mp3 dock in hotel rooms

[TravelinGal]

I'm seeing that some hotels are now adding clock radios/stereo with iPod dock (I saw it listed for the Grand Floridian and it would be nice to know if I need to pack my speakers or not.)

My question is - do they work with other MP3 players or only iPod? The descriptions always specify "iPod dock"

(I have a SanDisk Sansa View)

 

[mjones73]

It appears the unit is an ipod only dock in the deluxe resorts and the moderates and values have a clock radio with an aux input you can hook any player up to.

http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4038479.search?query=disney+in+room+clock+radios+mp3

 

[Lynne M]

The ones in the GF were iHome units, sort of like this one:

http://www.ihomeaudio.com/products.asp?product_id=10250&dept_id=1006

The connectors on the iHome products are specifically made to fit the iPod/iPhone docking port. That connector won't fit your mp3 player.

But - it seems that many of their products have a line in port on the back. You would need to bring an audio patch cord like this one:

http://www.ihomeaudio.com/products.asp?product_id=10132&dept_id=1006

You'd connect it to the headphone port on your mp3 player. You don't need that specific patch cord from iHome, you can get one at Radio Shack or any other electronics store.

 

[TravelinGal]

Thanks. I'll research the iHome product more to see if it has an aux jack as well.

LOL -- thanks Lynne. You posted right when I did.

The biggest issue is my mp3 came with a usb charging cable. I got an adapter so it could charge from the wall. Then I got the speakers (not bad -- nice and thin - decent sound) but they also only had a usb cable. I didn't want to spend $20 on another adapter. SO, I have to charge the mp3 all day (to play all night like we prefer) then unplug the mp3, plug in the speakers, hook the mp3 to the speakers.... blah blah blah... Not that horrible, in reality, but all those wires were a mess after just a few days on my last WDW trip. (AS Music) I would love to just be able to have the 'audio patch cord' connecting the mp3 to the stereo all the time and the power cord plugged into the wall (as needed).

I have till the end of Feb to watch sales for a cheap audio cable.

Thank you again!!!!

 

[drew64]

The one at the YC had the ipod docking station and ports on back for MP3 players.

 

[TravelinGal]

Drew - thanks for the BTST (been there seen that) reply.

How was the sound quality?
(granted we'll primarily use it at night time for soft background noise, so it doesn't need to play over daytime noises)

 

[drew64]

Sounded fine. A little flat, but about same as with any clock/radio speakers.