Internet At Resorts?

[Callie]

Do DVC members staying at say SSR on points still receive free internet? Thanks!

 

[jco_direwolf]

That is still a perk as far as I know. So it should be active. Any reason you think it might have gone away?

Although I looked really quick on the members site, and I don't see it listed.

johno

 

[Caskbill]

We were at OKW last week, and are at Kidani this week.

At both resorts the Disney internet log on screen still states that there is no charge for internet for DVC members.

We were not charged at OKW, and used the internet every day.

 

[firstmickey]

Does anyone know if you are staying on points vs. a cash reservation but not the actual DVC member...is there a charge for the internet? I'm trying to decide whether to take my laptop or not.

 

[jco_direwolf]

Does anyone know if you are staying on points vs. a cash reservation but not the actual DVC member...is there a charge for the internet? I'm trying to decide whether to take my laptop or not.

Points vs cash yes the hotel computer knows. And it decides if you are going to be billed for the internet or not.

The following is more correct.

It's told that the person staying in room 3294 has used the internet in the last 24 hours by the ISP computer, since the Internet is subcontracted out. It might even be told the person plugged into port Fa10/22 on switch-SSR-22 has activated the internet... but someone (either the hotel or the ISP) has a way to map that to a room 3294. (and all my room numbers and switch port IDs and names are totally made up by me right now.)​

But it doesn't know if the person in the room using the Internet is a DVC member, a guest or the family dog. The charge is waved for rooms being stayed in on DVC points.

This is why when you are using WiFi in the public areas there is ALWAYS a charge. There is no way to tell who is staying on points and who isn't.

Although they could do something where you could register you machine's MAC/Ethernet address in the room and then use the WiFi, or there are variants of it where you get a "pin code" from the room and that links the two. However, I've always suspected that would be more of a support headache than the ISP or Disney Front Desk wants. So I don't think we'll see anything but the hardwire in the room opening up to us anytime soon.

johno

 

[tchrrx]

So, by staying on points, I should be able to access the internet for free. However, if we are at the pool or lunch, it will cost me?

 

[jco_direwolf]

So, by staying on points, I should be able to access the internet for free. However, if we are at the pool or lunch, it will cost me?

Yep....

Free internet means staying on points in the room using the cable plugged into the wall. As I said you get the same splash screen as everyone else....

words words words I agree to pay $10 per day, this charge will be waved for DVC members staying on points...​

And you have access a website before you are allowed though. So you can't just pop open Outlook and read your e-mail, you have to do something like visit www.disboards.com first get your browser redirected to the ISP splash agreement page, agree, and then get redirected to back to your original site (Now that I think about it I think it always sends you to disney.go.com But then you can use outlook or something.

WiFi at the moment always costs you as far as I know.

This is the reason some people have purchased a small travel router to use in the room. So we aren't wired to the desk.

johno

 

[disneynutz]

Wired Internet access is free for Members and Guests staying on points at a DVC Resort. A 5 foot cable is provided by Mousekeeping and it is hanging in a bag in the closet.

WiFi access is available in the resort common areas, lobby, pool, etc for $9.95 for 24 hours.

 

[disneynutz]

Wired Internet access is free for Members and Guests staying on points at a DVC Resort. A 5 foot cable is provided by Mousekeeping and it is hanging in a bag in the closet.

WiFi access is available in the resort common areas, lobby, pool, etc for $9.95 for 24 hours.

 

[Simba's Mom]

What about if I'm staying on Members' Discounted Cash (maybe the room wasn't available on points for that stay)? I know that at HHI, we didn't pay for internet when we were on MC, but I was wondering about WDW.

 

[Caskbill]

We're at Kidani Village right now and one thing here is different than it was last week at OKW.

When you go to get on the internet in the room, you have to enter a 10-digit number off of your KTTW card. It doesn't reference your room number at all, like it did last week at OKW.

Since it requires your KTTW card to get on, I guess it pretty much knows whether you're a DVC member staying on points or not.

This would definitely make it possible for them to know that even if someone had a room on points, if they were not the actual member. Since it states usage is free to DVC-members, those that rent points, or even friends/relatives who are using points when the member is not there, may have to pay.

This is consistent with the POS which states that many of the perks of membership are not available to others who use the member's points while the member themself is not with them.

 

[jco_direwolf]

What about if I'm staying on Members' Discounted Cash (maybe the room wasn't available on points for that stay)? I know that at HHI, we didn't pay for internet when we were on MC, but I was wondering about WDW.

You'd have to ask Member Services, but my guess is you pay $10/day. Because the use agreement that you "sign"/click on seemed pretty specific about staying on points.

Based only on what I know of Marriott's deal, iBahn pretty much owns the guest internet infrastructure at the hotels. That $10-15/day that Marriott collect pretty much all goes to iBahn. Marriott did it that way so they wouldn't have any cash tied up in this whole "internet thing" which may well be a passing fad.

I suspect the Disney model is very much the same. Which is why both companies still charge for it. Because you aren't really paying the hotel, you're paying the ISP who is just "charging" it against your hotel bill.

johno

 

[jco_direwolf]

When you go to get on the internet in the room, you have to enter a 10-digit number off of your KTTW card. It doesn't reference your room number at all, like it did last week at OKW.
.

Wow that is new. Great way to do it. And even a better reason to get your own router for the room

johno

 

[tchrrx]

Hmmm...DH just surprised with an itouch and I was excited to get to check our email and just do quick online checks each day. I guess this won't work for me for free though, will it? I bought the times guide app & we were both so excited about it. Guess it won't work now either b/c it has to be updated each day. That's crummy. I guess I'll go to Steve Soares site the day before we leave & key in all of the info so I'll have it if we need it.