DVC members/Why no free internet for us?

[debbiepump]

Does anyone know why we as DVC members don't get free internet service?
Any idea how we can request this or bring this up at a board meeting?
Was there last December for the BCV, but was too new to realize what was what.

 

[Doug7856]

I think it is worth bringing it up at the annual meeting; however, in reality there is no "free" internet as the cost would be added into our dues. It would be nice to have "cheaper" access though!

 

[mcorbo]

I think it is worth bringing it up at the annual meeting; however, in reality there is no "free" internet as the cost would be added into our dues. It would be nice to have "cheaper" access though!

THis was brought up at the VWL meeting last Decembee, and if I remember correctly, they said at this time they need to charge to recoup the cost of installation and equipment and that they would consider removing the charge in the future.

 

[tjkraz]

Aside from installation costs, the service itself was outsourced by Disney to another organization. They expect to get paid the negotiated rate for every user of the system to offset their expenses (hardware, support, telcom, etc.)

I doubt Disney could convince them to waive their fees on such a large group of WDW guests.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Aside from installation costs, the service itself was outsourced by Disney to another organization. They expect to get paid the negotiated rate for every user of the system to offset their expenses (hardware, support, telcom, etc.)

I doubt Disney could convince them to waive their fees on such a large group of WDW guests.

I agree, and why should they? I suppose we could all pay for it with increased dues, but not everyone takes a laptop with them, so that would be penalizing those who don't intend to use the service. The rate we pay at Disney seems to be the going rate everywhere.

 

[DebbieB]

I wish they would come up with a length of stay rate, say $20.

 

[jasheehy]

I would be a big fan also of cheaper internet service. Though I get yelled at for bringing my laptop, I do like to check messages so that when I get back from vacation, my email is not a disaster.

 

[jctwizzer]

[QUOTE The rate we pay at Disney seems to be the going rate everywhere.[/QUOTE]

Wrong! We just finished a 12 day travelling vacation and never once paid for an internet connection. And this included stays at so called budget motels. If nothing else, we're paying for DVC's mistake---most organization's with a clue or sense of customer relations would have bit the bullet by now and absorbed the cost. Since DVC has us as a captive group, there's no need for them to consider it. One of the few negatives of DVC ownership.....JMHO

 

[dianeschlicht]

Wrong! We just finished a 12 day travelling vacation and never once paid for an internet connection. And this included stays at so called budget motels. If nothing else, we're paying for DVC's mistake---most organization's with a clue or sense of customer relations would have bit the bullet by now and absorbed the cost. Since DVC has us as a captive group, there's no need for them to consider it. One of the few negatives of DVC ownership.....JMHO

But it's not just DVC members paying that. Its everyone at WDW staying in any WDW resort. We can still get free internet at WDW resorts if we choose to use dial up and have our own toll free number to call. As DVC members, we don't pay for local calls the way non members do. Oh, and I have often paid 10-12 for 24 hours of internet at many hotels.

One way we do is to pay for a 24 hour service every 48 hours. That way I can check emails late one day and early the next and then just wait until late the next day, and it is cheaper and easy to check it daily yet.

 

[bicker]

If nothing else, we're paying for DVC's mistake---most organization's with a clue or sense of customer relations would have bit the bullet by now and absorbed the cost. Since DVC has us as a captive group, there's no need for them to consider it.

Sorry but that doesn't make any sense to me. It would be we who "absorb the cost," not DVC. They'd pass any cost along to us in dues. The fact that they haven't shows that they respect the wishes of those members who don't agree with you (and I) that high-speed Internet service is worthwhile to subsidize.

 

[Chuck S]

Even if Disney operated their own high speed internet for guest and offered it free to WDW guests, they would pay for it at regular resorts through increased rack rates, DVCers would pay for through increased dues, at whatever rate Disney desires to charge us. It seems much more fair that thoise people that use the service pay for the service.

"Budget" motels that offer free internat have certainly raised rates, I don't see any $15 to $25 nights anywhere, like we did 10 years ago. The "budget" motels are about $50 per night, many are over that.

 

[OKW Lover]

Does anyone know why we as DVC members don't get free internet service?
Any idea how we can request this or bring this up at a board meeting?
Was there last December for the BCV, but was too new to realize what was what.

