WIFI Coverage/Signal Strength In The Parks?

[Raineman]

Having only been to WDW once since the start of the Internet age, I only experienced WIFI in the room at my resort (AoA) on my iPad, and it wasn't great, TBH-the signal strength was consistently up and down. I am planning on bringing my iPhone with me to the parks during my next visit, and I was wondering what the WIFI coverage and quality was like in the parks themselves. Are there certain areas that are better than others? I am from Canada, and I am not planning on getting a US phone plan while I am in the US (my DW will have that covered on her phone), but I want to use my phone for pics and for intermittent Internet use while at the parks (texting, WDW app).

 

[epcotisbest]

Having only been to WDW once since the start of the Internet age, I only experienced WIFI in the room at my resort (AoA) on my iPad, and it wasn't great, TBH-the signal strength was consistently up and down. I am planning on bringing my iPhone with me to the parks during my next visit, and I was wondering what the WIFI coverage and quality was like in the parks themselves. Are there certain areas that are better than others? I am from Canada, and I am not planning on getting a US phone plan while I am in the US (my DW will have that covered on her phone), but I want to use my phone for pics and for intermittent Internet use while at the parks (texting, WDW app).

Sorry, can't help you there. Never have and never will take a phone with us to the parks. Been going twice a year for 30 plus years now and one of the reasons we go is to get away from the outside world, not bring it with us. Guess I am a grumpy old fart, but I got by just fine before cellphones. Now, they are a work tool, and I don't bring work with me for the most part. Yes, I do check in while at the room, but not in the parks. No apps for me!

 

[DisneyRoy]

The signal strength I noticed wasn't bad. I was always able to get a signal and connect. The issue is the speed. With almost everyone (except poster above ) trying to connect at the same time in the parks, it tends to get bogged down. There wee times the WDW app would just spin circles and not do anything. Trying to check mail was very slow and almost impossible at times. I think they have added connection towers in the not too distant past and are always trying to improve the experience. They know that guests use it all the time since it's required for the app now.

 

[Nij]

Never had any problems connecting during our stay in July ... And it was pretty busy then too. Pretty much all areas get service in my experience.. Enjoy..

 

[Wags14]

Didn't have many problems connecting in the parks. The resorts were a whole other issue... but the parks seemed decent enough in July, especially considering the amount of traffic.

 

[matt9112]

Sorry, can't help you there. Never have and never will take a phone with us to the parks. Been going twice a year for 30 plus years now and one of the reasons we go is to get away from the outside world, not bring it with us. Guess I am a grumpy old fart, but I got by just fine before cellphones. Now, they are a work tool, and I don't bring work with me for the most part. Yes, I do check in while at the room, but not in the parks. No apps for me!

i think the big change recently is the roll out of the app....real time wait times ect.

 

[ekutchey]

I had no issue when at the parks or in our resort. The only occasional issue was during a thunderstorm and/or on the bus from time to time.

 

[Tom]

It has gotten increasingly better for us during each trip, with the last two being August 2014 and March 2014.

I noticed that my phone would lose the wifi when deep inside ride buildings, which is understandable. Coverage at our resort hotels has been good on the past 2 trips.

But as others said, the speed is the weakness, at least in the parks. But I'll be a semi-grumpy old man and say that's OK. I'm guilty of pulling out my phone to entertain myself while in a long queue, but it gets put away when in any ride, show or attraction. Most of my phone usage is for Facebook and this site when in the parks. I don't attempt, or need, to stream video or anything like that.

 

[ShoalFox]

Last year the connection was abysmal, but this year it worked just fine.

 

[JasonDeyoung]

Magic Kingdom can be sketchy when it gets busy. Never had any real issues at the other parks or resorts with the wifi. It does disconnect at times but it's free so can't really compain lol

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

Last year, the WiFi was good in the parks for me.

 

[Minnie1986]

Having only been to WDW once since the start of the Internet age, I only experienced WIFI in the room at my resort (AoA) on my iPad, and it wasn't great, TBH-the signal strength was consistently up and down. I am planning on bringing my iPhone with me to the parks during my next visit, and I was wondering what the WIFI coverage and quality was like in the parks themselves. Are there certain areas that are better than others? I am from Canada, and I am not planning on getting a US phone plan while I am in the US (my DW will have that covered on her phone), but I want to use my phone for pics and for intermittent Internet use while at the parks (texting, WDW app).

Why would you want to use the internet while in the parks? I feel like the whole point is to get away from things like that and "be a kid again." Most phones do not require internet to take photos, unless you're planning on uploading them to FB or IG right away. When I last went, the signal strength was fine, but then again my phone is US based, so perhaps that may affect it. I say forgo the technology as much as possible while in the parks and do what you must in the rooms.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Why would you want to use the internet while in the parks? I feel like the whole point is to get away from things like that and "be a kid again." Most phones do not require internet to take photos, unless you're planning on uploading them to FB or IG right away. When I last went, the signal strength was fine, but then again my phone is US based, so perhaps that may affect it. I say forgo the technology as much as possible while in the parks and do what you must in the rooms.

The My Disney Experience application on your phone for making Dining and Fastpass Reservations.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Having only been to WDW once since the start of the Internet age, I only experienced WIFI in the room at my resort (AoA) on my iPad, and it wasn't great, TBH-the signal strength was consistently up and down. I am planning on bringing my iPhone with me to the parks during my next visit, and I was wondering what the WIFI coverage and quality was like in the parks themselves. Are there certain areas that are better than others? I am from Canada, and I am not planning on getting a US phone plan while I am in the US (my DW will have that covered on her phone), but I want to use my phone for pics and for intermittent Internet use while at the parks (texting, WDW app).

The only problematic area I find is still Adventureland. The rest depends on the load of the park, honestly. The wifi/cell towers are better than they used to be but you will find heavy usage on peage days.

I also recommend an external battery of some sort for in-park charging, unless youre constantly going into airplane mode while not using it.

 

[Jahona]

I was always able to connect to the WiFi in the parks but besides basic browsing don't expect great speeds. I did have some issues in July were the connection would just hang. WiFi at the resorts is a whole other matter. Last year was decent at Coronado, this year was abysmal at POR.

Overall I ended up just using my mobile data for the most part on my phone when in the parks.

 

[Ben_since_1971]

Never really noticed a problem. If wi-fi seemed to be bogging down, I would shut it off and go cellular. But that was very rare.

I get that people want to unplug while on vacation, and I refuse to check my email while in the parks. I use my phone to help me plan, and as a tool to help me get the most out of my trip.

 

[Minnie1986]

The My Disney Experience application on your phone for making Dining and Fastpass Reservations.

Good point.

 

[matt9112]

Why would you want to use the internet while in the parks? I feel like the whole point is to get away from things like that and "be a kid again." Most phones do not require internet to take photos, unless you're planning on uploading them to FB or IG right away. When I last went, the signal strength was fine, but then again my phone is US based, so perhaps that may affect it. I say forgo the technology as much as possible while in the parks and do what you must in the rooms.

The big reason now is the my disney app for WDW it has all the vacation specific stuff on it. Dining,fastpass real time wait counters. And other info.

 

[Minnie1986]

The big reason now is the my disney app for WDW it has all the vacation specific stuff on it. Dining,fastpass real time wait counters. And other info.

Very true. This fall will be my first trip with the app as an option, so needing internet in the park is definitely new to me.

 

[PrincessJenn5795]

My trip last year I had no problems at all in the parks but in the resort (Wilderness Lodge) the WiFi was really slow. Cell signal was really good though, so I just used the Hotspot on my phone and it was fine.