Disney WiFi hack for streaming video (admin, please close)

[LambertLion]

So with the new tiered data plan on the Wish and from what I hear, on the Fantasy and Dream as well, you have 3 options for data and only the highest and most expensive option supports streaming data. Well…..yes, that true….but we found a work around to that on the two lower tiers. If you have VPN software (we used NordVPN) on your device and turn it on, the Disney network can no longer see what type of data is going across their network (the entire purpose of VPN is to be able to surf on a network and have your data be encrypted to anyone else) so bc of that, streaming data actually worked for us and other families on board. I dont know how long it will take Disney to catch on and make any changes or if they even wanted to (good chance some of their folks are on these forums) in order to prevent this, but at least as of last month, this worked just fine. Now this does create some issues with the Disney cruise app, so you’d do best to turn the VPN off when you access their app on board or it likely wont work properly. Also some streaming services dont like people connecting thru VPNs, so they may block you from watching their content, but things like YouTube and other social media apps with video worked just fine. Good luck and enjoy it while you can!

Oh and BTW, we thought the Wish was an AWESOME ship and had a spectacular time! Not perfect and has some issues for sure, but I dont get all the complaining and dislike. I heard no one complaining on board! We were all just in awe. but to each his/her/their own. I’m sure nothing is to everyone’s liking. We’ve been on all Disney ships now, this being our 11th cruise and we like it just as much as the rest of the fleet and more than some of the other ships. If you have an upcoming cruise, you’ll have a great time, so dont worry.

 

[anricat]

I don't want to stream anything, I just want to check my email. Like, that's LITERALLY the only thing I want to do and it boggles my mind that you can't do that on the lowest tier. Even if they throttled it so you can't get large attachments. I don't need social media or anything like that. I can't figure out why they tiered it the way they did. I wonder if this would be a way for me to get some email.

The free 50 MB always worked fine for me to check my email quickly once per day and then stay off my phone the rest of the time.

 

[LambertLion]

I don't want to stream anything, I just want to check my email. Like, that's LITERALLY the only thing I want to do and it boggles my mind that you can't do that on the lowest tier. Even if they throttled it so you can't get large attachments. I don't need social media or anything like that. I can't figure out why they tiered it the way they did. I wonder if this would be a way for me to get some email.

The free 50 MB always worked fine for me to check my email quickly once per day and then stay off my phone the rest of the time.

This same trick probably works for email as well. Disney must be seeing where the data is coming from in order to block/tier the data, (maybe stateful packet inspection at the firewall). So, if they cant see what type of data is moving, by using a VPN, it would come right on in. The speed may be throttled, but this may work to use email on the lowest tier. Again, I wouldn’t be surprised if Disney started blocking VPN use at some point, but until then, enjoy the hack.

 

[britinva]

Wish I tried VPN..... recently on Dream and had nightmare sending & receiving just text emails

 

[cschaaf]

I don't want to stream anything, I just want to check my email. Like, that's LITERALLY the only thing I want to do and it boggles my mind that you can't do that on the lowest tier. Even if they throttled it so you can't get large attachments. I don't need social media or anything like that. I can't figure out why they tiered it the way they did. I wonder if this would be a way for me to get some email.

The free 50 MB always worked fine for me to check my email quickly once per day and then stay off my phone the rest of the time.

I think it's pretty clear why they have the cheapest option the 'social media' package.

"Post text and pictures on popular websites and applications..." Notice they don't say anything about receiving anything on social media... they want you posting on social media.

 

[anricat]

I think it's pretty clear why they have the cheapest option the 'social media' package.

Indeed. They should just come right out and say it. "Pay us to advertise for us while you're on your awesome vacation!"

 

[TestingH2O]

Wish I tried VPN..... recently on Dream and had nightmare sending & receiving just text emails

On the old wireless, a VPN makes the app completely unusable. It seems like the new system has corrected that at least.

 

[Disney_lost_it]

I don't want to stream anything, I just want to check my email. Like, that's LITERALLY the only thing I want to do and it boggles my mind that you can't do that on the lowest tier. Even if they throttled it so you can't get large attachments. I don't need social media or anything like that. I can't figure out why they tiered it the way they did. I wonder if this would be a way for me to get some email.

The free 50 MB always worked fine for me to check my email quickly once per day and then stay off my phone the rest of the time.

We were on the Fantasy last week. Beyond pissssed off with their new internet. It was our 8th cruise, the free 50mb always served our purpose, which is to occasionally check email to make sure nothing is happening back at home. We basically spent ~$1,600 per night for the week and they want an extra $25 per day??????? The internet is a utility, even the cheapest hotels give it to you for free.

