free internet...anyone gotten lately? Specifically VWL?

[wdw1972]

"Spring" means March 20th or 21st through the same day in June. Disney hasn't announced any specific date, but that's our window unless they delay it.

 

[Budahman]

Anyone got more news/updates on this yet?

I arrive to VWL on Sat - April 5th. (this weekend).

 

[thepops]

I'm hoping "spring" kicks in by the time I get there in October!

 

[drise]

Subscribing to see if it's happening by 4/16.

 

[dmccarty]

We just got back from AKL and there was still a charge for Internet access. We asked different CM's at different times since you sometimes get different answers to the same question.

They said the free service for DVC members would be available later this Spring.

What kinda PO's me on this issue, besides being an owner and being charged, is why do I have to pay while they figure out there network issue. They know I'm a DVC member so just take off the Internet charge at the end of the stay. We where not given our DVC discount for the kids staying at Simba's Clubhouse so we went to the Concierege to get the charge changed. Took longer than I thought it should since I had paper work and they have their records but it got done. The same could simply be done for Internet access for DVC members.

Disney has lots of ways to get my dollar. Charging for Internet access these days is like charging for power we used in the room.

 

[StotheK]

I haven't posted anything in the last few years but I figured I'd chime in

The first time we stayed at SSR, we actually did get free internet. For whatever reason, the splash screen you get to accept the charges didn't have the room number on it. We never did get charged. So maybe they need to DOWNGRADE the network instead

 

[disneynutz]

We were told by the tech support people that maybe in June we would get free internet.

 

[gppnj]

I am posting now using free WiFi from Big River Grill on the Boardwalk. Not a convenient option if you are staying at VWL, but if you happen to be here for dinner someday...

If I had to go there to get Internet, I'd opt to write a letter.

I ate there once. The beer was good, but the soup was cold, and the ribs were crappy. Maybe I just was there on a bad night. I guess I'd give it another try sometime.

 

[jekjones1558]

Actually I did not even eat at Big River Grill. I just sat in front on a bench on the BW. I also used the signal from my BW view balcony, though it was far enough away that the signal was pretty weak.

 

[kitsch4]

They said the free service for DVC members would be available later this Spring.

This is the same answer we got when we were there two weeks ago. We lugged my laptop for nuthin'.

 

[zulaya]

We were told by the tech support people that maybe in June we would get free internet.

Seriously?

This is taking WAY too long for just a system update. If my DH took this long on this type of project, he'd have been fired by now.

As a PP said, there is no reason why the resort cannot credit a DVC member's account for the internet access fee if you show your member ID or something. Now we still shouldn't have to go to this trouble anyway, but if they truly cannot get their act together to make the system not charge us, then this is a way to get around it and make the members happy.

 

[manning]

Seriously?

This is taking WAY too long for just a system update. If my DH took this long on this type of project, he'd have been fired by now.

As a PP said, there is no reason why the resort cannot credit a DVC member's account for the internet access fee if you show your member ID or something. Now we still shouldn't have to go to this trouble anyway, but if they truly cannot get their act together to make the system not charge us, then this is a way to get around it and make the members happy.

I knew someone on the board of directors who would have informed the IT director that he had some programmers who where getting paid too much and he should look into adjusting their salaries (like fire them and get someone else)

 

[cobbler]

Crap. I was hoping to take mine down in 2 weeks but no way am I paying 9.95 per day for this.

And it isn't like there are any hotspots around AKV.

 

[starwood]

We arrive 4/19 so I'm guessing no free internet for us.

 

[Budahman]

Well, back from VWL - JUST back yesterday - April 11th...NO FREE Internet yet and no sign of it coming soon.

I actually had issues getting the regular (paid) internet, and decided - I wasnt gonna do it at all. Tech support said it might have been an issue with the HSIA jack in my specific room I guess - so I passed up on them coming to my room to fix it while I wasnt in there??

On another note, we freaking LOVED VWL. It was our first official DVC stay. WE look forward to having our first official DVC stay at our home resort in early September next.

 

[JimMIA]

One person didn't pay attention about the charges and had a $70.00 charge and she said she was going to try for a refund when she got home.

Life is hard. It's especially hard when you don't pay attention.

The only thing DVC has said "officially" is "Spring 2008," whatever that means. My expectation is for another seamless Disney implementation.

Hopefully that disappointment was the worst thing that happened and she had a wonderful trip.

 

[PEANUT1]

my husband said that he is going to do some serious complaining when we go down in 3 weeks......he expects they will give it to us for free. we'll see.

 

[DebbieB]

I don't understand why DVC even announced it at the annual meeting if it wasn't ready within a short time, for example Jan 1. "Spring" is so ambiguous.

 

[jarestel]

If DVC had announced the "free" internet would be available in 2008, no doubt there are some who would expect it to be available on January 1 even though that's not what was said. I don't see any reason to get all worked up over the fact that "free" internet wasn't available on the first calendar day of spring, since that's not what was said by DVC. Erroneous assumptions/expectations by DVC members are nobody's fault but the members who jump to these wild conclusions.

Of course, once summer comes and the "free" internet isn't available by then, I'm lighting the torches and grabbing the pitchforks, by golly!

 

[DebbieB]

I believe at the annual meeting they did say "in 2008", that is what attendees reported.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1653544

There were members who were expecting it on Jan 1.

I believe the internet service is outsourced, so the delay might have to do with how DVC will reimburse them.