"too connected" at DVC

[wdwscout]

I was unable to get a search result to see if this has already been discussed...
We travel with more than one laptop- in fact we will most likely have 3 on our next trip "Home."
I used to use a dial-up connection from work to access email, etc and DS#1 (now 21) was able to get sports scores and check his own email.
Now that internet is free for DVC Members- and both sons are in college and addicted to staying in touch on facebook- has anyone ever used a wireless router in a DVC resort?
Or are we best off hardwire connecting in each room? Can we even do that- how many ethernet outlets are there in a 2 bedroom Villa?

Just curious if anyone else is "hyper-connected" - even during vacation and how do you make it work for everyone?

 

[RobDoc]

Get a wireless router. We used one last week at OKW and it was great.
There is a thread on the Mousecellaneous Board discussing this very issue - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1830115 .

A 2BR lockoff villa will have 2 outlets, but I believe a dedicated 2BR will only have one broadband outlet s0 th number of outlets will depend on the type of 2BR you get.

 

[OKW Lover]

We use a wireless router all the time. I've got a nice little Airport Express (Apple) which takes up very little room and just plain works.

 

[wdwscout]

OK, so I have purchased the Airport Express... and now I am not quite sure what to do next.

Is there something I should do at home before we go to WDW?

Does every laptop using the router need to install the software from the CD?

Is there any issue with having 3 different operating systems? One PC on XP, one PC using Vista and one MacBook- all trying to share this router?

I guess what I am wondering is... do I establish my own network name at home, and then connect to it everywhere I go? WDW, DCL, other hotels?
Or am I connecting to whatever the hotel network is each time and don't have to do anything prior to traveling?

I am so inexperienced (and naive) about all of this. Any support or suggestions are welcome!

 

[Caskbill]

OK, so I have purchased the Airport Express... and now I am not quite sure what to do next.

Is there something I should do at home before we go to WDW?

Not familiar with the Airport Express, but in general, wireless routers are set up this way:

Run the software on one of your computers. This computer can be thought of as the main computer used to set up the router itself.

Does every laptop using the router need to install the software from the CD?

No, only the one computer when you first initialize the router. Note, the first time you use the other computers they may have to enter a password. It depends on if you password protect your router during initial installation.

Is there any issue with having 3 different operating systems? One PC on XP, one PC using Vista and one MacBook- all trying to share this router?

No

I guess what I am wondering is... do I establish my own network name at home, and then connect to it everywhere I go? WDW, DCL, other hotels?
Or am I connecting to whatever the hotel network is each time and don't have to do anything prior to traveling?

Everywhere you go you will need to connect to their system. Most computers will search and find whatever wireless connections are around.

DVC does not have wireless and that's why you got the wireless router. At DVC you need to plug the ethernet cable into your router. Then all three computers can use the internet wirelessly. You'll have to sign in and follow on screen directions. For most hotels, they already have wireless so you won't need your router at all. Just turn your computers on and have them search for any wireless signals they find.

For example, on the computer that uses Vista, click the Start button, then click the Connect To link. It will show you what wireless signals it found. Select whichever signal you want to use and click the Connect button.

At DVC the wireless signal you will want is the one coming from your own router after you hook it to the DVC room ethernet cable.

I am so inexperienced (and naive) about all of this. Any support or suggestions are welcome!

You should have directions with your wireless router, and there should be on screen help files if you need them.

 

[LIFERBABE]

So do you pay a monthly fee for a wireless router?

I am soooo confused! What if I just take my Ipone? Will I still be connected?

 

[jekjones1558]

LIFERBABE,
If you want to use the internet via wi-fi on your iPhone, you will need to use a router. There is no monthly fee for a router. If you just want to access through your cell company's network (I assume it's AT&T), you can do that anywhere and don't need a router. I just ordered an Airport Express (being delivered today ) so that I can use wi-fi with my computer and iPhone at DVC.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

ver intrigued here, daughter lives on her computer and is always fighitng with dad!! So If I get one of these things, not matter where we are, we just set it up and the two computers can work!! Where we go in the Caribbean its a $10.00 per day charge. The building is wireless, but we have to plug this modem thing into a power source, then plug that into the computer. But if I get this airport express thing, I plug that in as well, and daughter can take computer anywhere as can I?? does one need to be hardwired to the modem thing, or does that just go into the router??? - I have a linsys thing at home for our two wireless laptops.

 

[DisneyJen]

We have a wireless router that we leave in our Owners' Locker just for our WDW trips since we are a three laptop family.

As Caskbill has outlined it is relatively easy to set up ... nothing like sitting on the balcony with a BWV and catching up with work

 

[kapeman]

Not familiar with the Airport Express, but in general, wireless routers are set up this way:

Run the software on one of your computers. This computer can be thought of as the main computer used to set up the router itself.

