Wi-fi for DVC renters

[Disneyfanfour]

Hi,

If we're renting from our DVC member friends, do we get the free wi-fi? How does Disney check whether you're a member and can use this feature? We know our friend's member number, but we're not actual members ourselves. Can we give the front desk that number and get it free then?

 

[vicki_c]

A - there is no "wi-fi" only wired Internet access.

B - you *probably* won't be charged, but no guarantee. Officially, only DVC members staying on points are supposed to get it for free, but often renters do as well. The real issue is that IF they charge you, you will have no recourse to have the charges removed since you are not a member.

You don't have to provide any number or anything - you log on, it says you are accepting the $9.95/day charge and you have to agree to that, but at the bottom of the screen it says something like "no charge for DVC members".

And there have been a few more recent posts suggesting that members are getting charged in error now more than in the past and have to go to the desk with their member card to have it reversed (and you don't have a member card).

 

[Disneyfanfour]

What is the current charge for non-members?

 

[sissy_ib]

What is the current charge for non-members?

It's $9.95 for 24 hours.

I was charged two weeks ago. I settled my bill half way through the trip and when I got to my room and looked at the bill I had to call the front desk to be credited. When I settled the bill at the end of my trip I asked to see the print out first, and we were charged again. Took a few minutes, but I was credited the amount.

 

[erionm]

What is the current charge for non-members?

$9.95 for 24 hours

 

[Deb & Bill]

We've been charged in the past, too, and had to show our Blue DVC Member ID to get it removed.

 

[thebigman65]

We were charged for 3 out of 5 nights on our last stay but had it reversed right away with no problem. As stated above you may not be able to. As for wireless. Yes it is a wired connection but all you need is a wireless router and your good to go.......

 

[Sammie]

We have been charged too and were required to show our member card to have it removed.

I wish they would just ask for our member card when you check in and that way they would know up front, member or guest/renter.

 

[ValpoCory]

We are renters, and luckily we have one of the new smart phones that generates its own Wifi 4G hotspot. So we will use that for our "free" internet. That comes in handy with my iPod Touch Disney apps that give you realtime line length information.

That's interesting that renters won't know if it's free until the bill comes with the charge on it or not. I won't risk it.

 

[Brandis]

Used the internet all week in October, no charge at the end of the stay. Have a wifi router in my Owner's Locker, works perfectly for my iPad and iPhone.

We stayed at VWL. First I plugged the wifi router into the outlet right under the table, marked HSIA but got no signal. Then I noticed that there was a modem plugged in between the regular phone outlet and the phone and when I plugged the router in there it worked perfectly.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are renters, and luckily we have one of the new smart phones that generates its own Wifi 4G hotspot. So we will use that for our "free" internet. That comes in handy with my iPod Touch Disney apps that give you realtime line length information.

That's interesting that renters won't know if it's free until the bill comes with the charge on it or not. I won't risk it.

Non-members renting a reservation from a member shouldn't expect it to be free because it's a member perk. Not a member? No perk.

 

[Caren]

Non-members renting a reservation from a member shouldn't expect it to be free because it's a member perk. Not a member? No perk.

But members' annual fees pay for that Internet access, so shouldn't all stays on points have free Internet? After all, a member paid for it even if a non-member is staying there. To me that's like saying towels are a member perk.

In any case, I think the whole thing is preposterous. Cheap motels by the Interstate routinely offer free wireless and Disney offers expensive wired Internet that may or may not work right. I've found that on rainy days, there are often so many people online at once that throughput grinds to an agonizing crawl.

 

[vicki_c]

But members' annual fees pay for that Internet access, so shouldn't all stays on points have free Internet? After all, a member paid for it even if a non-member is staying there. To me that's like saying towels are a member perk.

In any case, I think the whole thing is preposterous. Cheap motels by the Interstate routinely offer free wireless and Disney offers expensive wired Internet that may or may not work right. I've found that on rainy days, there are often so many people online at once that throughput grinds to an agonizing crawl.

A - our fees don't pay for the Internet - it's a membership perk (=free, not part of our dues). Not guaranteed, can go away at any time. That's why it's for members only, staying using their membership.

B - As to the other, you can read numerous threads on this on the Resorts boards but most of the higher-end hotels do not offer free Internet, and it's usually priced at $15-20/day. The lower end places offer free Internet because they have to to compete with the other low end hotels. And those places' wireless is usually questionable as well in terms of reliability and definitely in terms of security. On top of that, Disney would rather people be out spending money than surfing the net in their rooms.

 

[lowe@massed.net]

We have been renting points from DVC members for the past 7 years and have never, ever, been charged for Internet access - I we use it every trip. Just lucky, I guess.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

A - there is no "wi-fi" only wired Internet access.

B - you *probably* won't be charged, but no guarantee. Officially, only DVC members staying on points are supposed to get it for free, but often renters do as well. The real issue is that IF they charge you, you will have no recourse to have the charges removed since you are not a member.

You don't have to provide any number or anything - you log on, it says you are accepting the $9.95/day charge and you have to agree to that, but at the bottom of the screen it says something like "no charge for DVC members".

And there have been a few more recent posts suggesting that members are getting charged in error now more than in the past and have to go to the desk with their member card to have it reversed (and you don't have a member card).

I am confused. We have only stayed ad VB and HHI for the last few years, but we've been waiting and now have used Wi-Fi at both. It has been my understanding that VB and HHI were the last to get it. We accessed the Wi-Fi at both resorts without any login required.

Has WI-FI been changed? Is it now a charged service? Or, not available? Maybe my memory is failing

 

[TDC Nala]

I am confused. We have only stayed ad VB and HHI for the last few years, but we've been waiting and now have used Wi-Fi at both. It has been my understanding that VB and HHI were the last to get it. We accessed the Wi-Fi at both resorts without any login required.

Has WI-FI been changed? Is it now a charged service? Or, not available? Maybe my memory is failing

I do not know what they have at VB and HHI, but at WDW it is a charged service UNLESS you are a DVC member. It has always been a charged service. It's only been free for DVC members for a couple of years.

There is no Wi-Fi in WDW resort rooms, it's all wired internet.

When you first plug in, you get a login screen. You are supposed to acknowledge that when you log in there will be a charge. It also says the charge does not apply to DVC members. I have not been billed in error yet, but I know it does happen, so always check your bill before you leave and make sure you were not charged if you are a member.