DVC Needs Fee-Free High-Speed Internet

[fishermouse]

As to the OP that suggested the fee offset "other" expenses, I'd say that's fine as long as you don't mind doing the same for anything that is not a "basic" service. IMO that includes pool access, concierge service, and for that matter, buses or parking. (I fly in, why am I paying for parking lots I don't need? Conversely, if I always drive, why pay for buses? The costs are far from equivalent, so they do not offset one another.) Obviously this is not a reasonable argument - we all pay for amenities that benefit the majority of the guests, whether we use them ourselves or not.

One simple reason' these items were provided when I purchased DVC and considered part of the program. I suppose somewhere in the contract they can find a way to elimiate some items but then I'm free to sell. Everyone that owns DVC knew internet access was an additional cost when they bought in, to sit back and complain about paying for it is out of line. I would like a free newspaper delivered to my room every morning, most hotels I frequent provide this service at no charge so DVC should also. Same logic as internet access as I truly enjoy a paper with my morning coffee and I can't even pay $10. to have one delivered.
Once again in my opinion $10.00 for 24 hours is not gouging this is simply the going rate. Most people would not need access everyday so if you go on line say evey other day your looking at $30 or $40. for the average trip. I spend more than that on ice cream. DVC has been known to add benefits and perks so maybe someday they will add internet access, more than likely as an added incentive if sales start to slow down. I think you will see it happen at the WDW hotels before the DVC resorts.

 

[drakethib]

The is a debate that I think will go on and on.

The "I don't use it, so I am not going to pay for it" theory is weak IMHO.

There are several things that I don't use at DVC such as ashtrays, cable TV, and sheets and pillow cases (we bring our own) but they are paid for in some manner or another by our dues and initial purchase price.

With that being said, I have no problem paying another 10 or 15 cents per point to get free Internet but I can understand why others would not want to pay.

Additionally I have no problem paying for internet per use and while $10 per day is the gong rate, I think it is still outrageous. $25 flat per week would be acceptable or somewhere along those lines.

 

[doconeill]

I have chimed in on previous threads on the subject.

If DVC is meant to be our "home", then $10/day is completely unreasonable. $10/week is far closer to reality and a price I'm more willing to pay. $25/wk is OK.

I think while on vacation, e-mail is a far easier medium for keeping in touch with family and friends - you don't have to worry about playing phone tag, etc. "Sorry, I was on Space Mountan - call me back"..."Sorry, I was on Haunted Mansion, call me back". Being able to send and read a few e-mails is far more relaxing.

DW and I are hoping to set up a webcam when we go in July so we can at least see our kids at home, and they can see us. I'd expect to use it a few minutes a day, several times during the week - but not if I have to pay $10 each time. We'll figure something else out.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Everyone that owns DVC knew internet access was an additional cost when they bought in, to sit back and complain about paying for it is out of line.

Actually, back when I first bought into DVC, there was no such thing as high-speed Internet access in homes, hotel rooms, or timeshares. In fact, there was no such thing as the Netscape or Internet Explorer browser, and AOL did not provide access to the Internet.

DVC has an obligation to provide what we bought into, but also to keep up with the times. It's a balancing act.

When we first bought into OKW (which was simply called Disney Vacation Club back then), the resort did not have 24-hour gated security; it did not have DVD players; it did not have a water slide; it did not have Sony WEGA televisions; it had smoking rooms (with no guarantees either way).

Once again in my opinion $10.00 for 24 hours is not gouging this is simply the going rate.

It's the going rate at a tiny percentage of hotels that are still stuck in the past.

The rate at most U.S. hotels and timeshares is zero.

Hotels that cling to past will find themselves with a serious guest satisfaction issue, with the ever-increasing number of guests who travel with a laptop for any reason.

I think you will see it happen at the WDW hotels before the DVC resorts.

Just my opinion, but I think we'll see it at the same time at regular WDW resorts and DVC resorts, at least to the degree that Disney has a single contact with the current third party provider. Because Disney also rents out DVC rooms through CRO, I would expect Disney to want to be consistent.

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't think that it is currently a label of "the times" that everyone must have internet access available 24/7 at no extra cost while on vacation. I use it constantly but I can do without it for a couple of weeks. YMMV.
I sure won't be pushing for DVC to add it, if they do, fine, if they don't, also fine.

 

[DMKEDM]

Clearly, Disney can and does change the contours of what it provides to DVC owners after they've already bought in--the recent "chatter" over the switch to all non-smoking illustrates that. If Disney can take away a smoker-owner's ability to smoke in his/her room, after that owner bought in knowing he/she could get a smoking room, it can surely take away an "unconnected" owner's ability to exclude from the cost of his/her vacation experience the price of high-speed internet access! I feel really bad for our smoker neighbors--and really grateful (for lots of reasons) that the policy doesn't affect me...

