trips are the best!

 

[Cloudless Nights]

I thought I added my dates here already, but I guess I didn't!

8/14-8/19 - Boardwalk Villas
8/19-8/23 - Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas - Kidani Village

 

[dbw1968]

Can I be added to the list? Pop Century form 8/10 - 8/16

 

[Arden01]

Please add: BC 8/21-8/27

 

[KarmaLady]

We just booked Aug 21-28 at AKL! It's our first time n a deluxe and we are so excited! Now we are trying to decide between QSDP and DDP. Any tips?

We are looking into the Telus US travel plan but DH is talking about Roam too. I'd be interested to see how your test run goes! Woohoo, disney here we come!

 

[bobbie68]

We are finally moved into our new house. We still have a lot to unpack, but I wanted to make sure I got e lists updated this weekend. Honestly, I think I have missed over 15-20 pages so if anyone wants to be updated, if you could PM me or post. PM is easier to keep up with these days. I will update the list this weekend.

Hi I have some changes to my ADRs.
added
8/09 Boma 5:15
8/06 Boatwrights 5:20

delete
8/08 Tusker House 3:45
08/07 Sanaa 2:45

Thank you!

 

[minuet]

Myself, DH and DSis are going Aug. 3 - 8th and staying at ASSp.

It's my Sis's first trip since 2001 so she's very excited...has never experienced Disney as an adult lol.

 

[gigi729]

We just decided to bring our princess for a SURPRISE birthday trip...Aug 11-17. We are so excited, the kids think we are taking a summer trip to Hershey park, can't wait to see their faces when the find out where we are really going!

Can't wait for my special princess to spend her 7th bday with the princesses at CRT!!!

 

[Disneylover99]

Can't wait for my special princess to spend her 7th bday with the princesses at CRT!!!

Awww, that's where we brought our daughter for her birthday surprise when she turned 7. Hope she loves it!