Lack of Internet Access

[tjkraz]

My understanding that neither Disney, nor DVC, paid for the rooms to be wired. It was done via a contract with the internet provider. And there is little that can be done to change prices until that contract expires.

That was my understanding as well, Chuck. IIRC it was a 5-year contract to provide the service which included the vendor picking up the tab for wiring all of the resorts. In return they get paid most of the fee (which is $9.95 BTW) for those who purchase the service.

I've heard Disney is preparing to start testing some new Internet-based features in rooms at the Contemporary. It seems inevitable that such a system will eventually make its way to all of the resorts...just not on a timetable that would please everyone.

 

[Entropy]

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?

The rooms at Disneyland's Paradise Pier hotel have wired internet access and it's free, or at least included in the price of the room. I wonder why they have different policies at the resorts.

 

[DVC-Don]

Last weekend we stayed in a Fairfield Inn (Marriott) in Williston, VT that said it had "Free Internet". Of course it was out of service the entire stay.

 

[Chuck S]

The rooms at Disneyland's Paradise Pier hotel have wired internet access and it's free, or at least included in the price of the room.

I thought the Calif. Disney resorts charge a daily "resort fee" in addition to the room rate, and that pays for resort amenities, including internet.

 

[JTimber]

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.

Just wondering if you would expect the rest of us to pay for your internet access via our dues?

Personally I call it a vacation so the work stays at home. I'd vote no for free internet if it would come out of our dues, which it would no doubt.

I agree with the poster that said they want us out spending money not in the room.


Jay

 

[inky dinky doo]

For what it's worth, we stayed at the Gaylord Palms (Orlando) about a year ago for a conference, and our rooms all had computers already wired for the internet. All you had to do was log on. It sure made it nice not to have to drag a laptop along with me.

When we're at WDW, I do take a laptop, and I usually just leave it on the desk in the master bedroom. So far (knock on wood), we haven't had any problems.

Pat

234 days and counting . . . again!

 

[Mickmse2002]

Personally I call it a vacation so the work stays at home. I'd vote no for free internet if it would come out of our dues, which it would no doubt.

I would not like to see dues increased to support free internet either.

 

[Slakk]

I would not like to see dues increased to support free internet either.

I do not go to WDW to be on the computer. If someone wishes to they can pay for it.

 

[jemiaule]

Last weekend we stayed in a Fairfield Inn (Marriott) in Williston, VT that said it had "Free Internet". Of course it was out of service the entire stay.

We had the same problem at the Doubletree Times Square week before last. It owould work for a short while and then crap out for the rest of the night.

 

[jemiaule]

Just wondering if you would expect the rest of us to pay for your internet access via our dues?

Personally I call it a vacation so the work stays at home. I'd vote no for free internet if it would come out of our dues, which it would no doubt.

I agree with the poster that said they want us out spending money not in the room.


Jay

I have to have internet access when I travel due to my job. That said I would not want "free" internet to actually be paid for by DVC dues.

If you travel a lot and always want to make sure you have internet access I suggest looking into getting an EVDO card. Many, if not all, cell phone providers have them.

My plan costs $60 a month for unlimited service (minutes and bandwidth). That may be too pricey for the occassional traveler but if you travel a lot it is well worth the price. We traveled 9 days last month and will be away 11 days this month. So, for us, the EVDO card is much more cost effective than paying a hotel $9.95 per day.

 

[BroganMc]

I have to have internet access when I travel due to my job. That said I would not want "free" internet to actually be paid for by DVC dues.

If I'm asked to support people using my resort busses to go to TTC or a childcare facility then I think it's fair to support paying for internet, and a helluva lot cheaper too, I'd bet.

FWIW, when Marriott implemented it's free internet policy a year or so ago there were absolutely no increases in maintenance fees. It was assumed the cost of doing business in the world of the 21st century traveler. Disney not offering it shows they are truly behind the times.

 

[Mickmse2002]

If I'm asked to support people using my resort busses to go to TTC or a childcare facility then I think it's fair to support paying for internet, and a helluva lot cheaper too, I'd bet.

I didn't realize DVC dues subsidized childcare. Do you know that for certain or is this just an assumption?

