Wifi vs Data Plan at Disney World

[Frozen2014]

Question for fellow Canadians. When you come to Disney World, do you purchase a data plan? Or do you use the park's wifi?

There are 4 of us....DH and I and our two kids and we will be using Genie+.

I'm guessing that data is better for booking Genie+ and Individual LL? What about for just What's App for keeping in touch with our kids when there are rides that they go on without us and we meet up with them after?

What I'm thinking.....DH and I get data for booking Genie rides, and our kids use wifi to keep in touch? Or do we all need data? Or is wifi good for all of us?

 

[SaraMc]

We’re with Rogers, we kept one phone with data going for 12.99 a day and everyone else connected to wifi.

 

[Aug2020distrip]

We didn’t buy data, we were fine with just wifi. With that said, we only did Genie + one day. There were a few dead zones in a queue where I could technically book the next one but was in a dead zone, but I found that pretty rare. Mainly just used it for the lines app and wifi was fine for that.

ETA: we also didn’t do an paid LL, but like you said i am sure data would be better for that

 

[CanucksRock]

I use Airalo eSIM. For a week I use 2-3 GB. I try and stick to wifi but it’s not always available.

 

[Minniemoo15]

I do not get a phone plan… wifi works great at resorts but can be maddening in the parks, especially when trying to book lightening lanes. More often than not I used DHs phone in parks because he has an international plan through work.

 

[lilsonicfan]

I always either pay for a data plan (now eSIM/Airalo) or Roam like Home add-ons through my home cell phone plan, but the first option is much cheaper. But we usually would have a vehicle and also like to do non-park stuff so the ability to use google maps and such is helpful.

 

[Frozen2014]

I do not get a phone plan… wifi works great at resorts but can be maddening in the parks, especially when trying to book lightening lanes. More often than not I used DHs phone in parks because he has an international plan through work.

This is my worry....we purchased Genie for our entire trip so would be very frustrating to lose out on hard to get bookings due to no connection at that moment...or end up with a crappy time due to wifi issues.

Will wifi work for something like What's App to keep in touch with our kids when needed?

 

[Minniemoo15]

This is my worry....we purchased Genie for our entire trip so would be very frustrating to lose out on hard to get bookings due to no connection at that moment...or end up with a crappy time due to wifi issues.

Will wifi work for something like What's App to keep in touch with our kids when needed?

Yes What’s Up would work on wifi. We use iMessage or FB messenger for our group chats on wifi at disney and no issues. Like I said though, the parks are a lot spottier wifi than the resorts.

 

[Jrb1979]

Just a heads up if any of you are also AP holders they are only allowing you to use the app to get discounts for Merch and Food. They no longer accept cards or Magic Bands. Take that into account for your decision to use data or not.

 

[Frozen2014]

Yes What’s Up would work on wifi. We use iMessage or FB messenger for our group chats on wifi at disney and no issues. Like I said though, the parks are a lot spottier wifi than the resorts.

Thanks. I think then wifi for our kids will be enough. Mostly we'll be together and set a meeting spot and time after a ride anyways...it's just that the time will be a total guess so good if they can message us in case we go elsewhere , but they are done earlier.

Just a heads up if any of you are also AP holders they are only allowing you to use the app to get discounts for Merch and Food. They no longer accept cards or Magic Bands. Take that into account for your decision to use data or not.

Thanks for the info. We are no AP ourselves but that may help others that are.

 

[Eeyore's the Best]

I'm with Rogers, Roam like Home was getting ridiculously expensive, I upgraded to a US phone plan for approx $10 per month, I can use my phone in the US just like in Canada. We usually go for 3 weeks in total each year so it's def worth it to me.

 

[Frozen2014]

I'm with Rogers, Roam like Home was getting ridiculously expensive, I upgraded to a US phone plan for approx $10 per month, I can use my phone in the US just like in Canada. We usually go for 3 weeks in total each year so it's def worth it to me.

Definitely a good idea if you have a few trips where you need data.

