Question for the experts about Wifi

[soccermomof3]

I read the thread about internet access at the fort and still haven't gotten a for sure answer so I am asking the experts of Ft. Wilderness. I am taking a online college course this summer and I will need internet access for 2 days while we are at the fort next week. I really don't want to rent the equipment unless I have to. SO, is there a hotspot any where in the campgrounds? I saw on the map that there is WIFI at the campground but will I have to pay for it? I called Ft Wilderness a little while ago and was told that I will have to pay the 9.95 a day, but I also read that there is free WIFI. So to all of my friends, please help me!!! Yall are the best.

 

[ElementCamper]

There is no free Wifi or internet access at the Fort that I am aware of, sorry!

 

[clkelley]

For something as important as an internet class, I wouldn't bet on WiFi. There is supposedly PAID WiFi on the porch of the Meadows trading post.

Personally, if it were me, I would go with renting the equipment and do the work in the comfort of my own campsite. There is a charge of $175 put on your CC, but is refunded when you return the equipment.

One other choice for wired High Speed is to go to the little building above the checkin lanes. There is high speed wired access in there, but you still have to pay.

 

[soccermomof3]

Thanks for the answers. Just one more question...do I have to hook up my computer to use the internet or can use my wireless card in my computer?

 

[clkelley]

You have to hook up your computer.

 

[chilipyro]

Internet access at your campsite is delivered through the same cable that supplies your cable TV. You don't rent any equipment. You give them enough money (or a credit card) to pay for the equipment, and it is all returned when you return the equipment. The equipment you get is a cable modem - which provides a wired internet connection to your computer. You can't use this connection (or any internet access anywhere at Disney) without also registering for and paying $9.95 per day of access. So, you are stuck with the $9.95 fee, no matter how you try to get your internet connection. Since the cable modem is free, you might as well get that and have access at your camp site.

The only alternative to paying Disney's (outrageous) fee is to bring your own internet connection with you - which means paying your cellular provider instead. Of course, if you are willing to head out of Disney, you can get free internet at any Starbucks, many McDonalds, and a number of other places.

By the way, the $9.95 fee is per day of use. You can have the modem for free for your entire stay and, if you only actually access the internet for two days of your stay, that will cost you just $20.

 

[DisCamper]

If you are staying in a cabin it’s not free but it is wireless. If you want free internet just go to McDonalds they have free internet and I hear good coffee

 

[soccermomof3]

Thanks for the replies. I knew I could count on my fellow disers out there to help me out. I guess I will bite the bullet and pay for the 9.95 a day for the service. It is only 2 days so it isn't alot of money.

 

[chartle]

If you are staying in a cabin it’s not free but it is wireless. If you want free internet just go to McDonalds they have free internet and I hear good coffee

Are you sure about this, I thought the cabins also had wired connections?

Do they put a wireless router in each cabin or do they have some sort of wireless system that only covers the cabins?

 

[Mary2e]

Are you sure about this, I thought the cabins also had wired connections?

Do they put a wireless router in each cabin or do they have some sort of wireless system that only covers the cabins?

The cabins are not wireless. At least they weren't 2 weeks ago. I brought my own wireless transmitter which I was able to use.

There is wifi room near the lobby in a booth where the RVs pull up. There's plenty of room to sit. There's another area near Trails End (I think) but I never found it.

BUT, I have to tell you that all internet connectivity is pretty flaky at Ft. Wilderness. I had the repair guy out twice and he finally replaced the cable modem. It was so difficult to use that they removed all charges from our room.

I was told that the cable lines are from the 70s and that's what causes some of the problems.

I was at the Yacht Club and had absolutely no problem using the wireless in their lobby. Once you pay for it, you can use it anywhere onsite.

 

[DisCamper]

I’m sorry everyone is right I didn’t know Cheryle bought a wireless transmitter for the cabin. But I can tell you we used it a lot but for some reason every 24 hr I have to call Internet support to get the code of the day.

 

[chartle]

I’m sorry everyone is right I didn’t know Cheryle bought a wireless transmitter for the cabin. But I can tell you we used it a lot but for some reason every 24 hr I have to call Internet support to get the code of the day.

Probably because the you weren't connected directly to the cable modem.

The router acts as a go between.

 

[wldmtnflr]

I have been taking online college courses for a while now and have been at the Fort during this time. You pay the $9.95 for 24 hours of use from the time you sign up. If you sign-up in the middle to late afternoon then you will get 2 days worth of internet for the price of one.

I go into Crockett's Tavern and order a drink and/or food then sit there in the cool air and do my schoolwork. There is an electrical outlet on the left side of the wall towards the game room. If you can't find it then ask and they will show you where it is. You can sit in a rocking chair outside the tavern or on the porch of the settlement also.

We'll be there in two days but I am on a week's break from school so I won't have to worry about it this time. It will be nice to be free of the responsibility of finding time to be on the internet. Good Luck!

 

[mikmouse]

If you are staying in a cabin it’s not free but it is wireless. If you want free internet just go to McDonalds they have free internet and I hear good coffee

I don't believe the internet in the cabins is wireless. I believe it is wired for $9.95/day.

 

[newbydisney]

..and since you will have internet be sure to let us all know how it's going!

 

[njcamper95]

Anyone have any experience with the wireless broad band things you plug into your laptop we were looking at the prepaid ones since we wouldn't use it much we saw virgin mobil,verizon and t mobil ones here in NJ virgin mobil looks like its cheapest but is there a reason why its cheaper any feed back would be great

 

[chilipyro]

Never heard of prepaid mobile broadband. Everything I have seen requires a 2yr contract (except for ipad 3G, of course).

Some phones with data plans can be tethered to a laptop.

 

[chilipyro]

I stand corrected. Just saw the short term and pre-paid plans on the Verizon page. It's about time they came up with this. I used a laptop card from Verizon last year at FW, and it worked very well. I expect the external broadband devices will work well too.

 

[Lil' Lisa]

Anyone have any experience with the wireless broad band things you plug into your laptop we were looking at the prepaid ones since we wouldn't use it much we saw virgin mobil,verizon and t mobil ones here in NJ virgin mobil looks like its cheapest but is there a reason why its cheaper any feed back would be great

Verizon is the most expensive, but they have the best coverage. That is what we ended up with. In the end, it depends on where you want to use it. Each of the companies have a coverage map on their website. You should get an idea of whether or not it will work for you where you need it. Shop around for the usb modem too. I found the cheapest prices at Target ($99 for the verizon usb modem). The Verizon store was the most expensive. It is their product, so you would think that they would have the best price, but I guess not. Go figure...

 

[mrtroutjedi]

Ive used my sprint card there and it worked grreat