DVC members/Why no free internet for us?

[Fitswimmer]

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

Of course not-HOWEVER-there are people who would not be able to spend all day at the parks with their families or go on vacation at all if they were not able to communicate with their office. They might own their own business and their employees or customers might need them to answer questions. Or, perhaps they want to go away with their families more often, and being able to stay connected to the office in the evenings might allow them to do that.

I leave my cell phone in the room and answer calls at night rather than have it in the parks to disturb my time with my family and friends. I check msgs and respond at night. Why is it different to want to check email?

 

[pb4ugo]

Of course not-HOWEVER-there are people who would not be able to spend all day at the parks with their families or go on vacation at all if they were not able to communicate with their office. They might own their own business and their employees or customers might need them to answer questions. Or, perhaps they want to go away with their families more often, and being able to stay connected to the office in the evenings might allow them to do that.

I leave my cell phone in the room and answer calls at night rather than have it in the parks to disturb my time with my family and friends. I check msgs and respond at night. Why is it different to want to check email?

you emphasized my point exactly where i wrote:
"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!"

one does not need wi-fi to check email - nor should i have to pay for someone's ability to access their email - pay-as-you-go works best for me.

and thanx for leaving your cell phone in your room! would that others could be as respectful as you. nothing worse than being in the hall of the presidents or philharmagic and having a cell phone go off [or worse, those nextel walkie-talkie units!] aarrrgggghhhhh!

 

[Fitswimmer]

no one HAS TO HAVE internet connectivity!"

True, but as many have stated on this thread, DVC provides a good many things at the resorts that no one "has to have". Isn't that the whole point of staying at a high end resort on vacation? I want a BUNCH of stuff that I don't have to have!


We've probably reached the point of no return on this issue, but those of us who would like to have access as a benefit will continue to ask for it and those that don't will continue to object. Perhaps the idea of a member vote that was floated earlier would settle it, but I don't really see them doing that. They'll either choose to provide it or they won't.

You're welcome about the phone. I hate it when those things go off on an attraction too!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

no one HAS TO HAVE internet connectivity!"

Unfortunately, my dh does need to have it. His work requires he constantly stay on top of things. Our vacations would have to be cut in half or even more if he could not access work-related issues from his laptop. He can return home from vacation to easily 1,000 work related emails. It's just too overwhelming for him to try and play catch up.....or try and "fix" situations that went wrong while he was away. It never used to be like this 5-10 years ago, but unfortunately, it's becoming a "high speed" kind of world. He needs to be able to keep up if he wants to maintain his job.
While it would be nice to have free internet, we're fine with paying for it. I just wish, as someone else stated, that there was a length of stay or discounted rate.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Unfortunately, my dh does need to have it. His work requires he constantly stay on top of things. Our vacations would have to be cut in half or even more if he could not access work-related issues from his laptop. He can return home from vacation to easily 1,000 work related emails. It's just too overwhelming for him to try and play catch up.....or try and "fix" situations that went wrong while he was away. It never used to be like this 5-10 years ago, but unfortunately, it's becoming a "high speed" kind of world. He needs to be able to keep up if he wants to maintain his job.
While it would be nice to have free internet, we're fine with paying for it. I just wish, as someone else stated, that there was a length of stay or discounted rate.

My DH needs internet on vacation for the same reason, but he is more than happy to pay for it. He doesn't assume he should get it free.

 

[G8RFAN]

Does everyone take advantage of the pool table or the other freebee recreational choices. If not why did everyone have to pay for it? You see, there is no right answer here. $10 every 24 hours is certainly market rate, but it certainly is a profit center for whomever is pocketing the proceeds. As high bandwidth access becomes cheaper for everyone, hopefully, they can pass that on to us "home owners". I personally always bring my laptop, but I try to utilize my crackberry errr I mean Blackberry more. Otherwise DW and I can only afford weekend getaways as the world at both of our companies will end without us. J/K but many times the aggravation that sits on your desk when you get back instantly erases the stress relief from vacation.

 

[MiaSRN62]

but he is more than happy to pay for it. He doesn't assume he should get it free.

