Phones at Disney

[osowired]

I used to have a US sim card that I would pop into my iphone but now since there is free wifi at all the parks + rogers decent roaming package I just buy that for $40 and use wifi whenever possible.

We did that, too, and while wi-fi can sometimes be spotty, it worked well for us. Especially good if you can just message one another (iPhones are great for this).

 

[kuhltiffany]

Download the app Kik

 

[Skjhjb]

We are with Koodo we take the Us package and we have unlimmited text.It is 20$ for 30 days.

We did the same - DH and I both had phones, and paid the $20 each to be able to text if we separated.

 

[chelseabun76]

I am only taking my ipod with me, I was debating putting minutes on my pay as you go phone (as that's all I have), but anything I want to do (message via facebook, etc.) can be done on my ipod in the parks and at the hotel. We aren't a big group, there are just 3 of us going and will be together 99% of the time, so I will only need to message the family back home once in awhile to let them know we're making out ok.

 

[Doylemom22]

I am only taking my ipod with me, I was debating putting minutes on my pay as you go phone (as that's all I have), but anything I want to do (message via facebook, etc.) can be done on my ipod in the parks and at the hotel. We aren't a big group, there are just 3 of us going and will be together 99% of the time, so I will only need to message the family back home once in awhile to let them know we're making out ok.

Most pay as you go with a Canadian subscriber won't work out of the country ... Check with your provider if you do decide you want to use it.

 

[mc2]

Wow! Thank you all for your help. It seems like I have some options. I'm with Bell Aliant and I might be okay with just texting so I'll check into that as well as your suggestions.

We are Bell Aliant as well, and have just gone with the US add on plans for our past 3 trips. They have different options available depending on what you want - we had wanted to be able to phone home to check in with people at least once and also wanted some data in case we ended up needing to search for anything in a spot with no wifi. So we added text/voice to one phone, but then a text/data/voice plan to the other. We figured in the grand scheme of things (and overall trip cost), it was worth it to pay the extra to be fully covered and then not have to worry about anything. But we were also in a situation a few years ago where we ran into weather-related flight problems and had to phone back home to cancel some things, rebook some things, etc... The few minutes of phone calls and data cost us more without the plan than it would have had we just added it in the first place.

Here is the Bell travel info:
http://www.bell.ca/Mobility/Features/Travel.tab#INT=SHOPMOBILITYFOOTER_SUPERFOOTER

 

[Ashjen]

Yes - U.S. plan on my phone for texting while there.

 

[canadiankim]

I'm with Virgin and its $20 for texting for 30 days but limited to something like 2000 texts. They also do $30 for talk and text for 30 days. I think its $50 for talk, text and 500 mb of data but that's a bit rich for my blood!

 

[alc571]

We turn off our cellphones except for the WiFi, and use Facebook messenger to "text". I'm not giving our cell company any more money than I have to

 

[elaine amj]

I find even $5/day a little bit too much since it adds up fast. I unlocked my phones and now use US SIM cards. Some trips though, we use wifi only. Just depends I guess.

I use Whatsapp for messaging via wifi. I like how they have group chats and its cross-platform since all of us have different types of phones. They also just added Whatsapp calls (using wifi) and it works great on my Blackberry! I think Facebook Messenger also has that feature but I haven't used that (FB doesn't have a Messenger app for Blackberries).

 

[dancin Disney style]

I use the TextMe app. You can call or text using the free credits that you can accumulate(very easy) by downloading a few offers. You can then delete the offer right after you open it. I've got approx. 290 credits on my TextMe app right now.

I also use IMessage as my whole family has Iphone/Ipad's.

With so much free WiFi around now it's not necessary to purchase any sort of cellular plan.

Some one mentioned the Telus Extend app....it's my understanding that it's still in the testing phase and is by invitation only at this point.

 

[MegaSilver]

I just got back from WDW. I am with WIND and had added the Unlimited US Roaming to my plan just before I left. My account cycled while I was in WDW, and I chose not to renew the add on. I found the WiFi to be very good in the parks and hotel room. Lots of messaging clients available that use WiFi. I don't make many calls, but I could us Google Hangouts Dialer if needed for free CAN/US dialing.

 

[xlxo]

Just be aware that public wifi is not secured. Consider a VPN (eg SurfEasy) if you use public wifi a lot.

 

[elaine amj]

For me, I tried wifi only on our last trip and did find it annoying when I wasn't in wifi zones - like on buses or at bus stops. That's just me and my impatience though LOL! There was one time when I was meeting someone and having my US SIM card meant I was able to text them updates on my arrival time while I was waiting for the bus. So it was pretty useful then

I do use wifi whenever possible though.

I'm testing a new US SIM card this weekend - Truphone. 9 cents a min calls, 9 cents a text, and 9 cents a MB. Slightly hefty, but great for very occasional users since minutes NEVER expire and there is no minimum refill (mot you have to refill every 90-365 days). Plus, their customer service has been fantastic so far. I had some problems activating my phone and they cheerfully extended me a $15 credit so I could do more testing on their dime. So if I only need a MB or two to request an Uber taxi, it will cost me just a few cents. Perfect supplement to wifi.

 

[chrispeto]

Also free WiFi has become so pervasive that a lot of times you won't need cellular coverage. If you have iPhones you can use FaceTime and iMessage to communicate using just wifi.

We do the same thing, except in Epcot the wifi sucks ther

 

[chrispeto]

Just be aware that public wifi is not secured. Consider a VPN (eg SurfEasy) if you use public wifi a lot.

Tunnel Bear is good too

 

[taffy]

wifi and facebook messenger worked for the most part for us.

I also got a telus plan for the US which cost me 50 dollars.

 

[pampam]

For calls home, I just use the room phone or even a pay phone and use the PC long distance card. The most you will pay is $.04 a minute, and the card lasts for months. We even dropped our long distance plan and use the card at home. It's good for Canada and U.S.A.