Internet access @ DVC resorts

[HGD24]

My husband and I just returned from our first trip home (staying at SSR) and we felt that the $10/day charge for in-room internet use was expensive. We did use the internet because we had a bill due before we returned home, but ended up only using it for a total of maybe 2 hours.

We found it odd that at a hotel such as Hampton Inn we receive free in-room internet access with our $90/night room, yet when we own and stay at DVC, we were charged such a high fee. I think a fair fee would be $3-5/day. Is the fee the same at all DVC resorts? Does anyone know what their reasoning is for charging such a high fee (other than "because they can"; which seems obvious)? I know that we have a choice, stay off property and get free access or stay on property and pay or don't use it at all. I'm just curious if anyone else feels that the fee is excessively high.

 

[DebbieB]

I saw someone post that the question came up at one of the annual meetings. They said they need to recoup the installation cost. All of the WDW resorts that have hi speed charge $9.95 per day. I recently stayed at a Hilton in CA, it's $9.95 per day. It seems like in general more expensive hotels charge for it, while the cheaper hotels eat the cost as a "loss leader" to attract business. I just switch to the dialup plan for AOL that month ($9 extra) and dialup for 35 cents per call (member charge for local calls). Dialup is sufficient for what I need to do (check mail, surf a little).

 

[NE14DisneyWorld?]

I absolutely agree. I would love to have FREE wireless connections in all of the rooms. Unfortunately my work requires me to check my e-mail daily and the cost can add up very quickly.

 

[DebbieB]

I absolutely agree. I would love to have FREE wireless connections in all of the rooms. Unfortunately my work requires me to check my e-mail daily and the cost can add up very quickly.

Can you dialup for work? I travel on business alot and many times the hotels that have free internet will not connect on my work computer to the company sites. It will work for general internet but when I try to get into the restricted company sites, it will not connect. I assume it's some kind of security thing. So I end up having to dialup if I want to use it in the hotel room.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

my timeshare in st maarten charges 60 a week for high speed, a little less than disney, I would think this is something that should be reduced for members, 10 bucks isn't bad for the luxury of it, but maybe 5 or 7 a day for members should be more like it!

 

[Simba's Mom]

If DVC's answer is that they need to recoup the installation cost, I would think that should mean that at some point the installation cost will be recouped and then we'll get free internet service. I can accept DVC's answer for now, but I'd like to know at what point they expect to "recoup the installation cost", then bug them for free internet service after that. BTW, the convention centers offer internet service-for $10 for 15 minutes. As one who's used them, $10 for 24 hours seems relatively inexpensive. But I agree, either way it's too high!

 

[G8RFAN]

If I am staying at any of the resorts on weekdays, I will always pay the $10 for access as I have a hard time cutting the cord even on vacation time. I have not noticed any filters or restrictions on Disney's side of service, but I really don't test the waters in that respect. If I were a betting man, I would lay bets that Disney had more than recouped their cost of hardware, installation, and maintenance already for their system. In fact, I bet that it was probably contracted out to a vendor for exclusive rights and cost Disney little to nothing up front and is just a profit center for them. I'll make it a point to see if I can find vendor property tags on the equipment when I'm there in Jan.

 

[mickg7dyd]

Hi,
Just as a comparison when we exchanged last June to a Marriott resort all the villas had free wired and wireless internet access. It also worked first time all the time unlike the system we had at BWV last month.

Mick.

 

[DisFlan]

G8RFAN - I'm sure I read somewhere in all the DVC internet info that it's been contracted out. Which I would guess means it'll never be completely "free". But I wouldn't mind the charge being less. We used it in Oct. and thought it was a bit high. We understand why, but it's still a little pricey when it's only used a short amount of time per day.

DisFlan

 

[CarolA]

Well, I pay and I don't complain.

I figure those of us that use it should pay and the rest of you should NOT have to pay for feature you won't use.

There will not be "free" interenet at Disney since Disney has outsouced this to a third party. All that can happen is the DVC pays the fees and your dues go up.

I have found that "budget" hotels are free and higher end charge. So in the Marriott chain for example, it's free at the Fairfield and charged at the Marriott.

 

[RobDoc]

The internet charge is not from DVC - it is an outsource by a private contractor. I also heard the explanation at the annual meeting and there was a suggestion that once the contractor has recouped their initial investment the cost could change, but DVC has nothing to do with the expense. I'll be surprised to see the cost drop anytime soon. I suppose if enough DVC members write to MS about wanting "free" internet, it could be included in our dues, but at this time, I suspect charging only those who use the service is fairer than making all members pay for it.

While many motels/hotels do provide "free" highspeed internet, none of those establishments are onsite at WDW. HH and VB do not have broadband at all.

All DVC resorts do have dataports for connecting to the internet. Cost is $0.35 per local call for members.

 

[DVC-Don]

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

I have found that "budget" hotels are free and higher end charge. So in the Marriott chain for example, it's free at the Fairfield and charged at the Marriott.

I've recently had to pay 9.95 per 24 hour period at a new Fairfield Inn in Vermont and a Clarion in Massachusetts.

And last summer at OKW we had a conection problem in our unit and the person who came to fix it (promptly) told us he did not work for Disney or DVC, but an outside company.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Another dumb question!! What kind of wire do I have to bring to plug in?? We are on a network in our house, is it a piece of CAT5, or do they provide you with the correct wire?

 

[gppnj]

My husband and I just returned from our first trip home (staying at SSR) and we felt that the $10/day charge for in-room internet use was expensive. We did use the internet because we had a bill due before we returned home, but ended up only using it for a total of maybe 2 hours.

We found it odd that at a hotel such as Hampton Inn we receive free in-room internet access with our $90/night room, yet when we own and stay at DVC, we were charged such a high fee. I think a fair fee would be $3-5/day. Is the fee the same at all DVC resorts? Does anyone know what their reasoning is for charging such a high fee (other than "because they can"; which seems obvious)? I know that we have a choice, stay off property and get free access or stay on property and pay or don't use it at all. I'm just curious if anyone else feels that the fee is excessively high.

Ultimately, we as members pay for everything. I guess the options are that (1) there's a $10/day fee or (2) there's no explicit fee but the amount gets added to our dues. I'd vote for Option #1 so that the people who would never use it don't have to pay for it.

 

[fletch1027]

Yes, it is a standard CAT-5 connection. We just stayed at the BCV and they will lend you a cat-5 if you do not have your own...

Harry in Sharpsburg

 

[G8RFAN]

Another dumb question!! What kind of wire do I have to bring to plug in?? We are on a network in our house, is it a piece of CAT5, or do they provide you with the correct wire?

Cat 5 patch cord can be provided by mousekeeping if you did not bring your own.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

thanks!!

 

[dvc_john]

I figure those of us that use it should pay and the rest of you should NOT have to pay for feature you won't use.

Sorry, but I have to disagree. In the times we live in, internet access should be a free (or at least reasonbly priced) amenity. There are many things I don't use, but still pay for, eg pool slides and lifeguards, telephone( and who doesn't have a cell phone?), etc. It would be like charging $10/day for cable TV.

FWIW, most other comparable timeshares have free internet: Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt for example.

 

[DisneyTarheel]

Yes, it is a standard CAT-5 connection. We just stayed at the BCV and they will lend you a cat-5 if you do not have your own...

Harry in Sharpsburg

And if you stay at a certain VWL unit on the 2nd floor, you may find one already in the room, thanks to the forgetfulness of a certain recent guest . . .

 

[MrShiny]

Now here is the perfect dohicky to share your access at DVC:

Wireless-G Travel Router with SpeedBooster