I'm even more insulted by the fact that the only function of the cheapest plan is basically promote Disney via your social post. You pay $122 per day to post pictures of Disney. What a great deal.....for Disney. We left thinking we never planned on a Carnival Cruise but the constant nickel and diming that Disney now does make me feel like that's what a Carnival cruise must be like.

Even though we were hounded to complete the comment card, the whole 2 lines of free text will go ignored. I just hope the others I heard complaining about the new internet are as vocal as I was. But hey, they gave a free bag of popcorn and rice crispy Mickeys. Guess they thought the solution to their scam internet was to give us more free junk food, as there's no free treats on the boat.

Disney is completely out of touch was what customers want. In the process of trying to talk my wife out of the 10 night cruise she has reserved for next summer. Too many other vacation options out there that will not leave you more angered leaving than when you arrived.

 

[Kwami]

The internet is a utility, even the cheapest hotels give it to you for free.

But a lot of the pricier hotels don't.

Also, the new plans aren't great for people who really got by with just the 50 MB, but the new Internet plans are otherwise significantly better than before. Much faster speeds and no data limits. That's exactly what customers have been asking for. Maybe your use case simply isn't typical.

And you weren't paying $122/day unless you had multiple device connected, in which case you were doing a whole lot more than you ever would have done with 50 MB.

 

[brentm77]

But a lot of the pricier hotels don't.

Also, the new plans aren't great for people who really got by with just the 50 MB, but the new Internet plans are otherwise significantly better than before. Much faster speeds and no data limits. That's exactly what customers have been asking for. Maybe your use case simply isn't typical.

And you weren't paying $122/day unless you had multiple device connected, in which case you were doing a whole lot more than you ever would have done with 50 MB.

I agree - I loved the new system on the Magic. I didn't need internet on port days, since I could use Verizon's $10 per day cell service. So I only had to buy in on sea days, and it was fantastic not worrying about data limits. Even when making the correct setting changes on my Android phone, it seemed I somehow ran out of the 50mb allotment within a day or two of little use. I would take the new plans any day of the week.

 

[AquaDame]

I loved the new internet personally... paying by the MB was a pain for us and this was much faster. It would be nice if they had a length of cruise option that was a bit of a discount, sure. We've stayed at hotels that charged us to use their wifi on dry land in populated areas much less a ship at sea, so for once they get a pass from me on the money grab. If it were included I can see folks complaining that their kids were online all day instead of vacationing and the speeds getting bogged down by those that didn't need to be connected.

 

[Disney_lost_it]

I agree - I loved the new system on the Magic. I didn't need internet on port days, since I could use Verizon's $10 per day cell service. So I only had to buy in on sea days, and it was fantastic not worrying about data limits. Even when making the correct setting changes on my Android phone, it seemed I somehow ran out of the 50mb allotment within a day or two of little use. I would take the new plans any day of the week.

I couldn't disagree more. They should have left the 50mb free plan. If people are spending so much time on their phone while on vacation that 50 mb +/-is enough then they are not really on vacation.

On vacation all I ( and others from comments here and on board) need to know is that there isn't a problem back at home. Dog didn't die in the kennel. House didn't have a storm drop a tree on it. Oddly, over the years both are real cases. Dog nearly died while we were in Grand Cayman, hurricane dropped a tree on the house once. Thanks to email we got the dog message and immediate booked a flight home that day. With a beach rental property I want to make sure the rental co is not sending me an email about an issue. Basic stuff that happens.

As for speed. The one day I did purchase the plan it took me nearly 30 minutes and trips to a variety of locations on the boat to simply open my email. We had nearly $3k in cruise credits from our precovid booking and we refused to buy their plan as we saw it as a "vote" in favor of their fleecing.

To the comment about more expensive hotels charging, just spent a week at the beach in July. The condo rate, $6k for the week. And guess what, FREE INTERNET! Unless things have changed since 2019, Grand Floridian, FREE INTERNET.

 

[Wakey]

It’s a right royal rip off. You get very fast unlimited internet on RCI for about $10 a day.

 

[Disney_lost_it]

But a lot of the pricier hotels don't.

Also, the new plans aren't great for people who really got by with just the 50 MB, but the new Internet plans are otherwise significantly better than before. Much faster speeds and no data limits. That's exactly what customers have been asking for. Maybe your use case simply isn't typical.

And you weren't paying $122/day unless you had multiple device connected, in which case you were doing a whole lot more than you ever would have done with 50 MB.

Typo on my part, $12 per day to promote Disney for Disney. $25 to have slow speed access to email and the like.

