smart phone requirements for disney

[smidgy]

about to bite the bullet and get a smart phone.. warning.. I know VERY LITTLE about this stuff. so about how much "data" do I need while at WDW? is there wi fi in the parks and at the resorts?

 

[Figmentmommy]

about to bite the bullet and get a smart phone.. warning.. I know VERY LITTLE about this stuff. so about how much "data" do I need while at WDW? is there wi fi in the parks and at the resorts?

Yes - Wifi in the parks and at the resorts. It will appear as Disney Guest or something to that effect.

 

[IrishNYC]

You do not "need" a smartphone at Disney. There is free wifi in the parks and at the resorts. It is mediocre.

 

[P800aul]

about to bite the bullet and get a smart phone.. warning.. I know VERY LITTLE about this stuff. so about how much "data" do I need while at WDW? is there wi fi in the parks and at the resorts?

Hi

We're from the UK so try not to use data on our smartphones while there, I assume you're from the USA so your data plan will be better value than ours in the US. We have Samsung Android phones so can only speak about these if you get Apple i think they work the same way(ish). The fact is, if you have your phone connected to WiFi your data will not be used, if there is no WiFi, data from your plan will be used. I would suggest a middle of the road data plan would be okay and you can set your phone to warn you if you are about to go over the data plan limit.

We have in the past turned our mobile data OFF while in the USA it's far too expensive and rely on WiFi and despite the 'mediocre' wifi it does all we need.

Regards

Paul

 

[Figment Mom]

If you are basically just using the phone to access the MDE app, you would need only the smallest data plan (less than 1 GB if your carrier has something like that available). You may not need any data at all. I didn't have any issues with the wifi.

 

[Klayfish]

I'm "smartphone stupid", just got one less than 2 years ago and am not into social media, texting, etc... I've also never bothered trying to hook onto WDW wifi while in the parks. When we're in WDW, I do use the MDE app quite a bit and recently started using the Lines app to help look at wait times. I have a cheap data plan, I think it's 2GB or something, and have run into zero issues using up data, even on a very long trip. Just the basics and you'll be fine.

 

[Robo]

I've also never bothered trying to hook onto WDW wifi while in the parks.

So you leave your phones' wifi turned off?
Do you use wifi anywhere?

 

[Klayfish]

Yes, I normally leave the phones' wifi turned off. It's pretty rare that I use wifi anywhere with my phone. Like I said, I'm rather smartphone stupid and blissfully so. No interest in social media, I've never sent a text message (really), I'm not one to sit and stare at the screen when I'm out. It's just not my thing. I'm certainly a relic from times past, I know, but it's just me. When I take my kids to sports practice, nearly all the parents have their faces stuck to their device. I prefer to watch my kids participate in the sport. I don't stream videos or music...I use Sirius/XM in my car, and I'm not interested in YouTube. Just don't have much interest or use in 95% of the things a smartphone can do.

That's not to say that I'll never use the phone for anything but calls. I do use it to check e-mail from time to time, and I use the navigation when necessary. While in WDW, I'll use the MDE app quite a bit. But beyond that, in the nearly two years I've had a smartphone, I've never come close to bumping into my data limit, so never had a need to bother with connecting to someone's wifi.

 

[Bob Dolewhip]

I am a stick in the mud and understand not wanting any part of this darn new fangled smart phone nonsense.
BUT my phone is the most useful thing I put in my bag everyday. It is instant information and instant contact text pics voice) with all my people. My family syncs our calendars too. It is like having a second brain.
For Disney any standard plan from the major carriers should be enough. Don't stream or download movies and you should be fine with data usage.
For phone I would recommend an iPhone 6 because the 7 just came out so you can get the 6 at a more reasonable price.

 

[mom2rtk]

I am a stick in the mud and understand not wanting any part of this darn new fangled smart phone nonsense.
BUT my phone is the most useful thing I put in my bag everyday. It is instant information and instant contact text pics voice) with all my people. My family syncs our calendars too. It is like having a second brain.
For Disney any standard plan from the major carriers should be enough. Don't stream or download movies and you should be fine with data usage.
For phone I would recommend an iPhone 6 because the 7 just came out so you can get the 6 at a more reasonable price.

My daughter just "upgraded" to an iphone 5S. An even better deal. $149 GSM unlocked on Groupon (minus a $30 coupon for new sign ups!). It was cheaper than fixing the cracked screen.