The transportation issue is clearly different from providing "free" internet supported by a dues increase.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I would like to see a length of stay internet fee instead of the 24 hour rate. Most of the time, all I need to do is check email in the morning or the evening, and I'm on maybe an hour. I'm not going to pay $9.95 to do that, but I might pay $20-$25 for the week to do that.
For many members, having access available and relatively inexpensive might allow them to come to WDW more often, because they can stay connected to the jobs that support their Disney habit!

 

[BroganMc]

I didn't realize DVC dues subsidized childcare. Do you know that for certain or is this just an assumption?

It was proposed to SSR owners by SSR owners. Currently there is no childcare facility at SSR because the only way to support it is through maintenance fees. Other DVCs that are combined with hotels have their childcare facilitated by hotel reservations.

As it is, my fees go to pay for lots of things I'll never use like the pool slides, smoking rooms and about 3 pools I can't get in at SSR because they have no zero entry. But the issue is what will give the members the most enjoyment for the least cost.

I contend that free internet is one of those such things. I'd be incredibly surprised and disappointed in DVC if we didn't see this in the next couple years. The issue almost cost us not to purchase DVC when we went on the tour. Only the busses saved the day for us, and yes we let our Guide know that.

I should add we are multi-week Marriott owners.

 

[Chuck S]

It was proposed to SSR owners by SSR owners. Currently there is no childcare facility at SSR because the only way to support it is through maintenance fees. Other DVCs that are combined with hotels have their childcare facilitated by hotel reservations.

There are childcare facilities at combined resorts? I didn't know that.

 

[tjkraz]

It was proposed to SSR owners by SSR owners.

I have been an owner at SSR since within 60 days of when sales began and I can tell you that there has never been any open discussion of adding a childcare facility to the resort.

If such a facility were added, it would be a "pay for play" option just like all of the others. The Wilderness Lodge and Beach Club both have childcare facilities. Their operation isn't supported by member dues--it's supported by charging folks $10 per hour to enroll their children for the evening.

As for Internet service, the fact is that Disney is in the midst of a multi-year contract from which they cannot remove themselves without financial penalty. Once that contract ends, it's entirely possible that we will see more cost-effective options offered to all WDW guests.

 

[doconeill]

I'm not necessarily looking for free internet (although I'd take it ), but $10/day? That's around 10 times what I pay for my line at home. $10-$15/wk is more what I'd want and use.

I did pay the $10 at the Poly for one day. Used it about 45 minutes before it crapped out. Had it taken off the bill, and didn't try again.

 

[theoarn]

Well
I guess I got this started.
My intention for internet access was to give me the the ability to check airline reservations, check in with family memebers, send out some photos of the trip and update my web sight with a few photos.
I can understand that many people don't even want to be tempted by the presence of internet.
I know a few people who's kids spend most available free time on the internet and they really value the time at Disney when the kids have no access to the internet and actually spend their time being active and doing physical activities.
I Think that $10 to $15 per week would be a much more resonable offer for IT services and they could still make a profit.
Theo

 

[UConnJack]

The internet is quickly becoming a utility as expected and utilized as TV. It is not used just for business travel anymore, but for entertainment, communication, and information during leisure travel as well. It will be offered free at most hotels in this country within 5 years I would wager, including Disney. I pay for cable TV through my dues, I have no problem free internet being covered by dues either. I would actually say I use the internet more often than I watch TV when on vacation. I get updated on news, communicate with family and friends, check weather, travel arrangements, etc. online when on vacation, so I actually find the internet more valuable than cable TV.

 

[jade1]

The internet is quickly becoming a utility as expected and utilized as TV. It is not used just for business travel anymore, but for entertainment, communication, and information during leisure travel as well. It will be offered free at most hotels in this country within 5 years I would wager, including Disney. I pay for cable TV through my dues, I have no problem free internet being covered by dues either. I would actually say I use the internet more often than I watch TV when on vacation. I get updated on news, communicate with family and friends, check weather, travel arrangements, etc. online when on vacation, so I actually find the internet more valuable than cable TV.

Agreed. Given the choice of TV or internet at WDW, we would easily chose internet. Then again we would have prefered good cell phone coverage and eliminate the room phone-but now they both work. Actually most TV is starting to be broadcast on internet anyway and will only increase. We dont just sit for extended periods in front of the laptop (or the TV) but we usually check the disboard each AM and PM, weather and radar daily, email pics back to MN to rub it in, airline times, WDW information galore-much more than the TV can provide. Do we mind paying for it-no, but really think it will be offered at no additional charge one day.