 

[AquaDame]

<deleted> .... WM Mary Jo

On the maiden in early July. I'm not promoting Disney, I'm chiming in on enjoying the fast internet and finding the fee inconsequential. Compared to the cost of a single round of cocktails I barely noticed it and got way more out of it. We all have different ways of relaxing. If you don't want to buy it, don't.

Edited to add, we got the mid range one. I get your point about the lowest tier only being good for sharing stuff online but some folks reeeeeally need to share what they're up to online everyday. To each their own.

 

[LambertLion]

I couldn't disagree more. They should have left the 50mb free plan. If people are spending so much time on their phone while on vacation that 50 mb +/-is enough then they are not really on vacation.

On vacation all I ( and others from comments here and on board) need to know is that there isn't a problem back at home. Dog didn't die in the kennel. House didn't have a storm drop a tree on it. Oddly, over the years both are real cases. Dog nearly died while we were in Grand Cayman, hurricane dropped a tree on the house once. Thanks to email we got the dog message and immediate booked a flight home that day. With a beach rental property I want to make sure the rental co is not sending me an email about an issue. Basic stuff that happens.

As for speed. The one day I did purchase the plan it took me nearly 30 minutes and trips to a variety of locations on the boat to simply open my email. We had nearly $3k in cruise credits from our precovid booking and we refused to buy their plan as we saw it as a "vote" in favor of their fleecing.

To the comment about more expensive hotels charging, just spent a week at the beach in July. The condo rate, $6k for the week. And guess what, FREE INTERNET! Unless things have changed since 2019, Grand Floridian, FREE INTERNET.

I like their new WiFi too. It’s much more like on other cruise ships. The metered option for internet was terrible for most. If you want to disconnect on your vacation, that’s entirely up to you, just like it’s entirely up to you to get fully connected. This is no money grab, it’s the same as just about any Other cruise line, if you’ve been on them, this is the way their plans work. They may actually be a bit cheaper and less restrictive on data type on other lines tho. And I’ve also been to plenty of hotels where you have to pay for Internet. Some give a free slow tier and a paid tier for higher speeds (or for higher level reward members for free).

Still i think this post is going off the rails here. I only posted about a useful workaround for folks to use if they wanted. Please feel free to start a new thread on not liking the WiFi.

 

[Kwami]

It would be nice if they had a length of cruise option that was a bit of a discount, sure.

Maybe they do? I never got a straight answer about this. It seemed like the per-day prices on the Wish were higher than on the other ships ($12 vs. $10 for the basic plan), but then getting the medium plan for 5 nights on the MV was $100 instead of 5*$25=$125, which is a 20% discount

 

[Disney_lost_it]

I like their new WiFi too. It’s much more like on other cruise ships. The metered option for internet was terrible for most. If you want to disconnect on your vacation, that’s entirely up to you, just like it’s entirely up to you to get fully connected. This is no money grab, it’s the same as just about any Other cruise line, if you’ve been on them, this is the way their plans work. They may actually be a bit cheaper and less restrictive on data type on other lines tho. And I’ve also been to plenty of hotels where you have to pay for Internet. Some give a free slow tier and a paid tier for higher speeds (or for higher level reward members for free).

Still i think this post is going off the rails here. I only posted about a useful workaround for folks to use if they wanted. Please feel free to start a new thread on not liking the WiFi.

No, this thread is on track. The thread is about a work around due to the fleecing internet prices. Maybe my point is being lost by some and their reactive response. Build the per day, but don't remove what others also wanted. just enough to pass.

I'll ask again, if not a money grab, then why did Disney price the "post and promote Disney via social media" plan at half the price of the real internet?

Again, I'm pushing my wife to cancel a ~$16k cruise next year due to this BS. I'd rather take a week of Diving.

 

[Disney_lost_it]

On the maiden in early July. I'm not promoting Disney, I'm chiming in on enjoying the fast internet and finding the fee inconsequential. Compared to the cost of a single round of cocktails I barely noticed it and got way more out of it. We all have different ways of relaxing. If you don't want to buy it, don't.

Edited to add, we got the mid range one. I get your point about the lowest tier only being good for sharing stuff online but some folks reeeeeally need to share what they're up to online everyday. To each their own.

I'll ask again, why the links to promoting Disney. Inclusive of pricing and phone numbers

Also, one's principles are priceless. And some have no need for self gratification form others, so social media is a waste.

 

[Kwami]

I mean, I usually try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, but are you really here just to complain and be rude to everyone that doesn't agree with you? Because we really don't need that.