laptop ?

[momshark]

I would like to bring my laptop to WDW but am not sure if I need to do anything extra or need a special room or anything.
I have wireless card in my Dell. I am used to just turning on and using it whenever I want. I would not know how to "configure" my computer to use at a new place if I had to. Anyone who can tell me what I would need to do?? What will happen when I turn on my computer?
Oh, BTW, I'm pretty sure that we will be staying at the Poly.

 

[Sleuth]

Depending on how your computer is configured, it should automatically detect the WI-FI connection. For instance when I go to the local coffee shop to hook up to their WI-FI, my computer automatically logs me on to their wireless connection.

As far as the connections available at WDW, I'm not sure, but I'm sure it would be the same as above if it is available.

 

[DebbieB]

The Polynesian does not have high speed internet or wi-fi. You would have to use dialup through the phone. I used dialup last month, for checking e-mail and surfing the internet a little, it's fine. I wasn't going to pay $9.95 per day for high speed (I was at BWV where rooms are wired for high speed). It's 75 cents per local call (be sure you have a local #) or 35 cents for DVC members staying on points.

http://allearsnet.com/acc/internet.htm

http://allearsnet.com/pl/access.htm

 

[Aisleleven]

I always use dial up when I am at WL...

There is a phone jack on the side of the phone for a data port...

I suggest bringing along an extra phone cord...just in case...I always carry one with my laptop anyway...

You may need to find a local access number (via your ISP) so you are not charged for a long distance call...

Good luck!

 

[momshark]

Thanks for all of your helpful advice. I will start looking for a local FL #. I guess I would just find a local one for my current server - Charter Communications.

 

[Mymatisse]

You may just want to get a free membership to AOL and then cancel it after your trip. We found that to be the easiest since we have broadband at home.

 

[disneydave]

Be careful when using AOL. I has been my experience that their software will take over some of your programs. It might be free for a time but it can be hard to get all of their software off of your computer. Nothing is truly free.

 

[Mymatisse]

Be careful when using AOL. I has been my experience that their software will take over some of your programs. It might be free for a time but it can be hard to get all of their software off of your computer. Nothing is truly free.

We never had a problem with the software. You just have to remember to cancel or you will get billed.

 

[iowa mommy]

aol will comprimise some of your systems and FYI you can NEVER completely erase all it leaves behind unless you scrub yopur hard drive believe me it happen to us and to my in laws

 

[SeattleRedBear]

Whenever Husbear says "We got another CD-ROM from the Antichrist" I know exactly what he's referring to! One of my favorite recent commercials is the one where the couple who receive the latest AOL CD-ROM are so excited because they can now finish their fish mosaic made out of AOL CD-ROMs.

I think you either love AOL or you hate it. We've never installed it so I can't provide the practice experience that others have.

 

[Sleuth]

aol will comprimise some of your systems and FYI you can NEVER completely erase all it leaves behind unless you scrub yopur hard drive believe me it happen to us and to my in laws

You are so right! We even had a heck of a time removing pre-installed AOL componenets off of one of our new systems! AOL is not the best way to go, especially if you plan on terminating after a short time.

Charter is high speed cable, right? I don't think they provide local numbers for dial up (we had Charter prior to switching to DSL). You may want to check with them though.

I thought I had heard on another thread that some WDW resorts provide free wireless in the lobbys... If this is true, you would just need to take your laptop to the lobby of the resort that provides the service. Maybe someone else knows which resorts I'm speaking of...

 

[safetymom]

None of the Disney hotels have free wireless. There is a charge by the hour or for the day. Then there is a separate charge if you use the high speed in your room.

 

[Sleuth]

None of the Disney hotels have free wireless. There is a charge by the hour or for the day. Then there is a separate charge if you use the high speed in your room.

Thanks for clearing that up, safetymom. Do you know how much the charge is for the wireless access? I'm curious too if they have it at POR where we're going in August.

Still probably a better deal to pay for the wireless charge in the lobby then to go through setting up a new dial up account.

 

[safetymom]

POR doesn't have wireless available anywhere. The cost for the resorts below for wi fi is $4.99 for first hour, or 9.95 for the day. Dial up connections are easy. Just be sure to have a local number for your ISP. Calls are 75 cents.

Disney's BoardWalk Resort
Convention Center Hallways/Common Areas
Resort Lobby
Main Swimming Pool Area
Concierge Lounges
Bellevue Lounge
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Front desk sitting area
14th Floor Concierge - sitting area
Outer Rim Bar (near Concourse Steakhouse)
1st Floor Convention Center Lobby
2nd Floor Convention Center Lobby
Feature Pool
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Main Hotel Lobby
Convention Center Lobby area
Feature Pool
Francisco's Lounge
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
1st Floor Lobby area including Tea Room
Convention Center Lobby area
4th Floor Concierge area - sitting area
Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
Main Lobby area (both resorts)
Concierge sitting area (both resorts)
Convention Center Lobby area
Stormalong Bay Pool

 

[Sleuth]

Thanks safetymom, greatly appreciated!

 

[njzieglers]

I'm not sure if we're talking about the same thing, but if you have an airtime card in your laptop from a carrier like Verizon, it should just work, depending on the signal (just like a cell phone). We were at the BWV last week and our laptop worked fine, we were even on the DIS.

 

[momshark]

Thank you everyone for all of your suggestions. I will not be trying AOL. However, I am still a little confused. It looks like the Poly does not have any wireless service, so does that mean that I can still hook up in the room? to a high-speed cable or to the phone?
Sorry for the additional questions. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[DebbieB]

Thank you everyone for all of your suggestions. I will not be trying AOL. However, I am still a little confused. It looks like the Poly does not have any wireless service, so does that mean that I can still hook up in the room? to a high-speed cable or to the phone?
Sorry for the additional questions. Any help is greatly appreciated.

You can use dial-up through the phone at any resort. I've heard net zero is good for an ISP. I already have AOL on my desktop and laptop, so I used that (haven't had a problem in 8 years).