 

[2Lunds]

Just returned from a trip last week. WIFI has definitely improved in the parks and on the buses since our last trip fall 2019 (the buses are due to some new system that my tech husband recognized, but I don't have the specs to really speak on it). It's still pretty spotty though. Half our party had roaming programs and half relied on the WIFI and the ones on WIFI def had some challenges with getting messages on time. Those of us with data were in charge of wrangling Genie+, so it seems like that's a good compromise. Have at least one person with data to book plans, and as another poster said, make hard plans for meeting times/locations just in case.

 

[Blondie58]

Yet another expense and being tied to tech when you are supposed to be vacationing.

 

[2Lunds]

If it makes any who hasn't used it yet feel better, I was actually on my phone way less with G+. First LL was booked while I was still having coffee in bed, then I set an alarm for subsequent bookings and just put my phone away until then.

 

[starry_solo]

Not in Canada but what do you plan to do with food at quick service? WDW is highly, highly encouraging mobile order and since the WiFi is not a secure network, it can be hacked, etc. You wouldn't want someone to encounter a gift card/credit card when you are placing an order..

 

[Frozen2014]

roved in the parks and on the buses since our last trip fall 2019 (the buses are due to some new system that my tech husband recognized, but I don't have the specs to really speak on it). It's still pretty spotty though. Half our party had roaming programs and half relied on the WIFI and the ones on WIFI de

Thanks for sharing your experience. Think we'll end up doing that...get data for half of us (adults) while kids use wifi...and we will always have a meeting spot. It's just if they are out sooner than we estimate. (Or maybe we can walk with them and leave at the chicken exists...not sure if that's on every ride)

Yet another expense and being tied to tech when you are supposed to be vacationing.

Totally agree on other vacation. We cruise a lot and we never get the data plan. If we did, then DH would be on his phone all the time, as well as our kids and this is our holiday time to spend together as a family.
However, for Disney, I kind of feel like even despite Genie+, it's helpful for seeing wait times and figuring out the next ride.

 

[Daddy's 'lil Princess]

Question for fellow Canadians. When you come to Disney World, do you purchase a data plan? Or do you use the park's wifi?

There are 4 of us....DH and I and our two kids and we will be using Genie+.

I'm guessing that data is better for booking Genie+ and Individual LL? What about for just What's App for keeping in touch with our kids when there are rides that they go on without us and we meet up with them after?

What I'm thinking.....DH and I get data for booking Genie rides, and our kids use wifi to keep in touch? Or do we all need data? Or is wifi good for all of us?

I am, or at least was, thinking about this component and how it would apply. Good to see a few options like $10 for no hassle? DONE!

A few tips i have stumbled across in my planning. CELL power concerns - easy answer make sure full charge and have a backup portable power supply available or use 1 device 1/2 day 2nd devce 2nd half etc howwever. On the topic of Battery DEATH signal interuption etc.... Not sure if this is a well known trick but i wouldnt have thought of it...... TURN AIRPLANE MODE ON.....especially when in ques that are below the surface or under heavy structure as apparently the phone will go into or can go into ROAM mode which will destroy your battery. Simply turn AIRPLANE mode off after the ride at surface level.
Just a tid bit i saw somewhere and makes total sense.

 

[Frozen2014]

I am, or at least was, thinking about this component and how it would apply. Good to see a few options like $10 for no hassle? DONE!

A few tips i have stumbled across in my planning. CELL power concerns - easy answer make sure full charge and have a backup portable power supply available or use 1 device 1/2 day 2nd devce 2nd half etc howwever. On the topic of Battery DEATH signal interuption etc.... Not sure if this is a well known trick but i wouldnt have thought of it...... TURN AIRPLANE MODE ON.....especially when in ques that are below the surface or under heavy structure as apparently the phone will go into or can go into ROAM mode which will destroy your battery. Simply turn AIRPLANE mode off after the ride at surface level.
Just a tid bit i saw somewhere and makes total sense.

Thanks for the tip as I can see the battery going down quickly. DH does have a battery pack so will definitely be brining it...but switching to airplane mode will help too when don't need the data.

 

[2Lunds]

Thanks for the tip as I can see the battery going down quickly. DH does have a battery pack so will definitely be brining it...but switching to airplane mode will help too when don't need the data.

I have a little hand-held fan which also functions as a battery pack, and I only used it to boost the phone once - and that was because I forgot to charge up while I was getting ready in the morning. Otherwise, my battery never went below 60%.