Enjoying the day at Disney

[ifuhadwings]

The last time I was at the parks I noticed people on their phones. They had their family right there yet they were on the phone the entire time while they would wait on line. Chatting and what not. This did not happen once but all of the time. A young couple while waiting for Kali River rapids were each on their phones texting other people.They did not say one word to each other the whole time. There were even people texting on rides! Does that seem odd to anyone else? Shouldn't people be enjoying their time at Disney with the folks with them? Just seems odd. It is their business, but when I'm on a ride, for example, The Haunted Mansion, I do not want to see the glare of phones. Or in a show, when I'm behind them. That blue glare in a dark place is just annoying and takes away from the experience.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

I see no problem with texting or playing on your phone while waiting in line for rides. I do that all the time. Some lines can be really long and stuff on my phone can help pass the time. But as far as texting on rides, that's just silly. People should be enjoying the attractions and shows. I can see if it's an emergency, but if it's not, I think you should be able to wait until you're off the ride to check your phone.

 

[Figgy1]

My phone stays in my pursre for the enite trip!!!!! I go off line no lap top or anything else to distract me!!!!!! Before I leave I tell people don't call unless it is dire. MY DISNEY TIME IS MINE!!!!!!!!!!!! I put out the do not disturb sign it reads Gone to Disney be back in 2 weeks! Call at your own risk! I don't get making a big time and money investment and wasting it on something that can wait! Disney is too much fun!!!!!!!!!!

 

[KCheatle]

I don't take my phone to the parks. We don't split up, so there's no reason to. Also, my phone is linked to my work email, so every time I get an email it dings at me. That's the last thing I want to think about while I'm at WDW! I even dread checking it at night when we get back to the hotel just because I hate being that obligated to check in on things at the office. I just wish people could let me have a week off and know that their questions will be answered when I get back (I definitely chose the wrong profession if I was expecting patience). My phone constantly re-connects me to the outside world, which is exactly what I'm trying to escape from when I go to WDW. I don't know about everyone else. To each his own I guess. And if someone wants to be on their phone, it's only their own experience they're ruining. As long as I stayed disconnected from reality - that's fine for me.

 

[ifuhadwings]

I don't take my phone to the parks. We don't split up, so there's no reason to. Also, my phone is linked to my work email, so every time I get an email it dings at me. That's the last thing I want to think about while I'm at WDW! I even dread checking it at night when we get back to the hotel just because I hate being that obligated to check in on things at the office. I just wish people could let me have a week off and know that their questions will be answered when I get back (I definitely chose the wrong profession if I was expecting patience). My phone constantly re-connects me to the outside world, which is exactly what I'm trying to escape from when I go to WDW. I don't know about everyone else. To each his own I guess. And if someone wants to be on their phone, it's only their own experience they're ruining. As long as I stayed disconnected from reality - that's fine for me.

That's interesting. I forget some people may have to stay connected.

 

[rob45]

I have my phone with me at the parks. I listen to music when in a line. Disney music of course.

 

[The Mighty Tim]

I had my phone with me, but that is because we were two parties that wanted to schedule meet up times and places and whatnot. Though I do not sync my phone with work email or anything work relates for that matter.

And besides, its not as if anyone ever rings me anyway!

 

[James Clifton]

Before I retired,I had to have my phone on me 24-7!Ihave had it ring when at WDW....business...at times sucked!!Don't have that problem anymore!
Jim

 

[luv]

I rarely text from the parks. I went with someone who spent the whole time texting and posting on Facebook. It's annoying and rude.

And you are missing out!

 

[rufio]

I do play on my phone sometimes while in line (especially long ones). Don't get me wrong, I love my husband, but after three days attached at the hip 24 hours a day, we sometimes run out of things to talk about. Waiting in line for 20 minutes? The phone may be coming out!

 

[Disvillain63]

No phones and no computers at Disney...my husband and I enjoy the time together and we always manage to find something to talk about...people-watching gives you lots of conversational starters.

