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Do cell phones work well at WDW?
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j&bconnecticut
New Member
I have Verizon and have full strength in the parks and resorts. You shouldn't have any problem.
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tiggerzgirl83
Member
I would think they would work fine. I have Cingular AT&T and the recepton was just fine. When I had Nextell, It worked better there then back at home. I was surprised because their service reception is is the worst. Verizon has good reception from what I hear so you should be fine.
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mousefan1972
Well-Known Member
We have Verizon and have never had a problem with reception anywhere in Disney World... however one thing to consider is how loud it can be in the parks and at the resorts. We missed several calls just because we couldn't here the phone ringing. If you're planning to separate your party and rely on your cells (like we did) make sure to have it on vibrate and/or make sure it's loud enough to hear over the WDW din! 
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RiversideBunny
New Member
Works OK for me with Sprint.
I really just keep the cell phone turned off and then turn it on when I need to make a call or to check voice mail.
Normally you have to turn them off, or put on vibrate, anyway when going on the rides.
I really just keep the cell phone turned off and then turn it on when I need to make a call or to check voice mail.
Normally you have to turn them off, or put on vibrate, anyway when going on the rides.
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pacochran
Active Member
Two years ago when we went we had Verizon and we didn't have any issues in the parks that I recall. We split up quite a few times and that's how we would catch up with each other. Last year we had Cinglular/AT&T and it also worked fine. Like someone else said is that just didn't hear the calls but that happens at home also.
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Gig 'Em Mickey
Well-Known Member
As long as you are only using your cell phone for dinner reservations or checking voicemail it should work fine. The minute you start talking about the office, work, the plane ride down, all reception will stop, so there's no point in even bringing those topics up....
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We have Verizon and have never had a problem with reception anywhere in Disney World... however one thing to consider is how loud it can be in the parks and at the resorts. We missed several calls just because we couldn't here the phone ringing. If you're planning to separate your party and rely on your cells (like we did) make sure to have it on vibrate and/or make sure it's loud enough to hear over the WDW din!
thanks for all the feedback...and great point...to use vibrate.
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tigsmom
Well-Known Member
We've used our phones in WDW for the last few years, first with AT&T (before the merger) and now with Sprint. We have had no problems. The kids phone to check in when they are off on their own. It also comes in handy when you want to see if there are any open spots at your favorite restaurant. :lookaroun
Just remember to turn the ringer down when you are on rides and in shows (especially the shows). Also, and this is a big one... DO NOT forget the phone charger.
Just remember to turn the ringer down when you are on rides and in shows (especially the shows). Also, and this is a big one... DO NOT forget the phone charger.
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WISH4EE@WDW
Member
I'd think Sprint/Nextel would be crazy great service (as a side note since Alltel and Sprint share towers now you should get the same reception with Alltel and Sprint on property). Seeings how all the CM's you see with Blackberry's and the Imagineers too (come to think of it) all have the 7520 which is the Nextel one. Seems to me that is the standard issue.
Word on the street from some of my friends who work in RF engineering for Sprint, Disney actually has towers on property (disguised as ordinary trees and such) that Disney allowed them to put in when they made the contract to use them for corporate issued cells. That way they're guaranteed a certain level of service while on property.
Word on the street from some of my friends who work in RF engineering for Sprint, Disney actually has towers on property (disguised as ordinary trees and such) that Disney allowed them to put in when they made the contract to use them for corporate issued cells. That way they're guaranteed a certain level of service while on property.
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hrcollectibles
Active Member
I have Verizon The only place I didn't get any reception was at Sea base Alpha... I mean the psot area of Finding Nemo..
I guess it doesn't work underwater... :ROFLOL:
I guess it doesn't work underwater... :ROFLOL:
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glad to hear all this.
we went to DL several years ago, and our two phones had no reception,
glad to see wireless has improved. we lost each other a few times...it's a little difficult to find someone when you don't have a plan B.
that could be a thread of it's own...how do you keep your group from accidentally getting split up?
we went to DL several years ago, and our two phones had no reception,
glad to see wireless has improved. we lost each other a few times...it's a little difficult to find someone when you don't have a plan B.
that could be a thread of it's own...how do you keep your group from accidentally getting split up?
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campdisney
New Member
We have Verizon as did our entire traveling party and none of us had a problem with reception anywhere at WDW.
I agree with the poster that said to take volume into consideration -- not just for rings but for trying to converse as well. We wound up texting alot and using vibrate. Not only did we not miss any messages but by texting, we didn't disturb anybody by being on the phone in a que shouting "What?" into our phones.
If you decide to text, a time-saver is to pre-program some appropriate quick texts before the trip. We had 12 total, but the three we used the most were "On bus. Be there soon.", "At pool. Where are you?" and "Meet at the (insert castle, hat, tree of life, etc) in half an hour".
I agree with the poster that said to take volume into consideration -- not just for rings but for trying to converse as well. We wound up texting alot and using vibrate. Not only did we not miss any messages but by texting, we didn't disturb anybody by being on the phone in a que shouting "What?" into our phones.
If you decide to text, a time-saver is to pre-program some appropriate quick texts before the trip. We had 12 total, but the three we used the most were "On bus. Be there soon.", "At pool. Where are you?" and "Meet at the (insert castle, hat, tree of life, etc) in half an hour".
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DisneyWood
New Member
LOL. I was thinking the same thing. However, you failed to mention that if you started talking during an attraction/ ride, then the phone call will also be dropped. WDW has a satellite that will help block calls during their attractions, so all guest can equally enjoy, and be bothered w/ loud cell phone talkers.
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Verizon works well in most spot @ WDW. Inside some of he structures, rides, etc. you don't get service, but that happens anywhere. We went down in May and my Verizon Blackberry worked fine. Probably to good in that I did get work e-mails and calls. (I'll take that in the fact that my boss is great in letting travel to WDW and other personnel things that I do as long as I have the electronic leash available to respond to customer/tenant needs.)
Enjoy your trip.
Enjoy your trip.
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tigsmom
Well-Known Member
Just a little something to make you think...
We have seen people escorted out of the WCC when they were on the phone and told not to come back until they could leave work behind. :lookaroun
Also, one morning we were waiting for the boat to the MK (at the WL) when a gentleman preceded to have a very heated conversation with one of his workers. His wife was pleading with him to stop or to at least walk away and he refused and, in the process, got angry with her also. This conversation continued while we were loading on the boat and the captain refused to pull away from the dock until he hung up, which he refused to do (Important business, don'tcha know ). He was escorted off the boat and his family was given the option to go with him, they declined. I'm sure all he heard was the cheers from the boat as we pulled away...the look on his face was priceless. ........
:ROFLOL:
We have seen people escorted out of the WCC when they were on the phone and told not to come back until they could leave work behind. :lookaroun
Also, one morning we were waiting for the boat to the MK (at the WL) when a gentleman preceded to have a very heated conversation with one of his workers. His wife was pleading with him to stop or to at least walk away and he refused and, in the process, got angry with her also. This conversation continued while we were loading on the boat and the captain refused to pull away from the dock until he hung up, which he refused to do (Important business, don'tcha know
). He was escorted off the boat and his family was given the option to go with him, they declined. I'm sure all he heard was the cheers from the boat as we pulled away...the look on his face was priceless. ........:ROFLOL:
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frankd1962
Member
I have Tracfone and had great service through out the Resort. I was sending back pictures to friends & coworkers back home. I also called back to work to "return the favor" to my boss while she was out on maternity leave. I was in line at Soarin' and called her at work to see what new movies came out on DVDs that Tuesday. I had real good connection but it was loud in that line.
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