Closest Free Internet around WDW?

[Dizneydaz]

Morning all! We are leaving for the airport in less than 24 hours and I just can't sleep!

My question is where are the closest free internet (WiFi) locations around WDW? My DD11 may need to email her teacher once or twice while we are in FL if she has question while she is doing her Independent Study work. We will have free internet tomorrow at our first hotel (checking out on Sat., 9/25) and we may have it as well at our second hotel (arriving 9/25, checking out 9/27) but once we arrive at POP on 9/27 we won't have it any longer. At $10/day for access to the internet, I just don't see us doing that more than one or two days.

So, since we will have a rental car, and we aren't limited to Disney locations, where have you been able to pick up an internet signal in the general WDW area? Also are there any locations, such as a library, where we can go online?

TIA!

 

[Dizneydaz]

Just checked out mousesavers.com and got some great ideas there. http://www.mousesavers.com/otherwdw.html#internet

Other than those listed on mousesavers (see below) does any one know any others?

FREE Wi-Fi Locations:

Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex offers FREE Wi-Fi. You usually have to pay admission to get into the complex, but the Official All-Star Cafe and some other areas near the main entrance (such as the gift shops) do have coverage and can be accessed without buying admission. Click here for more info. (THIS MAY BE HANDY TO GO TO SINCE WE ARE STAYING AT POP, BASICALLY JUST DOWN THE STREET!)

All of the Osceola County Public Library branches have FREE Wi-Fi access. The West Osceola Branch Library at Water Tower Place #21, 6070 W. Irlo Bronson Highway (Hwy 192) in Celebration is the closest to Walt Disney World and some of the other branches are within easy driving distance. No printing is possible through the wireless connection.

Panera Bread offers free Wi-Fi (and yummy sandwiches). The closest Panera to Disney property is at 8600 Vineland Avenue (near Marriott Village). Call (407) 842-1300 for hours.

MouseSavers.com reader Scott C shared these two other FREE Wi-Fi locations in the general area of Walt Disney World:

PJ's Coffee and Wine Bar, 54 Riley Road (in Water Tower Place at the entrance to Celebration). Scott notes they have "good chocolate chip cookies too." PJ's is now offering a FREE 16 oz iced or hot coffee for MouseSavers.com readers! Click here to download the printable coupon (in PDF format).
* Downtown Kissimmee is a Wi-Fi hotzone - click here for a coverage map.

Orlando International Airport (MCO) has FREE Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, and at the Cell Phone Parking Lot (10536 S. Access Rd.) Thanks to Seth N for info.

Know off to copy and paste this to my documents file.

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

Pretty much all Mcdonalds offer free wifi access. I'm using the wifi connection at the Mcdonalds across from Disneyland right now. If you need minimal internet access, you could always use dialup at WDW. Local calls are free. Just load one of the free programs like Netzero.com before you leave home, set it up, and when you get to Pop let it find the access numbers for you. Free is better than $10/day.

 

[seashoreCM]

Even if you have access numbers, finding out which are local calls can be tricky.

You need to look in the front of the phone book and decipher things like:
From these exchanges 121,122,123, 124
These exchanges are tier 1 untimed: 221,222,223,224
These exchanges are tier 2 X cents per minute 225,226,227
etc.

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

Even if you have access numbers, finding out which are local calls can be tricky.

You need to look in the front of the phone book and decipher things like:
From these exchanges 121,122,123, 124
These exchanges are tier 1 untimed: 221,222,223,224
These exchanges are tier 2 X cents per minute 225,226,227
etc.

I've always picked one of the first two or three numbers, and have never been charged for a phone call while accessing dialup internet at WDW. I do check with the front desk after the first day to make sure I have no phone charges against my room.

 

[tink576]

I've gotten free wi-fi in the parking lot of wide world of sports as well as the panara as listed in the Mousesavers suggestions

 

[3boymthr]

There is free Wi-fi in the lobby of some of the Deluxe hotels. YC I know for sure does. Check on the resorts board. The people on there will know which other other hotels on property also have free wi-fi available. I think the Continental and/or Poly also have the free wi-fi in the lobby but I can't guarantee which one of them does or if both do. But if you go to DHS/Epcot one day you could swing into YC lobby suck up the atmosphere and take advantage of the wi-fi for free for a few minutes.

ETA - oops sorry I see they now charge for it at the YC.

 

[wmharley]

does the McD's next to the All Star resorts ahve it?

 

[SandrA9810]

The Disney McD's locations do not have it.
There's two locations on 192, just off either end of Osceola Pkwy. If you make a left onto Osceola from Victory Way, hang a right at Seralago Blvd, it'll be just after the 417 entrance, then hang a right onto 192. There's McD's on your right. To go back, make a right out, and make another right at the corner with the Publix, make a left after Gaylord Palms.
If you make a right onto Osceola Pkwy, head towards Animal Kingdom Lodge. Before entering the Resort, make a left onto Sherbeth road. McD's will be on your right (enter from backside) at the end of the road.

