No DVDS players at DVC anymore?

[jo-jo]

I am puzzled by those that suggest "bring your own" options. Sure, there are tons of things I can bring to replace whatever Disney decides to take away, but that's a form of devaluation of the DVC membership, IMHO.

LAX

Yes, I agree. If that's the case, why not bring a coffee maker, toaster, towels and bedding. The view from the room is the same, the location is the same...... I thought the idea was "home away from home". Yes, we do have DVD players at home.

In our case it's "oh we don't need to bring that, it's already there" thinking. For a studio, we bring a sharp knife, but not eating utensils. They are already there. We bring toothpaste but not a bar of soap, it's already there.

 

[TheGecko]

To be honest I didn't realize people still used DVDs regularly. They are in the same capsule of technology past as the CD and Cassette player. If you want a DVD go buy a portable players off of Amazon with an HDMI output. It is not a good use of membership fees to maintain obsolete delivery formats and technology.

 

[jo-jo]

To be honest I didn't realize people still used DVDs regularly. They are in the same capsule of technology past as the CD and Cassette player. If you want a DVD go buy a portable players off of Amazon with an HDMI output. It is not a good use of membership fees to maintain obsolete delivery formats and technology.

But they already have them, couldn't they at least have them for request? If really no one but a handful of people use them, how much of an issue could it be?

 

[TheGecko]

But they already have them, couldn't they at least have them for request? If really no one but a handful of people use them, how much of an issue could it be?

If only a handful of people use them it does not make sense to keep staff trained on the old technology, plus the maintenance of DVDs. Also, depending on the vintage of the players they may or may not work on newer television which only have HDMI connections.

It would be neat if Disney offered streaming service of some sort as a perk of staying onsite. Make the back catalog available to watch on rainy days.

 

[monorailmom]

One of our favorite DVC memories involves a DVD player. We were staying at BLT, and I recall watching WESH's weather report saying that central Florida was on the "rain train" for the next day or so. While disappointed that our evening plans were being rained out, we decided to get a DVD from Community Hall and some snacks from Contempo and stay in for the night. As a mom of four kids, I can tell you....getting a family of six to all sit around the same tv watching Hercules (one of our favorites!) enjoying snacks you only get at Disney and relaxing together..was as priceless as any FP to any attraction at any park.

 

[freediverdude]

So let me get this straight- you got all 6 people to sit in front of the same television, AND all of you want to watch the same movie? I would like to know your persuasion techniques. Did it involve a whip and threats? A visit from the Godfather? Tell your secrets. Lol

 

[jo-jo]

I mentioned my answer from MS.....no DVD players and can't request one from housekeeping. I wrote back asking why did they plan this action. I got a call today. I was told the DVD players ARE leaving the rooms, but they WILL be available for request. The email was wrong as far as the request part. I said I guess we'll have to bring our own dvds. I was told the movies will still be there.

Our next trip isn't until Nov, so the rules may change 6 times over by then, but I'm hoping it holds true.

 

[disneynutz]

I mentioned my answer from MS.....no DVD players and can't request one from housekeeping. I wrote back asking why did they plan this action. I got a call today. I was told the DVD players ARE leaving the rooms, but they WILL be available for request. The email was wrong as far as the request part. I said I guess we'll have to bring our own dvds. I was told the movies will still be there.

Our next trip isn't until Nov, so the rules may change 6 times over by then, but I'm hoping it holds true.

I wouldn't count on them, often what DVC thinks will happen, doesn't so hope for the best and plan for the worst.

Bill

 

[monorailmom]

So let me get this straight- you got all 6 people to sit in front of the same television, AND all of you want to watch the same movie? I would like to know your persuasion techniques. Did it involve a whip and threats? A visit from the Godfather? Tell your secrets. Lol

Seriously!!! It was Disney Magic at its best!!!!

 

[Snurk71]

Granted we haven't been to VB in a couple years, but the last time we were there there's no way to stream anything - at least in the outer buildings. The wifi was terrible, and AT&T coverage was just as bad. DD and I were hunting for live connections.

Going back in a week and a half. Will see if it's any better now.

