Travel Router Alexa Nest Cam question

[jkstewart1800]

We have a 13 year old autistic son and 3 other kids 16, 15, & 12 whom we feel comfortable leaving at the resort while we go out for a few hours dinner at one of the parks. That being said, we also are thinking of bringing our nest cam to set up so we can see in the room while we are gone (like a big boy baby monitor) - we own a nest cam, not a baby monitor and we are trying to use what we have. We also would let to set up Alexa dot in the room, because our kiddo uses it to play audio books and pod cast comedy etc. It will make the hotel room more like his room at home.
We aren't trying to spy on Mousekeeping and I know some people my disagree with / disapprove with the choice to not hire from KidsNightOut (he's not afraid to be with his siblings or by himself, but strangers freak him out) and I respect that.
I would just like help on how to hook up a travel router and use the cam OR hear any one's stories if they have had success or failure with this sort of thing... You can private message me too if you wish.
Thank you for your help. Any tips of what you have done with your special needs kiddos while traveling would be appreciated too.

 

[rg35]

I'm not sure where you are staying, but only a handful of hotels at WDW offer wired internet service, which you'd need to hook up a travel router (unless you have one that supports working as a wireless AP. I have no idea how much of a hassle it is to configure these with various hotel wireless setups).

As for having to use devices over WiFi - I've never found WiFi at Disney resort hotels to be that fast. On our last trip we had a near lobby room at AKV Kidani and wireless speeds were so slow it took ages simply to upload images to use on blog posts. I would have been better off using my phone as a hotspot instead of Disney's WiFi. I can't imagine speeds being fast enough for real time video monitoring.

 

[DLgal]

Do your kids have cell phones? Download Whatsapp and use that to video call them to see what is going on. You can even just start a video call and have the kids prop up one phone somewhere so you can see what they are doing at any time. It will eat up your battery, but it's a workable solution. Whatsapp works off either wifi or phone data. It's free, encrypted, and secure.

I use this with my 13 and 15 year old autistic sons when I have to leave them at home alone for short periods of time.

 

[jkstewart1800]

I'm not sure where you are staying, but only a handful of hotels at WDW offer wired internet service, which you'd need to hook up a travel router (unless you have one that supports working as a wireless AP. I have no idea how much of a hassle it is to configure these with various hotel wireless setups).

As for having to use devices over WiFi - I've never found WiFi at Disney resort hotels to be that fast. On our last trip we had a near lobby room at AKV Kidani and wireless speeds were so slow it took ages simply to upload images to use on blog posts. I would have been better off using my phone as a hotspot instead of Disney's WiFi. I can't imagine speeds being fast enough for real time video monitoring.

The router I was looking at was wireless, yes.

 

[jkstewart1800]

Do your kids have cell phones? Download Whatsapp and use that to video call them to see what is going on. You can even just start a video call and have the kids prop up one phone somewhere so you can see what they are doing at any time. It will eat up your battery, but it's a workable solution. Whatsapp works off either wifi or phone data. It's free, encrypted, and secure.

I use this with my 13 and 15 year old autistic sons when I have to leave them at home alone for short periods of time.

We all have phones and lap tops - back in the day we use to just open up skype and leave that running. There are two other teenagers and his step brother who is almost 13 who will be around... its more for the moms to just take a look see. I was concerned that lap top up with skype would make it appear to be a bigger deal than it was. KWIM

 

[sponica]

I saw on the resorts board (I think), someone who had tried to set up alexa had issues with reauthenticating the wifi connection on a daily basis. Or something to that effect.

 

[DLgal]

We all have phones and lap tops - back in the day we use to just open up skype and leave that running. There are two other teenagers and his step brother who is almost 13 who will be around... its more for the moms to just take a look see. I was concerned that lap top up with skype would make it appear to be a bigger deal than it was. KWIM

I get what you are saying. I think a few text messages check ins with "everything okay" should suffice. I would imagine the older kids would text or call if anything becomes difficult for whatever reason.

On our trip last year, we left our boys in the room at Beach Club and went over to the bar for a drink for an hour. Every 15 minutes, I texted my older son "are you and your brother okay?" He answered yes every time. If he hadn't, I could have been back in the room in 5 minutes. If there had been older, typical kids in the room with them, I would likely have not even checked in.

Maybe start by having dinner or drinks nearby, at the same hotel. If it goes well, move further away, into the parks, later in the trip.

 

[jkstewart1800]

I get what you are saying. I think a few text messages check ins with "everything okay" should suffice. I would imagine the older kids would text or call if anything becomes difficult for whatever reason.

On our trip last year, we left our boys in the room at Beach Club and went over to the bar for a drink for an hour. Every 15 minutes, I texted my older son "are you and your brother okay?" He answered yes every time. If he hadn't, I could have been back in the room in 5 minutes. If there had been older, typical kids in the room with them, I would likely have not even checked in.

Maybe start by having dinner or drinks nearby, at the same hotel. If it goes well, move further away, into the parks, later in the trip.

We have been leaving the kids alone for awhile now.... it's just been a rough summer with middle school transition etc and I was hoping that we could just use the same supports we have at home. Thank you for your kind words and support.

 

[DLgal]

We have been leaving the kids alone for awhile now.... it's just been a rough summer with middle school transition etc and I was hoping that we could just use the same supports we have at home. Thank you for your kind words and support.

The school transition years are the worst! I totally understand what you are dealing with.

Our oldest had a terrible time with middle school, and ended up needing medication for severe anxiety. Thankfully, HS transition was a literal piece of cake. He just clicked with the school and teachers and it has been great. My youngest started middle school the same year as the oldest started HS. I was a complete mess at this time last year! Youngest did great, though. Hopefully things will go smoother for you this year.