Using WDW wifi for MDE

[asumom]

We have an old smart phone, not connected to any service, and was wondering if we could connect to WDW wifi and use the MDE app for our fast passes, etc, while in the parks. We would have another phone (T-Mobile)as our primary, but thought to bring the extra as a spare. Would this work?

 

[Wubar]

I would think you could, as long as the old smart phone is capable of downloading the current version of MDE, which even updated, can be wonky at times. When I switched from my old iphone to an android phone recently (and switched carriers as well), I could still use my iphone on my home wifi network to surf the web and use the apps.

That being said, I have heard reports of the Disney wifi being not so great in the parks, but hopefully it works wonderfully for you!

 

[erionm]

We have an old smart phone, not connected to any service, and was wondering if we could connect to WDW wifi and use the MDE app for our fast passes, etc, while in the parks. We would have another phone (T-Mobile)as our primary, but thought to bring the extra as a spare. Would this work?

As long as the phones operating system supports the MDE mobile app, yes it would work.

If it's an Apple phone, it must be running iOS 9 or later.
If it's an Android phone, it must be running Android 5 or later.

 

[anomamatt]

I'm sure you could, yes.

I ALWAYS turn off WiFi when in the parks because Disney WiFi is unreliable. My cell service (AT&T) is so much better... Many times this past week MDE was slow and non-responding and it was because WiFi had somehow come back on...

 

[erionm]

If the MDE mobile app won't run on the phone, you can use the mobile browser and go to MyDisneyExperience.com.

 

[Donalyn]

My experience is that Disney WiFi is not good. Too many people trying to use it.

 

[asumom]

Thanx......I will download the app on there first to make sure it even works and then maybe get a pay as you go plan for the month since it sounds like the free wifi isn't too reliable. Do T-Mobile and Verizon work well in the parks? Excited for this trip but the first time using fast pass plus....little overwhelmed and nervous about that and having to rely on the phone...all of your tips and comments are very helpful.

 

[Action City]

Thanx......I will download the app on there first to make sure it even works and then maybe get a pay as you go plan for the month since it sounds like the free wifi isn't too reliable. Do T-Mobile and Verizon work well in the parks? Excited for this trip but the first time using fast pass plus....little overwhelmed and nervous about that and having to rely on the phone...all of your tips and comments are very helpful.

Verizon works great, in my experience.

 

[deedubb]

Wifi at WDW is definitely spotty. Very good in some locations, poor to non-existent in others. Aside from that, I think you should be okay. My daughter has one of my old iPhones with no sim card in it that she uses to play Pokemon go in the parks using their wifi.

 

[epcotty]

If the MDE mobile app won't run on the phone, you can use the mobile browser and go to MyDisneyExperience.com.

Thanks for reminding me. Due to smartphone battery problems we've gone back onto old non-smartphones, using tablets for apps. The tablets are too large to carry around, so this should work ok so we don't have to use the kiosks. As for cell phone service, sometimes there it doesn't go through when making a call or sending a text until you walk around on a standard cell phone in my experience

 

[pooh'smate]

Our last trip in 2016 I used MDE on my iPod in the parks and it worked great.

 

[scrapquitler]

We have an old smart phone, not connected to any service, and was wondering if we could connect to WDW wifi and use the MDE app for our fast passes, etc, while in the parks. We would have another phone (T-Mobile)as our primary, but thought to bring the extra as a spare. Would this work?

It probably depends on how old that old smartphone is. It has to be new enough to run the latest version of MDE. Depending on the operating system on that phone, it might be impossible for you to even download the current MDE app. The current version of MDE requires iOS 9.0 or higher. I'm sure the Android version also has some similar requirement, but I have no idea what that would be.

 

[b52hbuff]

Just got back from WDW Christmas trip. I noticed that quality of Wifi degraded the more people were in the park. We were there on Christmas day, when they closed the park. Wifi was terrible. Many times it was impossible to join the Disney Guest network.

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

We were there the first two weeks of November and as international visitors we rely solely on Disney's wifi.

It was terrible everywhere but in our resort room. We’ve never experienced such terrible wifi since it’s inception than we did this past visit.

If you have access to a cellular network my advice would be to use it.

And Disney, if you’re listening, for the love of peas and carrots do something about your entire IT system!

Rant over