FREE Fort WI-FI may be on it's way

[stillh2o]

Free Wireless Internet 30 day pilot at Disney's Contemporary Resort
Mar 24, 2011

Starting today for the next 30 days, guests will be able to utilize free wireless Internet in certain areas of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The pilot program is to test a new design of a wireless/cell phone coverage configuration. Free wireless Internet access will be available only in the lobby, main pool area, The Wave Restaurant and lounge, and the Convention Center common areas.

You connect to the network option labeled “Guest – Access (unsecured)”. Once you click on that option, you’ll be taken to a screen that prompts you to accept the terms and conditions. After accepting the terms and conditions, you’ll have free wireless Internet access. Guests can take advantage of Internet access in areas that aren’t part of the pilot program for a fee – $9.95 per day for public areas (wireless) and $14.95 per day for guest rooms (wired).

 

[kmitchel]

Wow, that would be awesome! I am an internet junkie and like to stay connected even on vacation. However, $9.99 a day for internet at the Fort was just a little crazy.

 

[DisCamper]

Free would be great last stay we spent over 2k in internet charges alone

 

[kekee]

What ? 2k as in two thousand ?

 

[DisCamper]

What ? 2k as in two thousand ?

Yes $2000

 

[John VN]

The free Wi-Fi has been great while staying using DVC points at SSR and OKW.

 

[NLPRacing]

Yes $2000

OMG! How did you spend $2000 on internet charges?

 

[AuntBJ]

Has in-room internet gone up to $14.95/day everywhere?

 

[bama_ed]

The cynic in me says that there is a business case behind this trial. The case says to put the free wifi in areas where if people linger long enough they'll spend money and indirectly cover the wifi expense and increase revenue. If people lay out by the pool and do email they might buy a fruity drink to sip while working. They might choose to eat at the Wave because they can check email between placing the order and it coming to the table. The convention center area is almost a must in today's convention business climate. They might buy a magazine, a tshirt, or food in the lobby gift store if they sit there long enough. DVC is driven by a slightly different drummer - it's what the owners want and are willing to pay for with annual fees.

For this model to work at the Fort, it would have to be offered at the Meadow TP/pool area and the Pioneer Hall/Trails End/Settlement TP area since that's where business transactions take place. I don't see it up at the check-in area since what do you buy there on a transactional basis? Nothing.

If it were at the PH/TE/STP area maybe the people in 100 loop could get a signal if the wind blew the bits in the right direction across Pioneer Woods. People would reserve a full site and many would request 100 loop to scoop up the free wifi.

DisCamper/Todd, you should check out Virgin Mobile Broadband for no-contract internet connectivity. You can get a USB modem for about $80 and then unlimited monthly connectivity for $50. Or get a MIFI unit (over $100 but then you can connect multiple units at one time for the same $50 monthly unlimited fee). Works over the Sprint 3G area which is okay unless you're streaming lots of HD video. That is, if it's an issue to you. If not then proceed as before.

I hope they would implement it even if it adds $1/day in cost (knowing Disney they would pass on $5/day with their markup). It will be interesting to see how this turns out.

Bama ED

 

[rapriebe]

Free would be great last stay we spent over 2k in internet charges alone

What ? 2k as in two thousand ?

Yes $2000

OMG! How did you spend $2000 on internet charges?

You can get an aircard for $30 a month and even with a year contract that's only $360 a year. Seems to me that would be alot cheaper than $2000 for Disney's internet. Heck I could stay there with internet for over 5 years and still not spend $2000 for it.