DVC members/Why no free internet for us?

[tjkraz]

If you don't feel comfortable with it, then don't let me be the one to convince you otherwise. If you don't think your tech skills are up to it, then you really shouldn't be setting up a wireless connection in a hotel whatsoever open or not.

I agree. That's why I'm suggesting a little caution rather than urging everyone to do the "neighborly" thing and opening unsecured public access points without really knowing what they're getting into.

 

[*elaine*]

I agree. That's why I'm suggesting a little caution rather than urging everyone to do the "neighborly" thing and opening unsecured public access points without really knowing what they're getting into.

Thanks for the warning. My dh is very tech savvy and enjoys helping various family members set up wireless hubs in their homes and dorm rooms (in addition to our own), so I think that we'll do fine.

This is a TOTAL FANTASY, before anyone jumps on me, but it would be nice if each DVC resort had a locker where we could leave equipment, etc., to share. So, those of us at BWV who are interested in wireless could go in together and purchase an inexpensive wireless router. I could pay for access and set it up for me stay and those others in the vicinity could take advantage of the hot spot. Then I'd return it to the locker, and the next DVC'er interested in setting it up could check it out during his or her vacation, etc.

However, if wireless/free internet access will become available to DVCers in the near future, it won't be needed. I'm not surprised by that news - I was going to say earlier that there really isn't a need for arguments on this thread, because I would lay down money that access is free within the next 5 years. As many people become more and more dependent on the computer for various daily activities, it won't be only business people wanting computer access while at WDW. I really do think it will be the standard. But that is just my take on it and, of course, I could be wrong.

 

[jade1]

Just talked to Verizon and they sell a laptop PC card that offers unlimited internet access anywhere on the national plan (Includes Orlando) for $59 a month. I currently pay $49 but obviously these numbers will get smaller each year with competition but the point is my laptop would never need any connection anywhere it is-I may just do it.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/promotion/controller?promotionType=miniPac&action=miniStart

Calling Plan
BroadbandAccess
Unlimited Monthly Home Airtime Usage*
when browsing the Internet, accessing the intranet or reading emails.
$59.99 monthly access w/ 2-yr customer agreement and qualifying voice plan.

Download complex files and large email attachments easily at average speeds of 400- 700 kbps, capable of bursts up to 2 Mbps.†

BroadbandAccess is the nation's largest high-speed wireless broadband network.*

Rate area map:
Coverage map

Included Features:
New Every Two®
TXT Messaging

 

[goldilocks_63]

Just talked to Verizon and they sell a laptop PC card that offers unlimited internet access anywhere on the national plan (Includes Orlando) for $59 a month. I currently pay $49 but obviously these numbers will get smaller each year with competition but the point is my laptop would never need any connection anywhere it is-I may just do it.


***

I have this wireless broadband.... but if you don't get verizon coverage by cell phone, then you won't by internet either.

It works fine in Disney, but doesn't work in Saugatuck Michigan....

So beware, "everywhere" is only everywhere Verizon is....


FYI - I've had it two years, and have been happy with it.. Oh, and it is slower than what I have a home. Quicker than dialup... but still can notice the speed verses home / work.


Goldi

 

[drakethib]

For those of you who do end up paying to use it, think of your fellow members and bring a wireless router with you and allow others nearby to use it too like we do

It's the neighborly thing to do We name our router “Free 4 DVC” to waive all doubt as to whether or not others can use it.

Rock on Cricket.

I will be doing the same on my next trip !!!!!!

 

[drakethib]

Just talked to Verizon and they sell a laptop PC card that offers unlimited internet access anywhere on the national plan (Includes Orlando) for $59 a month. I currently pay $49 but obviously these numbers will get smaller each year with competition but the point is my laptop would never need any connection anywhere it is-I may just do it.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/promotion/controller?promotionType=miniPac&action=miniStart

Calling Plan
BroadbandAccess
Unlimited Monthly Home Airtime Usage*
when browsing the Internet, accessing the intranet or reading emails.
$59.99 monthly access w/ 2-yr customer agreement and qualifying voice plan.

Download complex files and large email attachments easily at average speeds of 400- 700 kbps, capable of bursts up to 2 Mbps.†

BroadbandAccess is the nation's largest high-speed wireless broadband network.*

Rate area map:
Coverage map

Included Features:
New Every Two®
TXT Messaging

Problem is I don't want to sign a 2 year contract for just a week or 2 at WDW.

Too bad they dont have a prepaid unlimited.

