Local Calls and internet Connections

[RweTHEREyet]

Are there charges for local calls at OKW as in the other resorts? If so, do I remember a Community Hall or something at OKW that has capability of internet connections? Have not stayed here before and will be taking laptop for checking e-mails.

RweTHEREyet?

 

[RobDoc]

All rooms at WDW resorts have dataports on the phones. There is a .75 charge for all calls for guests- but DVC Members on points will get a reduction to .35 per call. You can access a local number for many ISP's. I use a laptop with NetZero- a free ISP- without problem.
You may want to check with the operator- as not all local calls are actually toll-free. There is a list in the phone book in the room- or check with the operator. Enjoy!

Doc
doc@wdwinfo.com

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Anyone know about connecting to Mindspring and what local number we would use at OKW for that?

RweTHEREyet?

 

[RobDoc]

I just did a search at mindspring.com- there are 2 local numbers (I have no idea if either is toll-free from WDW).

407-926-8040 and 407-975-4600.

Keep in mind that from all Orlando phones- the area code must be dialed- even for a local call. I hope this helps.

Doc
doc@wdwinfo.com

 

[DownNeckBoy]

Doc, is this the practice at all DVC resorts? When I visited HH in February, I spent a small fortune on connection charges @ .75 a call. I decided to join that weekend, so should I have received a credit? Just wondering. Thanks, as always, for the info. <IMG SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif" alt="confused">

 

[Cap]

I've had experience in the last six months at BWV, HH, and VB. In all cases, I was able to connect using either a local call or a toll-free "800" style number. I was charged the $0.35 per call charge.

I did not have any success getting "clean" lines. In almost all cases the modem would have to drop the connection speed down, sometimes even to 14.4. This may be due to jacking in on the phone, rather than a direct wall connection.

I'd recommend bringing a long phone cord, as Disney has not installed the telephone (and thus the connection port) in a location that is friendly to using a laptop. Often the phone jack is near the bed and across the room from the table / chair.

Vero has a "business center" with connections, but they want a rediculous rate of $10 per use.

Cap

 

[RobDoc]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> I spent a small fortune on connection charges @ .75 a call. I decided to join that weekend, so should I have received a credit? [/quote]

The phone charges are the same at all DVC resorts. If you were staying on points you should have received the member discount at HH.
In 1BR (and larger villas) I just connect the laptop on the end table between the sofa and love seat and leave it set up the entire time.
In a studio, the phone port is not convenient to the table- so a 15' cable would be a good idea.

Doc
doc@wdwinfo.com

 

[normr]

Make real sure that the access number you are dialing into is a local number, the front desk can help because it is really expensive if you dial into the wrong number, I almost made that mistake thinking Kissimmee would be the closest number when Orlando actually was the local call.

 

[ralph]

Doc, are you comfortable with leaving your laptop out on the table in your home when you leave? My DW and I have avoided taking her laptop with on vacation because of concerns about security. I guess the fact that housekeeping staff are not in the room every day at the DVC properties works to our advantage in this case, but I'm just wondering whether you've been comfortable with this.

We have locked our cameras in the small wall safe when not carrying them around (actually this doesn't happen too much, just when we go to the pool and maybe out to eat; my wife is an inveterate picture taker when we travel and she switched to a digital camera last Christmas), but the safe is too small for the laptop.

Ralph

 

[Peter Johnson]

I also bring my laptop, both for e-mail and for digital photographs. We always have a 1-bedroom, and I leave the laptop on the counter between the fridge and the porch, plugged in to power, with mouse, flashcard reader and cell phone jack attached. I just plop it on the table to use it. I dial up with my cell phone, so I don't have to worry about reaching the phone.

So far I've never had any problem, nor any worry about leaving it out. In fact, if anything ever did happen to it, I'd be more concerned about all the digital pix I'd lose than the laptop itself.

Peter and Syl
DVC (OKW) '92, VB '95
Going to OKW May 19-30 and Dec 8-19

 

[RobDoc]

Like Peter, I have always felt completely safe at all DVC resorts...and have used my laptop at all (except VWL--hope to soon there also).

While some may consider the risk more than their tolerance level- I would miss my computer communications and the risk is acceptable in that light. I leave it unlocked at home also- and think of DVC as being just as secure.

 

[wdwoldtimer]

I've connected to Mindspring while on WDW property and it's not a toll call....that's if you choose the right access number! Once I used the wrong one and got hammered with the phone charges. I think normr's right, the Kissimmee one is long distance and the Orlando one is not. Also, I forget who said it, but I also have never been able to get great bandwidth - 20-30kbps

As for leaving the laptop out....I always leave it sitting on the table or bed. Cameras too. I don't know if I'm crazy, but I trust the maid service. I don't think I've ever used the safes in any of the DVC resorts. I wouldn't leave cash out i.e. a few bucks, as sometimes they (legitimately) mistake it for a tip.

[This message was edited by wdwoldtimer on 04-04-01 at 01:24 PM.]

 

[Towncrier]

I don't know if this works in Orlando, but here in NE Ohio where we have to dial 10 digits, I avoid making long distance calls by leaving the leading "1" off when I dial the 10 digit number. On our phone system, that ensures that you are making a local call. If the call turns out to be long distance, you get a friendly reminder to dial the ONE. A lot of folks assume that you must dial the "1" if you are doing 10 digit dialing. Of course, things may be very different where you live, but this little "trick" has saved me some money.

 

[RobDoc]

Unfortunately, that "trick" doesn't work at WDW. Some apparently local calls actually incur a toll- without dialing the "1". I'd still check the directory or with the operator before assuming anything. Good Luck!

Doc
doc@wdwinfo.com

 

[Cap]

After I make the first "local" call to my ISPs dial-up, I check with the front desk to see what kind of charge showed up on my bill. So far, I've just had the $0.35 one, but do the check to be sure I'm not getting billed for long distance.

I'm not concerned about leaving the laptop in the room. I think Disney would have a fit about any hint of thefts from DVC rooms and probably screens the housekeeping staff very well. Hope none of us learn otherwise the hard way.

Cap

 

[normr]

One important recommendation I would make to anyone bringing a laptop on vacation is to purchase computer insurance from a company like Safeware.com where a policy that covers your laptop from theft, fire, damage from $69 and up, that way your laptop is covered even while you travel, since airports are the number one place computers disapear from.

I don't worry about leaving my machine out this way and if it got stolen, I get the newest latest model to replace mine. p

 

[ralph]

normr, thanks for the pointer. I will definitely look into this. My DW would really like to have her laptop along when on vacation, so she can play around with her digital pics and check email when we run out of other stuff to do . We hit three different internet cafes in London when we visited there during spring break week. On the other hand, I work with this stuff every day (I teach computer science) and so vacation means not having to boot up a machine for a change.

Ralph

 

[Peter Johnson]

Ralph, I know what you mean -- I'm an IT Manager. I just make sure there's nothing work-related on the laptop As long as I only use it for digipix, personal e-mail and expenses, it doesn't remind me of work. Besides, my DW says I'd be insufferable if I didn't bring it

Peter and Syl
DVC (OKW) '92, VB '95
Going to OKW May 19-30 and Dec 8-19

 

[caveat lector]

Some laptops have hard drives which can be easily unplugged. In an attempt to mitigate the risk, I remove my hard drive and keep it separated from the laptop. If someone really wants it, this will not stop them, but might make it a little more difficult.