I take my laptop everywhere, especially to Disney. I did at least 2 hours of work each day I was there last week. (And only 2 hours/day makes that day a vacation day for me!) It's the nature of my work...my choice and so be it. But if I couldn't access the internet at Disney, I'd be able to go only somewhere between rarely and not at all. I certainly wouldn't be able to go often enough, or for long enough, to justify buying DVC. I couldn't keep my clients if I stayed out of touch for days at a time. And w/out my clients I couldn't pay for my DVC! And working from "the perfect room" at the BCV is as wondrous as can be...definitely beats working from my office, at least for a couple of hours per day, a few days at a time, a few times a year...

So, Disney providing high-speed internet access is for me an absolute must. I'm not nuts about the $10/day I pay for it--and I'll celebrate as loudly and as joyfully as the nonsmokers celebrated the new no smoking policy if and when Disney provides free access.

And I'll celebrate even more loudly and even more joyfully if (when?) Disney puts a computer in each room, thus meaning I won't necessarily have to bring my own with me!

OK...the computer is a necessity for me, for work reasons, even (especially) when I'm out of town. But it's also part of our vacation fun. My son also brings his laptop. We use a router so we can both be on that $10/day high speed internet access at the same time. We email family & friends; "chat" on DISboards; check out other items of interest...while relaxing and unwinding, we'll even play some computer games!

I love the hotels that provide free internet access, and I love the ones that provide computers for guests to use even more. I think there are probably more people like me (or there will be) than there are those who want no part of the online experience while they're on vacation. So I'd put computers and high speed internet access in the same category as televisions, alarm clocks, and coffee pots (I don't drink coffee--why oh why should I pay for those two packs of "free" coffee and the coffee maker in my room???--she says with her tongue in her cheek)...

But bottom line is Disney will provide internet access and/or computers w/out charge if and when it feels it will add to its profits (which, by the way, are highly dependent on customer satisfaction)...if and when Disney determines that more of its actual and potential DVC owners use high-speed internet and will stay longer/more frequently (and buy more points) if it's part of what's provided, then Disney will provide it.

In the meantime, I love going to Disney -- and going to Disney for me means the essential price includes whatever it costs to have high speed internet access (dial-up simply won't do, except in an "emergency" and for very short-term). Personally, I'd love for it to be less expensive, or even free...it might take some of the sting out of my contributing to the cost of that aforementioned coffee that other people drink, but I hate (I gag even at the smell)...

 

[bavaria]

well, frankly I would like to see the switch to wireless happen sooner than later.

I take a lot small trips to Disney parks while travelling for work (I am away from home about 300 nights/year)

Last trip to OKW my friend who often joins me had some conference calls. We both use Skype for international calls, and need to be online to view webinars as well.

Several times we had to decide who would have access while the other took a walk, etc. Since it was only a 2 day trip, we didn't bring a router, but on the other hand, we are used to wireless now being the norm in higher end hotel rooms as well....

 

[TDC Nala]

I understand it's probably a necessity for the businesspeople.

But why adamant about no extra charges?

$10 a day is pretty darned expensive. But why MUST it be free? I don't consider in-room internet an extra appendage yet, maybe I am the one behind the times. No matter what they call DVC, it isn't really my home.

I guess I am not crazy about the possibility that sometime in the future I will not have any excuse for not checking my email daily.

 

[Olaf]

Just another example of Disney nickel and dime mentality.

 

[Dean]

I do think DVC should go to free internet given the usual timeshare expectations. Most timeshares do offer free internet and/or free high speed access. Is it make or break, no, but it is the norm at this time from my experience. I'm sitting writing this from Marriott's Grande Vista with larger ? nicer units, ? nicer pools and free internet access.

 

[Bernardo]

Is that Marriott onsite at WDW?

 

[Dean]

Is that Marriott onsite at WDW?

No. IMO the only real benefits to DVC are the on site location and the flexibility of the system, both come at a huge price. I'm finding we enjoy some off site options as well or better than on site but it depends on the group traveling and our plans.

 

[kdzgon]

My previous comments (re: "not using the parking lots" etc) were very much tongue-in-cheek for those that did not comprehend that fact. IMO (and in agreement with a number of others) the "I don't use it, so I shouldn't have to pay for it" is nonsense. We all have examples of basic amenities we pay for (one way or another) even though we don't use them.

As to the internet, I cannot speak for others, but I use it constantly, from banking to shopping to communicating with my family. I share photos, look up phone numbers rather than use a phone book, use it for news gathering, research, and downloading audio books for our travels. I attend class, surf, read message boards, book air and train travel and of course plan my trips in detail. With three daughters in the military stationed in distant states, I even planned the majority of three weddings via the internet! This is just on a personal level - it is instrumental in my work as well. I know I am not alone in this, and the future many more people - including some of you that now say "no way" - will rely on it for more than what you might anticipate.

I do not need - nor do I look to be on - multiple hours at a time while in Disney, but I do find a need to jump on several times in an average trip. Personally, I am not "adamant" that the access be free, although I will agree that the number of hotels that still charge is constantly shrinking. We pay the fee and accept it as a cost of the vacation, but that doesn't change my opinion that the amount is excessive. IMO a $10 fee was a lot more proportionate 7-8 years ago vs now.

