How do you actually get online with wireless?

[Laura]

Obviously when you're at a hotel with free wireless internet you just open up your network list and click on the one that pops up for the hotel you're at.

But with Disney charging for wireless internet, how does that work? Do you just do the same thing except you get a pop up credit card screen when you try to access it? Or do you have to go to the lobby and order it for 24 hours?

Do you have to cancel it after 24 hours to keep from being billed again for the next day, or will it automatically shut off after 24 hours?

Allearsnet doesn't have the Polynesian listed in the Wi-Fi section but I could have sworn I read that they had wi-fi there.

 

[HauntedPirate]

What I've experienced at other hotels, during my business travels, is that Internet access, wired or wireless, is for a 24-hour period. After that, you must renew, whether you have to pay or not.

What will typically happen is that you will open your web browser, and have to go thru a series of screens. One of these screens will be about billing rates and accepting the charge to your room.

Personally, with so, so, SO many other hotels offering free high-speed Internet or wireless access, charging for it makes Disney seem cheap. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Pjmac]

Ooopppssss

You can check into free Wi-Fi hotspots for Florida as well. Free hotspots are beginning to become more and more frequent. Of course you want to make sure you have your PC's firewall settings in place for protection. You can actually do a Google search for "Free wi-fi hotspots" and you will get numerous hits for sites listing these free hotspots through out the US. I am looking at taking my first trip to WDW in June06 and have never been to Florida, but it looks like Kissemmee and Orlando have a number of free hotspots. I would post some links but am new to this site and am not familiar with the policies of listing hyperlinks in the forums. Also, I found a web site www.notebookforums.com. If you go there work your way to Notebook forums>General Notebook Disussion>Notebook Guides> and search for a post titled "A wi-fi guide (wireless setup, hotspots, and security). This is a very good post on how wi-fi works, how to setup a wireless network in your home and how to use hotspots. Hope this has been helpful. Have a nice day!

P.S. I also saved the post in a pdf format if you cannot find it. I would be glad to post the article if that is acceptable on this forum.

 

[wdwmagic]

Obviously when you're at a hotel with free wireless internet you just open up your network list and click on the one that pops up for the hotel you're at.

But with Disney charging for wireless internet, how does that work? Do you just do the same thing except you get a pop up credit card screen when you try to access it? Or do you have to go to the lobby and order it for 24 hours?

Do you have to cancel it after 24 hours to keep from being billed again for the next day, or will it automatically shut off after 24 hours?

Allearsnet doesn't have the Polynesian listed in the Wi-Fi section but I could have sworn I read that they had wi-fi there.

After you connect to the network for teh first time, you open a web browser. If you attempt to go to any website, you will be taken to the payment screen. You enter the credit card details, and are then granted access for 24 hours. After 24 hours, your access will be stopped, and you will need to pay again. There is no automatic rebilling.

Lost of information and availablility info at http://www.wdwmagic.com/internetaccess.htm

 

[Sherm00]

i know I may be in the minority here but why would you want to be stuck behind a computer monitor when your at disney world? I would be out and about till the wee hours come back to catch a few zzz'z and be out bright and eairly. but thats just me (I'm stuck behind a computer 24x7 everyday though).

 

[wdwmagic]

i know I may be in the minority here but why would you want to be stuck behind a computer monitor when your at disney world? I would be out and about till the wee hours come back to catch a few zzz'z and be out bright and eairly. but thats just me (I'm stuck behind a computer 24x7 everyday though).

LOL unfortunately some people due to their jobs, have to remain in contact to do various tasks (I am one of them, and trust me, I would rather not have to). High Speed in a hotel room is such help for us that have to do that.

 

[Laura]

i know I may be in the minority here but why would you want to be stuck behind a computer monitor when your at disney world? I would be out and about till the wee hours come back to catch a few zzz'z and be out bright and eairly. but thats just me (I'm stuck behind a computer 24x7 everyday though).

I run my own internet business and since I'll be in Disney for 11 days I'd like to check my email about halfway through just to make sure I don't have any customers that need me. I'd also like to upload my vacation pictures to my website halfway through the trip (I'm always afraid if I don't upload pictures right away that something will happen to my laptop and they'll be lost forever).

Now every site I look at says that Poly has regular old high speed that you need a cable for, but according to Tikiman "High speed wireless internet access is available for $9.95 per 24 hour period as of August 15th". I guess it doesn't really matter, but I prefer wireless so I don't have to be stuck in my room.

 

[shari71]

I am a web developer and while I don't want to be on the job for vacation, I like to upload my photos so they don't get lost. Also like checking the wdwmagic site :lol:

Last two years I have gone without, while it is ok, I do get a little withdrawal. I don't need lots of time but a 5-10 minute window cures me and I am ready to go. Have to go back for nap time anyway with the kids so I don't always want a nap as well.