Do any of the onsite DVC resorts have wireless internet access?

[LoveBWVVBR]

I was wondering if any of the onsite DVC resorts had wireless internet access in the lobby or elsewhere? I know that guests can pay a daily fee for internet access in their units. I just want to check one thing quickly each morning, so it isn't worth the $10/day or whatever the fee is.

 

[RobDoc]

Yes, there are Hot Spots in the lobby areas at several of the resorts (BWV, BCV, CR, GF), but the access is still not free. I think it has the same cost as the wired access from your room.

You might just want to use a local dialup connection if your internet needs are minimal.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

Thank you for that info

 

[natt]

you just need to juggle how you spend the $10/day. Say the first full day of your stay (aka, the day you actually wake up there) you log on at 7am. You still have all day and until 7am the next morning to log in on that $10. Then, if you can 'jones' from the internet until the following morning @ 7am... it starts again.

You just need to decide how important it is to you. The place we just exchanged to offered a week long package for $40, which we more than took advantage of (it was a 7-night stay... and hubby was needing to work while there). I wish Disney would offer something like that, but they are too money savvy!
~Natt

 

[LIFERBABE]

My BIL work provides him with one of those wireless ports. We all used it at SSR, no problem. I know those costs to purchase and have a monthly fee, but I was surprised it worked.

I know it's retro, but when Im at DVC, I use dial up (save all my low cost trial offer disks) and a really long phone cord so I can sit out on the balcony and surf. Local calls are free so a very cheap option and it works. Too bad my cord cant make it to the quiet pool!

 

[sueg]

I think $10 per day for high speed internet access is excessive. We stayed at Hampton Inns at the beginning and end of our recent trip. About $100 per nt. & wireless internet is included. I don't like that Disney charges DVC so much for high speed access.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I think $10 per day for high speed internet access is excessive. We stayed at Hampton Inns at the beginning and end of our recent trip. About $100 per nt. & wireless internet is included. I don't like that Disney charges DVC so much for high speed access.

1) It is a profit center for WDW and DVC.
2) Personlly, I want it to stay this way.
. . . it helps (a little) to keep our dues down
. . . my dues don't pay for something I don't use
. . . let those who want it to pay for it

NOTE: I am on vacation. The last thing I want is a computer to interrupt my time.

 

[KevGuy]

Buy a travel router, use it there and you'll have wireless bubble in your room and balcony! You still have to pay for the connection though. I think it should be included free in the cost we already pay to DVC too. It is like the only major resort in the world that still charges and don't give me the false argument that it will add significant cost to our maint fees either, because it won't. A handful of wireless repeaters added to every resort building to their already existing infrastructure costs pennies and is not a big deal. Disney made $30 billion last year and raised rates on a ton of stuff, they can afford to give us DVC members another perk and include the cash paying guests too for that matter.

 

[phorsenuf]

I just went camping a few weeks ago and they had free wireless for goodness sakes!
I think charging for it is ridiculous. If they feel the need to charge how about at least offering a week-long discounted rate.

Oh and when we were at BCV or maybe it was the BWV they said it was actually more expensive to use the wireless in the lobby than to get it at the room. Go figure.

 

[sueg]

I agree that vacation, esp. at DVC, is not a time to be tied to your computer. But on this last trip, which combined HH & WDW, we had some real internet needs. We were in the middle of some banking transactions that had to be monitored. My oldest DS wanted opera tickets as a gift for his GF and they went on sale during the trip..all of the best seats would have been gone by the time we returned. DH and both DSs manage their fantasy baseball teams on the internet. I think unlimited free access actually decreases on-line time. I know on the days (24 hr. periods) when we paid for internet, we all went on alot to get everything done & I guess to feel like we got our money's worth. if Disney is making money from this internet charge, then shame on them.

 

[salmoneous]

. . . it helps (a little) to keep our dues down
. . . my dues don't pay for something I don't use
. . . let those who want it to pay for it
[/I]

Installation would a few cents a point. Ongoing costs would be less than a penny a point per year.

 

[DVC-Don]

I'm at the VWL now and keep getting a signal for a wireless hookup, but I bet it belongs to another guest who brought a router. I didn't use it due to needing a secure hookup to do the payroll for my employees.

