Wi-Fi in the parks, is it any better now?

[Geemo]

Disney park's Wi-Fi received BAD reviews a while back as MaxPass rolled out.

Everyone is so impressed with MaxPass, does it have anything to do with better Wi-Fi?
Or are most people replying on their data plans to use MP?

Currently the only negative thing I've heard about MP is the $10/person/day.
The cost is a challenge for some going to the parks on a tight budget for multiple days.



Geemo

 

[gottalovepluto]

We used our data plan. As for negatives: It was great except when the system went down which happened once in each of my two trips I used it. For us it went down for about 6 hours Sat afternoon-evening on our fall trip and a couple hours one day on our pre-Xmas trip (but that might not count because the entire park-wide FP & DAS systems went down for a very miserable 2 hours). No refunds when it goes down which was annoying to me but would have been very upsetting if I had a family with a tight budget & had made the splurge.

 

[chris1212]

I would NOT rely on park wifi for MaxPass! We just got back and used wifi when possible, but had a data plan as well. There were large portions of the park with no wifi at all. It kind of defeats the purpose of MP if you have to run around the park chasing wifi.

 

[karly101]

wifi in the parks is really terrible. I has to use my roaming data.

 

[mom2rtk]

I thought the Wifi right after Thanksgiving was terrible. We used our data more most of the time.

 

[mom2rtk]

I would NOT rely on park wifi for MaxPass! We just got back and used wifi when possible, but had a data plan as well. There were large portions of the park with no wifi at all. It kind of defeats the purpose of MP if you have to run around the park chasing wifi.

No joke. It's ridiculous on its face.

 

[Xenorye]

For those who used data, which service did you have? My free year of coverage with Sprint will be up before my next trip and I very well may go with whatever company works best at DLR.

 

[tzeitel]

I use Straight Talk and have never had a problem anywhere. I have the unlimited plan which is $45 or $55 I forget since I have it on auto refill.

 

[MonocularVision]

We have Verizon and it was pretty excellent through the park except when going on underground rides like Pirates, Haunted Mansion, etc.

The WiFi was so spotty and bad, I had my phone forget the network because it caused more problems than was helpful.

 

[kristabelle13]

There's really strong wifi when you (hear me out) walk from the gate at DCA up Buena Vista street and then go slightly to the right following the trolley track around the fountain. Just when you pass the churro cart (stay on the trolley track), you'll see a bench to your right. If you stand on the trolley track between the fountain and the bench - the WiFi is super strong. In that one spot. Not the whole journey. Just the destination. Was able to download a google map no problem.

Otherwise, haven't seen WiFi work in the parks. But that's just my experience lol

 

[sherilaine]

If the wifi is really bad then turning off your wifi on your phone is likely a good idea - otherwise the battery will drain while your phone is constantly looking for a signal. We have relied on data on all our trips to DLR - and we are from Canada but luckily our carrier allows us to use our regular plan data for a small fee while in the U.S. I have seen reviews on tricks of how to reduce data usage with MP though - such as turning it off when you don't need it and screen captures or using your tickets at FP return lines rather than using the app to scan.

 

[j9isawesome]

There are small patches in both of the parks where Wi-Fi does work mostly like it ought to but unfortunately the majority of the parks might as will not have Wi-Fi access at all whatsoever imo. I do think most ppl that are suggesting/using MaxPass are just using their data on their phone and not struggling with the park’s WiFi. Myself and most of my friends have unlimited data within the US & decent data coverage when we are out of the US, so I do have to remind myself sometimes that not everyone has similar phone service when dishing out advice.

 

[Sjwillia]

I don't have a large data plan and don't need one for my normal activities. So now I am worried I won't have sufficient data to use maxpass for the full 5 days I am there. Can anyone give me some idea of how much we are talking about just for maxpass? I don't download movies, video or music.

 

[tlovesdis]

I just use my data when using MaxPass.

 

[starshine514]

We have T-Mobile and get coverage pretty good in the park (exceptions that I recall are in some buildings - like Indy). We got horrible coverage in our first-floor room at the Desert Inn, though.

 

[Marcus A. Jordan]

Just to be clear, MaxPass has nothing to do with the Wi-Fi. To utilize MaxPass, your ticket must be scanned at the turnstile as active in the park that day. You can leave the parks, go to Downtown Disney or anywhere, and still be able to book FastPasses with Maxpass.

I'll sometimes leave before lunch and go back to the hotel and rest. While at the hotel, I'll continue to grab FastPasses for later in the evening for the E-ticket rides.

The Wi-Fi in the park isn't bad. The Disneyland app shows you were the hotspots are, and it's accurate. My only wish is they'd put it in places where most cell signals don't work (Space Mountain).

 

[sherilaine]

Just to be clear, MaxPass has nothing to do with the Wi-Fi. To utilize MaxPass, your ticket must be scanned at the turnstile as active in the park that day. You can leave the parks, go to Downtown Disney or anywhere, and still be able to book FastPasses with Maxpass.

I'll sometimes leave before lunch and go back to the hotel and rest. While at the hotel, I'll continue to grab FastPasses for later in the evening for the E-ticket rides.

The Wi-Fi in the park isn't bad. The Disneyland app shows you were the hotspots are, and it's accurate. My only wish is they'd put it in places where most cell signals don't work (Space Mountain).

That just sold me right there!!

 

[midnight star]

I don't have a large data plan and don't need one for my normal activities. So now I am worried I won't have sufficient data to use maxpass for the full 5 days I am there. Can anyone give me some idea of how much we are talking about just for maxpass? I don't download movies, video or music.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/how-much-data-for-max-pass.3640271/ Here is a post about some data usage other park goers have reported. I don’t think it uses a crazy amount. It does however drain your battery so make sure to bring a portable charger!

 

[Sjwillia]

https://www.disboards.com/threads/how-much-data-for-max-pass.3640271/ Here is a post about some data usage other park goers have reported. I don’t think it uses a crazy amount. It does however drain your battery so make sure to bring a portable charger!

Thank you for this information. It looks like I will be good with the data plan I have and will be sure to take a portable charger.

 

[10SE]

MP itself shouldn’t require much data. It’s just pushing tiny bits of text back and forth. For the people who have experienced battery drain, my guess is they may be using other features of the app more frequently. For example, downloading alll of those free PhotoPass pics is going to eat a bunch of data. Also the map likes to refresh when the app is reopened and I believe that is downloading image data as well.