Question about laptop use

[DRoseBall]

I have a question about laptop/internet use while at Disney. I will need to be able to check my email while there on our upcoming trip and I have never had to use a laptop in a hotel before (ok........I'm a little slow!). Anyway, how do you do that? Do you take some phone number or something from home to connect with or what? Don't mean to sound technologically challenged but any help will be great! Thanks!

Denise

 

[webray]

The area code for Orlando is 407....find a number with your internet provider from Orlando so that you are using a local call. Local calls from your hotel room are 75 cents each.

You will have regular dial up...slow, slow, slow, but at least you can get online!

have fun!

 

[safetymom]

Also check with the front desk to make sure that the number you are using for your internet provider is considered a local call. There are some numbers that may be in the 407 area code that aren't local.

Also I suggest buying a longer phone cord. We plugged into the Disney phone and with the longer cord we worked at the table in the room instead of trying to do it on the bed.

 

[Geoff_M]

On a related note, I believe you have to use the area code when dialing even if it's a local call. I use AT&T Worldnet on the road and this trips me up every time at WDW.

 

[safetymom]

Geoff_M you are correct. In other parts of FL you don't have to dial the area code.

 

[Cathy baby RN]

Be careful...those .75 charge add up fast. It applies any time you access an outside line....whether the party answers or not. I use aol and many times the number dialed was busy and had to try another number. Each attempt is another charge. Also, the CM said you're better off just staying signed on ....just make sure your're dialing a local number.

 

[orrnluvswdw]

We were at WDW (POR) during the first 2 weeks in June. Nephew took his laptop & plugged it into my cell phone. I have a verizon phone (v60i), purchased a special internet disc (mobile office thingie) from them & loaded it onto his laptop. The disc came with a special cord that goes from the laptop to the cell phone. Time on the internet came off the plan I have (I've got the American's choice thing).

Just got the cell phone bill a few days ago. NO extra charges on it. Just the monthly charge. We were even able to surf the web in the van all down I75 He was able to even crack into some wireless services close & around big cities & all the Flying J truck stops have wireless internet We had a total blast using the laptop for this trip. Highly recommend doing this if you've got verizon!

 

[DRoseBall]

Thanks to all of you for your help! I am printing this off and giving it to my non-technologically challenged kids and DH to find the things we need to take with us!

Denise

 

[zcomic]

You didn't mention what internet service provider you use. If it's a big one like AOL or MSN there are local numbers available. If your ISP doesn't have a local number, sign up for Netzero (http://netzero.net ). Their basic service is free for 10 hours per month. You just download and install their software and you're ready to go. They have local numbers for Orlando.

 

[canonelan2]

Hopefully Disney will soon get with the times and put in high speed interet access in all of their rooms. Heck... if they wanted to be really cool... it would be wireless.