Renting points at OKW - is there anywhere there with free Internet access?

[Leigha]

I know if you're a member it is free but not for renters. I know sometimes common areas have free access though. Is there anywhere like that at OKW? Thanks!

 

[wdw1972]

Since your reservation is made with points, you'll get free internet. It might be touted as a dvc benefit, but the computer only knows to give it free on a points reservation. It cannot distinguish between owned points vs rented points.

 

[Caskbill]

Since your reservation is made with points, you'll get free internet. It might be touted as a dvc benefit, but the computer only knows to give it free on a points reservation. It cannot distinguish between owned points vs rented points.

While you may get it, remember you are not entitled to it as it is a members only benefit. Renters are not entitled to member benefits.

If you use it and get charged, you'll probably be stuck as you won't have the blue memebership card to show to get the charge removed.

Not sure, but while it was made using points, the reservation was not made in the owners' name. According to the POS, renters are not entitled to member benefits, and even guests of an owner are not entitled when the owner isn't with them as part of the same reservation.

 

[shoes99]

I've rented points at OKW and BC. I brought my laptop and used AOL dialup. I used a local number and was not charged for the local calls made from my DVC room.

 

[Leigha]

How would the dialup work? Are there any common areas? Maybe by the pools or lobby?

 

[vandy]

I am at OKW right now (bldg 33) and sometimes I pick up a very weak "Free public wifi" signal. I am not sure where that is coming from and I don't always pick it up.

 

[Leigha]

Is that in the room or a public area? How will my daughter know when that happens? She'll just click on the Internet and it will work??

 

[magicaldisney]

Since your reservation is made with points, you'll get free internet. It might be touted as a dvc benefit, but the computer only knows to give it free on a points reservation. It cannot distinguish between owned points vs rented points.

I have heard that renters ARE being charged. Please don't be surprised if you are charged for the use.

 

[hakepb]

How would the dialup work? Are there any common areas? Maybe by the pools or lobby?

When I used my NetZero dialup at SSR and BWV, I just plugged my computer's modem cable into my room phone's data port. (only existed on the living room phone in a 1BR)
Note, before connecting to the local number, I would always dial it by hand (I think you always need to use the area code) to make sure you do not also need to use a 1 (which would mean long distance)

 

[Leigha]

Thanks for the help! I'm not asking for internet service because I don't want to pay for it at OKW but if it is free, maybe. We actually haven't decided whether or not to let her take the laptop. Is there somewhere safe to keep it during the day?

 

[curiouser]

It may fit in the safe if it's a very small laptop but I would recommend a laptop lock if you are concerned. With our old laptop I didn't care, but with my shiny new baby I got overly paranoid and we purchased a lock. We secured it by feeding the lock cord through the lamp chain that hangs from the ceiling. Any thief would've needed to yank it out of the ceiling and take the whole lamp/chain. This is what we bought.

 

[wdw1972]

I have heard that renters ARE being charged. Please don't be surprised if you are charged for the use.

Well, I asked the front desk cast member when I checked in a couple of trips ago. I have a couple of reservations I made for friends who will be visiting without me, and wanted to know if they'd have to pay for internet. I was told that while technically it's called a member benefit, anybody staying in a room paid for by points will not be charged - the computer can not or will not make the distinction whether it's a member or not.

When I was charged for 1 day on my last stay I simply called the front desk when the bill arrived and told them about it - they immediately processed a credit. There was no having to show my blue card or any other inconvenience. Frankly I'd be shocked to hear from anyone who rented points and was charged for internet - unless they never bothered to report before they left. Mistakes get made all the time, and many members have been charged for one or more of their days, but they shouldn't have been & Disney takes it right off.