 

[ScubaCat]

I also have a $14.99 dvd player (thank you target black friday sale) that has been a godsend on recent vacations. We were rained out for nearly a week at the hilton orlando (wife attending convention) and that player plus the redbox across the street really saved us and it was kind of fun catching up on all the movies we'd missed. [17.99 per in room movie? Really, Hilton??]

 

[jo-jo]

Granted we haven't been to VB in a couple years, but the last time we were there there's no way to stream anything - at least in the outer buildings. The wifi was terrible, and AT&T coverage was just as bad. DD and I were hunting for live connections.

Going back in a week and a half. Will see if it's any better now.

I didn't think of that. So people who have the amazon fire stick or whatever thingie, it won't work??? If it's a horrible rainy evening and 1.000 rooms are all trying to stream a movie, it won't work?? Yes, I'm that dumb, this is an honest question.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Thinking about these stick options rather than a DVD player. Any advise which stick is best? Do you have to pay a subscription after purchase?

 

[hakepb]

Thinking about these stick options rather than a DVD player. Any advise which stick is best? Do you have to pay a subscription after purchase?

It depends on what devices and subscriptions you may currently have.

Yes, most movie cobtent requires a paid subscription like Netflix or Amazon Prime.

The Google Chrome stick is cheapest, but streams all content in the background from the paired phone, tablet or computer.

The Amazon Fire stick seemed to have slightly better usability, , streaming just needs the stick (and has its own remote) and of course is best if you mostly use Amazon Prime.

Roku seems to have the most content options

And then you get into non-stick devices like the Apple TV (which works very well with an iPhone / iPad household, but costs a lot more)

 

[hakepb]

I didn't think of that. So people who have the amazon fire stick or whatever thingie, it won't work??? If it's a horrible rainy evening and 1.000 rooms are all trying to stream a movie, it won't work?? Yes, I'm that dumb, this is an honest question.

Correct, in-room wifi does not seem to be robust enough to support such usage.

In addition there may be some rooms that lack enough signal strength to wifi stream on a sunny day.

 

[BillPA]

Why does DVC still have DVDs for check out if they no longer have players? It's typical, the left hand doesn't have any idea what the right hand is doing.

 

[hakepb]

To be honest I didn't realize people still used DVDs regularly. They are in the same capsule of technology past as the CD and Cassette player. If you want a DVD go buy a portable players off of Amazon with an HDMI output. It is not a good use of membership fees to maintain obsolete delivery formats and technology.

It takes years for a current technology to filter into the automotive industry.
New "Kid friendly" Minivans and SUV's still mostly have DVD players instead of BluRay

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

It depends on what devices and subscriptions you may currently have.

Yes, most movie cobtent requires a paid subscription like Netflix or Amazon Prime.

The Google Chrome stick is cheapest, but streams all content in the background from the paired phone, tablet or computer.

The Amazon Fire stick seemed to have slightly better usability, , streaming just needs the stick (and has its own remote) and of course is best if you mostly use Amazon Prime.

Roku seems to have the most content options

And then you get into non-stick devices like the Apple TV (which works very well with an iPhone / iPad household, but costs a lot more)

Thank you. I have an Apple TV at home and use Netflix. Maybe I could bring them but do worry the wifi at SSR isn't robust enough to handle it. Annoying when the show keeps stopping isn't it!

 

[ScubaCat]

I remember bring our own router!

Yes! I still have that little linksys travel router. I changed it (with 3rd party firmware) to be a bridge so I can plug in anything that's not wifi-ready

 

[Bullseye]

I already said this, but seriously -- look into getting a Roku, Chromecase, or Fire stick. They're cheap, compact, have an easy-to-use remote, and are in HD. You can stream Netflix or anything else you want in HD. There are tons of channels for everything, including most cable channels and broadcast TV channels.

Times and technology always change. Remember when they took away keyboards from our phones? It's just another thing to adapt to. Order one and set it up at home, then bring it with you or put it in your owner's locker. You'll readily have access to a ton of HD content.

I'll be at BCV in September; you can thank me for the advice then.

We did this! Used Chromecast and connected to Netflix, HBOGo, and Amazon Prime. Had no issues with the WIFI connections at BLT or BC while using.
As far as an alarm clock goes, I much prefer using my cell phone....much nicer & gentler wake up tones.