Technical Question-Free Internet

[dbs1228]

Sorry when I said "anywhere" I was referring to the actual resorts I stayed at and asked about. I should have said "while staying at BLT, OKW and BWV I was told no free wi-fi anywhere at those properties at that time".

 

[DebbieB]

People complain that the internet service is wired, not wi-fi but I wanted to report an experience I had last week at VGC. They have free wi-fi for everyone but our room was far from the lobby and the wi-fi signal was poor. Luckily they also had wired internet in the room and that worked. I've experienced this at non-Disney hotels that only had wi-fi, the service was slow. I much prefer wired and I'll bring a router.

 

[jaygalterio]

This is slightly off topic, but there are a couple of other benefits DVC member benefits that can't be removed. Anything to do with "Florida Resident" discount can't be removed unless they are completely removed for everyone.

Technically by being a DVC Member you own property in Florida, which makes you a resident at least part of the year.

- J

 

[CarolMN]

This is slightly off topic, but there are a couple of other benefits DVC member benefits that can't be removed. Anything to do with "Florida Resident" discount can't be removed unless they are completely removed for everyone.

Technically by being a DVC Member you own property in Florida, which makes you a resident at least part of the year.

- J

The documents we all signed to purchase DVC specifically state that owning DVC does NOT entitle members to any Florida resident discounts.

And FWIW, we do not technically own property in Florida. We have a deeded interest in a right-to-use-lease. That's not the same thing as owning property out right.

 

[Dean]

While there may be costs to the system, it is not contractual and could go away or go back to being a charged item later.

 

[Deb & Bill]

This is slightly off topic, but there are a couple of other benefits DVC member benefits that can't be removed. Anything to do with "Florida Resident" discount can't be removed unless they are completely removed for everyone.

Technically by being a DVC Member you own property in Florida, which makes you a resident at least part of the year.

- J

The only guaranteed benefit that you have as a DVC member is being able to book at you home resort. That's it.

And if they sell the resort or your building burns down, you might even lose that.

 

[Brian Noble]

Technically by being a DVC Member you own property in Florida, which makes you a resident at least part of the year.

You are mistaken. As mentioned, the documents you signed make this clear. This is also one big reason why DVC is structured as a deeded leasehold, rather than straight deeded real estate. There's a longer explanation, but the short version is: landowners within the Reedy Creek Improvement District have some voting rights. RCID is Disney's very own private government, crafted by Florida legislation that Disney's own lawyers drafted, and was voted on and signed into law with essentially no critical review. From the day it was created, the only "landowners/residents" in RCID have been high-level Disney employees.

Mickey will NEVER allow "regular people" to have voting interests within RCID.

Edited: an excellent summary of the situation can be found in Richard Fogelsong (2001), Married to the Mouse: Walt Disney World and Orlando.

 

[Dean]

This is slightly off topic, but there are a couple of other benefits DVC member benefits that can't be removed. Anything to do with "Florida Resident" discount can't be removed unless they are completely removed for everyone.

Technically by being a DVC Member you own property in Florida, which makes you a resident at least part of the year.

- J

This isn't really a residency question as much as a discount decision question. Disney has decided they will not extend residency discounts to timeshare owners. Arguing residency doesn't change that issue.

 

[jaygalterio]

My mistake. You're all absolutely right. I obviously got a bad batch of information. And then didn't bother to double check it before I opened my mouth. Won't happen again.

At the very least it does not seem likely that DVC would drop the perks associated with the faux Florida Resident. The perks probably cost them very little in the long run and gets sales that might have been on the fence.

On the plus side, at least for me, I am a Florida resident and do have unlimited internet access through my Tab. But who knows if that will still be true in 5 or 10 years.

- J

 

[dmoore22]

This isn't really a residency question as much as a discount decision question. Disney has decided they will not extend residency discounts to timeshare owners. Arguing residency doesn't change that issue.

But, on the other hand, DVC has provided us with an AP/PAP discount which is pretty darn close to a Florida resident discount, albeit, a discount that could be transient.

Back to the discussion at hand. Looking at my dues statement the only area that may cover the cost of internet would be the general Operating Expenses. As a previous poster mentioned, technology is changing rapidly and the need for wired access the same. With the expansion of 3g/4g I've found I'm not taking advantage of the "free" access provided in the rooms as much. Not fast enough. I've not totally abandoned it yet but, who knows?

 

[Dean]

But, on the other hand, DVC has provided us with an AP/PAP discount which is pretty darn close to a Florida resident discount, albeit, a discount that could be transient.

Back to the discussion at hand. Looking at my dues statement the only area that may cover the cost of internet would be the general Operating Expenses. As a previous poster mentioned, technology is changing rapidly and the need for wired access the same. With the expansion of 3g/4g I've found I'm not taking advantage of the "free" access provided in the rooms as much. Not fast enough. I've not totally abandoned it yet but, who knows?

No Seasonal Pass, no weekday pass, no FL resident special tickets, etc. Yes they are close for an AP or PAP though still cheaper for FL residents, but not for anything else.

 

[dmoore22]

No Seasonal Pass, no weekday pass, no FL resident special tickets, etc. Yes they are close for an AP or PAP though still cheaper for FL residents, but not for anything else.

Picky, picky, picky . . .

 

[dianeschlicht]

I don't much care if it's a paid for item or a perk, but I do care that it is possibly the slowest "high speed" internet around! We always get so frustrated with it, that we end up firing up our smart phone hot spot instead.

 

[starry_solo]

What about for people staying on points (renters)? Is there free wi-fi or internet too?

 

[Sammie]

What about for people staying on points (renters)? Is there free wi-fi or internet too?

No, it is a member perk. You might get lucky and it not show up on your bill, but be prepared to pay if you use it as you are not the member.

 

[Deb & Bill]

What about for people staying on points (renters)? Is there free wi-fi or internet too?

No, it is a member perk. You might get lucky and it not show up on your bill, but be prepared to pay if you use it as you are not the member.

I had it show up on my bill once and had to show my blue member card to get the charge removed.