And I did agree with you on this Diane if you look more closely at my quote in your post.....I state "we are fine with paying for it"

 

[jmatias]

I find the different points of view on this interesting.

We always travel with our laptop. We own our own business and always keep in touch with the office during vacations. That may not be considered a vacation to some but if we want to travel we need the laptop.

The last two timeshare resorts we stayed at were Marriott Timberlodge in Lake Tahoe and the Hilton at Seaworld. We very much appreciated the free wi-fi access.

And I have to admit that I'm surprised that Disney doesn't do the same.

Jen

 

[sjdisneywedding]

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?

well 1 possible reason

they are getting 1.50 per 150 pts per contract--I dont know the number of points floating around out there, but my guess in the long run they wouldnt lose much of anything if at all AND they could promote the fact they have "free" internet

we all know nothing is free, its being paid for some way or another, usually in the form of a few dollars added to everyones room rate at places like HI Express

the same is true here-is it better for all of us to pay a dollar or 2 a year, or to pay $100 each time one of goes for a week or so and uses the internet

 

[sjdisneywedding]

My DH needs internet on vacation for the same reason, but he is more than happy to pay for it. He doesn't assume he should get it free.

I dont assume anyone should get it for free, I am merely stating that there are many more reasons why it should be free that not

from what I can tell the only real reason a select few people feel it should not be free is

someone is making a good amount of profit on the current rate

I dont think the following are really valid reasons to argue against free internet

1) they themselves dont use it
2) others should not be using the internet while on vacation anyway

 

[drakethib]

Why?

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

My beef is not with Disney it is when other people want to chose what they think is right for all. Again as I said put it to a vote to them members.

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?!?!

Because if they said we are raising your dues to subsidize the cost of internet service, I am pretty sure (or I would hope anyway) that the members woud not allow them to raise rates and get nothing back.

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

I totally disagree with this. There is power in numbers. The problem is many people are willing to gripe about something but do nothing to help fix a problem.


Again when I start getting money back from the things I don't use, that is when I will stop saying the arguement of if you want it pay for it yourself is bogus. YMMV

 

[jdg345]

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

Exactly what I was thinking ... I don't mind the charge, but I would prefer a Length-of-Stay Rate ... I think $20 is probably too little ... but something like $35 would probably work ... that'll get folks with 4-days + a little bonus.

 

[drakethib]

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?

The same can be said about people who watch tv on vacation.

To some of us, having our laptops allow us to check in with work and stay longer, others like to email pictures to friends and families and Nah Nah them errrr.... let them know how good of a time we are having Some people like to give up to date reports on the DIS.

I for one pay all of my bills online, bank online, monitor my portfolio, etc. Yes I can live without internet access but it sure as heck makes my life easier. And yes I don't mind paying my fair share, but 10 bucks a day is a rip. I would much rather give up the tv or dvd player and telephone in the room if it would get me wi-fi free or a discounted rate.

In regards to your point of removing tvs and vcrs, you make a valid point, maybe we all need to turn off the tv and visit each other a little more. We are all probably missing out on meeting some good people.

One more thing, the roses do smell nice don't they?

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Disney barely has cable service and they certainly don't have decent tv's. So I'm not surprised that they've elected to be with the crowd that gives you wired internet access for a fee versus the wireless for a fee or the wireless for free crowd.

Unless the conventioneers start to raise a ruckus I don't see this happening. This isn't something you'd do for DVC'ers but not for the folks staying at the Grand Floridian.

What might get them going is if Swan/Dolphin starts to offer it in their lobbies and restaurants....along with a place to lock up your laptop when you are done with it.

For those of you who want this benefit I think you can look to the amount of time to get the slide at OKW as your guide. Until the lack of internet access puts Disney at a competitive disadvantage I don't see this happening. I think the vast majority of members would say no they don't want it for quite some time. Eventually Verizon and their ilk will make it a moot point anyway. I'm sure Virgin Mobil will make it a prepaid option sooner rather than later.

