DVC members/Why no free internet for us?

[Deb & Bill]

Either join in and provide the service or lose out

I don't think Disney is shivering in its shoes.

 

[drakethib]

The arguement of I don't use it so I don't want to pay for it can be said about a lot of things about DVC if we wanted to.

Some examples for me are:

I don't use their sheets or pilowcases as I bring my own.
I don't use the room telephones as I use my cell.
I don't smoke so I don't use the ashtrays
I don't use their soap or cleaning supplies.
Heck we even bring our own toliet paper (too much info I know).

Last time I looked at my bank account, I have yet to see a refund from the mouse for me not using these items and I know they are built into the inital cost or maint fees.

No one wants to see an increase of fees, but to say pay for it yourself is bogus. I think it needs to be put to a vote by DVC Members based on the points that a member owns. for each 100 points owned you get 1 vote or something like that. IF you own 25 points and they increase the MF by 25 cents per point, it won't sting too much. IF you own 400 points you are looking at a extra 100 per year. Just MHO. YMMv

Also, a flat fee per week would not be bad say 25 or 30 bucks a week, I would pay it and wouldn't say a word, but 10 bucks a day is a rip off. End of story.

BTW, I am sure others notice but moderately priced hotels are giving away wi-fi while 4 or 5 stars are charging the 10 bucks a day as well.

I was recently in Chicago and stayed at a pretty nice (Hyatt Regency) place for work and they were charging for wi-fi.

What a rip. The mouse isn't alone in this scheme.

 

[drakethib]

There is a post on one of the other threads that really makes the point.

Free or low cost internet access is part of the package at most resorts that would be considered equal to DVC. I wouldn't go as far as to say that the resorts are substandard without it, as could be said about the sofa bed conditions-but I also wouldn't say that the resorts are substandard without flat screen TV's. I don't watch much TV at the resorts and I never use the sofa beds, but I still feel that paying for upgrades to bring those items up to quality is important. I joined DVC to be able to stay in upscale accomodations every time I go on vacation. If free or low cost internet access is part of upscale accomodations at other resorts, it should be part of DVC as well.

Here Here !!!!!!!!

 

[tjkraz]

thats just ridiculous to me, its the easiest excuse to come by. So every time you go down a slide in one of the pools you should swipe your room card to get charged-or better yet every time you enter the pool you should go through a turn style and pay. You should probably pay at least $100 a day just to turn the tv on and then another $20 to use the remote and maybe another $20 if you actually want to view any channels.

Now THERE'S an argument grounded in reality...

Gee, then why don't we just get DVC to subsidize meals. "Free" room service for everyone!!! We'll just include it in the dues.

"Free" bike and boat rentals, too! "Free" spa treatments! "Free" golf!

Internet access is a profit center for Disney. It's no different than a $2 t-shirt for which we are FORCED to pay $25 or the $10 worth of food at CRT that costs $40. High-speed access may cost pennies to provide in the real world, but that doesn't mean that we would PAY pennies if it were subsidized by our dues.

Highly disagree! Wireless internet will be available EVERYWHERE for cheap if not completley free. It practically is already and the wave hasnt even nearly began yet.

Not sure what you disagree with in my comments you quoted.

According to the Consumer Electronics Association, approximately 34% of US households have laptop computers--not all of which would even be wi-fi capable. Let's add another 10% (which is ridiculously generous in that it duplicates many of the households in the laptop count) for wi-fi capable cell phones and PDAs. That's still well under 50% of the US with access to a wi-fi device.

I'm really not sure how to quantify the number of those devices that wouldn't even be part of a Walt Disney World vacation.

Contrast that to the number of WDW guest rooms with TVs which I BELIEVE runs in the 100% neighborhood.

Seems to me like there's greater demand for cable TV.

 

[tjkraz]

No one wants to see an increase of fees, but to say pay for it yourself is bogus.

Why?

Seems like your real beef is with Disney over the prices. Take it up with them!!!!!!

Here's the part that confuses me about all of this: Everyone agrees that the prices Disney charges are somewhat high on a per-day basis. Why in the world does anyone think that Disney would charge anything less if "free" access were subsidized via our dues?!?!

