internet suggestion

[jbrowna]

DW and I just returned from a trip to Berlin, and I wanted to share something about how their internet service was billed. The website for the hotel said that there was a 5 euro charge for 24 hours. I presumed that meant it was like Disney charged: you pay 5 euros per day. So we had decided not to get it.

However, when we checked in, the desk clerk corrected our misunderstanding: the 5 euro charge was for a block of 24 hours of logged-in time, NOT for a 24-hour period. In other words, if we only logged-in for an hour on the first day, we would have 23 hours left for the next day. It was actually billed by the minute. Needless to say, I gladly forked over the 5 euros, and was given a unique login id and password. We were able to Skype to our kids back in the states, and check email and generally stay in touch. After our 4 night stay we still had close to 20 hours left!

Could WDW implement this kind of billing system for non-DVC internet usage at their resorts? It makes such good sense since most people are actually using the internet for very few hours in the 24-hour period that they are paying for. We don't spend much time on the internet -- and never when we're staying on cash. But a billing policy like this might make us change our mind.

Thoughts?

 

[hellerjw]

I'm sure they could but my guess is the existing billing scheme is a pure money maker for them. If they are already providing Internet access at the resort it costs next to nothing to add on additional users each day. By charging by the day (or 24 contiguous hours at a time) they can hit guests multiple times during their stay, particularly for those that must have Internet access each day for business, etc.

I agree that the $9.95/day they charge now is steep but people must be paying it or they wouldn't keep offering it. Disney obviously feels they don't have to offer free Internet as an incentive to stay at their resorts. I would like to see "length of stay" type pricing in the $20 range since it would give those who need access what they want without the appearence of gouging like the current billing scheme.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I'm sure they could but my guess is the existing billing scheme is a pure money maker for them. If they are already providing Internet access at the resort it costs next to nothing to add on additional users each day. By charging by the day (or 24 contiguous hours at a time) they can hit guests multiple times during their stay, particularly for those that must have Internet access each day for business, etc.

I agree that the $9.95/day they charge now is steep but people must be paying it or they wouldn't keep offering it. Disney obviously feels they don't have to offer free Internet as an incentive to stay at their resorts. I would like to see "length of stay" type pricing in the $20 range since it would give those who need access what they want without the appearence of gouging like the current billing scheme.

Eventually, the 3G technology will progress to 4G (right now) and to greater speeds that will make the LAN interface useless. I won't ever pay anyone to give me access other than my ?G provider. Totally reliable too.

 

[hellerjw]

That would be nice, but unfortunately wireless technology still has a long way to go before they begin to approach cabled speeds.