 

[prez65]

My DW will kill me if I took my laptop to Disney..........It is bad enough I spend hours on it selling on ebay (not DVC rentals)...using it for work...and being on these boards...when I am home...she would not want me using it on Vacation....

But I think they should have free wi-fi........

 

[Fitswimmer]

Exactly what I was thinking ... I don't mind the charge, but I would prefer a Length-of-Stay Rate ... I think $20 is probably too little ... but something like $35 would probably work ... that'll get folks with 4-days + a little bonus.

That's what I was thinking too. I never said I minded paying for it,
but since I only use it in the evenings, $10 is kind of high. I'd be happy to pay for a length of stay rate of $35 or $40. If they go with that it would be nice, if they don't, I'll continue to budget for it as it is.

I think the reason it was brought up in the first place is that many members have been to other timeshares and hotels that DVC measures itself against in terms of quality and those others do provide free wifi.

 

[ncseric]

I have the Verizon Broadband wireless card too and had it with me when we stayed at Ft. Wilderness Cabins last year. Unfortunately, the signal out there wasn't great and I ended up paying for a few days of Internet access there. Hopefully VWL is closer to a cell tower, since that's where we're staying in January. The VZW card is very touchy especially inside of buildings.

The pricing is actually $79 if you don't have a Verizon phone already, and there is a minimum 2 year committment. SprintNextel also has this type of card and is moving towards WiMax, which is a much faster protocol. It's going to be a while to get it everywhere, but within the next two years they'll have upgraded their network. I already have a Nextel phone and would rather have the services together, but having a small web hosting business, I need to be connected everywhere, even on vacation.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I dont assume anyone should get it for free, I am merely stating that there are many more reasons why it should be free that not

from what I can tell the only real reason a select few people feel it should not be free is

someone is making a good amount of profit on the current rate

I dont think the following are really valid reasons to argue against free internet

1) they themselves dont use it
2) others should not be using the internet while on vacation anyway

But as far as I can see, there is no good reason to make it free either. Disney pays for, so we pay for it. The way it is set up now, only those who use it pay for it. ..Seems fair to me.

 

[Groucho]

The thing is, making it free for everyone will probably NOT cost Disney any money.

They've got a certain amount of bandwidth going to each resort. No doubt all that funnels through an internet gateway, with a certain amount of bandwidth, that is used for resort internet access. Adding more people will not make the cost of that bandwidth go up - the only real downside would be that if there was heavy usage, it may slow down - but I rather doubt that it would be a significant problem. Of course, only Disney's IT team knows how their network is laid out, but it's pretty likely to be set up that way.

They might need to spend a little more time answering tech support calls if it were free at the DVC, but they wouldn't have to deal with activating and deactivating the different connections and dealing with the charges, so that would be a wash.

Making the CHANGE from paid to free may cost them a few bucks, but probably not too many.

My plan is to just use a local dial-in number... I hate the slow speed but can't stomach paying $10 for using it a few minutes in the evening... and that should be free with the free local dialing (as I understand it).

 

[sjdisneywedding]

The thing is, making it free for everyone will probably NOT cost Disney any money.

They've got a certain amount of bandwidth going to each resort. No doubt all that funnels through an internet gateway, with a certain amount of bandwidth, that is used for resort internet access. Adding more people will not make the cost of that bandwidth go up - the only real downside would be that if there was heavy usage, it may slow down - but I rather doubt that it would be a significant problem. Of course, only Disney's IT team knows how their network is laid out, but it's pretty likely to be set up that way.

They might need to spend a little more time answering tech support calls if it were free at the DVC, but they wouldn't have to deal with activating and deactivating the different connections and dealing with the charges, so that would be a wash.

Making the CHANGE from paid to free may cost them a few bucks, but probably not too many.

My plan is to just use a local dial-in number... I hate the slow speed but can't stomach paying $10 for using it a few minutes in the evening... and that should be free with the free local dialing (as I understand it).

good idea, just be careful there is not a limit on the amount of local minutes. I just stayed at a hotel recently where local calls were free up to a certain amount, then they started charging

I dont know what the rule at WDW is for this.