 

[jw24]

I do bring my cell phone but only for emergency calls if need be. It's understandable waiting in line because I mean, there's not much to do in a line except move when you need to move. In all seriousness what would you rather experience: A bunch of people texting or loud chanting from the notorious Brazilian tour groups that everyone has been griping about? (I haven't experienced seeing those groups personally fortunately but others can't say the same.) But just texting on a ride. Come on! You don't need to post, tweet or update your FB status to every single moment that happens on a ride! Enjoy the ride and talk about it afterwards at least. If you're not willing to put down your cell phone fewer than 5 minutes and experience the ride and everything it has to offer, then you shouldn't ride, at all. It's like going to a sporting event and spend all day talking on the phone and not paying attention to the game. If you paid so much money to watch game and you won't watch the game, it's a waste of time and money on your part! And I've seen it in front of my eyes!

Rant aside, live, breathe and experience the magic of Disney World. Seriously people. Turn off your cameras, stop recording your videos and cell phones and just bask in the Disney World environment for a couple of hours. As I've said many times, just being there is the happiest feeling of all

 

[ifuhadwings]

No phones and no computers at Disney...my husband and I enjoy the time together and we always manage to find something to talk about...people-watching gives you lots of conversational starters.

That's my point. Talk to your loved ones! Don't run away on the phone!

 

[bethymouse]

Talk to your loved ones!
Oh yes. It is so sad that there is no real "conversation" between folks anymore.
We actually enjoy striking up a conversation w/ whomever's in line w/ us!
It's sad when you see a family at a dinner table not talking to each other. Darn cell phones!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I bring my phone b/c:
1. sometimes we separate, so texting is the best way to find each other
2. sometimes my parents meet up with us and that's the best way to track us down in the park
3. we have food allergies and insect sting allergies in our group, and while it might not do much good in the middle of the park...I figure it can't hurt either
4. I have games loaded onto it in case the waits take their toll on the kids. They are usually just fine w/o it, but still nice to have it just in case things get bad.
5. While it rarely happens, I do sometimes have to take work calls if something strange comes in while I'm out.

The reality, I can't hear my phone when it's in the car next to me...so it's highly unlikely I'm going to hear it in the parks and I don't pull it out of my bag unless I have to...and never NeVeR NEVER on a ride/show/attraction.

I do bring my laptop, but that's all about pictures. I take hundreds of pictures each day and I feel MUCH better about it when I can come back to the room at night or break time and load all of my photos onto my computer.

 

[MouseDreaming]

I remember watching an interview awhile back with Ben Affleck who said when he sees a car with 4 people all talking on their phones, he assumes they must not enjoy the company very much. Really, we don 't use the cell while we are there. However, I am guessing that it is going to be a lot more common to see people texting and chatting on their phone. With FP+, Disney is asking you to be attached to your device and have it at the ready.

 

[foreverbelle]

While down there, we try to enjoy the time away from any thing electronic. That being said we usually bring one, which my husband had to pull out for hockey news. And we like to have one on in case of emergencies, but it usually stays put. I have had to get on the hubby when we had a scheduled dinner with just the two of us and he was paying more attention to that!

 

[ifuhadwings]

Talk to your loved ones!
Oh yes. It is so sad that there is no real "conversation" between folks anymore.
We actually enjoy striking up a conversation w/ whomever's in line w/ us!
It's sad when you see a family at a dinner table not talking to each other. Darn cell phones!

Yes, I love the chatting with people on line with you. Makes the the day more friendly.

 

[Raven66]

My husband and I both carried our phones last trip. We didn't separate per say. But he and our daughter would go on RnRC and I would find a spot to people watch and wait. So he would text me when they got out and I would meet them. This trip we will have two 16 yr old girls with us so all four of us will have our phones. Because we are going to separate. But thanks to this thread I just turned to her and reminded her that they are to keep their phones in their pockets on rides unless they are going to take a picture. No texting or calling people while on a ride. I don't have a problem with them having their phones out in line. As long as they aren't loud and disruptive. We usually talk and laugh while in line tho. The hubby will check weather every now and then tho.

 

[King Panda 77]

Our phones stay in the hotel safe for most of the two weeks we are there.they come out in the evening to check them and will grab one if DW or i feel ill and go back to the room so we can reconnect if they feel better.Love not being connected to the real world for 2 weeks.Can't say even after 16 years we run out of stuff to talk about