 

[jade1]

Just talked to Verizon and they sell a laptop PC card that offers unlimited internet access anywhere on the national plan (Includes Orlando) for $59 a month. I currently pay $49 but obviously these numbers will get smaller each year with competition but the point is my laptop would never need any connection anywhere it is-I may just do it.


***

I have this wireless broadband.... but if you don't get verizon coverage by cell phone, then you won't by internet either.

It works fine in Disney, but doesn't work in Saugatuck Michigan....

So beware, "everywhere" is only everywhere Verizon is....


FYI - I've had it two years, and have been happy with it.. Oh, and it is slower than what I have a home. Quicker than dialup... but still can notice the speed verses home / work.


Goldi

Good point, but I have Verizon (Minneapolis) and it works great in Orlando.

The bigger picture is it is all headed in the same direction, just takes time.

 

[profdsny]

Aside from the fact that this is an expensive resort, or resorts, and that there are many places that have it for free, such as McDonalds, Borders, B&N, and Panera, why weren't we as members asked about this service being added to the vacation homes? If this is something that Disney is making money on, (and what don't theymake money on?), then why weren't we given in put into this? The short of it is, they are making money off of our property without our permission. And, since it is our property they are making money off of, we as members should not have to pay for this service. Or be charged more.

 

[tjkraz]

...why weren't we as members asked about this service being added to the vacation homes? If this is something that Disney is making money on, (and what don't theymake money on?), then why weren't we given in put into this? The short of it is, they are making money off of our property without our permission. And, since it is our property they are making money off of, we as members should not have to pay for this service. Or be charged more.

Why aren't we asked for input? Because we have no say in the matter. DVC and/or the Condo Association board (to which we've given DVC approval to control) makes those decisions.

DVC owes us what's in the POS...nothing more and nothing less. There is no mention of pricing or obligations with regard to high-speed or wireless service. If they choose to offer it, they can do so on their own terms.

As I said in a prior post, this is no different than pricing at restaurants, gift shops or even prices for add-on services like additional room cleanings or towel packs. Disney can set any price point of its choosing, and it's up to us to take it or leave it.

If DVC is actually working on a lower-cost or free option, great. But they have no obligation to do so, regardless of the "I paid XXX for my points and Disney owes me" attitude that seems so pervasive these days.

The only thing that would upset me is if they subsidize this in some manner with member dues. That would be a very poor decision. Let those who choose to use it pay 100% of the cost--whatever that cost may be. (And, yes, I have used it a number of times myself.)

 

[DebbieB]

I'm at a Marriott in Duluth GA and just put out $9.95 for highspeed.

 

[tomerin]

The only thing that would upset me is if they subsidize this in some manner with member dues. That would be a very poor decision. Let those who choose to use it pay 100% of the cost--whatever that cost may be. (And, yes, I have used it a number of times myself.)

i agree with this 100 percent. i would love to have free internet access but at what cost. we know there is not only an expense in setting up the network but also with its maintenance. i just dont see DVC offering this as a free perk without somehow raising dues as a way to pay for this "free service"

a reduced rate for dvc members would seem the more logical way to go if they wanted to offer internet to DVC members.

i wonder just how many DVC members bring their laptops with the to WDW. we do but not for the internet.

 

[Disney Doll]

I do not think it should be free so that members who would not avail themselves of the computer would, in effect, be "paying" for it.

But I think $10/day is a lot of money. It doesn't cost me that much to have Internet access at home, and once wireless access is installed, it's installed.

An hourly charge would be fine with me, say $1 or $2 per hour, so that when I signed on, I would pay for the amount of time that I actually used. I don't sit at my computer all day when we are on vacation, but I do like to keep up with e-mails and DH, being a manager, needs to keep up with stuff at work while we are away. If we used the computer for a total of 1 or 2 hours per day, we'd pay only for that amount of time.

And if someone were the type to spend a lot of time on thier computer while at WDW (a business traveller, perhaps attending a convention), they would be paying for the larger amount of time they used.

 

[Cricket2]

But I think $10/day is a lot of money. It doesn't cost me that much to have Internet access at home, and once wireless access is installed, it's installed.

It's already installed throughout the entire WDW grounds including the resorts, it's just not set up for public access.

I'd be happy with advertising subsidized wired access. Wireless is just a bonus.

 

[pouncingpluto]

I just got back from a 7 day trip. I was pretty disappointed to find that Disney was charging so much for internet access. I am a relatively frequent business traveller - and I have to say that $10/day for non-wf-fi is a real rip-off. At least provide it at cost - which is nowhere near $10/day considering that most people don't even use if for more than an hour per day.

I just have to say helloooooo! You're no longer a lurker! (bruceb is my brother!)

