Wi-Fi and Smartphones

[BlueGiraffe]

I was just wondering how people get on with their smartphones while at WDW? Last time I went in 2011, I didn't have a smartphone, so it wasn't really an issue.

Are you still able to use all your apps, as normal, when connected to wifi in villas/hotels/parks? Or do you have to keep switching certain settings on and off to avoid hefty roaming charges when travelling between places?

I was hoping to blog photos and trip details for my family at home, but wasn't sure if it would be possible to do so on the go, or to wait until I got back to our hotel/villa in the evenings and do it on the laptop there.

Thanks for any help or suggestions

 

[2Tiggies]

What kind of phone do you have?

For most, turning on flight mode and then turning wifi back on keeps your cellular service disabled. You can also turn off cellular data.

Last trip DD had an android and probably the only thing I ever liked about an android phone was that I could whip out her sim card and let her use it on wifi only so that there was no chance of anything reactivating.

Disney park wifi was a bit hit and miss for us. In fact, although in room was ok, even around the resort it was very iffy. It has apparently improved since then, but as many of the reports of improvement have come from people who have a US plan, and are therefore able to use their own network service, I am not putting high expectations on it just yet. It worked fine - just not all the time and not everywhere in the parks/resorts. That was our experience anyway.

 

[london75]

Or if you're on three, leave it all on as you can take your plan with you and get data over there. A massive move by three that I'm looking forward to trying this year!

 

[Julia Ann]

Or if you're on three, leave it all on as you can take your plan with you and get data over there. A massive move by three that I'm looking forward to trying this year!

oooh we are with three also

 

[zavandor]

I'm on three too and used it during my trip to California last month and I loved it!
It saved me 40$, the amount I spent last September when I bought a local SIM to use while in the USA.

 

[Thickey]

Last year I got a PAYG t-mobile sim which worked ok.. You need to be aware that Universal and Sea World don't have free wifi if you are going elsewhere.. I am with three and did a jump for joy when they announced the US roaming changes the other week!

Wifi in the parks was ok, in some places it was fantastic better than the fremium service I was getting from my offsite hotel. I was even able to facetime my parents (discretely) while on it's a small world!

 

[BlueGiraffe]

Oooh yes I'm with Three - but only since Saturday, lol. That was a bit of luck then, I'll look into it, thanks.

ETA: I have the Samsung Galaxy S4