Bring laptop or not???

[goin2disneyagain]

I have taken mine a few times. It's a little bit of a pain to pull it out of my carry on going thru security but so far I have never had to turn it on. I strongly advise against checking it, you should never check something that valuable.

 

[graygables]

I bought a laptop specifically for our WDW trip last December! I carried it in a sleeve (from eBags, cute, cheap), no problems through security, gave the kids a thrill on the plane w/ games/DVDs.

As far as keeping it in the room, if WDW resorts were "losing" people's laptops, it would be a major problem for them, so security was a non-issue for me. I just put it in a drawer with our clothes and it was fine. We changed from GF to AKL and they transferred it with all our other luggage just fine. NEVER a concern!

I needed it to download pics from the digital camera (my justification for its purchase!) and I used it every night to keep a travel journal (for easier posting of trip reports!) We also turned on the "slide show" screen saver for the kids viewing pleasure!

My laptop has since replace my desktop and I don't know how I lived without it before and I certainly wouldn't leave it behind at WDW...it would be so sad!!!

 

[stephwynn]

Just returned on Sat from ten days with a laptop along. Wouldnt' do it any other way. We downloaded pics each night, had a good laugh, and were able to email pics home to family and friends on the spot! As far as keeping it secure, I purchased one of those kensington locks just before I left, and we secured it to the side rail on the bed at CBR. It worked out just fine, left it on the night table.

It was only a minor inconvenience to pull the laptop out of the bag going through security.

Good Luck!!!

 

[mhelsley]

what do most of you do with your laptop when transfering hotels. My DH doesn't like the idea of putting it into a suitcase(even if it's locked)and then having them transfer it from ASMO to BWV. I don't mind taking it with me to the hotel but was wondering if i they would keep in the hotel safe so that i could go to the parks until my room is ready. Has anyone done this?

Thanks
Melinda

 

[WhenUwishUponAstar]

we debated on bringing it to the park and putting it in a locker but in the end decided to check it with our luggage with the bellmen so we could enjoy a half day before the dreaded trip home. It was unharmed

 

[PoohBears#1fan]

Oh the subject of laptops, DH has asked me to find out if The Beach Club has Y-Fi?

Anyone know?

Thanks

 

[safetymom]

High-Speed Access with a Laptop

As of October 1, 2003, Disney's Coronado Springs Resort began offering high-speed Internet access in its guest rooms, at a charge of $4.95 per hour or $9.95 per 24 hour period. Within the next six months or so, all of Disney's convention hotels and Home-Away-From-Home/Disney Vacation Club resorts are scheduled to get high-speed Internet. The projected dates (subject to change) are:

Yacht & Beach Club - November 4, 2003
Contemporary Resort - December 2, 2003
Grand Floridian - December 2, 2003
Boardwalk Inn and Villas - December 30, 2003
Saratoga Springs Resort - January 30, 2004
Villas at Wilderness Lodge - February 27, 2004
Old Key West - April 2, 2004
Disney now offers Wi-Fi (high speed wireless Internet access) in the public areas of its convention hotels. You will need a Wi-Fi enabled laptop computer or PDA to access the Internet from designated areas of each resort. Smart City is the provider and bills the guest using a secure credit card transaction via an on-screen Internet connection. Requires a wireless interface card (WIC), available for purchase in the resort's business center. $4.99 per hour or $9.95 for a 24-hour period.

Locations for Disney's Wi-Fi access:

Grand Floridian - Main Lobby, Convention Center Hallway, Beach Pool
Contemporary - Main Lobby, Convention Center Hallway, Feature Pool
Yacht & Beach Club - Main Lobbies, Convention Center Hallway, Stormalong Bay Pool
Coronado Springs - Main Lobby, Convention Center Hallway, Feature Pool, Francisco's

 

[PoohBears#1fan]

Thank you

 

[tomerin]

we plan on bringing our laptop when we visit WL this july. since we plan on using our new digital camcorder and have another digital camera and plan on taking a lot of pictures, bringing the laptop is necessary for us. at the end of the day while downloading the pictures you can enjoy your day all over again.

we plan on bringing some movies to watch for those few down time moments we will have.

we are just going to put the laptop in a locked suitcase and stacking the other suitcases on top of it. my DW was a bit worried at first about leaving the laptop in the room but after a quick discussion we both feel that room security really isnt an issue at disney.

90 days doesnt seem so far away

tomerin

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by mhelsley
what do most of you do with your laptop when transfering hotels. My DH doesn't like the idea of putting it into a suitcase(even if it's locked)and then having them transfer it from ASMO to BWV. I don't mind taking it with me to the hotel but was wondering if i they would keep in the hotel safe so that i could go to the parks until my room is ready. Has anyone done this?

Thanks
Melinda

If you ask the bellman for special handling, they will put the laptop in "the cage" which is a locked area of the storage room. Be sure to tip him.

 

[Kellye]

I was wondering if anyone has used Earthlink at WDW? I was thinking of opening up a trial account to get online while I'm on vacation.

At home I use cable and a wirelss router. We are staying at the POP so I won't be able to use my hardware at the resort. I don't want to tramp to Wi-Fi, even though I can.

Thanks in advance,

Kellye

 

[safetymom]

I've used Earthlink on dial up at WDW. No problems.

 

[MickeyMac]

Me too, Earthlink works great. I'll dial up and leave it on for a day (so we don't duplicate the phone charge - we have our laptop set to not go to sleep and leave it plugged in)

I use wireless at home too.

 

[IandGsmom]

We always bring our everywhere! I love downloading the pictures daily and if the kids are getting restless in the plane or hotel room I pop a movie in the laptop and there you go.

 

[Kellye]

Thank you so much for the info on Earthlink!

I need to test out the modem on my laptop but at least I know that there are others who do use it at WDW. I'm off to find some access numbers to use when I get down there.

Of all things, my cable and power went out today! LOL There is something to be said for Dial-up some days.

Thanks for tip MickeyMac, I didn't think of that, it's been awhile since I used dial up! What a great tip.

IandGsmom- I think that was the reason that my hubby bought me the laptop for my birthday. Of course, I haven't seen it since he gave it me.

 

[motaei]

Originally posted by DebbieB
If you ask the bellman for special handling, they will put the laptop in "the cage" which is a locked area of the storage room. Be sure to tip him.

That's a really good idea, because the luggage room is really not all that secure. My friend just walked in & got her purse & no one said anything. I mean, it is behind a locked door, but if you catch it when someone just went through the door, someone can get in there before the door closes.

In regards to taking the laptop, I have to. DH & I run our own business & have to answer emails, keep up with accounting, etc.. To be honest, we just left ours out on the desk in the room. Mousekeeping didn't touch it. It's wonderful for downloading pictures onto. Otherwise, you have to go with a bunch of memory cards. In regards to the airport, DH travels with his laptop all the time, so security doesn't phase him - he's used to the drill. I'm the one carrying everything else. I say, just put it in one of your carry-ons (near the top so you can easily take it out for security). That way, you are not carrying anything extra. (exept for DH, the kids & I all have backpacks for carry-ons, so we don't have to carry anything) If you go that route, it will help keep your hands free for the other carry-ons, like the stroller & car seat.

 

[safetymom]

Just be sure when you configure the modem that you don't set it up for auto dial if the connection is broken. You could end up with a lot of .75 charges for the day.

 

[SuperDuperBounce]

I'd suggest popping out the removable disk drive and locking it in the safe (if you have both). If the laptop disappears, you've still got your data (pictures, banking files, etc.).