Uber or Lyft using Canadian phone

[Deanie1]

We will me making 2 trips from Pop Century to Universal during our trip in a few weeks. I will be getting a US phone plan for a month for texting but my roaming will be turned off. We would like to use either Uber or Lyft as the cab fares can be quite pricey. Which would you recommend - Lyft or Uber? I am not a phone geek, so I don’t know if I can still use it with my roaming turned off.

 

[momof2gr8kids]

As long as you're hooked into the wifi at Pop Century and Universal (they have it in the parks, right?), then you'll be able to use it.

 

[Deanie1]

Thanks so much!

 

[JennyT2]

Yup, use the resort wifi. We used a Uber and it was so quick and easy!

 

[Sailormoon2]

I am going to jump into this thread with a question, which will clearly illustrate my Uber/Lyft ignorance. Would I already have the App set up on my phone with my Canadian details or should I only get the Ap once in the States and use the "American" version? Or is it all the same?

 

[Deanie1]

Oh, good question, Sailormoon! I am curious also!

 

[westcoastminnie]

I downloaded the Uber app and added all my information while still in Canada. Used it in California, worked great! The only glitch was we couldn’t use the referral code discount (1st ride free) - they said it could only be used in your country of residence which was unfortunate since we don’t have Uber in our town.

 

[LittleFlounder]

Yes, I've had no trouble using the Uber app in Canada and the U.S. I downloaded it in Canada and then traveled to the U.S (California for Disneyland) and had no trouble. You are charged in whatever the local currency is... Canadian dollars in Canada, U.S dollars in the states.

Tip: If you have Paypal, Uber takes PayPal! If your paypal account is set up to take money from your bank account, then its like paying for your Uber trips with debit! I'd rather not use credit cards unless I have to, so this works well for me. I had no issues doing this in the U.S either.

 

[michelb]

Echoing the other responses. While you can download Uber and / or Lyft apps there, there's no reason (except maybe referal codes) do not do it from Canada and have it all setup. If you have a US$ credit card, you might want to setup your profile with that card if you only plan on using it in the US (I have a CND$ and a US$ card on my account and use the appropriate one as required)

 

[lorenni]

Regular Uber user. Set it up before you leave for vacation - as others have mentioned you can associate multiple credit cards, but if you have only a CAD credit card you’ll be fine.

You’ll need to log on to the public WiFi to use the app. Or use data if there is no wifi.

In my experience you can travel between just about any two points within the Magic Kingdom for $10 US or less. We’ll probably never wait for the bus again.

You can also use Uber for pick up and drop off at the Orlando airport. Runs about $25USD - totally worth it for us.

Finally - Uber in Orlando offers Family Uber with car seats. It’s a specific category when you are requesting a ride.

 

[Sailormoon2]

Thank you all for the fantastic feedback.

 

[bcwife76]

I downloaded the Uber app and added all my information while still in Canada. Used it in California, worked great! The only glitch was we couldn’t use the referral code discount (1st ride free) - they said it could only be used in your country of residence which was unfortunate since we don’t have Uber in our town.

Huh, that stinks. The first time we used Uber was in Anaheim and my hubby had no issues using the referral code on his phone (eventhough we live in Vancouver and don't have Uber either).

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

I had heaed there was a first ride free. I wanted to download when I was in the states last weekend and forgot. Maybe will download when we arrive.
Have never used either before.

 

[2Bnºoºt2B]

Should make no difference where you download / set up either app ... for example downloaded Uber Eats down in Texas and used it with no problem. I tried using Lyft last week for the first time, when I was in Austin, but at the time it just didn't flow "smoothly" for me in setting up a pick-up ... so went back to Uber. I will give Lyft another try when I'm not in a rush next time. I never restricted my usage to Wi-Fi only and had no problems with data usage. In the beginning I wasn't sure about using Uber ... now I've used it regularly on our trips ...