Wi-Fi spots in the parks?

[Dizzy over Disney]

My husband and I downloaded the app for his Itouch for the parks. Now we are wondering.. will we be able to use it in the parks

 

[FigNewton]

My husband and I downloaded the app for his Itouch for the parks. Now we are wondering.. will we be able to use it in the parks

It depends on the app. You say "the app" but there are hundreds - some are just databases, some actually require a network connection (like Lines). If if requires a network connection then no, not without a mobile wifi device from a cell carrier, like the MiFi. If it's just a maps app or something, then you can use it.

 

[chartle]

There is no wi fi in the parks and very little at the resorts. There is a list of spots floating around the boards, but they have never been confirmed.

 

[LaurenT]

I don't know about the mod and value resorts, but the delux ones have free wifi in the lobby. There is no wifi in the parks themselves...you'd need the I Phone, not I touch I guess....

 

[mrbghd]

I don't know about the mod and value resorts, but the delux ones have free wifi in the lobby. There is no wifi in the parks themselves...you'd need the I Phone, not I touch I guess....

This is not 100% correct. There was at one point at a couple of them but it was beign tested and as of not too long ago was no longer offered.

OP, there is essentially no FREE wifi on property anywhere. You may be able to pick up an open/unsecured network sometimes at some places. But there is nothing consistent or reliable for your use.

 

[chartle]

I don't know about the mod and value resorts, but the delux ones have free wifi in the lobby. There is no wifi in the parks themselves...you'd need the I Phone, not I touch I guess....

Have you actually connected at these resorts? I ask because the only free wi fi that I every heard of was at the BW, it was up for a year and then just stopped.

The only wi fi that I know that is consistent is at the convention resorts and its still not free. The only free wi fi that I know of is at WWS. Also people staying DVC get free internet.

 

[Swank]

One of the few places I found free wifi was at Blizzard Beach. I was at the main counter service location.

 

[chartle]

One of the few places I found free wifi was at Blizzard Beach. I was at the main counter service location.

Thats one of the oddest places for one of these "rogue" hot spots to pop up. Who is going to be carrying a laptop or a wi fi enabled smart phone around a water park.

Wait why were you carrying a laptop around a water park?

 

[SDSorority]

Rumor has it Big River Grille at Boardwalk has free wifi that has a pretty strong signal. I haven't been down there to check it out since I heard the rumor, though.

 

[DISHoppy]

Thats one of the oddest places for one of these "rogue" hot spots to pop up. Who is going to be carrying a laptop or a wi fi enabled smart phone around a water park.

Wait why were you carrying a laptop around a water park?

Doesn't have to be a laptop. Smart devices like an iTouch use WiFi. I'd use WiFi with my Android phone over 3G if I had the choice. It's also possible someone could have created a hotspot using their smartphone.

-Kevin

 

[chartle]

Doesn't have to be a laptop. Smart devices like an iTouch use WiFi. I'd use WiFi with my Android phone over 3G if I had the choice. It's also possible someone could have created a hotspot using their smartphone.

-Kevin

I was mostly wondering why anyone would carry anything, even a flip phone from the '00's, around a water park. I guess though some people would carry around an itouch because they can't go 2 minutes without their music in their ears.

As for the MiFi or smartphone spot, I wonder if this is how people are finding these hotspots in parks. Because frankly where else would they come from? Some of them just seem to pop up out of no where and Disney has no reason to spend money to give guests wi fi in the parks.

 

[rie'smom]

We have always been able to connect at WDW with our old internet enabled phones. Last year with my iPhone I had no problem connecting to either the internet or using my Apps.

 

[LaurenT]

my I phone had a perfectly fine signal, but I think the OP is using an I touch - which I don't think has cell phone capability.
I didn't use the lobby wifi, since I am DVC and had a free ethernet connection in my room, but I thought it said it was available in the paperwork in the room...we were at BCV...are you sure they don't have it?

 

[DISHoppy]

I was mostly wondering why anyone would carry anything, even a flip phone from the '00's, around a water park. I guess though some people would carry around an itouch because they can't go 2 minutes without their music in their ears.

As for the MiFi or smartphone spot, I wonder if this is how people are finding these hotspots in parks. Because frankly where else would they come from? Some of them just seem to pop up out of no where and Disney has no reason to spend money to give guests wi fi in the parks.

Well, I'd bring my phone, but it would be locked up in a locker most of the time for sure. I wouldn't want to repeat the mistake of getting into a pool with a flip phone in my trunks pocket.

I'm seeing more of the spots as folks are either rooting their phones, or paying the premium for them. I certainly would be doing that in the parks, tho. Maybe @ a resort for friends & family, but not for Joe 6-pack in the parks.

-Kevin

 

[rie'smom]

my I phone had a perfectly fine signal, but I think the OP is using an I touch - which I don't think has cell phone capability.
I didn't use the lobby wifi, since I am DVC and had a free ethernet connection in my room, but I thought it said it was available in the paperwork in the room...we were at BCV...are you sure they don't have it?

Thanks for the correction! Sorry OP, I misread. Blame it on old age, if I see App, I automatically think iPhone.

 

[LaurenT]

I just found this, which seems to infer that the lobby has wifi...I thought I read something in the room about it being in the lobby as well...could be wrong though...
http://disneymeetings.disney.go.com/dwm/resorts/resortAmenities?name=YachtandBeachClubAmenitiesPage

 

[chartle]

We have always been able to connect at WDW with our old internet enabled phones. Last year with my iPhone I had no problem connecting to either the internet or using my Apps.

Yes but were you using WiFi or 3G to connect to the net on your iphone.

The OP has an itouch and any app that requires a data connection will not get a connection.

 

[rie'smom]

Yes but were you using WiFi or 3G to connect to the net on your iphone.

The OP has an itouch and any app that requires a data connection will not get a connection.

Honestly, I didn't notice which I used. My phone is set to use WiFi and my phone goes to WiFi first. If it can't connect, then it uses 3G.

 

[chartle]

Well, I'd bring my phone, but it would be locked up in a locker most of the time for sure. I wouldn't want to repeat the mistake of getting into a pool with a flip phone in my trunks pocket.

I'm seeing more of the spots as folks are either rooting their phones, or paying the premium for them. I certainly would be doing that in the parks, tho. Maybe @ a resort for friends & family, but not for Joe 6-pack in the parks.

-Kevin

Maybe they turn on the hot spot and then don't turn it off. Of course then they wonder why their battery dies so quickly. But now that i write this don't they come preconfigured with security, at least WEP? Anyone that would turn it off wouldn't probably know how to turn off a WEP code.

I'll be going on a few trips over the next 5 or 6 months and will have my work droid incredible. I can justify having the 3G hot spot turned on for those trips since I may have to login to kill a print job or something. Our Verizon rep says we can turn it on for I think a two week stretch at a time. So they wouldn't have to pay for it all the time.

 

[chartle]

Honestly, I didn't notice which I used. My phone is set to use WiFi and my phone goes to WiFi first. If it can't connect, then it uses 3G.

It would have had to be using 3G, also doesn't it prompt you when you connect to new device?

I can't imagine that it would just connect to any open WiFi without asking you if you wanted to connect.