Why are Disney Resorts so behind the times(internet access)

[safetymom]

You would need to have the local dial up number for your Internet provider. A local call is 75 cents. No per minute charges.

Most hotels that have high speed also have a tech support line that you call if it isn't working in your room. Sometimes it isn't your room but your laptop that doesn't have the correct settings for that high speed provider. I have had that several times at hotels across the country. They had to change some settings with me over the phone. Other hotels it worked just fine.

 

[oogieboogie]

Your laptop should have a built in modem already installed in it. If you see a phone jack, then you have a modem.

What you do is hook up a phone line from your laptop to the phone's dataport and then dial a local access number. The cost would be your local phone charge and/or your connection fee if the ISP requires it.

Check with your broadband ISP and see if they offer local access numbers. If not, you can sign up for cheap/free dial-up internet access like peoplepc, netzero/juno, etc.

I use juno's free account when I travel. It gives me 10 hrs a month to use and that's usually enough for a 10 day trip if I use the internet 1 hour per day.

 

[Wampy2]

kelscross,

Ditto everything you said for us as well!! My DH will also flip!!! When are you going? We're going 1/22-29. We'll have the two swearing husbands!!

 

[Threehearts]

When we recently stayed at the Poly I unexpectedly had very urgent business to attend to and had to receive and send many faxes. I had to go from the Hawaii building to the GCH since the CMs in concierge were not prepared to let me fax things, even for a fee(understandable with their tiny greeting area). The front desk told me that I would have to go to the GF or CR to use their business center. This was inconvenient to say the least. I've never needed a business center before so I'm not sure if what I was told is accurate but if your husband needs to do serious business, I might consider another resort. Have a great time, whatever your decision. Threehearts

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Threehearts, I think that's why Kelcross switched to the GF.

T&B

 

[Gaiusrex]

If I don't bring a computer with me, is there still a place I can get online? I really only need to check-in for 10 or 20 minutes during my vacation, and I don't want to bring a laptop.

 

[ducklite]

There are business centers at the BW, YC, S/D, CR, CSR, and GF. All have computer access, $40/hour, $10 per 15 minute increment, a small per page fee for printing.

Anne

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Isn't it amazing how we are all different. I shudder at the thought of bringing my laptop to WDW. The last thing I want there is internet access. However I understand that for those individuals/ families that need it, a lack of access must be frustrating.

 

[John Dobbertin]

Few items to remember here: While Disney was not updating its hotels to accommodate internet access, it dropped $1 billion (that's right -- with a B) on GO, for those of you who remember that one. As far as not catering to business people, WDW has a very large percentage of business for conventions & conferences. We'll never know that percentage, but it is large. If WDW is to remain competitive in that biz segment they had better be on the cutting edge of technology!

 

[mirlow]

Originally posted by ducklite
There are business centers at the BW, YC, S/D, CR, CSR, and GF. All have computer access, $40/hour, $10 per 15 minute increment, a small per page fee for printing.

Anne

I am amazed that our room at the Polynesian was $430 and they want us to go to the GF and charge us another $40 an hour to use the business center.
We were gone for 11 nights and the only way we could go as a family is if my dh could check in on his business. He only has to do it for about 30 minutes every other day. He ruined his laptop during our stay. Of course it was a major disruption to have to trek over to the GF to do business.
Give me a break about planning accordingly.
The concierge staff at the AKL were nice enough to let him make a FREE copy during the end our stay.

 

[safetymom]

There are many hotels that charge to use the business center across the US. It isn't just Disney.

If anyone needs to conduct business while away from home they need to carry the tools to do it with. To depend on a business center in a hotel is not a wise business decision.

Just my opinion. Yes I travel for business.

 

[CarolA]

Disney does NOT want you on your laptop. It is the same reason they don't have pay per view movies. They want you out in the parks spending money!

And yes, I can't recall ANY hotels with free business centers. I do stay at some with free internet, but anything else costs.


I have used Disney's high speed numerous times with no issues.

 

[Gaiusrex]

Work?!? Pshaw! I gotta get online to make my weekly football picks

 

[dpuck1998]

Originally posted by Gaiusrex
Work?!? Pshaw! I gotta get online to make my weekly football picks

LOL....me too

Nowdays there a way too many reasons we need internet access. I can't imagine going a week without it. That said, I stayed at the Poly last week and borrowed a friends AOL account, logged in via dialup and was able to do what I needed at night while the kiddies slept. High speed is nice, but not a huge deal.

 

[John Dobbertin]

Ever notice the postings for meetings at GF, YC, BW, CS? Those are serious business meetings for serious business folks. OK if they brought spouse & children along. However, WDW obviously does Big Business in conventions & conferences -- they must provide excellent Internet access from the sleeping rooms (as they're called in the hotel biz).