I think it needs to be put to a vote by DVC Members based on the points that a member owns. for each 100 points owned you get 1 vote or something like that.

Sorry members have no power. We signed over all of those rights to DVC when we agreed to the POS.

 

[Longhairbear]

We stayed at a Holiday Inn in Massachusetts and got free DSL connection. We paid the $10.00 per 24 hour fee at OKW without thinking it was awful, but surprised it wasn't free,compared to Holiday Inn.
At the Disneyland Hotel at DLR, I seem to remember it was free, with only a small connection fee per day, but I may be wrong on this.
I would support a free internet at DVC, as it is much like free cable TV. I remember signs for free air conditioning, and free color TV as a kid on family vacations.

 

[mcorbo]

Promised?? By whom?

Actually, in the member meeting for VWL last year, the free internet questions was asked, and we were told free internet access would be considered in the future once the costs of the installation were recouped.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

Now THERE'S an argument grounded in reality...


Gee, then why don't we just get DVC to subsidize meals. "Free" room service for everyone!!! We'll just include it in the dues.

"Free" bike and boat rentals, too! "Free" spa treatments! "Free" golf!

I believe this is why some are not connecting on this. Internet is becoming so engrained in every day life that its not a simple luxury anymore, its far more comparible to cable tv than to bike rentals, spa treatments, golf etc etc etc.

Internet access is a profit center for Disney. It's no different than a $2 t-shirt for which we are FORCED to pay $25 or the $10 worth of food at CRT that costs $40. High-speed access may cost pennies to provide in the real world, but that doesn't mean that we would PAY pennies if it were subsidized by our dues.

Of course they make money off it, that doesnt mean its not going to change. As I said very soon no one will even need their interent access so it will be a matter of getting with the times or not, pretty simple.


they will not be able to continue to make whatever profits they do in the future anyway.

Not sure what you disagree with in my comments you quoted.

According to the Consumer Electronics Association, approximately 34% of US households have laptop computers--not all of which would even be wi-fi capable. Let's add another 10% (which is ridiculously generous in that it duplicates many of the households in the laptop count) for wi-fi capable cell phones and PDAs. That's still well under 50% of the US with access to a wi-fi device.

I'm really not sure how to quantify the number of those devices that wouldn't even be part of a Walt Disney World vacation.

Contrast that to the number of WDW guest rooms with TVs which I BELIEVE runs in the 100% neighborhood.

Seems to me like there's greater demand for cable TV.

point being you said you dont ever see it(interent) getting to be as popular as cable. I disagree. Its already increasing--you cant look at simply laptops vs cable tv.

computers in general are still fairly new and the internet even newer

1984--US homes w computers--8%
2003--over 70%

you have to get with the times--you cant simply see 34% of homes with laptops and expect that number has capped out.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

Actually, in the member meeting for VWL last year, the free internet questions was asked, and we were told free internet access would be considered in the future once the costs of the installation were recouped.

no surprise here--thats common business--change when needed

its not like many on here would like to have it--stuck without any change or growth

 

[sjdisneywedding]

I don't think Disney is shivering in its shoes.

its not meant to make them--its just a fact--wi-fi is becoming more and more popular and advanced--and the price becomes cheaper and cheaper with the growth and competition. No one in their right mind is going to pay those prices a couple years from now, they wont need to

so Disney/DVC can either get with the times and try to find a way to get an advantage off providing free internet possibly with their own home page with advertising and such or they can just completely forget about even offering it all together

 

[Fitswimmer]

NYC is making free wifi available in Central Park today, it's already available for free at many other parks in the city and will continue to expand. There is a proposal on the table to make the entire city a free wifi zone. Other cities across the country either already have free wifi or are looking at implementing it to give more of their citizens access to the 'net. I don't know if Orlando is one of them, but I did hear about Philly and San Francisco. The big objections to this move comes from companies like Verizon and ATT who have been making big bucks providing internet service. The next few years are going to be interesting for this industry seeing how it plays out.
It's a struggle for Disney, because they don't want people on the 'net, they want them in the parks spending money. However, they also do not want to be seen as behind the times and if other resorts start to make free wifi a selling point, Disney will too. A PP said that they could remember when free AC and Free TV's were an incentive, remember Free HBO? I think that's the future of wifi, the same as Free HBO.