There shouldn't be any need to install software in order to use the router.

Every SOHO router I have used allows you to set it up via an html page.

Once the router is configured, you shouldn't have to do anything else to it.

One other note, PLEASE change the router's default password and make sure you set up encryption. It is easy to do and the manual should walk you through how to do it.

 

[wdwscout]

Thanks to all for the great info.
I think I will be OK now.

 

[LIFERBABE]

LIFERBABE,
If you want to use the internet via wi-fi on your iPhone, you will need to use a router. There is no monthly fee for a router. If you just want to access through your cell company's network (I assume it's AT&T), you can do that anywhere and don't need a router. I just ordered an Airport Express (being delivered today ) so that I can use wi-fi with my computer and iPhone at DVC.

Thank you!!

Yes, I have AT&T. Did you order your AE thru them?

I find the Iphone easy to use, but I hit a brick wall when it comes to the wi-fi feature.
Thanks again everyone for the explanations.

 

[vicki_c]

ver intrigued here, daughter lives on her computer and is always fighitng with dad!! So If I get one of these things, not matter where we are, we just set it up and the two computers can work!! Where we go in the Caribbean its a $10.00 per day charge. The building is wireless, but we have to plug this modem thing into a power source, then plug that into the computer. But if I get this airport express thing, I plug that in as well, and daughter can take computer anywhere as can I?? does one need to be hardwired to the modem thing, or does that just go into the router??? - I have a linsys thing at home for our two wireless laptops.

Just want to point out that for the example you gave - Caribbean resort at $10/day -- your WiFi access would not be free, even if you brought your own router. It's free at WDW because DVC members get internet access for free. Whether you pay for it or not has nothing to do with how you're connecting.

 

[jekjones1558]

LIFERBABE,
I'm not sure if there is any configuring to do on the Airport Express the first time you use it at WDW. I don't think there is any way to configure it via the iPhone, so I am bringing my laptop to WDW to configure the Express (if necessary) the first time.
I ordered my Express online from the Apple Store (free shipping).

 

[xipetotec]

I was unable to get a search result to see if this has already been discussed...
We travel with more than one laptop- in fact we will most likely have 3 on our next trip "Home."
I used to use a dial-up connection from work to access email, etc and DS#1 (now 21) was able to get sports scores and check his own email.
Now that internet is free for DVC Members- and both sons are in college and addicted to staying in touch on facebook- has anyone ever used a wireless router in a DVC resort?
Or are we best off hardwire connecting in each room? Can we even do that- how many ethernet outlets are there in a 2 bedroom Villa?

Just curious if anyone else is "hyper-connected" - even during vacation and how do you make it work for everyone?

I haven't taken advantage of this yet. But I would definitely bring a wireless router ( and in fact just might do that next time we go ... )

 

[disneynutz]

Just a couple of items. Not all computers have built in wireless access. Depending on your computers features you may need to add a wireless card in order to talk to the router.

Another item... most routers will have a hard wired port or ports on them. If your computer will be set up near the router you can still use a cable for that computer and you won't need a card for that computer.

Here is the router that we use: http://http://www.dvcwishes.com/store_computer.htm

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Just want to point out that for the example you gave - Caribbean resort at $10/day -- your WiFi access would not be free, even if you brought your own router. It's free at WDW because DVC members get internet access for free. Whether you pay for it or not has nothing to do with how you're connecting.

No - I know it won't be free, but I can hook it up for the two computers to have wireless thoughout the condo correct?

 

[disneynutz]

No - I know it won't be free, but I can hook it up for the two computers to have wireless thoughout the condo correct?

Correct

 

[ClarabelleCow]

yeah - I'm gonna go to apple store before my november trip to St. Maarten and check it out!! While we have been able to grab "free wifi" from outerspace!! It's very sporadic, so paying the $10.00 bucks a day is worth it. But being able to enjoy that morning coffe looking out at the ocean is even better!!!! And daughter will be even more happy when we head to WDW, so she can sit in bed with her computer!

 

[disneynutz]

yeah - I'm gonna go to apple store before my november trip to St. Maarten and check it out!! While we have been able to grab "free wifi" from outerspace!! It's very sporadic, so paying the $10.00 bucks a day is worth it. But being able to enjoy that morning coffe looking out at the ocean is even better!!!! And daughter will be even more happy when we head to WDW, so she can sit in bed with her computer!

A word of caution. If you are grabbing free wifi then the possibility exists the someone may be able to grab you. Accessing your computer through a wifi connection is easy to do. Recent studies show that most of the information hacked from personal computers and even major department stores is done through the wifi connection.

Do yourself a favor and Google wifi security settings to learn how to protect yourself.