DSL access?

[lowe@massed.net]

Will I be able to access my Verizon DSL account while at the BWV?

 

[Richyams]

Of course not!!!

Why would they run a line to your room just for you?

Are you actually asking about your e-mail?

 

[lowe@massed.net]

Of course I don't expect them to run a DSL line just for me, although it WOULD be a nice amenity, wouldn't it?

This is what I was wondering....I have heard that high speed internet access will soon be available at the WDW resorts. In fact, I believe I read that they have already started wiring the BC.

Verizon is now my Internet provider and I use them for email as well.

When I stayed at the BCV ast year, I could access my former ISP via a local access dial-up number. I was wondering if you can do something similar with Verizon. For example, even though I have a DSL connection at home, would I be able to use a local access Verizon number to connect to the internet from the BWV and then access my email from the web? OR...if they install DSL, how would that work?

Sorry if these are dumb questions, but I'm just trying to figure out how to get online while I'm there. I'd appreciate any help anyone can offer. Thanks!

 

[kweaver]

Doesn't Verizon have a web based email where you can view your mail online rather than actually downloading it?

We use mindspring (well, now it's Earthlink) and just go to springmail.com to check our mail via the web. Actually, I just checked Verizon and they have the same thing...it's called netmail.

http://www22.verizon.com/forhomedsl/channels/dsl/tools+and+services.asp click on the email link and you will see it.

 

[lowe@massed.net]

But I need to have internet access to use Verizon's netmail. That's my conumdrum - how do I connect my notebook pc to the internet from my BWV room?

 

[Peter Johnson]

Kathy,

Email Verizon's support, and ask them. They'll tell you if it's possible and how to do it. On Verizon's help and support page, there is a choice for dial-up support, so it sounds like they can do it.

If not, you can open a free account at NetZero (www.netzero.com), which has several local dial-up numbers. Then use www.mail2web.com to check your mail. We have cable internet at home, and that's how I do it.

Hope this helps!

 

[lowe@massed.net]

Peter, this helps a lot. Thanks for your helpful response!

 

[DrTomorrow]

If I understand correctly, all you'll need is a network cable and a network connection / card in your laptop. That and a browser should get you onto the Web - and from there you can check your email.

YMMV,
Erick

 

[lowe@massed.net]

Hi Erick,
That's assuming they have installed high speed data ports in the rooms, correct?

 

[DrTomorrow]

True. I can't find the thread (search is down) but I could swear that BWV is scheduled to get high-speed access around the first of the year. You might call MS and see if they have the schedule.

 

[WDWCRAZY32]

DW and I were at the CR in Sept. and just plugged the laptop into the rooms phone line and were online no problem. It is dial-up 56K (high speed ha-ha), they do charge a connect fee per connection of $.50 or something like that but it worked fine as long as you have a dial-up modem and a dial-up account with your DSL provider. We use MSN & BellSouth DSL but both have dial-up accounts also. Hope this helps.

 

[cmehling]

Most BCV villa rooms should be wired for High Speed by now. They wired my room while I was there in Mid October. (Took about 2 minutes for them to plug it in and test it. I was running 5 minutes later. Since they were in the trial period, they were not charging for access. I'm not sure of the rates after it goes live officially.

I would recommend bringing a longer network cable. The one that they gave me in the room was a bit short.

The switch was located by the lamp/end table in the living room.

Good Luck...

 

[Richyams]

Peter, this helps a lot. Thanks for your helpful response!

He may have been helpful, but he is WRONG!!!!

When they have the high speed access in the room, you will just need to connect your NIC card to it with an RJ45 patch cable and be sure to have your NIC set for DHCP(obtain IP address automatically)

There will be instructions on the jack or on a card, is very, very simple.

Sorry, but you asked if you cold access your Verizon DSL, well you can't, but what possible reason would you have? Any internet access, DSL, Dial up, AOL, etc, all bring you to the same internet. DVC is using a different providor with nothin to do at all with you Verison account.

If you are asking about e-mail, your options have been mentioned...although, if you use Outlook or Outlook Express, you likely will not have to do any of that web mail stuff, if your account is set up on the laptop, it should work regardless of how you connect to the internet.

 

[ktbugsmom]

Rich,
Just to make sure - are you saying I just need to plug in my cable to my computer (after I pay my $10/day plus taxes!) and it should work - regardless of my service provider?

That had been my initial assumption, but now I am worried. I use RoadRunner DSL at home and at work. It works great. However, I am heading to BCV this week and I am teaching an online class - so I need access to the internet. I confirmed with BCV that the rooms at BCV are wired. I am just panicking now that it won't work that easily... and I cannot figure out how to install the dial up verison of RR.

Is there also a work center at the Contemporary where I can pay to get online? I can use that as a backup...
Thanks.

 

[cmehling]

KTBugs,
Most likely, everything will work the same as it does at your home or at your work. You should be ok.

Good luck and don't work too hard!

 

[ktbugsmom]

Thanks Cmehling. I won't work too hard... just 30-60 minutes per day...and then it pays for my vacation. Not a bad sideline job - especially since it helps get me to Disney!

 

[lowe@massed.net]

OK - Thanks to all who responded on this board and radp, I now understand what I need to do to have internet access while at the BWV.

I have three choices:
1. BWV will be wired for high speed internet by the time I get there, so I can pay the $9.95/day fee, plug in and go.
2. I can sign up with Net Zero for free dial-up access and just pay .50/per session.
3. For $8.95/month, I can add dial-up access to my Verizon DSL subscription and get 20 hours of connect time.

I like the Net Zero solution for economy, and last year I didn't find dial-up to be bad at all, so I most likely will go this route for this trip, as well as for vacations to other locations.

Thanks to everyone who patiently explained all the options!