Question about calling long distance from WDW/ resorts

[kalamazoo]

Are long distance charges for calling from the WDW resorts still as seriously expensive as they used to be? What about using a calling card at the parks? We usually have a cell phone with us so it's not usually an issue but I was thinking of leaving it at home next time.

 

[oogieboogie]

long distance from any hotel room is expensive. Calling cards are the best way to go if you don't want to bring your cell phone. From WDW, a 1-800 number will cost you .75 cents (same as local charges).

If you have a good cellphone plan, just use that. It's not that big to carry is it?

 

[TLinden16]

Most hotels are ridiculously expensive with the long distance calls. I never use my hotel phone to make a long distance call unless it is free. I used to use a calling card, but now use only my cell phone.

Karen

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Long distance is billed at 75 cents per connection, plus the AT&T Operator assist rate, plus a 55% surcharge. (It works out to be $6-8 per minute)

Local, 800, and calling card calls are billed at 75 cents per connection.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Remember all resorts also have pay phones available in the lobby. Better to take your calling card there than to pay for your call twice.

Mky

 

[Limmer]

We use the pay phone. I also did not want to bring the cell (just one more thing to pack), charger etc. We also just used quarters that we got from the front desk.

 

[PrincessCandaceMarie]

My recommendation....use your cell....

 

[bavaria]

Best options since long distance surcharge is over 50%:

1) cel phone

2) calling card

3) if you don't have the above, get a reusable prepaid calling card but check the rates - Walgreens cards have good rates and are often on sale, and are often re-loadable. NEVER buy the AT and T ones at the resorts by the payphones, they have the worst rates

 

[smjj]

When we bought our last WDW tickets from a ticket broker recommended to us on Mosusesavers it came with a 45 min. AT&T calling card. This worked out very well for us. On this last trip, we used our cell phone and still saved over the overpriced rates the hotels charge. I just don't understand why anyone knowing this would use the hotel to make a long distance phone call. They are so overpriced...smjj

 

[gingermommy94]

We always buy a phone card at Wal Mart before we leave. They have a 120 minute card for around $10. That way we can make calls home from our room and it's already paid for.

The kids like to call the grandparents almost everyday, so this has really saved us a ton of money and saved on the cell minutes/battery.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I just don't understand why anyone knowing this would use the hotel to make a long distance phone call. They are so overpriced...smjj

You would be VERY surprised...

 

[mslangen]

Hi,

At the time I checked into POP Century resort last year the CM at the Check in desk adviced me, without asking, to not use the room phone but the pay phones and a calling card in case I wanted to make phone calls. Maybe it was because I'm from Europe that he told it to me.

Marcel.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Hi,

At the time I checked into POP Century resort last year the CM at the Check desk adviced me, without asking, to use the pay phones and a calling card in case I wanted to make phone calls. Maybe it was because I'm from Europe that he told it to me.

Marcel.

They're not supposed to, but a lot of them will. International rates typically start at $20 per minute, and up...

 

[TartanFan]

Many years ago, before I knew better and before I found the DIS, my DD and I took our first mother/daughter trip from the UK to WDW. When we got to our room in ASMo (which I paid rack rate for ), I called DH. The conversation went something like this:

Me - Hi, it's me. We had a good trip and got here safely.
DH - Good. Well both of you have a great time.
Me - OK. We'll see you soon. Bye

When I got my bill, I found out that that little conversation cost me $26!!!!!!!!!!!

Ever since then, DH knows that no news is good news when us girls are at WDW

 

[Gary M]

I always use Sam's Club(AT&T) pre-paid phone cards. They are less than 3 cents per minute. I think if you use a pay phone with the Sam's Club card they charge you something like an extra 9 minutes(27 cents).

 

[kalamazoo]

Thanks everyone.

 

[alicenwonder99]

We just got back a couple of days ago. I bought a calling card that was 3 cents a minute. The calling card charges 99 cents for using a payphone, so we just used our resort phone and paid the 75 cents per call.

Mary