There are a lot of things that I wish we got for free because I'm a DVC member. But please explain to me why internet access is something that I should get for free. When I bought into DVC it was very clear what was included in the price.

 

[salmoneous]

The fact that they haven't shows that they respect the wishes of those members who don't agree with you (and I) that high-speed Internet service is worthwhile to subsidize.

But should internet users subsidize non-internet users? It seems clear that the current-price for internet service does not just pass along costs to guests, but is profitable to DVC.

 

[NJBlackBerry]

Budget hotels use "free Internet" to get you to stay there. DVC needs no such hook. While I would love free/less expensive Internet, I can live without it.

 

[Chuck S]

But should internet users subsidize non-internet users? It seems clear that the current-price for internet service does not just pass along costs to guests, but is profitable to DVC.

We don't know that DVC, as an entity, is making $$$ from the internet service. It may be Disney Corp that is getting the profit.

 

[dvc_john]

My recent experiences with internet services at various timeshare resorts other than DVC:

Marriott Sabal Palms Orlando: free wi-fi
Marriott Grande Vista Orlando: free wi-fi
Marriott Horizons Orlando: free wi-fi
Hilton Grand Vacation Club Seaworld Orlando: free wi-fi
Hitlon Grand Vacation Club Tuscany Orlando: free wi-fi
Hilton Grand Vacation Club Miami Beach: free wi-fi
Hyatt Coconut Plantation Bonita Springs Fl: free dsl
Hyatt Windward Pointe Key West: wi-fi @$10/day or $30/4 days or $50/7 days
Sanibel Cottages Sanibel Island Fl: wi-fi $10 for 7 days
Eagles Nest Marco Island Fl: free wi-fi in lobby
Seawatch Ft Myers Beach: free wi-fi in lobby
Sheraton Broadway Myrtle Beach SC: none
Swallowtail Hilton Head: none

 

[Laurajean1014]

I think it is worth bringing it up at the annual meeting; however, in reality there is no "free" internet as the cost would be added into our dues. It would be nice to have "cheaper" access though!

GREAT IDEA! I'm not looking for free, but discounted is always nice (since we have already invested in WDW/DVC).

I would also like to see a per trip cost, rather than a 24 hr. cost.

 

[cavecricket]

No offense but I have no desire to pay extra on dues for the internet....I am on vacation not at the office. ( I know some work while in WDW ) I think there would be an overflow of complaints from alot of people if they were to offer this....most DVC members realize that alot of what we get is paid for by our dues....

I would be very anxious to know how many people use the internet in their rooms?

Someone should do a poll with a breakdown.

I find it fun to send one of those virtual cards to family and friends but I dont know about internet access.....If you are on business then I guess ...but I just dont see the sense in everone paying for options they might never use.

Maybe its because I am attached to my computer while I am home.....Part of my vacation is no cell phone and no computer along with many other omissions from my daily routine!!!

Though I do enjoy the "live" updates on these boards from people at WDW on their laptops....

I guess I am just too cheap! lol

Take care

 

[*elaine*]

My dh reads the morning "paper" every morning on the internet. I read the "real" thing, so it isn't that a paper paper is unavailable. That is his preference. It would be very relaxing for him to be able to read the morning paper and check the weather (he's a weather geek) from his laptop without worrying about high internet access fees.

And, while my kids aren't teenagers yet, for many teens one of the important aspects of vacation is to be able to stay in touch with the gang back home via email - so I suspect that many families who travel with teens these days also pay for internet access.

I guess my point is that not everyone uses the computer for work only in this day and age.

It isn't a big deal for me - I won't complain about having to pay for internet access - but it would be nice for members to be able to pay a discounted rate - say $4.99 per day.

 

[Nanajo1]

Dh and I take a 3 week WDW trip every year sometimes twice a year. DH owns his own company so having access to his emails is the only way we can do this long stay. He tries to do an every other day overlap to get the most time possible. We've stayed at other hotels, not disney, and have received free access. I think when the resorts that have a full service hotel attached get complaints/requests about free access from the "other side" of the lobby we will see a change but until then we'll continue to pay.