Yacht and Beach Club lobbies both have free WiFi. I do not know of any other resorts with it free. I've used my phone all over property looking for free connection. I would strongly suggest using the Hollywood Studio's bus, then walking (about 15-20 minutes) or taking the boat to the Y&B club.

The library just off 192 in Celebration has free WiFi. And their system is also good if you need printing. Since there's a lot of out of town visitors, just ask at the desk for an internet card. You'll have to pay before you print, 10 cents per page.

Some of the Deluxe resorts also have business centers, where you'd be able to print or fax things if you need to. I do not know the cost of the services, but using the Internet would not be free.

 

[SDSorority]

This was a good question!!! Good info!

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

The Disney McD's locations do not have it.
There's two locations on 192, just off either end of Osceola Pkwy. If you make a left onto Osceola from Victory Way, hang a right at Seralago Blvd, it'll be just after the 417 entrance, then hang a right onto 192. There's McD's on your right. To go back, make a right out, and make another right at the corner with the Publix, make a left after Gaylord Palms.
If you make a right onto Osceola Pkwy, head towards Animal Kingdom Lodge. Before entering the Resort, make a left onto Sherbeth road. McD's will be on your right (enter from backside) at the end of the road.

Yacht and Beach Club lobbies both have free WiFi. I do not know of any other resorts with it free. I've used my phone all over property looking for free connection. I would strongly suggest using the Hollywood Studio's bus, then walking (about 15-20 minutes) or taking the boat to the Y&B club.

The library just off 192 in Celebration has free WiFi. And their system is also good if you need printing. Since there's a lot of out of town visitors, just ask at the desk for an internet card. You'll have to pay before you print, 10 cents per page.

Some of the Deluxe resorts also have business centers, where you'd be able to print or fax things if you need to. I do not know the cost of the services, but using the Internet would not be free.

I believe all Mcdonalds have gone wireless. Why would all Mcdonalds in the country offer free wifi access and not the ones near WDW?

 

[tink576]

I believe all Mcdonalds have gone wireless. Why would all Mcdonalds in the country offer free wifi access and not the ones near WDW?

Because to be on Disney property McDonalds had to make a lot of deals in which Disney will ultimately have their way? Walmart's across the country allow you to park and sleep over night (in camper/rv, whatever) but our Walmart doesn't allow that because of zoning in our town. Yet, "all" Warmarts offer this...

They took out the McDonalds at DTD, so this would only apply to the one near the All Stars...Not sure whether or not there's internet there.

who knows? There is no really true good way to get free internet at Disney

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

Because to be on Disney property McDonalds had to make a lot of deals in which Disney will ultimately have their way? Walmart's across the country allow you to park and sleep over night (in camper/rv, whatever) but our Walmart doesn't allow that because of zoning in our town. Yet, "all" Warmarts offer this...

They took out the McDonalds at DTD, so this would only apply to the one near the All Stars...Not sure whether or not there's internet there.

who knows? There is no really true good way to get free internet at Disney

Yes there is....dialup.

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

From what I've been able to determine, there's free wifi access at the Mcdonalds near the All Stars Resorts.

 

[DVCTX]

The McDonald's Website indicates that the McDonald's near the All Star Resorts has wireless.

 

[SandrA9810]

When I was there last, it did not. I do know many locations participate with AT&T WiFi. Which means if you're a customer of AT&T and a store offers paid internet through AT&T, you may log into your AT&T account and use it for free.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Thanks everyone for the great info! I will check out the McD's for sure. If I go to the one by All Star I will report back. And yeah, I am an AT&T customer!

Leaving for FLA in about 7 hours and I really need to get to sleep. Too much going on in my head!

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

When I was there last, it did not. I do know many locations participate with AT&T WiFi. Which means if you're a customer of AT&T and a store offers paid internet through AT&T, you may log into your AT&T account and use it for free.

You do not have to be a customer of AT&T anymore. Mcdonald's wifi is open to anyone, and they don't require a purchase to use it.

 

[SandrA9810]

I meant stores in general, not just McD's. There's places scattered all around that use the AT&T WiFi program.

 

[JB2K]

My DD11 may need to email her teacher once or twice while we are in FL if she has question while she is doing her Independent Study work.

If that's all you need, I concur with those saying go with NetZero, or some "free" provider instead of wasting precious vacation time to run-around in search of a free internet connection.

Normally, I would not recommend any dial-up service such as NetZero, as they simply can't support today's websites (most of which are flash-based), but in your case, it would work just fine...