Wireless Internet?

[Magic4UsZ's]

How much does it cost for internet?

We are renting points and I thought I saw here on the boards that it was free to DVC members.

Does anyone know how this works?

 

[doconeill]

It's wired, not wireless, internet access (wireless is available in some areas of some resorts, but it might be through a different provider).

Free internet won't start until "sometime in the Spring", and I'm not sure it will apply to non-members, even staying on a points reservation.

 

[drusba]

Free access is supposed to be for members only. It has not started yet. Currently access is $9.95 per 24 hours for anyone staying in a room and that is a charge per computer since the buy-in access keys to the particular computer.

 

[PEANUT1]

I thought the free internet started already. Am I wrong...anyone? We are going in 4 weeks and planned to bring our laptop.

 

[WolfpackFan]

I thought the free internet started already. Am I wrong...anyone? We are going in 4 weeks and planned to bring our laptop.

We were there two weeks ago and it wasn't free then.

 

[Magic4UsZ's]

Do you know what constitutes "spring"? We will be there starting May31st.

I'm thinking my cousin used his laptop last year but it cost him so much per day. Maybe $10 a day?

I was hoping we might luck out and be able to have internet for free, dont know if i want to "drag" along the laptop anyway, but if it was for free that might change my mind.

 

[Lynne M]

We are renting points and I thought I saw here on the boards that it was free to DVC members.

It will be free to DVC members. In general, renters aren't entitled to the member perks. You may get lucky, but I'm finding that they're getting stricter about asking to see the blue member card when you try to use one of the perks.

 

[Magic4UsZ's]

I understand.

One recent trip we were eating at Olivia's for lunch and the waiter said since I was a DVC member (looking at my room key) then winked and smiled, then told me he had taken my DVC discount off. Which was totally unexpected but very nice.

 

[PEANUT1]

It will be free to DVC members. In general, renters aren't entitled to the member perks. You may get lucky, but I'm finding that they're getting stricter about asking to see the blue member card when you try to use one of the perks.

do you know when it starts?

 

[doconeill]

do you know when it starts?

It starts when it starts, and unfortunately that's about as accurate an answer as you can get right now.

They have to adjust the system to figure out how to bill those that need to be billed, and not those who don't. That might be taking longer than expected.

 

[Lynne M]

do you know when it starts?

Sorry, I have no idea when or if it will be available.

I think I packed more meaning into "it will be free to DVC members" than I intended to. I wasn't trying to say "It WILL be free to members", meaning that I knew for sure when it was coming. I was aiming for "It will be free to MEMBERS", meaning that free internet will be for members, not renters.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[PEANUT1]

that is a real bummer! i am so glad for these boards bc i thought for sure it would be ready by now. Oh well. i think we will still bring the laptop for movies and all anyway. thanks

 

[Magic4UsZ's]

I had to chuckle when I read it "starts when it starts". Sounds like something I might say to my kids!!!!!

 

[glovelsu]

i called OKW desk last week with this exact question and she said it was available there for free for members now. whether this is the case when we check in or not is a different story.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

do you know when it starts?

We were down 3/21 - 3/28 at SSR. There was still a charge at the time and when I asked MS when the free internet would start, I got the "You're guess is as good as mine!!!" Gotta love that one!

It sounded like there were some systems' changes required, so if that's the case, I'm sure "spring" was a target. I can't help but think if it was close, MS would have known the date. Oh well...maybe my August trip!!!

 

[DaveH]

The free internet I have no idea. I was told and have seen most perks are for anyone staying in a room on points. The room card says DVC member on it. That is all they have to show. The one perk I can think of right now not available to anyone in the room is the annual pass. Dinning discounts and such are available to anyone in the room. The means guest that are in the room rather they rent or you drag along.

 

[mikeandkarla]

Let me start by stating that we have only been members since Feb. 2007. I find it very amusing that an outfit the size of DVC can not seem to be more efficient in anything they do. I mean really, how hard would it be to start giving members free internet service immediately? Just verify the reservation is made using points and turn the darn ethernet cable on. It seems to obvious that they (DVC) are exploiting thier members for $9.95 daily charge for internet access until they catch more heat. How long did it take them to reverse the whole no glass and mug policy in studios after a tremendous backlash of unhappy members? Not very long, maybe a week at the most. I think if we start pouring our concerns about this internet thing to the DVC satisfaction team, something may get done. I am afraid if we just sit back and not push the "Spring" issue, we may not have free internet until Spring 2009. If you feel so inclined to vent to someone that may impact the situattion, here is the place to do it: DVCMemberSatisfactionTeam@Disneyvacationclub.com

 

[doconeill]

It's a little more complex than simply "turning it on". The internet service is provided under contract for all Disney resorts by a third party. It's $10/24hr no matter what resort, DVC or not, you stay at.

In order to provide it for free to members, they have to figure out how to distinguish members from non-members in the 3rd party's billing system, and bill appropriately (I'm sure DVC is getting a bill - albeit much smaller - for this).

It's also why there is a more likely differentiation between members and non-members - it's not a simple as flashing your room key.

 

[rstackjd]

It's a little more complex than simply "turning it on". The internet service is provided under contract for all Disney resorts by a third party. It's $10/24hr no matter what resort, DVC or not, you stay at.

In order to provide it for free to members, they have to figure out how to distinguish members from non-members in the 3rd party's billing system, and bill appropriately (I'm sure DVC is getting a bill - albeit much smaller - for this).

It's also why there is a more likely differentiation between members and non-members - it's not a simple as flashing your room key.

But it's the most magical place on earth Surely someone can just wave a and make it work?