Wi-Fi in Parks ???

[Red devil]

Does anyone know if there is Wi-fi in the Disney parks? The reason I ask is because a friend of mine is going to WDW next week (for the first time in over 25 years) and he has an iphone with some Disney Apps that he wanted to know if he would be able to use in the park. Please let me know, Thanks.

 

[luvlifeinfl]

I don't know for sure and I have seen past threads on this forum asking that question.

I found this on the internet.

http://www.squidoo.com/Wifi-Walt-Disney-World

I will go back and see if I can find past post and give you the link.

 

[luvlifeinfl]

ok, here are 2 threads that I found.

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=470925&highlight=WiFi

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=475765&highlight=WiFi

 

[siberian57]

Thanks for the link. I had a feeling there were certain spots around the parks that might have wi-fi but I was wondering where those areas were for a while now.

 

[Raychul]

The iPhone does not use Wi-Fi...it uses the 3G Network which basically, if you have a cell phone signal then you have 3G. Yes, the iPhone does work in WDW.

Now, if he has an iPod Touch, then he will need Wi-Fi for internet access, but as long as he has an iPhone then he doesn't ever need to worry about whether a location is Wi-Fi ready or not.

 

[scpergj]

The iPhone does not use Wi-Fi...it uses the 3G Network which basically, if you have a cell phone signal then you have 3G. Yes, the iPhone does work in WDW.

Now, if he has an iPod Touch, then he will need Wi-Fi for internet access, but as long as he has an iPhone then he doesn't ever need to worry about whether a location is Wi-Fi ready or not.

Actually, the iPhone CAN use wi-fi...if it is available, otherwise it uses the 3G.

There were only a couple of places I couldn't get reception with mine last time we were there, so all should be just fine.

 

[Raychul]

Actually, the iPhone CAN use wi-fi...if it is available, otherwise it uses the 3G.

There were only a couple of places I couldn't get reception with mine last time we were there, so all should be just fine.

True, but why worry about Wi-Fi if you have 3G. Chances are you will have a 3G connection before you ever find a Wi-Fi hot spot.

So to answer the original question, my iPhone worked just fine in WDW without ever needing to find a hot spot. Just make sure you bring a plastic baggy for it when you get on Splash. Those iPhone apps are awesome, I look around on them all the time at home just to "pretend" I am really there.

 

[Red devil]

Now, if he has an iPod Touch, then he will need Wi-Fi for internet access, but as long as he has an iPhone then he doesn't ever need to worry about whether a location is Wi-Fi ready or not.

Sorry, Yes he does have an ipod touch, not an iphone. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Monty]

The OP is from Canada and using 3G for his iPhone costs $6/MB unless they get the Rogers US Data Roaming plan, then data is 'only' $1/MB. The plan itself costs $10 per billing cycle and is not pro-rated if you cancel before the end of the month.

I used it in August for 9 days on two iPhones. It cost me about twice what in-room access at WDW costs and gave 24/7 access instead of just wired access in the room. I paid a total of about $140 for it, but would have paid $90 for in-room.

There is no usable WiFi in the parks. There are secured WDW WiFi hotspots, but free WiFi is only available in a few isolated areas and is mostly quite weak signal.

If you want to use the iPhone apps in the parks, your only options as a Canadian are either no plan at $6/MB or the plan for $10 and $1/MB. Between us we used 140MB of data and with text messaging and long distance our phone bill added up to about $200 extra for the 9-day trip.

 

[Monty]

Sorry, Yes he does have an ipod touch, not an iphone. Thanks for the reply.

In that case, never mind. The Touch won't work in the parks using WiFi. It might pick up a signal here and there, but not anything that'll make the apps useful from a 'where am I' mapping point of view. The apps are useful from the standpoint of information while in the parks, but he won't have geo-location to indicate what's nearby or to provide routes to get places [though the maps are easy to follow without that].

 

[Tiggerish]

What are these Disney apps you speak of??? More info, please!!

 

[Monty]

What are these Disney apps you speak of??? More info, please!!

In the Apps Store, search for "WDW", "Animal Kingdom", "Magic Kingdom", "Hollywood Studios", "Epcot", "Downtown Disney", "Disneyland" and "California Adventure".

The maps are done by U-Pinpoint, the secrets and guide are by Notescast, there's a dining app with menus, reviews and reservation booking, a times guide for parades and fireworks... Loads of great stuff.

 

[Monty]

Some links to apps:

http://www.versaedge.com/iphone/wdwdiningdisney/
http://www.apptism.com/apps/wdw-tour-guide

 

[PhotoDave219]

Does anyone know if there is Wi-fi in the Disney parks? The reason I ask is because a friend of mine is going to WDW next week (for the first time in over 25 years) and he has an iphone with some Disney Apps that he wanted to know if he would be able to use in the park. Please let me know, Thanks.

No, there is no publicly accessible Wi-Fi in the parks.

 

[scpergj]

The OP is from Canada and using 3G for his iPhone costs $6/MB unless they get the Rogers US Data Roaming plan, then data is 'only' $1/MB. The plan itself costs $10 per billing cycle and is not pro-rated if you cancel before the end of the month.

I used it in August for 9 days on two iPhones. It cost me about twice what in-room access at WDW costs and gave 24/7 access instead of just wired access in the room. I paid a total of about $140 for it, but would have paid $90 for in-room.

There is no usable WiFi in the parks. There are secured WDW WiFi hotspots, but free WiFi is only available in a few isolated areas and is mostly quite weak signal.

If you want to use the iPhone apps in the parks, your only options as a Canadian are either no plan at $6/MB or the plan for $10 and $1/MB. Between us we used 140MB of data and with text messaging and long distance our phone bill added up to about $200 extra for the 9-day trip.

Ouch! Now that's expensive...I only pay $20 a month for data!

 

[Monty]

Ouch! Now that's expensive...I only pay $20 a month for data!

I pay $30/month for 6GB when in Canada, those rates are just while roaming in the US... It's worse in other parts of the world. Some people have had monthly phone bills in excess of $18,000 after not turning off data roaming while traveling.

 

[brucie]

I could have told you that Red Devil!! Somtimes you just need to ask the right person

 

[MissM]

No, there is no publicly accessible Wi-Fi in the parks.

PhotoDave is correct. There is NO open wifi in the parks. I own a Touch and have been all through the parks looking for networks. There are networks everywhere, BUT they are all locked and require logins and passwords. (In other words, useless to a guest.)

 

[ewensell3]

Ouch! Now that's expensive...I only pay $20 a month for data!

US iPhone plans start around $60/mo for 500 voice minutes and all plans include unlimited data.

 

[Tiggerish]

In the Apps Store, search for "WDW", "Animal Kingdom", "Magic Kingdom", "Hollywood Studios", "Epcot", "Downtown Disney", "Disneyland" and "California Adventure".

The maps are done by U-Pinpoint, the secrets and guide are by Notescast, there's a dining app with menus, reviews and reservation booking, a times guide for parades and fireworks... Loads of great stuff.

Cool! Thanks!

Not being a total tech-head, I haven't been using my iPhone to its full potential. Job made me get it, I wouldn't have bought it myself, but it is a very fun toy--almost makes up for being work-available at all times.