Nationwide Cell Outage Spreads Across Carriers, Snarls Disney World Plans

Disney’s complimentary park WiFi offers a partial workaround for app features that rely on mobile data.

Overview

Verizon reported widespread voice and data problems around midday Wednesday, and users on AT&T, T-Mobile, UScellular, Cricket, and Mint also reported connectivity issues.
Many Disney World visitors saw phones stuck on an SOS indicator, cutting off access to My Disney Experience tools such as Lightning Lane management, mobile food ordering, payments, PhotoPass, and account changes.
Walt Disney World’s Disney-Guest WiFi is available across parks, resorts, and Disney Springs, and the app is optimized for WiFi; Universal Orlando and SeaWorld provide free WiFi as well.
Carriers noted cross-network calling and messaging disruptions, and officials in some cities advised residents to use alternative options to reach emergency services.
Investigations continue with early assessments pointing to potential shared infrastructure problems, and visitors are urged to prepare backups like screenshots, physical room keys, and cash or credit cards.