suggestions for buying a wifi device for trip

[zaksmom]

For me there is no value in owning a smart phone. I am looking for suggestions of the best device that I can use to hook onto Disney's system so I can book fastpasses, dining reservations, etc. My son has an older ipad he said I could use but that seems too heavy to carry around each day. I have seen the smaller version of the ipad and some other companies that have smaller tablets that are lighter. I don't need to have a service just ability to hook up to wifi. I don't know a lot about these things, but understand that there are different operating systems, etc and that some might work better than others.
I think there might be value for me outside of the Disney trip to own one of these smaller tablets but I want to get the best one to use at Disney.
Any ideas would be helpful. We are going in October so if you know of new products etc coming out in the next few months please include.
Thank you. thank you. I have done lots of searches on this but just must not be putting in the correct words.

 

[TJDisneymama]

I can tell you what NOT to buy and that's the larger Kindle Fire HD (the 9"). Because there is no MDE app for it, only the smaller 7" kindle.

 

[AladdinRapunzelTink]

I think most android tablets (I would say "all", but the kindle fire 9" is an example of an exception) should have no issues with MDE.
For carrying around the park, I would get one that's 5" or smaller (many tabs this size can be bought for under $100). If you think you'll use it regularly after your vacation, then you might want to consider a 7 or 8" tablet (many of which can be bought for around $100). These inexpensive android tablets aren't the quality of the iPad, but should get the job done at a fraction of the weight/cost.

 

[MsThumper]

How about looking into an IPOD Touch? I bought my last two (Generation 4 & Generation 5) from the Apple website. I buy "reconditioned" ones and have saved about $100 on each of them, over what they sell for in the stores. Both of them have worked wonderfully, just like they were brand new.

When we go to WDW, we leave our IPADs locked in our room safe and I carry my IPOD Touch. I've never had problems connecting to the Disney WIFI or using it with MDE.

 

[rwdavis2]

An ipod touch?

 

[MsThumper]

An ipod touch?

Yes, it's basically an IPhone without the phone capabilities, and a lot cheaper than an IPhone and you don't need a data plan. You can connect to any wifi network that is available to you.

http://www.apple.com/ipod/

 

[rwdavis2]

Yes, it's basically an IPhone without the phone capabilities, and a lot cheaper than an IPhone and you don't need a data plan. You can connect to any wifi network that is available to you.

http://www.apple.com/ipod/

Especially if you can find a refurbished one without a lot of memory.

 

[Itinkso]

If you already have and are paying for an AT&T wireless account, from their website you can get an iPhone 4 for $1. You don't have to use it as a smart phone and can choose to use it as wi-fi only.

 

[twism50]

Along the lines of an iPod touch, but a bit cheaper you could look into a prepaid android cell phone. Most carriers have ones that are under $100, as low as $50. You could even activate it for the trip. Walmart offers a family mobile plan (which is on t-mobile's network) Their plan is $30 a month, with a android phone for about $50.

**Edit** It looks like their plan has gone up to $40 a month.

 

[zaksmom]

WOW! Thank you for all the wonderful replies. Lots of great ideas. Should help so much. I really didn't know where to start. I have found that my "circles" are pretty low tech and many are as clueless as I. Time to come into the 21st century!

 

[MomForFrozenAddicts]

I was not able to get MDE app on my Galaxy Tab. Back to my iPad mini and iPhone.

 

[illinidp]

My additional advice is to invest in a battery pack. You can pick these up pretty cheap and most will charge 2 devices simultaneously with USB cables. If you use the app a lot with the location feature on it will drain your battery quickly. It definitely came in handy last week as our group often splits up for a while and then meets back up later. Hard to stay in touch with roaming teenagers if somebody has a dead battery.

 

[jeremyland]

I would suggest you look at a Verizon wireless pre-paid Motorola Moto G. Best Buy currently has them for $69.99 but they were $49.99 a few weeks ago. This is prepaid device so no contract. The phone is fast and responsive with an excellent screen for the money.



Jeremy

 

[chapie1968]

I was not able to get MDE app on my Galaxy Tab. Back to my iPad mini and iPhone.

Are you sure you just couldn't find it. I have a Note 3 phone, my wife and son have a Galaxy S4, and my son has a galaxy tablet and we can get MDE on all of them through the google play store.

 

[zaksmom]

Thanks again.More good info.

 

[RllngRckBrw]

If you already have and are paying for an AT&T wireless account, from their website you can get an iPhone 4 for $1. You don't have to use it as a smart phone and can choose to use it as wi-fi only.

I am not sure of the specific deal you are talking about but in the past these deals have required a contract into a data plan of about $30 a month.

 

[Momof2Singers]

I can tell you what NOT to buy and that's the larger Kindle Fire HD (the 9"). Because there is no MDE app for it, only the smaller 7" kindle.

This is a bummer, I was planning on taking mine....it has a large memory capacity and when I didn't want to pull out my camcorder, I was planning to use it for that also

 

[gericoronado]

For me there is no value in owning a smart phone. I am looking for suggestions of the best device that I can use to hook onto Disney's system so I can book fastpasses, dining reservations, etc. My son has an older ipad he said I could use but that seems too heavy to carry around each day. I have seen the smaller version of the ipad and some other companies that have smaller tablets that are lighter. I don't need to have a service just ability to hook up to wifi. I don't know a lot about these things, but understand that there are different operating systems, etc and that some might work better than others.
I think there might be value for me outside of the Disney trip to own one of these smaller tablets but I want to get the best one to use at Disney.
Any ideas would be helpful. We are going in October so if you know of new products etc coming out in the next few months please include.
Thank you. thank you. I have done lots of searches on this but just must not be putting in the correct words.

I have EXACTLY your situation. I do not own a smartphone but wanted to use MDE. I have a 7" Android tablet and the MDE app absolutely did NOT work properly on this device so I finally gave up with that option. I purchased an iPad and the MDE works BRILLIANTLY on it. It's not too heavy for park use, the display is fabulous, and have not regretted this purchase. I plan to use WDW free Wi-Fi when I get there.

 

[Jennasis]

Go with a refurbed Ipod Touch.

 

[PrincessP]

We don't have a smart phone either, but we're thinking of doing this (see link below) for upcoming trip. Not sure about their network coverage reliability, though. Any thoughts from others?

T-mobile offers free iPhone 5s for one week trial. We need to investigate the logistics more to see if we can time it exactly when we need it.


http://news.yahoo.com/t-mobile-want...kBHNlYwNzYwRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkA1VJMDFUQzFfMQ--