As to the OP that said the difference was the amenities I mentioned were present when he/she purchased DVC, IMO it is unrealistic to expect that standards or guest expectations would not change in 40 or 50 years. I think most owners would be more upset if nothing changed over time.

I also agree when it changes it will likely be across the board (CRO and DVC properties) as internet access is provided via a third-party contract. In fact, I'm not sure Disney could change the arrangement with guests right now even if they chose to (other than obviously picking up all fees, which would make NO business sense, again IMO).

 

[tjkraz]

I just returned from a couple of nights at the Portofino Bay resort. This resort is one of three on Universal property and is positioned as the upper-tier business / convention resort much like Disney's BoardWalk Inn or Contemporary. Here are some prices I found to be interesting:

Internet service: $9.95 per day for service until 3pm the next day (NOT a 24 hour window as is the case with Disney)

Parking: $15 per day fee for self-parking, $20 per day for valet

Room service: $3 delivery fee plus 20% gratuity (Disney is 18% gratuity) I was also of the opinion that the base menu prices were overpriced.

20oz soda in coffee shop: $3 (vs. $2.50 at Disney)

I've of the opinion that anyone who thinks Disney prices are out of line with the rest of the theme park industry is simply out of touch. Look up info on parking fees, food and drink prices for places like Sea World, Cedar Point of Six Flags and you'll see similar prices to Disney.

As for Internet, I don't see any indication that free high-speed service is becoming a free mandate for vacation destination resorts in the same category as Disney.

Free service would certainly be a nice on-site perk, similar to EMH. There have been rumors of Disney developing Internet-based services related to the theme parks like being able to book dining reservations or get FastPasses via the web from your hotel room. If that's the case, ideally free service would be part of the package.

But in the end it could be a dollars-and-cents thing. How many people will really choose Disney vs. non-Disney resort simply because of free Internet?

Right now Internet fees are a legitimate revenue stream for the resorts. Yes it costs pennies to provide, but if charges are eliminated they will still want to replace that revenue. How? Maybe they'll force people to watch 3 minutes worth of ESPN / ABC commercials before access is granted.

 

[canda]

Do not raise my dues to pay for internet junkies to get their fix.

 

[snowbunny]

How many people will really choose Disney vs. non-Disney resort simply because of free Internet?

Well, we're not staying at Windsor Hills in July because of free internet - but I factored the $70 savings into the calculation, definitely....

 

[Bernardo]

No. IMO the only real benefits to DVC are the on site location and the flexibility of the system, both come at a huge price. I'm finding we enjoy some off site options as well or better than on site but it depends on the group traveling and our plans.

I'd agree that if your personal preference is to stay offsite, then DVC can't compete with your personal preference.

For those of us who prefer the benefits of staying onsite the "huge price" isn't important, including internet access. If you enjoy the amenities available at offsite resorts, by all means take advantage of that option.

We enjoy being able to access Disney Theme Parks by either walking, taking a boat or by monorail or bus. We enjoy being able to take a break from the afternoon heat by heading to our onsite resort for an hour or two. The convenience afforded from the onsite resorts is a big part of our enjoyment and the minor inconvenience of either not using the internet or by paying to check email is pretty minor to us.

If the free internet at offsite resorts outweighs the benefits of staying at WDW then the personal preference certainly is a critical component.

I can certainly wait until the WDW resorts are able to control the internet service and offer it themselves instead of depending on the outside vendor to provide the service. Until then, I'll continue to pay for the service when it's important to me as I see no reason to burden other members with something not used by the majority. I truly consider the service to be something that should be paid by those that use it.

I also realize that, like the slide at OKW, internet service is likely to be added and paid for by the members at some point whether the majority want it or not and that's OK too.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

No. IMO the only real benefits to DVC are the on site location and the flexibility of the system, both come at a huge price. I'm finding we enjoy some off site options as well or better than on site but it depends on the group traveling and our plans.

I know you said "IMO", and you're entitled to that.
With that said, I think the main reason the Disney Resorts are successful is because of the theming. Being on property certainly adds to the success, and being an on site Disney property is the reason for the intricate theming, but honestly...
Do you think Disney could build a generic cookie cutter resort, within property boundries, then charge $350/night?? I don't, and I believe the value resorts, prove that.

In summary, I believe much of the premium paid for staying on site is in the theming. The on site perks, and Disney customer service adds to it.

I apologize if I took this thread off topic.

MG

 

[Longhairbear]

Every hotel I have been in, in the last 2 years, other than Disney, has provided free internet. It is like the days when hotels, and motels started to offer free TV, then free air conditioning, and finally free Color TV.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

On average I spend 144 nights per year in hotels (not including Disney).
I estimate about 3/4 have free internet for the premium frequent guests, and around 1/2 are free for all guests.
The vast majority seem to have some sort of business center, of which most of those have a computer with free Internet.
The trend is definitely in the direction of free Internet.

That said, I have little desire for a computer while on vacation.

MG