I had free wireless at a Fairfield Inn up in Williston Vermont a couple of weeks ago, but it was so slow I could not get any websites to load.

 

[AKV707]

Look, I get Disney maximizing profits and all that. But it is 2007. Many of us travel with the need to access the internet. I use it for my job, keeping in touch with family and many fun things, such as visiting the Dis!

The $9.99 24 contihuos hours charge is just not necessary. As is pointed out, the cost to DVC to offer complete wireless access would be minimal. AT this pont, it is like charging for a local call!

 

[MrsToad]

It seems most people want free wireless access, which would be nice. However, I would be happy with free or reduced-cost service through the ethernet connection that is already in place - I don't think there would be much additional infrastructure cost involved with that, just the monthly "circuit" and "help desk" charges? Do you think they will consider this when their contract is up with the current provider?

 

[AKV707]

It seems most people want free wireless access, which would be nice. However, I would be happy with free or reduced-cost service through the ethernet connection that is already in place - I don't think there would be much additional infrastructure cost involved with that, just the monthly "circuit" and "help desk" charges? Do you think they will consider this when their contract is up with the current provider?

I would be happy with wired access, if there was little or no charge. I also am not sure that the current cost is tied in to the provider. I think that it is more reflective of a Disney cash cow.

 

[salmoneous]

I'm at the VWL now and keep getting a signal for a wireless hookup, but I bet it belongs to another guest who brought a router. I didn't use it due to needing a secure hookup to do the payroll for my employees.

Many DVCers do this. Having the wireless router makes it much easier to surf in your room - you can even bring the laptop out on the deck if you want. And, if you don't on security, you can share a bit of pixie dust with your fellow DVCers.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Is the wireless router the Sky card?

Exactly how does that work? I know we really enjoyed using BIL's Sky Card and I wouldnt mind paying for it if I could use it at DVC.

A computer to me is like having a phone. It is essential whether I am on vacation or not. Many times, Im at Disney and I will log on here or other sites to find out whats going on. We all know how effective Disney's Front Desk Hub is and being able to log on and find out whats going on for NYE, or F&W or checking my account etc. adds to the enjoyment of my vacation.

We were at SSR this July when that Pipe Bomb went off at DTD. The only way we knew about it was other family saw it on the news and called us to see if we were OK. I logged on and was able to get real time info on the situation. I was put at ease and able to enjoy the rest of our stay.

Otherwise Im on hold with Disney waiting to find someone that knows whats going on which is NOT my idea of vacation.

 

[Crissup]

I don't like that Disney charges DVC so much for high speed access.

It is like the only major resort in the world that still charges

Actually, being a network admin, I use Internet access anytime I go anywhere, and I can assure you that there are still a *lot* of large hotels and resorts that charge for Internet access. I stayed in the Hyatt San Diego a year ago for a SANS network security conference. SANS had negotiated with the hotel to provide free Internet access, otherwise, the hotel charges a daily fee for it. The Swan and Dolphin also charge for this (this is Starwood Resorts, not Disney). I just spent a week in the Sheraton Universal in Los Angeles and they also charged $10 a night. Yes, many hotels and resorts are starting to offer it for free, but most are still charging $10 a night or more.

If Disney is making money from this internet charge, then shame on them.

Yeah!! And shame on them for making money just for letting me sleep in one of their rooms too! They have lots of rooms in those resorts! It doesn't cost them much extra to let someone sleep in one!

Come on people! Disney is in business to make money. If they can offer an extra service and make a few bucks, why not? Yes, being a computer weenie, I'd *love* for everyone to offer free Internet access. In fact, I too feel that every member should share the cost of my Internet access equally. But, the reality is that the industry just hasn't gotten there yet.

 

[DebbieB]

Even though the cheaper hotels absorb the cost of internet access as a loss leader, most high end hotels charge. I stayed at the Glendale Hilton last month, they charged $9.95 per 24 hours. Like Disney, they based it on when you signed on. I stayed at a Marriott in CT last week, they charged $9.95 per night of stay, regardless of when you used it, plus $1.19 tax! I thought that was really excessive, espcially since it was wireless, which is much slower than wired internet.

 

[ralphd]

WDW hot spots:

' http://www.smartcity.com/residential/residential_smartspot.asp '