Who has patience to answer some stupid router questions?

[jekjones1558]

Background: I have used my Airport Express with my laptop and my iPhone with no problems. But this fall during our family trip we will have 4 rooms. I can live with an ethernet connection on my laptop and use 3G on my iPhone in our 1 bedroom. DSis can do the same in her 1 bedroom. But we will have a 2 bedroom and a GV where there may only be iPads and iPod Touches so we will need routers in those 2 units.
I can give my Airport Express to one room. Stupid question #1: Since the AE has already been configured and used at BWV will there be any trouble with signing in with only wireless devices that have never been used with the AE? Stupid question #2: I will need to buy another travel router. Is it possible for me to set up the new router with my laptop at home and have it ready to go for the iPads/Touches in other rooms?
TIA to anyone who can help.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Sorry I can't help but we will have a similar situation next year so I'll be watching to see what the experts say

 

[disneynutz]

Usually you need a computer to accept the terms and conditions once every 24 hours per internet account. Once accepted the "i" devices will work just fine.

It's suggested that you set up the router at home to verify that it works correctly. At WDW it should be plug and play.

Just a reminder that you need to make sure that security is enabled on each router and that you provided the key to all of your users.

Bill

 

[jekjones1558]

Usually you need a computer to accept the terms and conditions once every 24 hours per internet account. Once accepted the "i" devices will work just fine.

It's suggested that you set up the router at home to verify that it works correctly. At WDW it should be plug and play.

Just a reminder that you need to make sure that security is enabled on each router and that you provided the key to all of your users.

Bill

I kind of figured that there might be a computer needed to verify. I am not sure whether all of the rooms will have a computer. It will be kind of a pain in the neck, but if some rooms have no computer can the same computer be used to verify in several rooms? E.g. can I bring my laptop to the rooms with only iPads/Touches to verify each day? Or will the system not like it that the same computer is being used to verify in multiple rooms? Gosh but I am dumb on this stuff.

 

[dmoore22]

I kind of figured that there might be a computer needed to verify. I am not sure whether all of the rooms will have a computer. It will be kind of a pain in the neck, but if some rooms have no computer can the same computer be used to verify in several rooms? E.g. can I bring my laptop to the rooms with only iPads/Touches to verify each day? Or will the system not like it that the same computer is being used to verify in multiple rooms? Gosh but I am dumb on this stuff.

If the rooms are adjacent to each other you may be able to get by with just your AE as long as the other wireless devices are within range. You can verify with Safari on the iPad, iPod touch, or iPhone as long as the router was previously set up before arrival. The authorization is to the room, not the device.

 

[vicki_c]

I've read of others bringing only their router and their iPad. I don't know why you would need a computer. Both iPads and iPhones have Internet access. But I admit I haven't really thought it through and we haven't traveled yet without our laptop.

 

[jekjones1558]

If the rooms are adjacent to each other you may be able to get by with just your AE as long as the other wireless devices are within range. You can verify with Safari on the iPad, iPod touch, or iPhone as long as the router was previously set up before arrival. The authorization is to the room, not the device.

Thanks. This is just what I needed to know. I realize that I need to do set up at home if I get another AE because (for now) you need a computer to configure the AE and set up security (it's not just an online process) and I don't want to mess with doing all that with my computer while at WDW. I don't think we will chance being able to get by with one router. All rooms are BW view and so it may be tough for the rooms assigner to get so many next to each other, even though we have requested that. Thanks for your help!

 

[Best Aunt]

Someone on here once suggested going to apple.com, finding the phone number for sales, and calling to ask if they have an refurbished airport expresses available. I did that, and saved quite a bit of money. The website didn't show any refurbished ones, but when I called they told me they had one available. Since it lives in my Owner's Locker, I was happy to save money on it.

 

[disneynutz]

During our stay in June we had problems getting the connection in the room working. After calling support we were told to use the laptop to authenticate not the iPad. I never got an explanation, don't know if it was a Safari or some other issue. We have also connected with iPad without the computer but I don't want to take a chance.

The router may or may not have the distance that you will need in a GV. I would bring a second router just to be safe. If you have one at home, just pack it.

Bill

 

[jekjones1558]

Thanks for the info, Bill. I will not be surprised if we end up having problems signing on, but there will be at least 2 computers among us so we can work it out one way or another. I have not had very good luck with WDW tech support. Once when I was having an issue with email while at WDW I spent a long time with Disney tech on the phone and no resolution. I called AppleCare and the issue was solved in 5 minutes, even though the problem was not with my Apple product.

