Phone vs Tablet in the Parks

[ww52]

Six weeks to go and I'm having a tough time focusing on work - thinking of the vacation, trying to avoid the temptation of going into Goodge Street views; and clearing overthinking certain things (as is my tendency for a lot of things).

So bear with me on another generally trivial if not downright pointless question:

Has anyone found it advantageous to use a tablet rather than a phone in the parks? For MDE or anything else for that matter?

Obviously it's the screen size that would be the reason. But given I don't have a data plan for my tablet, I'd be relying on the parks WiFi. So a related question would be "how reliable/ unreliable is Wifi? Does it vary by park?"

Anyone who thinks I'm obsessing a bit - you're right! It's been 7 years since our last visit. A lot has changed - but mainly I'm just kind of back in "kid mode" - especially since we'll be experiencing this with two of my grandkids for the first time.

 

[Robo]

A tablet is a bad plan in a theme park.

 

[mesaboy2]

You don’t need a tablet in the parks, save yourself the trouble.

 

[ww52]

Thanks for the quick responses!

(Now - what to obsess over next...)

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Ugh don't lug around a tablet!
Are you planning on watching a movie or something???
There's really no reason to have it.
Use your phone for MDE, as a camera, and as a form of communication and leave the tablet behind.
I use Disney's wifi on my phone and on my tablet at the resort and I find the signal to be decent although there are times in the park when its spotty.

 

[davper]

I get by just fine with my phone and it fits in my pocket.

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

I managed just fine with an iPhone 4S and that’s a pretty small screen.

 

[focusondisney]

Speaking for everyone sitting behind you at a show, on a ride or watching fireworks, please, please, no tablets!

 

[ww52]

Oh, I would never use a tablet at a show etc. Certainly not as a camera.

Just wondered if having a larger screen for any MDE or any other reason (DISboards? Menus? Other websites?) is any advantage. Apparently not - again, thanks!

 

[wintershawl]

Speaking for everyone sitting behind you at a show, on a ride or watching fireworks, please, please, no tablets!

I was going to mention this too. It is so distracting!

 

[ww52]

It is so distracting!

I could not agree more. I never even consider that my tablet has a camera. I wouldn't use a phone or a camera-camera either at a show. YouTube makes that unnecessary anyway.

It seems when people say "phone" or even "tablet" these days they think "camera". I think "mini-computer".

I'd use it for the internet / apps like MDE or Lines/Touring Guide. Or even the fine folks at DISboards.

But I get it - no advantage and really a liability for a tablet in the parks

 

[MonorailNate]

I would never want to carry around my iPad....

 

[ww52]

I don't have an iPad; but I won't start an OS war here; I think of my Android tablet to essentially be a very small form computer; I'd be willing to carry it around (with a padded carrying case it fits very nicely in a carrying bag) IF there was any overall value in having it as a web browser or eBook (Unofficial Guide) etc.

I get it. The answer is no.

 

[easyas123]

I guess I'm the odd man out! I don't take a tablet or a phone! I truly enjoy being uplugged. Shockingly I manage to survive the day, get to any ADR's ontime and enjoy the day. It's freeing!

 

[beccasmom]

I used just my Apple Watch in the parks on our last visit and that was sufficient for me. It has cellular capability, so I was able to see text messages which is really all I was concerned about. DH had his phone, so we could use that if we needed to use a bigger screen. I do bring my I-Pad to WDW, but never to the parks.

 

[maramarrie]

I carried a tablet out of necessity one trip (LifeProof phone case failed me on day 1 at the pool, so I had no other way to communicate with family other than Facetime on the iPad). It was inconvenient, but the worst part was having to use it for any photos/videos I wanted to take. In my opinion, you should leave the tablet in your room and only take your phone in the parks.