Wifi Routers, what did you use?

[jharrowell]

Hi Guys! *waves*

It's been mentioned before that some people took a wireless router to WDW and plugged it into the HS internet in their room and got it working so that all of their wireless devices could access the service.

I'd like to give that a go too, so could those who have done this before tell me what router you used and what the process was to get it working?

(If anyone's interested, I intend to live stream the Kidani Savannah once I get there.)

 

[alanapapa]

I just went to FRY'S and asked for the least expensive wireless, I think it is a BELKIN. We used it last October at SSR and had no problems. It is now in our OL waiting until next trip to WDW.

I just saw you are from WALES. FRY'S is a electronics store here.

Where in Wales, my DW's mamgu and dadcu were from Llanelly (I know it is spelled Llanelli now)

 

[Brandis]

When I travel, I take my Apple AirPort Express from home with me. Just plug it into a power outlet and connect the LAN cable to it and you are ready to go. It keeps all its settings so you will have the same encryption as at home. It's quite small and flat, so easy to pack and it costs around $99.--

 

[mckryan]

I have this router from Netgear.

I would set it up at home so that if you have any issues connecting your devices that you can get that cleared up before you go. Make sure you turn on the password protection unless you want to share your connection with others staying near you. Once you get there, all you should have to do is plug it in the HSIA point and log in through the Disney internet screen that pops up.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Here is the one I use. http://www.pacificgeek.com/product.asp?c=212&s=1059&ID=85154&P=F

It works well. Keep in mind it plugs directly into the wall power outlet. It comes with a 6' cable, but I usually carry a longer cable in my laptop case in case the LAN connection is far from a power outlet.

 

[Disnydad]

We have an old Belkin we had laying around at home that we now leave in our Owners Locker.

 

[kt-scarlett]

We brought our Belkin on our recent trip and, maybe it was our room location or the phase of the moon but the signal was "dial-up slow." Sadly, I don't think well be trying WiFi at WDW anytime soon.

 

[Disnydad]

We brought our Belkin on our recent trip and, maybe it was our room location or the phase of the moon but the signal was "dial-up slow." Sadly, I don't think well be trying WiFi at WDW anytime soon.

That could be the modem in the unit you were in. Last trip we stayed in a OKW Grand Villa and the connection was awful - slow, could not connect, broken connection whether I used my router or connected witht the cord. I made several calls to the IT people there and it never did get corrected. At the end of the GV stay I moved into a OKW studio and my router worked just fine (and fast).

 

[bwvBound]

We use the HiPort WiFi router from T-Mobile's @Home phone service. While we carry the router back and forth on each trip, we leave a cordless phone system in our Owner's Locker. The router, once connected, gives us both wireless internet and our same-as-home unlimited domestic calling telephone plan.

Setup is a snap ... connect HiPort to power and to DVC's ethernet router, fire up laptop, open browser which redirects to a user agreement page, accept the agreement ... and done.

Aside, for those wondering why I bother leaving a phone system in my OL: I host virtual conference events and spend ~3-4 hours several times each week on the phone. Carrying my own "free long distance" is nice ... and having a reliable speakerphone makes it even better.

 

[Moparlar]

We also use the Mac Airport express. Very small and easy to use.

LArry

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Another Belkin here. it was the cheapest one available at Target at the time. Lives in our Owners Locker now.

 

[Micca]

Dumb question: I use a router at home. If I get a separate router to take to WDW will I have to change settings on my laptop when I return home? Would it be smarter just to take the router from home?

 

[skm]

Another user of the AirPort Express. Easy to use and carry. Worked great at OKW.

 

[Candace]

Dumb question: I use a router at home. If I get a separate router to take to WDW will I have to change settings on my laptop when I return home? Would it be smarter just to take the router from home?

I want to piggyback on your question. I bought an extra router to leave in my Owners Locker down there, but it said I had to insert the cd to set it up. Do I? Since my laptop is already set up with my home wireless router? My laptop does not have a cd/dvd drive built in, so I couldn't do it. Could I have just plugged it in at OKW and it would have worked? Sorry for sounding so ignorant, but hey, I am when it comes to some of this stuff! LOL!

 

[etpinge]

I want to piggyback on your question. I bought an extra router to leave in my Owners Locker down there, but it said I had to insert the cd to set it up. Do I? Since my laptop is already set up with my home wireless router? My laptop does not have a cd/dvd drive built in, so I couldn't do it. Could I have just plugged it in at OKW and it would have worked? Sorry for sounding so ignorant, but hey, I am when it comes to some of this stuff! LOL!

If you have the same - or at least similar - equipment at home and on the road - you should be ok. The only thing the CD might be needed for is the initial configuration. But if you want to have some fun, you can always use a web browser and web into the admin and config as needed.

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

I want to piggyback on your question. I bought an extra router to leave in my Owners Locker down there, but it said I had to insert the cd to set it up. Do I? Since my laptop is already set up with my home wireless router? My laptop does not have a cd/dvd drive built in, so I couldn't do it. Could I have just plugged it in at OKW and it would have worked? Sorry for sounding so ignorant, but hey, I am when it comes to some of this stuff! LOL!

Yes you would have to load the drivers for you router and they could be downloaded by plugging in with your laptop, download, install drivers and you would be good to go. Plug router up get it wireless and configure....thats what I do with our linksys

 

[etpinge]

Dumb question: I use a router at home. If I get a separate router to take to WDW will I have to change settings on my laptop when I return home? Would it be smarter just to take the router from home?

Leave your home router at home. Ripping apart your home network can make your return home more of a headache than you may want.

As for the laptop communicating on multiple WiFi routers, the laptop can handle this very nicely and easily. When the "new to the laptop" router is up and running, on the laptop have your client look for new wireless network and join that SSID.

That way you leave the travel router in the OL and come home and your laptop will just work. Then you go back to the travel router, and you will just work.

Of course, if you delete the SSID settings, you will have to reconnect. Dont forget your SSID password in case you take new equipment.

Happy surfing

 

[Dean]

We use This router and it works well. Acts as a router or access point. While I use a Mac at home, I travel with a work computer that I cannot make any changes in. With the AE you have to have a program on a computer to set it up. Doesn't have to be on the computer you'll travel with but if not and you have problems, you won't be able to make changes. Overall the D link is smaller and lighter than the AE with the full cord. Both are fine pieces of equipment.

 

[Sheribo]

I have this router from Netgear.

I would set it up at home so that if you have any issues connecting your devices that you can get that cleared up before you go. Make sure you turn on the password protection unless you want to share your connection with others staying near you. Once you get there, all you should have to do is plug it in the HSIA point and log in through the Disney internet screen that pops up.

Same here. DH and I carry blackberries as well and turn off the data when roaming. When we walk into the room, they jump on the WIFI and email is updated. I know, I know... it's vacation so what's up with that? Long story - I could live without mine but DH wouldn't be able to vacation without it.

 

[d-r]

I always just throw the belkin router we use at home in the bag. Just unplug it here, plug it there. The laptop knows it, it knows the laptop. Plug it back in when I get home. Probably done that 1/2 dozen times, no worries. Come back home and the blue ray player and desktop pc and wii act like it was never gone.