 

[Kidanifan08]

I was just at OKW 2 weeks ago and had no trouble accepting the terms using my first generation iPad. I had a Trendnet travel router, rather than an AE. I did not try accepting the terms with my iPhone.

 

[disneynutz]

Here is a helpful hint. The internet connection is designed to log you off after x amount of inactivity. If I am typing a long post, (I type slow), sometimes when I hit the send key, the connection is gone and I have to log back on to the internet. If you have a email program that can be set to check for emails every few minutes, the connection will stay up until you decide to shut it down.

Bill

 

[jekjones1558]

Here is a helpful hint. The internet connection is designed to log you off after x amount of inactivity. If I am typing a long post, (I type slow), sometimes when I hit the send key, the connection is gone and I have to log back on to the internet. If you have a email program that can be set to check for emails every few minutes, the connection will stay up until you decide to shut it down.

Bill

Thanks, Bill. I'll switch my email preferences accordingly. I have in the past typed some relatively long trip report posts online and had the connection quit. So now I copy after a short time so I don't lose everything. It bugs me to have to log in every time I go online, so I usually just use my phone connection to check email.
I just ordered another Airport Express. I'll set it up at home, try it with an iPad and bring my old laptop with the set up software installed just in case. And since I have 60 days of free phone support from Apple, I'll just call them if I run into trouble. It will be a miracle if all of the wireless devices and laptops can connect in all 4 rooms. (I have read too many posts on these boards about internet problems to assume that I could be so lucky.) Thanks again for all your advice!

 

[jekjones1558]

Someone on here once suggested going to apple.com, finding the phone number for sales, and calling to ask if they have an refurbished airport expresses available. I did that, and saved quite a bit of money. The website didn't show any refurbished ones, but when I called they told me they had one available. Since it lives in my Owner's Locker, I was happy to save money on it.

I did call and they had one. It is on its way. I also plan to leave it in my locker because I have another that I keep at home for trips to other places (not that there are many other places without wi-fi)!

 

[Cap]

I had no problem earlier this month accepting the terms / signing on using my iPad. However, the frequent timeouts were annoying. I would much prefer that it let me sign on / renew the ip address once every 24 hours. But, I could use the iPad to sign on, and sign on, and sign on, ...

 

[dmoore22]

I had no problem earlier this month accepting the terms / signing on using my iPad. However, the frequent timeouts were annoying. I would much prefer that it let me sign on / renew the ip address once every 24 hours. But, I could use the iPad to sign on, and sign on, and sign on, ...

We've had no issues signing in with an iPod touch or our iPhones. We've not had any timeout issues -- yet.

 

[disney_bob]

A few things... you don't need a computer. Accessing a webpage from any device will get you to the acceptance page.

You really could have saved a lot more money by not getting an Airport Express (refurbished or new). You can get some used wireless routers for $10-15 that work just as well. Its amazing how Apple's marketing gets people to spend 100-500% more than they need to. Kudos to them.

And finally, you should familiarize yourself with the router beforehand and configure it with the security options before leaving. Its just easier if you aren't tech savvy and don't want to waste time at the resort.

 

[jekjones1558]

A few things... you don't need a computer. Accessing a webpage from any device will get you to the acceptance page.

You really could have saved a lot more money by not getting an Airport Express (refurbished or new). You can get some used wireless routers for $10-15 that work just as well. Its amazing how Apple's marketing gets people to spend 100-500% more than they need to. Kudos to them.

And finally, you should familiarize yourself with the router beforehand and configure it with the security options before leaving. Its just easier if you aren't tech savvy and don't want to waste time at the resort.

Thanks for suggestions. I appreciate the fact that you and others have been so kind to take the time to post on this thread. I do already have an AE that is configured and secure and I plan to set this one up the same way. I did check out a couple of other routers that have been recommended on this forum but I decided on the refurbed AE because it is so compact, no cables and will be super easy to store in my Owner's Locker. Also, some folks have reported problems despite the fact that it seems that shouldn't happen. I will have AppleCare as a back-up to solve problems. This trip will be fun but there will also be a certain amount of stress involved because of the size of the group and the fact that the kids are still pretty small. My goal is to NOT have tech issues add any more stress.
Thanks again.

 

[kimpossible]

There are 2 different types of AE's that are refurbished. The cheaper one says you need Windows Vista or XP. Does it work with Windows 7 as well?