Using iPad at the Resort

[Disneylvr]

We recently bought out first Apple product, the iPad 2. It uses WiFi for Internet so I am assuming there is no way I am going to be able to connect to the Internet at POFQ. Correct?

 

[OKW Lover]

Correct.
But you could bring a small WiFi travel router with you.

 

[Disneylvr]

Correct.
But you could bring a small WiFi travel router with you.

Might just bring my netbook instead but is a small WiFi travel router easy to use for someone who isn't really a techy?

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

We recently bought out first Apple product, the iPad 2. It uses WiFi for Internet so I am assuming there is no way I am going to be able to connect to the Internet at POFQ. Correct?

my iPad has the 3G built in, you might check and see if yours has that. You can log on and just buy a month's worth of coverage for like $25.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

and once you pay that $25 you can use your iPad anywhere... driving down the interstate, in hotels, anywhere you might be going.

 

[Disneylvr]

my iPad has the 3G built in, you might check and see if yours has that. You can log on and just buy a month's worth of coverage for like $25.

Mine does not. We bought the cheapest one. It is actually DD's and she uses it for school lessons and communication (she is special needs). The apps she uses won't need WiFi but it would be nice to also use to check email etc..

 

[MatzoRella]

Check out the D-Link DAP-1350. You would follow the simple instructions to configure it as an access point (no need to configure it as a router). There are other, comparably compact models on the market as well. You could read the user manual online to see whether it falls within your techie scope.

 

[Disneylvr]

Check out the D-Link DAP-1350. You would follow the simple instructions to configure it as an access point (no need to configure it as a router). There are other, comparably compact models on the market as well. You could read the user manual online to see whether it falls within your techie scope.

Thank you MatzoRella!

 

[vacationclub]

Thank you MatzoRella!

I haven't done this, but just be sure connecting a wireless access point is withing the terms of service you must agree to.

I know at most Disney resorts (except for Aulani that I just got back from) you must load a web page first (every single day or time you restart your computer) enter your room number/passcode, then click "accept" etc before they will grant access to your MAC address. Not sure if having another device in between (with it's own MAC address) will mess this up.

Disney still seems behind the times when it comes to internet access at most of their resorts...either wired only, or wireless only with very poor reception (like at Vero Beach) and the daily, or even hourly, sign in process that makes you tear your hair out. Aulani was the first time they had perfect covereage everywhere with no sign in...but maybe they haven't implemented it yet.

I sometimes use my phone to tether my laptop...

 

[luvthemouse71]

There are MiFi devices you can get that are portable. You can even get them prepaid now. Virgin Mobile has one. Last trip, I brought my iPad( wifi only, 1st generation) to WDW and used my iPhone to tether it. Worked great.

I have an iPad 2 now, and got the 3G one this time.

 

[beccasmom]

Another vote for the MiFi. It is the size of a credit card and I use mine all the time with my iPad both at home and at WDW. Very easy.....and you can use 4 other devices with it as well (if other family members need WIFI too).

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

My husband has used his Droid to create a hotspot, but I think there's some kind of monthly charge to do that. But it's another option.

 

[raven69david]

We use our EVO's HotSpot to connect our iPod's and iPad so that we can surf the net and do our online banking, and such, while on vacation. The cost for a Hotspot is $29.99, for Sprint. If you are able to root your phone you do not have to pay for it. WiFi is offered for free via the Android OS (i.e. the phone comes with free WiFi), but the phone companies block it and make you pay for it. When I'm not using my hotspot while in the room, I leave it open to the public so that my fellow Disney lovers can use it for free. I label it "Free Disney Wifi".

Of course, you can always tether but that's something quite different. Since you mentioned that you're not too tech savvy, I won't get too much into it, but at least you have something to read about (PDANET is what you can search for).

 

[Stan Solo]

I brought my iPad and iPod with me this past Auguest. I left my iPad in my room (POR) I used it to download the pictures I took during the day so I had a fresh memory stick each day. The iPod I used the Disney map app and had all my daily plans and ADRs on it. I had it with me at all times. In all of Disney World I was only able to find two spots with free wifi (I checked often) and at the Orlando airport.

 

[tpettie]

my iPad has the 3G built in, you might check and see if yours has that. You can log on and just buy a month's worth of coverage for like $25.

Can you tell me more about how to go about buying this? Can it be done if your coming to Florida from Canada ?

 

[rcraw45425]

I also use the EVO's hotspot. Wish I knew how to root it, that $29.99 charge is a bit hard to swallow.

 

[blue65829]

I have an iphone 4 with Verizon service that I am going to use as a mobile hotspot so I can have internet on the iPad 2. It costs $20 a month, so I expect I will turn it off after our trip.

The huge bonus to this is that we also bought some cables to connect the ipad to the tv in our room, so we should be able to stream netflix movies through the iPad onto the tv. That probably sounds excessive, but we usually go in slower seasons where the parks aren't open too late, and like to spend some time unwinding with a movie or tv in the evenings.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

I use my Droid phone as a mobile wifi hot spot. You can connect up to 5 devices at a time. It's very very easy to set up and use. I run my iPad off it often.

It's 2 gigs of usage for $20. I can add it and take it off as needed thru Verizon's website or the My Verizon app on my phone.

 

[Lindy Loo]

Can we use a business centre type laptop, just to email home (30 mins max) to the UK.
I will take an ipod touch and in our lovely hotel on i drive wifi is FREE
( thats why we are staying there 2 out of 3 weeks) but at POFQ not too sure. I'm not techy at all !!!!

Hope the front desk will let my dd email back to her dad, as it could be a court instruction that she has to email daily ??? ( we are divorced)

 

[SnackyStacky]

Check out the D-Link DAP-1350. You would follow the simple instructions to configure it as an access point (no need to configure it as a router). There are other, comparably compact models on the market as well. You could read the user manual online to see whether it falls within your techie scope.

I have something similar from Apple. It's an Airport Express. It retails for $99. You set it up with an easy piece of software on a computer before you leave. I used it on our last trip and it worked great! Just ow that no matter what sort of wireless device you use, you'll have to pay the $9.95 daily fee for Internet.

I haven't done this, but just be sure connecting a wireless access point is withing the terms of service you must agree to.

I know at most Disney resorts (except for Aulani that I just got back from) you must load a web page first (every single day or time you restart your computer) enter your room number/passcode, then click "accept" etc before they will grant access to your MAC address. Not sure if having another device in between (with it's own MAC address) will mess this up.

Disney still seems behind the times when it comes to internet access at most of their resorts...either wired only, or wireless only with very poor reception (like at Vero Beach) and the daily, or even hourly, sign in process that makes you tear your hair out. Aulani was the first time they had perfect covereage everywhere with no sign in...but maybe they haven't implemented it yet.

I sometimes use my phone to tether my laptop...

You do have to do this, but I was able to just open safari on either the iPad or the iPhone and get through that agreement page without a problem.

Can you tell me more about how to go about buying this? Can it be done if your coming to Florida from Canada ?

I'm not sure which providers in Canada sell the iPad service - but I would imagine you could use it in Florida. If a Canadian provider that offers 3G service on the iPads has a physical store, just go in and ask an employee. They should be able to let you know whether or not you'll be able to use the iPad in the states.

To the person with the cord you use to connect to the TV - try before you depend on using it with NetFlix. I tried doing that once, and I think (but am not sure I'm remembering correctly) that the cord wouldn't work with The NetFlix app. LOVE that cord though!!!!