I'll be visiting WDW with approximately 60 family members. Although we don't plan on doing a whole lot together, I know that, at times, we'll want to keep in touch. I know that our Canadian cell phones will work in the US but the roaming and long-distance charges on my particular plan are horrendous. (Yes, I could change this but it's a BIG hassle.)

I checked the internet for places to rent cell phones when we get to Orlando but their per-minute call charges are equally outrageous. It looks like it would be less trouble (and probably less expensive) to just buy some Pay-as-you-go type phones from 7-11 (T-Mobile, Virgin).

Have any other Canadians dealt with this?

Is there any phone company/system that you Americans would recommend over another?

TIA for all your help.

Take a peek at this (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=67251)thread as it may give you some ideas. Have you contacted your current carrier for options, ideas, and/or costs?

Take a peek at this (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=67251)thread as it may give you some ideas. Have you contacted your current carrier for options, ideas, and/or costs?

Thanks for your response. I had already read the thread referred to but I think the issue there is more that Australian (or European phones) might not work at all on US networks - I know for sure that's not an issue for me.

My concern is strictly economic.

I did contact my carrier - Telus; they suck so badly I can't even begin to tell you. It would be possible to change my plan but it's VERY convoluted and only affects the long distance charge, I'd still get nailed with a $0.95 per minute roaming fee. Having done the math, the break-even point is about 35 minutes - if I spend more time than this on my Canadian cell phone, it would actualy work out LESS expensive for me to buy a TMobile Pay-As-You-Go phone in Orlando and, given Telus' appalling customer service, I'm sure it will be a lot less aggravation.

Im sorry to hear that your current service appears to be lacking in the service department. I know that can be frustrating - I feel your pain.

Well, the main question is - how much do you anticipate using the phone while in the states? If you think that it will be cheaper to get a prepaid phone from TMobile or TracPhone or Virgin Mobile, give it a shot. When you are done with it, sell it on e-bay. Granted, you wont get your investment back but it would offset some of your total costs.

If your phone is a GSM phone and will accept an international SIM card, then some of the options listed in the other thread could be viable as well. (That was kinda why I pointed there first just in case you had a GSM phone.)

When you are done with it, sell it on e-bay. Granted, you wont get your investment back but it would offset some of your total costs..)

BRILLIANT!!!! I hadn't thought of doing that.


If your phone is a GSM phone and will accept an international SIM card, then some of the options listed in the other thread could be viable as well. (That was kinda why I pointed there first just in case you had a GSM phone.)

Aha! Now I understand.

Thanks for your help.