Lack of Internet Access

[theoarn]

In the past my YB and myself have stayed at Disney Premium resorts The Grand Floridian and our favorite the Animal Kingdom Lodge and we have always been disappointed with lack of internet access. For the cost of even the cheapest room at these resorts we had expected free access to wireless internet. This is a feature that we are accustomed to from much less costly hotels and motels across the country.
Will we find this same deficiency at The DVC resorts? I know that some organizations have business retreats at DW and it seems that this would be a necessity for them. Also it would be nice to be able to send emails with pictures to family members at the end of a day of Disney Adventuring.
Theo

 

[DebbieB]

Yes, all the resorts (DVC, non-DVC) charge $9.95 per 24 hours for internet. Why? I guess because they can. I travel frequently for business and find that the higher priced hotels (Hilton, Marriott) usually do not offer free internet, it's the same $9.95 per 24 hours. The cheaper hotels use it as a loss leader to keep up with the low price competition. I don't think someone, especially on business, is going to choose a Hampton Inn over a Hilton just because it has free internet (when the company will pay for it). The same thing with free food. The low price hotels offer a free breakfast, the higher priced hotels do not. Same with Disney. Are you going to choose an offsite hotel just because they offer free internet?

 

[theoarn]

No of course not.
I guess I was disapointed that a company based on outstanding customer service would fail to offer something so obvious that companys with a far smaller profit margin could seem to afford.
Charging for it seems cheap to me and it isn't even wireless (or it wasn't When I was at Grand Foridian). You have to access from your room via ethernet.
theo

 

[jemiaule]

Wireless internet is available at the Grand Floridian in the public locations such as the lobby, veranda, 2nd floor balcony of main building and the pool. I usually have to work while on vacation and used to go over to GF a lot to work because the environment was relaxing.

I agree with Debbie, I have only experienced the lower end hotels that offer free internet. Heck even a higher end hotel such as the Waldorf Astoria charges for internet access.

I do not find it to be cheap at all. The hotel pays for it and pass the cost on to the consumer plus some to make a profit. It is a business.

 

[elijahpep]

The price for the net at DVC doesn't make us jump for joy, but we do bring a small wireless router and hook it up in the room. At least then you can be mobile and wireless in the villa and the balcony with your laptop and not sitting at the desk. This may not work for others, but it does for us.

~DW

 

[Clotho]

I would guess it is this way for the same reason they don't have premium channels on the television:
They want you to be in the parks, out of your room, spending money

 

[tjkraz]

I've stayed at a number of high-priced hotels that still charge for access. Last fall I was in a place that charged $12-13 per day for wired (no wireless available) access.

Disney is far from the only guy on the block charging for net access. I think they probably will offer free service (of some sort) eventually, but it won't happen tomorrow. It's still a few more years down the road.

 

[TexasAggie]

As previously noted, the lower-priced hotels seem to be able to provide free Internet access, free breakfast, free happy hour with substantial (light supper type) snacks, and even free long distance calls and still charge less than the fancy places. On the other hand, the lower-priced hotels usually don't have a large staff of bellmen to carry your bags, an on-site full-service restaurant, or certain other amenities. When I travel on business (I work for a governmental agency so I'm spending taxpayer money) I stay at the lower priced hotels, but when I'm on vacation I want DVC luxury!

Texas Aggie's wife

 

[drakethib]

Yeah.

I wish DVC would add this as a perk at the DVC resorts.

Or at least Disney give a flat week rate or something.

 

[Clotho]

And keep in mind that free internet access is an incentive to stay at those hotels--a perk, not a regular expectation, per se. Disney's already got us by the proverbial....you know what...when it comes to that. We stay there anyway, and having free access someplace else isn't going to make me leave Disney property!

 

[FLYNZ4]

I think that over time, it will be an expected utility... and eventually even Disney (who really has little competition) will even offer free internet access.

In the mean time... I now carry a 3G aircard which gives me access wherever I get cell phone service. In non-3G areas, the service is slow (a bit better than dialup), but most metropolitan areas have 3G service which gives access speeds comparable to broadband.

I think that the cell company based service is also temporary. They are promoting like crazy now to establish a customer base. Over the next few years... WiMax will likely make these obsolete (as well as WiFi hotspots) as broadband wireless becomes mainstream over large physical distances.