 

[DebbieB]

I got a postcard today for a survey regarding my stay last week at BWV. At the end in the comments, I mentioned that I would like to see a length of stay rate for internet or a DVC member discount.

 

[Mickeysduck]

DVC owes us what's in the POS...nothing more and nothing less. There is no mention of pricing or obligations with regard to high-speed or wireless service. If they choose to offer it, they can do so on their own terms.

Disney in running a business, and there is lots of competition out there. If other resorts offer more attractive features, Disney will follow, or fall behind. Since most resorts in the Orlando area offer free internet access, it's only a matter of time before Disney offers it. It was promised to us, once the installation of the equipment is recovered, and I believe they will follow through.

If we had nothing more, nothing less than what's in the POS, we would see the pool heat drop below 70 in the Winter, no discounts on AP's, no room changes once we check in, no point rentals, no cable tv (only free local channels that can be received by antenna), no free valet service, and I could go on and on. Cutting back on any or all of these little benies may result in lower dues, but then, they may not be selling as well as they have been.

When new technology or ideas to make resorts more attractive are used by the competition, you can be sure Disney will follow, higher dues or not. Besides, we are not the only ones staying at these resorts, there are also paying guests who can absorb some of the trivial cost of internet access, along with banner and internet ads that they can attach to every page, they can still make lots of money on this when it's free, that maybe can even result in lower dues.

 

[tjkraz]

Since most resorts in the Orlando area offer free internet access, it's only a matter of time before Disney offers it.

Naaah. Come on, that doesn't hold any water.

Many chains offer free continental breakfast. Do you think Disney is planning to follow suit?

How about free newspapers each morning?

Free local calls?

Disney has something with which few can compete--on site accommodations. Free internet access is going to be the "tipping point" for few guests when you're already paying twice as much for the priviledge of staying on property.

It was promised to us, once the installation of the equipment is recovered, and I believe they will follow through.

Promised?? By whom?

If we had nothing more, nothing less than what's in the POS, we would see the pool heat drop below 70 in the Winter...

You mean it hasn't already?!?!

...no discounts on AP's...

Please tell me you don't actually think that was some magnanimous gesture on Disney's part. The AP discount is designed to get people to come back to Florida again and again and again...

...no room changes once we check in...

Disney usually isn't in the business of erecting barriers which prevent people from spending their money. You have been to Walt Disney World, right?

...no point rentals...

Kinda hard to prevent that one since Disney is the largest renter of them all. It wouldn't stand up to a legal challenge.

...no cable tv (only free local channels that can be received by antenna)...

Actually I think that one IS in the POS.

...no free valet service...

Seems only fair since we're paying for the parking attendants.

Cutting back on any or all of these little benies may result in lower dues, but then, they may not be selling as well as they have been.

<sigh> If you'll look back at my post of which you only quoted a tiny snippet, what you'll see is that I was responding to a poster who basically asked "why weren't we consulted about this." OBVIOUSLY Disney is not going to run the resorts as a lowest-cost venture. But they also are not going to ask for a show of hands from members whenever decisions like this need to be made.

Disagree if you wish, but I don't see Internet service at WDW reaching the level of expected availability as cable TV. Every room at every (non-niche) hotel worldwide has a TV. Only a fraction of the guest rooms at resort which is primarily a vacation destination will house wi-fi compatible devices.

Even if Disney were to take its theme park services onto the Internet (i.e. being able to check ride wait times via the Internet from your hotel room), they could easily limit access to just a handful of web pages and charge for open access.

I only see two real possibilities for changes from the status quo:

1. DVC "negotiates" a discount for us, which would basically be Disney agreeing to waive part of its profit for each day purchased.

2. DVC announces "free" access, but it's subsidized by our dues.

#1 would be great. #2 would be disappointing--I hope Disney is more responsible than that. As many have said, let those who want the access pay for it.

Maybe they'll consider multi-day discounts or something like that. If so, I can't see it being something that's exclusively offered to DVC members.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Very well put, Tjkraz, and I totally agree.

 

[SoCalKDG]

I got a postcard today for a survey regarding my stay last week at BWV. At the end in the comments, I mentioned that I would like to see a length of stay rate for internet or a DVC member discount.

$50 sounds like a good figure.

 

[jctwizzer]

"As many have said, let those who want the access pay for it." ...........

I agree. And since we haven't used the bus service in 10+ years as members, let those who use it pay for it!!

Same with the swimming pools; the boat to DD; dining discounts, etc. etc. etc.

When you look the whole picture/likely none of use all the services. Reasonable internet fees would just be an addition to what's already being done...JMHO