 

[tjkraz]

I believe this is why some are not connecting on this. Internet is becoming so engrained in every day life that its not a simple luxury anymore, its far more comparible to cable tv than to bike rentals, spa treatments, golf etc etc etc.

Then I think we can agree that your pay-for-pool usage analogy was a poor one, yes?

Of course they make money off it, that doesnt mean its not going to change. As I said very soon no one will even need their interent access so it will be a matter of getting with the times or not, pretty simple.

What do you consider to be "very soon?" I understand that there are a number of high-profile projects around the country, but what portion of the US will those bring free coverage to? 1/2 percent? 1 percent?

The major US city to which I am closest is in the top 75 in terms of population, and there are no free wi-fi initiatives on the horizon. Sure we've got the McDonald's, Panera and other business-sponsored initiatives. But even those are few and far between. The local cable company provides wi-fi at libraries and the ballpark, but you need to be a subscriber to their cable modem service in order to use it. It's not free to all.

point being you said you dont ever see it(interent) getting to be as popular as cable. I disagree. Its already increasing--you cant look at simply laptops vs cable tv.

you have to get with the times--you cant simply see 34% of homes with laptops and expect that number has capped out.

Actually I said that "I don't see Internet service at WDW reaching the level of expected availability as cable TV."

For a hotel (that charges more than $15 per day) to offer 3 local TV channels and charge extra for cable is simply unheard of. It wasn't that way 20 years ago, but it is today. Guest expectations changed over time.

When (if) free Internet service reaches that level of acceptance, Disney will follow-suit. Until that happens, they're going to charge for it.

I understand that you want them to help drive that movement, but right now they have no good reason to do so. People don't shun Disney resorts or theme parks because free wi-fi isn't available.

 

[tjkraz]

A PP said that they could remember when free AC and Free TV's were an incentive, remember Free HBO? I think that's the future of wifi, the same as Free HBO.

In that sense, "free" is simply a sales buzzword used to catch your attention. Even in the 21st century, I've stayed in numerous hotels--both expensive and cheap--that did not offer premium movie channels like HBO. Even Disney hotels have no premium movie channels.

No, hotels do not charge extra for the likes of HBO--they either include it for free or you don't get it at all.

 

[tjkraz]

Actually, in the member meeting for VWL last year, the free internet questions was asked, and we were told free internet access would be considered in the future once the costs of the installation were recouped.

Not to be a jerk, but I think there's a VERY substantial difference between free Internet being "promised" and being "considered."

If you stood up in the annual meetings and asked for free park tickets, I suspect you'd get a similar answer: "we will consider it."

It's a polite way of saying "there are no plans now or in the future to do that."

 

[sjdisneywedding]

What do you consider to be "very soon?" I understand that there are a number of high-profile projects around the country, but what portion of the US will those bring free coverage to? 1/2 percent? 1 percent?

The major US city to which I am closest is in the top 75 in terms of population, and there are no free wi-fi initiatives on the horizon. Sure we've got the McDonald's, Panera and other business-sponsored initiatives. But even those are few and far between. The local cable company provides wi-fi at libraries and the ballpark, but you need to be a subscriber to their cable modem service in order to use it. It's not free to all.



I understand that you want them to help drive that movement, but right now they have no good reason to do so. People don't shun Disney resorts or theme parks because free wi-fi isn't available.

Im not asking them to drive the movement, just to bring our home away from home up to todays standards.

I agree free internewont make or break a Disney vacation, but sometimes it has to be about what can we do to improve and stay on top. Why provide the everday items of home such as dvd players, tv's, cable, frig's, stoves, microwaves etc etc etc and not internet?

Its not always about getting people to spend money at the parks and resteraunts, if that were the case then why have kitchens in the dvc units? why have a tv where one would be tempted to watch tv instead of spend money at the park or watch a football game in the room as opposed to going to ESPN Zone and spending money.

