Lack of Internet Access

[jemiaule]

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.

You chose to purchase the resort you did. People at Vero get to worry about hurricanes and damages that will affect their dues. Each resort has the potential to have a resort specific issue that will increase dues. Providing "free" internet access could be a cost across the board for everyone and cannot be compared to what you stated above since it is a resort specific issue.

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.

I do not feel Disney is behind the times, from the sampling of responses here the standard appears to be that most hotels charge for internet access. You really seem to be pushing this Marriott thing hard in this thread. I really do not mean to be rude but I honestly do not care what Marriott does, they are just one chain out of many. I think most people here having been discussing what hotels, in general, do.

I remember as recently as 2 years ago that not all Disney Resorts (or hotels in general) even had internet access beyond using dial up. I would go over to Allears.net and check to see which resorts had access put in so I could plan my trips.

 

[swilson2000]

9.95 a day in my opinion is rather steep for Internet and Disney would be better served if they offered a weekly rate or what have you.. But in the mean time I head of the The Grovesner or over to St. Cloud as the city has city wide WiFi

 

[Entropy]

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.

I think that the "resort fee" is the tax by the city or county that paid for the area improvements like landscaping and uniform signage. I'm not generally in favor of taxes but this one sure made a difference

 

[Entropy]

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.

I agree completely. While at the Caribbean beach last year, I used the Internet connection to buy tickets for a shuttle launch, look into tickets for LaNoube, reschedule my flight out...twice (Thanks Ernesto) and do a bunch of last-minute DVC research before I bought. That's in addition to personal e-mails, newsgroups, blogs of my normal internet routine. I ignored my business e-mails except to respond to a couple of easy ones.
I don't need a blow drier, shampoo, conditioner, hand lotion, bar soap, resort parking lot, resort excercise room, in-room phone, most TV channels, in-room coffee (though I have used it on occasion,) refrigerator or an ice bucket. These are all considered standard ammenities though I'd trade them all in for a reliable internet connection.
For many people, a computer with internet isn't just a toy or business tool, it's become a part of daily living like having a phone, radio or TV.

 

[jemiaule]

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.

Now see, I would support having my dues nominally increased to get those zero entries at the pools before I would support free internet.

I think all the facilities should be accessible. Not to go off-topic completely but one quick question; but does ADA only say a certain portion of a public facility (such as pools) have to be accessible?

 

[jemiaule]

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

I think these would be the Kids Clubs at some of the deluxe resorts. I don't even think all of the deluxes have them. Didn't Polys close?

 

[FRANKTSJR]

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.

Of course, I don't go to Disney to stay in my room and surf the web. If I don't have internet access in order to stay in touch with my employees I can't go to Disney on vacation at all. I had to cancel a trip to Mexico because of this. I agree with you. More valuable than TV>

 

[CarolA]

Just an FYI.

Today at the Marriott I asked about Internet. It's still a charge at all full service Marriotts. They had NEVER heard of them giving it free to all guests. (Platinum members get it free) They had no clue about the other brands in the chain, nor would I have expected them too.