/Jim

 

[FRANKTSJR]

I agree. Disney has to get with the times and add free WIFI at all resorts.

 

[BroganMc]

Apparently some of you are unaware that Marriott changed their policy last year. All hotels, including the timeshares, offer free highspeed internet access. The upgrade was rolled out last year so some of the older high-priced hotels may not have it when you stayed, but the policy was to be full installed.

At one time, when they first offered internet access, they offered a pay rate and a slower speed for free. That was maybe 4 years ago?

All the timeshares in Orlando have been upgraded now. When I went on my DVC tour and the guide regalled the internet access for only $9.95 as a perk, I explained to him that in my Marriott timeshare it's free. So it's not a perk at Disney but a downgrade. He was nonetheless chagrinned.

I figured Disney isn't offering it as a free service yet because they only recently added the service. They are behind the times a tad. But give them a couple years and I think competition will force them to go for a free internet plan.

It helps if DVC owners and guests speak up about it too. Charging the equivelant of $300 a month for the internet is just unacceptable.

 

[jarestel]

It's probably true that at some future point Disney/DVC will determine that internet access is something that a majority of guests would find useful. It won't ever be free though, just hidden away in the cost of running the resorts. At that point DVC dues will cover whatever expence is incurred from the service. Until that "majority" line is crossed though, I would expect that the current pay-as-you-go system will remain in place.

 

[DebbieB]

I think the last time I stayed at a Marriott was last spring, so it may have changed. I did stay at a Hilton in late January in Glendale CA, they definitely did charge.

So maybe if everyone complains and says they will take their business elsewhere it will change (that will scare Disney ) . I don't think Disney gives anything away free unless they think it will benefit them (ME benefits them by keeping guests on property).

 

[CarolA]

Apparently some of you are unaware that Marriott changed their policy last year. All hotels, including the timeshares, offer free highspeed internet access. The upgrade was rolled out last year so some of the older high-priced hotels may not have it when you stayed, but the policy was to be full installed.

.

Uh... maybe you should call the Marriotts and tell them this. The full service hotels are still charging as of last week. And the Marriott website is still saying it's a charge!

From www.Marriott.com

JW Marriott Orlando

*Wired-for-Business

For a set daily rate of 12.95 USD, you get, in your guest room:

1. High-speed Internet access

2. Unlimited local phone calls

3. Unlimited long distance calls (within the US).


Marriott Orlando World Center

*Wired-for-Business

For a set daily rate of 12.95 USD, you get, in your guest room:

1. High-speed Internet access

2. Unlimited local phone calls

3. Unlimited long distance calls (within the US).

Prices may vary in a few markets.


Now while the "long distance" is a nice perk, the truth is that this NOT as good a deal as Disney for internet. It's NOT 24 hours, but until check out each day. So if you log on at 10 PM when you get home from the park at 11 am the next day you have to pay again.

I think free internet is like PPV movies at Disney. If it keeps you IN your hotel room and out of the parks/shops you aren't going to see it anytime soon!

 

[theoarn]

Well
I guess my Idea of a premium product was one were the cost included everything up front. When I plop down 450 a night for a suite during the low season at a premium resort I expect costs associated with the room to be covered by the premium price I paid.
I expect a premium price to get premium services.
Theo

 

[flexsmom]

I was just at the Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes in Orlando and was charged $9.95/night for wired internet. I shifted to the JW (same complex) for 1/2 the trip and there was a fee there, as well.

 

[tjkraz]

Well
I guess my Idea of a premium product was one were the cost included everything up front. When I plop down 450 a night for a suite during the low season at a premium resort I expect costs associated with the room to be covered by the premium price I paid.
I expect a premium price to get premium services.
Theo

Actually the opposite is often true. The more expensive the accommodations, the more extras they usually tack on to the end of the bill. High priced hotels (both chains and independents) are well known for having not only high nightly room rates but for charging extra for things like Internet service, valet parking, health club access, continental breakfast, etc.

Stay at a $60 per night Holiday Inn Express and the room rate usually includes free Internet service, free continental breakfast, and all of the other extras.

It's the nature of the beast.

 

[theoarn]

I guess it is sort of like being a rich celebrity. Once you get fame and mone and can afford anything people start throwing free stuff at you.