I-Pad in room

[stormer]

OK, I am going to sound so technology challenged, but I have a question. We usually bring a laptop on our trips and use the cable from the closet to hook it up. I got an I-Pad for Christmas and it seems like that would be so much easier to bring down. Would I be able to use that to get online? I don't think that cable will fit - are there other options?



OK, just saw someone else asked same question a few posts down. Read the responses there.

 

[Cap]

The answer will depend on which DVC resort you go to. I've used my iPad with no significant problems at both Hilton Head and Vero Beach. They both provide wi-fi to the rooms. If you are in a DVC resort that only provides a wire connection, then you will need to bring a wireless router to plug into the hotel room Ethernet and generate the wi-fi signal for the iPad.

If you don't use the internet for much, you might get by with a wi-fi hotspot, perhaps in the hotel lobby, if they have one, or at a local MacDonalds.

Cap

 

[living20057]

Great question... I was thinking about this too!

 

[starbox]

Been traveling with the iPad since last spring. You can pick up wifi in the lobby of WDW resorts with your KTTW number as password. To get wifi in the room, you need to pack your router from home & plug it in. That works just fine . iPads fit in the safe, which is nice.

 

[cvjw]

Been traveling with the iPad since last spring. You can pick up wifi in the lobby of WDW resorts with your KTTW number as password. To get wifi in the room, you need to pack your router from home & plug it in. That works just fine . iPads fit in the safe, which is nice.

I was told that there was no wi-fi at the VWL lobby, and my boys could not find wi-fi for their ipads at the BLT or Contemporary lobbies, and they tried very hard!

 

[starbox]

I was told that there was no wi-fi at the VWL lobby, and my boys could not find wi-fi for their ipads at the BLT or Contemporary lobbies, and they tried very hard!

Used mine at BLT in June - did a live TR from the lobby. But NO wifi in TOTWL or by the pool even though they said there was. Literally, had to be in the lobby in those high back chairs.

 

[Kane07]

We just came back from BWV 2 weeks ago, they had a major malfunction with internet and could not get wi fi anywhere around BWV, plus we had to pay for it. Internet access is only free in your rooms with the cable. However the cable was not compatable with the ipad. Since it was a Christmas present and was bought within 30 days we went to a Best Buy and upgraded to one with 3g service.

 

[starbox]

We just came back from BWV 2 weeks ago, they had a major malfunction with internet and could not get wi fi anywhere around BWV, plus we had to pay for it. Internet access is only free in your rooms with the cable. However the cable was not compatable with the ipad. Since it was a Christmas present and was bought within 30 days we went to a Best Buy and upgraded to one with 3g service.

We were at BWV Dec 18-20 and I used the iPad in my room by plugging our wireless router from home .

 

[photobob]

Taking a wireless router is the only way, just plug the ethernet cable into the router and go.

 

[dizzneebabe]

We usually bring our laptops, but this past trip DH brought his Ipad and I never cracked open my MacBook Pro! We brought our airport express router and the Ipad was perfect! I told him next time I'm leaving the laptop at home!

 

[WolfpackFan]

Last time we went to VWL (back in October), I just unplugged my LinkSys router at home and took it with us. Worked great with my iPad as well as my laptop (which I took just in case I couldn't get my router to work). Next time I'll leave my laptop at home and just take the router, my iPad and DW's Nook Color.

At HHI, we just use the provided WiFi, worked great in the Lodge but one time when out in one of the outlying buildings we never could get a good WiFi signal, even though we were supposed to get it fine. I would expect that they have gotten all the connectivity issues worked out fine by now though.

 

[gerows]

If you have the WiFi and 3G version of the iPad you can purchase the 3G service for a month right on the device within the Settings section. Its not like an iPhone where you enter into a contract. You can simply activate the service (I think its $25 for 2G) and then shut the service off by removing your credit card info when you get home.

 

[mbakun]

So, we have the 3G Ipad and have yet to find att's service very good. Has anyone used the 3G service in their rooms yet? If so, how was the service, if any? Can't bear the thought of it being painfully slow, and just may consider bringing the router along.

Thanks in advance!
Michelle

 

[WolfpackFan]

I know AT&T service at HHI is terrible.

 

[cbnsoul]

So, we have the 3G Ipad and have yet to find att's service very good. Has anyone used the 3G service in their rooms yet? If so, how was the service, if any? Can't bear the thought of it being painfully slow, and just may consider bringing the router along.

Thanks in advance!
Michelle

I have used our iPhone in various WDW rooms and found the 3G service to be pretty spotty. I can usually get a signal but the strength varies considerably.

 

[erionm]

So, we have the 3G Ipad and have yet to find att's service very good. Has anyone used the 3G service in their rooms yet? If so, how was the service, if any? Can't bear the thought of it being painfully slow, and just may consider bringing the router along.

Thanks in advance!
Michelle

I have used our iPhone in various WDW rooms and found the 3G service to be pretty spotty. I can usually get a signal but the strength varies considerably.

Agreed. Disney will not let AT&T put cell towers up on property. Depending on where you are on property, service can be great to barely available.

If you plan on using the iPad in your room, bring a wireless router. I purchased a refurbished Apple AirPort Express because of it's compact size to take out to Disney with us.

 

[stormer]

Thanks for all the info.

 

[jekjones1558]

I have found 3G service at BWV to be pretty good. I bring my Airport Express for WIFI but sometimes it is easier to use 3G than go through the logging in routine every time I want to be online.

 

[McCrae]

Used mine at BLT in June - did a live TR from the lobby. But NO wifi in TOTWL or by the pool even though they said there was. Literally, had to be in the lobby in those high back chairs.

We had no problems using iPad and wifi in the lobby and TOTWL

 

[jmatias]

Used my iPad with 3G at AKV Kidani with no problems.

Used to lug laptop around but no more.

Jen