WiFi in the parks?

[DreadpiratK]

Is there wifi access anywhere in the parks? We're going in Sept, and my DD 18 will have just started college, but she's going on-line her first semester and she's worried that if she has to be 'in class' at a certain time during the day she'll have to leave the parks to do it. Does anyone know?

Also, if so, where would be a good quiet place for her to sit and do her work for an hour of so during the day?

Thanks for any help.

 

[chartle]

Is there wifi access anywhere in the parks? We're going in Sept, and my DD 18 will have just started college, but she's going on-line her first semester and she's worried that if she has to be 'in class' at a certain time during the day she'll have to leave the parks to do it. Does anyone know?

Also, if so, where would be a good quiet place for her to sit and do her work for an hour of so during the day?

Thanks for any help.

There is no public wifi in the parks. there is actually very little wi fi at all on property. I think there is a spot at Fort Wilderness and at some of the convention hotels.

Even so all internet access on property is 9.95 per 24 hour period.

 

[vway2552]

I seriously see this question asked almost every day.


There is no Wifi ANYWHERE in the parks. You can pay to have the internet in your resort room which i think is $10 per day. I've heard the Mcdonalds near the allstar resorts has free internet (when I went in 2008 it didn't)

I too needed the internet (on my trip in 2008) at that time coronado springs (i think, the hotel with the conference center) had free wifi tho that might have changed by now.

 

[wildeflowers]

Ugh, unfortunately, Disney is really behind the 8 ball on this!

I do know that the contemporary has a business center that is open until 2 am, so she could take the monorail from Epcot or MK to do some work there. That would probably be the quietest, most convenient place to get some homework done. HTH

 

[doconeill]

Was she going to take her laptop into the park to do the work? I wouldn't, period...too much chance for it to get damaged or lost.

Wi-Fi networks, especially over wider areas, are not cheap to set up and not easy to maintain, which is why you don't even have it at the resorts, and is subject to all sorts of interference (and themselves cause interference with other things).

If being online is that important while in the parks, you can do it via a cell broadband connection through one of the several major players. That will work in the parks. Verizon even has a "Mi-Fi" device that bridges between the cell broadband and Wi-Fi, although their data rate costs are high. Some cell phones can also act as a bridge (commonly called "tethering").

 

[DreadpiratK]

Wow, thanks for all the quick responses. Our last trip to Disney was long enough ago that WiFi was not really around much. I'm surprised Disney doesn't do something for this, but then again, how often would it really be an issue? I'd be surprised if they don't have it in many areas for CM's, just not the public. A system that would allow that many potential users on would be very expensive.

If anything we'd bring a laptop and put it in a locker for the day and only get it out when she needed to use it.

I have a netbook with an air card if needed but hopefully we can arrange it so she can do everything back at the rental house, not in the parks.

Just trying to ease DD's stress, she's excited about college, but also wants to go on this trip with us, and we really want her to go as well. Very bitter-sweet when they get too old for the family vacation. My oldest is already off at college and won't be going with us.

 

[Robo]

As a veteran of many trips to Disney back when I was a school-aged kid, I am trying to imagine sitting somewhere in a Disney park and getting anything like HOMEWORK actually done.

Whatever "work" I accomplished would have been a bit sub-par, I'm afraid.

 

[DreadpiratK]

As a veteran of many trips to Disney back when I was a school-aged kid, I am trying to imagine sitting somewhere in a Disney park and getting anything like HOMEWORK actually done.

Whatever "work" I accomplished would have been a bit sub-par, I'm afraid.

LOL. For me as well, but somehow I've managed to raise very conscientious and over-achieving children. They didn't get it from me, that's for sure! My advice was just to blow off class and have fun! Good thing, someone has to take care of me in my old age.

 

[doconeill]

I'd be surprised if they don't have it in many areas for CM's, just not the public. A system that would allow that many potential users on would be very expensive.

They do have them for internal use only, but generally within the attraction buildings, not so much on the outside.

Not only would it be expensive to have a wide-area system with transparent hand-off, etc...but you'd find yourself sharing all that precious little bandwidth with everyone's iPhone/iPod/Droids/etc. Wi-Fi can be fast IF there is only one device using it...the more chatter there is, the less useful it is...

And, like Robo, I think my work would be FAR sub-par...unless it was a Disney assignment

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

I think there is no wifi is the parks because your "not suppose" to be sitting around at tables on the internet. If they had wifi getting a seat to eat might be a ruff...just my thoughts.

 

[pooh2001]

Our best suggestion (DH always does work at WDW - go figure, he is an attorney and work never ends ) - stay at a convention resort.

The convention resorts have places where you can use their computer if necessary (I would bring your own laptop), printers you can use, mailing services (USPS and FedEx), mail and paper suppiles and more.


The Contemporary is great but is a Deluxe, so you will pay more for your room. The Coronado Springs also has a computer area to use, but it is a moderate hotel without the Deluxe bells and whistles.

Our choice - the Dolphin. You can get great rates with AAA, public discounts, AP, teacher, nurse, military...just ask to see what you can qualify for.
The Dolphin rooms are 360 sq feet, has wonderful pools including the 3 acre Grotto pool, you can walk to EPCOT (and DHS) or boat, the location can not be beat.

The Dolphin has a great 'office' area to use.
My DH used his laptop, the Dolphin's printers and FedEx service to do work. He bring his own envelopes and letterhead paper. He used the Dolphin 'office' area from 9 AM to 1 PM one day. My DD, DS & myself went to the Grotto pool and then ate lunch at the Dolphin fountain. We did 'take-out' for my DH's sandwhich.
That day we had a wonderful time at the Grotto pool, DH was in a happy mood since he was able to complete his work and we were in EPCOT by 2 PM to enjoy WDW.

Also have your DD ask her teachers for the assignments & work. My DH also teaches at a local college and is happy to help students if they give him some notice.

 

[KCMiller]

I have internet access with my Droid - will that work in WDW?

KC

 

[Robo]

I have internet access with my Droid - will that work in WDW?

KC

If it is 3G or 4G, yes.

It it is Wi-Fi, no.

 

[duketennisgal]

I believe the McDonalds at Crossroads has free wifi, it's very close and might be an option if you can't find something else.