 

[kj2mom]

I was concerned about data usage when I went last year. I am on a 2GB per month plan and leading up to Disney I tried to use none so I had it all available to me during the trip. I found the Wifi to be very good and when I got back after the week I had not even used 1GB. Most of what I used was because I had turned off Wifi (not sure if it is true but have heard searching for Wifi can reduce battery life so I would turn Wifi off) and forgot to turn it back on when I wanted to use it.

One of the best tips I received was before starting out each day to take a screen shot of the plans in MDE for the day then make that my lock screen. This way I could just light up my screen (didn't even have to slide to unlock) and know what I needed to do when. This takes very little battery and no data/Wifi.

 

[DisneyOma]

I was concerned about data usage when I went last year. I am on a 2GB per month plan and leading up to Disney I tried to use none so I had it all available to me during the trip. I found the Wifi to be very good and when I got back after the week I had not even used 1GB. Most of what I used was because I had turned off Wifi (not sure if it is true but have heard searching for Wifi can reduce battery life so I would turn Wifi off) and forgot to turn it back on when I wanted to use it.

One of the best tips I received was before starting out each day to take a screen shot of the plans in MDE for the day then make that my lock screen. This way I could just light up my screen (didn't even have to slide to unlock) and know what I needed to do when. This takes very little battery and no data/Wifi.

That's what we do too - love to look back at my old screenshots of FP+ times I show friends and family heading down to WDW the screenshot, etc, to help them understand what they are getting into as well

We did find the wifi a bit spotty, but that was over a year ago. Heard it's much better now.

 

[LoKiHB]

There is wifi in the parks, hotels and, restaurants. If you are staying on property, you will need to join the resort wifi once and the parks wifi once as well. After that, your phone should connect automatically. I'm sure someone at the front desk will be more than happy to assist you. Also, MDE app uses minimal cellular data when not connected to wifi. If this is your first foray into the world of smartphones, I would suggest the iPhone 6 (not 6 plus) or the iPhone SE. Since Apple just released the iPhone 7, those two phones are much more affordable (relatively speaking). As a tech person, I've also found that the iPhone is a lot more user friendly.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I've always found the wifi at Disney to be adequate for what I need - accessing MDE, sending text messages, and checking the weather and Facebook mostly.

 

[writerguyfl]

In case someone is wondering, you can easily enjoy Walt Disney World without a smart phone. Whenever I visit a theme park, my phone goes into airplane mode. I might turn it on once or twice a day to check messages. Otherwise, I enjoy the parks.

Personally, I wish more WDW visitors would follow suit. I miss the "old days" when you could easily strike up a conversation with other people. That's hard to due today, since so many folks have their eyes glued to their phones.

 

[Hikergirl]

My daughter just "upgraded" to an iphone 5S. An even better deal. $149 GSM unlocked on Groupon (minus a $30 coupon for new sign ups!). It was cheaper than fixing the cracked screen.

I just upgraded my ds to an iphone 5s too. The price is right, especially for someone just starting out with a smartphone. The 6's are still in the $400 range.

 

[mom2rtk]

I just upgraded my ds to an iphone 5s too. The price is right, especially for someone just starting out with a smartphone. The 6's are still in the $400 range.

I don't even want a $400 phone in my own hands without insurance. And I don't want to pay for insurance. I'm good with my Galaxy S5.

 

[Hikergirl]

I don't even want a $400 phone in my own hands without insurance. And I don't want to pay for insurance. I'm good with my Galaxy S5.

LOL, I have the S5 too. I was thinking of getting my ds insurance for his 5s, but between the upfront cost and the deductible its as much as the phone itself. If he breaks it, he will just have to buy a new phone.
I did buy my dd an iphone 6 plus for her graduation, and did get the insurance. She will be responsible for any deductible for it.

 

[mom2rtk]

LOL, I have the S5 too. I was thinking of getting my ds insurance for his 5s, but between the upfront cost and the deductible its as much as the phone itself. If he breaks it, he will just have to buy a new phone.
I did buy my dd an iphone 6 plus for her graduation, and did get the insurance. She will be responsible for any deductible for it.

My college senior son is still using the 5 we bought him new for high school graduation. When he graduates this spring, we'll probably upgrade him to a newer iphone, maybe the 6+.

 

[twoolle]

LOL, I have the S5 too. I was thinking of getting my ds insurance for his 5s, but between the upfront cost and the deductible its as much as the phone itself. If he breaks it, he will just have to buy a new phone.
I did buy my dd an iphone 6 plus for her graduation, and did get the insurance. She will be responsible for any deductible for it.

DH and I are still on the S4! But DH needs a new one so looking at S5. I didn't know groupon sells phones like PP mentioned but I will have to check it out!