Do you take your laptop?

[Pembo]

We recently got a laptop and I'm not sure if we need to take it on our trip. We're flying and staying offsite at a condo with free wi-fi.

Will I need it? I know there were times in the past I wish I could have looked something up.

Should I put it in my carryon? I'm guessing I shouldn't put it in our checked luggage.

Opinions???

 

[Lou Holtz]

Yes, put it on your carryon. Use it to entertain yourself on the flight. I like to watch TV shows I have on it or play online poker to pass the time. Do you NEED it? Of course not. I don't see any downside to taking it though.

 

[2Tiggies]

You won't be able to put it in checked luggage - unless you don't like it and think insurance might pay out, it's probably not a good idea anyway.

You have to take it out to put it through security screening. They may ask you to switch on and start up so be sure it is charged sufficiently and make sure if you are asked to start it up that you shut down properly so you don't have problems when you try use it later. (Some good advice posted on another thread about this).

I have not taken mine before but I am in the UK and with the volcanic ash disruption and people being stranded there for up to 3 weeks over Easter this year due to closed airspace, I now won't consider leaving it behind.

Another advantage is if you have digital media like cameras and video cameras you may want to load your images/footage onto the computer at the end of every day or two as extra back up and to free up memory card space.

FInally, if you want to do online check in it is great to have. Personal choice though. If I thought I could get by without it again, I would. But not this time. The laptop is coming!

 

[TinkTink78]

My Netbook will be coming with me to download pics everyday.....

 

[DISHoppy]

I bring mine every trip. I blogged park updates the last time we were there in March. We're DVCers, so it helps that we get free broadband...otherwise I wouldn't pay the $10 for 24 hours of access.

-Kevin

 

[medicjch]

I always take mine, good to look up info, check photopass pics, download pics from camera.......

 

[CathieArms]

We always take our laptops on vacation and we've always used them. BUT, last year we took both of our laptops to WDW and they never got pulled out even once. Next time I'll leave them at home.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

We are staying off-site with free wi-fi, so I will be taking mine. If I had to pay, I would not.

 

[fla4fun]

I drive, so I don't have the issues with the airport to consider, but I do take my old laptop with me. I use it primarily for downloading pictures and video from the camera, but I use it for other things as well. One time, I used it to order a new camera when mine died mid trip - just a quick trip to the store to pick it up and I was back in business. I also have used it to book my next trip, if the AP discounts are released while I'm away. I use dial up internet at Disney, so I can get on free. It's not fast, but since I'm just doing some general web surfing and checking email it's more than adequate. I don't take my new laptop, just because I don't want to be worrying about whether it gets damaged or stolen, but having the old one along has come in handy in many ways.

If the only thing you want it for is web access, and you have a smartphone, I'd leave the laptop behind. But if you plan on using it for photos and videos, and watching DVD's during travel, then I say go for it.

 

[disneychic]

Yes, unfortunatley I take my laptop. I'm going to school to finish my undergrad (online classes) and I'm taking 12 credits per semester so I dont have much of a choice. And believe me, there's nothing worse than being on vacation at WDW and having to go back to the room to work on/submit a paper or an assignment

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

NO - Don't take the laptop!!!!



I'm at a computer all day and I travel a lot for business lugging that thing around so I want time AWAY from my computer. My husband and I take our iphones and we get GREAT service and are able to update on the DIS, check other sites, checkin to our airline, etc. Not too mention we have movies on it and we bring the portable DVD player for the kids.

Seriously, it's up to you though and if you think you'll need it AND want to pay whatever internet rate the hotel charges.

 

[Lou Holtz]

And believe me, there's nothing worse than being on vacation at WDW and having to go back to the room to work on/submit a paper or an assignment

Oh trust me, there's something worse. Getting stuck behind a backup of eight boats trying to get off Small World? There's nothing worse than THAT.

 

[Disneyholic]

We have taken our laptop, but this year we will be taking our Netbook which we just got. I think it will fit in the safe. I measured all of them & picked the smallest one. If it doesn't fit in the safe I will just put all the wires in there. The Netbook has Verizon wireless, so I don't need to worry about internet at the hotel and it is so much more convenient than the large laptop with the wireless adapter. Don't really need a really big screen for the little bit I will use it, but it will come in handy for booking ahead at hotels along the drive down .

 

[pharmgirl69]

We recently got a laptop and I'm not sure if we need to take it on our trip. We're flying and staying offsite at a condo with free wi-fi.

Will I need it? I know there were times in the past I wish I could have looked something up.

Should I put it in my carryon? I'm guessing I shouldn't put it in our checked luggage.

Opinions???

We brought mine and put it in my carryon. We had to take it out at security but never had to turn it on or anything. We downloaded our pics every night. We didn't pay for internet but it was fun to look at all the pics from the day

 

[Tara]

As everyone said, put it in your carry-on bag and be prepared to take it out and put it in its own bin to go through the x-ray machine. (unless you have a laptop bag/sleeve that is advertised as "checkpoint ready")

I always bring my laptop - we always upload photos each night, check Photopass pictures, etc. I find it invaluable, really - entertainment during airport delays, ability to look up information on our trip (I have mobile broadband so I can get internet just about anywhere), etc.

Also, for those who don't know - if you are at a Disney resort and you have your computer but don't want to pay internet fees, you can still access the Photopass website to view your pictures. There is no charge for this.

 

[ksbean]

Home laptop. YES Work laptop. NO

Primarily I take it to upload pictures to an online site and get it off the memory card inorder to take more pictures. Also use it to check out our photopass pictures so I know where I need to drag DH back to for a new picture.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We are taking ours. I run an online eBay business and don't want to be without the ability to check in during the week. Mine is a very small notebook style laptop, so it is very small to pop in the carry on bag.

 

[TinkerBrie]

I have always taken it, but I think I will skip it next time.....I don't use it enough to make it worth wild! Gonna try to pack "lighter" next time

 

[ariel3]

I know you have to pay $10/day for wifi at the disney resorts, but is there a place at the resort to go to get free wifi like the lobby? We are staying at the POR. thanks!!

 

[Kimberly Hill]

We're TA's so yes, the laptops always travel with us, especially to Disney, LOL! Besides helping clients, uploading pics, blogging and such are part of the job. That said, it's really no big deal.