High Speed Internet Access Coming!

[poohstx]

Yacht & Beach Club Resorts - Nov. 4, 2003
BoardWalk (including DVC units) - Dec. 30, 2003
Saratoga Springs - Jan. 30, 2004
Villas at the Wilderness Lodge - Feb. 27, 2004
Old Key West - April 2, 2004


$9.95 for contigous 24 hour period charged to your room...you have to supply the cable and laptop.

High Speed Wireless Access (Wi-Fi) will also be coming to common areas at the Beach and Yacht Clubs, including Stormalong Bay.

$4.99 for the first 60 minutes, or $9.95 for 24 contiguous hours.

 

[ZachnElli]

I have to ask. Where did you get this info??

 

[jcodespoti]

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!That was my excuse for not bringing my laptop for work.......Mmmmmm. ...I'll just have to find another one


Joe in CT

 

[poohstx]

Just read it on Deb's site.

 

[tixx]

sounds good to me

 

[CarolA]

YEAH!

 

[Cris]

Cornado Springs just went live today. And they are currently wiring the Grand Floridian. Also wanted to note that the Yacht and Beach Club lobbies already have wifi, but that will be so awesome when storm along bay has it.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by poohstx
Yacht & Beach Club Resorts - Nov. 4, 2003
BoardWalk (including DVC units) - Dec. 30, 2003
Saratoga Springs - Jan. 30, 2004
Villas at the Wilderness Lodge - Feb. 27, 2004
Old Key West - April 2, 2004


$9.95 for contigous 24 hour period charged to your room...you have to supply the cable and laptop.

..........................

 

[tjkraz]

OK, I'll play the cynic.

I hope DVC negotiates some sort of discount (preferrably a 100% discount) for members. I realize they have an investment to recoup for the initial install, but once that's addressed, the ongoing service costs virtually NOTHING to provide.

Wireless access is even cheaper as you need little more than an access point.

At those prices, if you don't have an overwhelming need for the broadband access, you're better off paying for a month of AOL or some other national ISP.

Wonder if the install costs for DVC resorts will be included in members' dues?

 

[SamSam]

Yay! I couldn't figure out why BCV wasn't built with access wiring. IMHO anything being built in this day and age should be wired for internet access.

 

[timC]

Can't wait to try out my wireless PDA (iPAQ) by the pool! Look's like they are targeting the convention biz first.

Here's the info from Deb's site, regarding the wireless hot spots.

Wi-Fi: High Speed Wireless Internet Access is available to Guests staying at select Disney Resorts. Guests with Wi-Fi enabled laptop computers or PDA's will be able to access the Internet from the common areas of each resort. Smart City is the vendor providing this service and 24-hour technical support for those Guests who need it. Smart City will bill the Guest using a secure credit card transaction via the on-screen Internet connection.

Requirements: Requires a wireless interface card (WIC), available for purchase in the resort's business center.

Price: $4.99 for the first 60 minutes or $9.95 for 24 contiguous hours


Grand Floridian - Main Lobby, Convention Center Hallway, Beach Pool
Contemporary - Main Lobby, Convention Center Hallway, Feature Pool
Yacht Club - Main Lobby, Convention Center Hallway, Stormalong Bay Pool
Beach Club - Main Lobby, Convention Center Hallway, Stormalong Bay Pool
Coronado Springs - Main Lobby, Convention Center Hallway, Feature Pool, Francisco's

 

[timC]

I hope DVC negotiates some sort of discount (preferrably a 100% discount) for members. I realize they have an investment to recoup for the initial install, but once that's addressed, the ongoing service costs virtually NOTHING to provide.

According to an article on LaughingPlace.com, Disney signed a lon-term long-term deal with Smart City Networks back in Oct'00. Smart City owns all telecom infrastructure throughout WDW... So. Any deal for DVC members would have to have been made with Smart City, not WDW. I can't see them being interested in giving DVC members any special break.

Smart City Networks to Acquire Vista-United Telecommunications

 

[paults]

"Wonder if the install costs for DVC resorts will be included in members' dues?"

I hope not. I sure don't need to pay for something I wouldn't be using on vacation. I'm sure a lot of DVCers feel the same way.
I think it should be paid for by the person using it on an hourly rate.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I think this is wonderful. I don't even mind paying for this. We always take our laptop and it is how I stay in touch with folks at home and check last minute Disney information (especially new pin releases) while we are down there.

Suppose that is why they built an outlet into the top of the desk at SSR, easy access to electrical for computer and the phone line?

 

[DSNY FN]

I doubt it highly that DVC members will get a break I honestly don't see that being to fair why just because we purchased points to stay should we get free internet access. Also the cost will likeley be added into room rates not dues as there are still cash rooms at all DVC resorts. I honestly think Disney had this planned out long ago and now that they are able to make it happen they are remember when you start running wiring you disrupt the every day use of rooms etc because you need to have a work crew in the building and in and out of the rooms. You need to cut the holes for the cable to be run into and then put your cat5 or 6 jacks ont he ends do all your testing etc. It really is alot longer process than most think. I used to do this before we got into the wireless side of the networking and believe me some buildings are a nightmare to try and work in drilling concrete walls etc.

 

[timC]

Smart City Networks is the vendor here, not WDW. The revenue is going to go directly to SCN through an on-screen credit card deal. The rentals will pay for the installation, maintenance, management, and of course profit.

I'll certainly use it... but I'm disappointed that the wi-fi isn't free.

I wonder if the daily charge will include wi-fi access. Ie, check the DVC forum from your room, then hit it again by the pool.

 

[KNWVIKING]

but usually just for e-mails or chats with our sons. while I'm glad they are finally getting broadband, I think we'll just stick with the 35 cent dial up connection once or twice a day.

 

[kdonnel]

It doesn't really mention how they are providing the access in each room.

Did they run ethernet to each room? That is alot of wire to pull.

I wonder if it is like the condo I stayed at in Destin. They had their own private DSL within the hotel. They did not have to run any new wiring to support adding the service. It just was a private DSL connection from each unit to the central phone closet. From there it was routed to whoever provided their internet access.

In order to access the service you had to pickup a DSL modem from the front desk. You just plugged it into the phone jack of your choice in your unit and plugged your laptop into the modem. It worked great.

 

[Cris]

Well of course Disney is not paying anything for this. Smart City is installing it. That is why everytime they have a phone problem they must call smart city instead of engineering. This initative was for convention guest who consistently asked for high speed internet. I am suprised that OKW is getting because the convention hotels are the main priority. That is why you don't see Poly in the list. It is not DSL, and yes they have been pulling the wiring through all of the rooms. Its a lot of work but hey it will pay off in the end.