It cant always be about, well thats just the way it is and besides it will raise our dues. heres news for everyone--the dues are going up no matter what--you are not going to stop it nor are you going to control it. We might as well actually get something of use out of the dues going up.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Im not asking them to drive the movement, just to bring our home away from home up to todays standards.

I agree free internewont make or break a Disney vacation, but sometimes it has to be about what can we do to improve and stay on top. Why provide the everday items of home such as dvd players, tv's, cable, frig's, stoves, microwaves etc etc etc and not internet?

Its not always about getting people to spend money at the parks and resteraunts, if that were the case then why have kitchens in the dvc units? why have a tv where one would be tempted to watch tv instead of spend money at the park or watch a football game in the room as opposed to going to ESPN Zone and spending money.

It cant always be about, well thats just the way it is and besides it will raise our dues. heres news for everyone--the dues are going up no matter what--you are not going to stop it nor are you going to control it. We might as well actually get something of use out of the dues going up.

I disagree, but let me put it this way....If you choose to buy cable service, do you expect to provide it for your entire neighborhood? That is the way I look at free internet at DVC resorts. Just because some of us like to use the computer on vacation does not mean everyone wants or needs that. Why should everyone pay for what only a few want or need? You are saying our dues should pay for that, but I'm saying I might not want to pay for something I might not want.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

I disagree, but let me put it this way....If you choose to buy cable service, do you expect to provide it for your entire neighborhood? That is the way I look at free internet at DVC resorts. Just because some of us like to use the computer on vacation does not mean everyone wants or needs that. Why should everyone pay for what only a few want or need? You are saying our dues should pay for that, but I'm saying I might not want to pay for something I might not want.

thats fine if you disagree--we'll just agree to disagree

its not just "some" folks--its a large amount and growing

and again some use the internet, some use the dvd's, some the microwaves, some the washers and dryers, some the stoves, some the refrigerator, some the pools, some the slides, some an exercise room

you cant generalize that just because you dont want it that its not good for the whole group


Im not necessarily saying our dues should pay for it-Im saying that there is no real way to tell what the heck our dues are paying for. The dues will go up anyway and we probably wont see much of anything for it. might as wellget soemthing tangible out of it

My true belief is Disney as whole should just run the service throughout the entire resort and if that means adding 5 cents to each room charge to cover the costs then so be it.

we are a mass here, not simply individuals

can anyone honestly serioulsy tell me they would truly be upset if their dues went up a penny a point a year to cover free internet for the whole group?

seems everyone just likes to argue the other side just because

 

[tjkraz]

Why provide the everday items of home such as dvd players, tv's, cable, frig's, stoves, microwaves etc etc etc and not internet?

I suspect it's a commentary on what people value.

Thinking back to when I was a prospective member looking at DVC, I'd have been pretty darn reluctant to buy if I found out that my room didn't include a TV or cable. I wouldn't be nearly as enamored with my One & Two Bedroom villas if the kitchen were not present.

In 2006, lack of free Internet access doesn't surprise me at all.

 

[tjkraz]

can anyone honestly serioulsy tell me they would truly be upset if their dues went up a penny a point a year to cover free internet for the whole group?

seems everyone just likes to argue the other side just because

An owner with 150 points could easily spend 10 nights per year in a DVC room. Paying for daily Internet access at current prices would cost that one member nearly $100 annually.

Forget what it costs to offer wi-fi...we're talking bottom-line profit here. Why do you think Disney would be willing to accept $1.50 per year from that member instead of $100?

 

[pb4ugo]

do people go to wdw for a family experience or a vacation with their laptop?

i go to get AWAY from a computer and the internet ; i go with family and friends so that i can share in some face-to-face human interaction.

the currect service is great for those who MUST stay connected to their office and might not otherwise be able to go on a wdw vacation with family; beyond that, no one HAS TO HAVE internet connectivity!

i, too, remember the signs that advertised 'free' air conditioning and television. that was back in the day when we played board games on a rainy day and when we sat outside on the stoop and chatted with our neighbors and when someone's mom came outside with ice pops in the summer and hot chocolate in the winter.

for what it's worth - if dvc removed the vcrs and dvd players from the rooms we just might get to spend more time being sociable with our dvc neighbors.

does anyone stop to smell the roses anymore?