Resort Internet Service

[radioandy]

We just returned from seven great days at the Caribbean Beach, with royal treatment from all CMs for my son's 7th birthday. No big complaints...except...isn't it time for WDW to provide wireless and/or free internet at the resorts?

I understand that some deluxe resorts have that, but why not all? Driving home on I-75 we saw billboards for the $29.99/night Budgetels offering free wi-fi. (And yes, I know the Budgetel doesn't have pirate ship beds or room attendants making bunny rabbits out of the washcloths...we love you Daphne!)

My biggest problem was that the ethernet cable plugged in to the wall behind the nightstand between the beds. So the only way I could use the computer was sitting on the bed. If they're going to charge $9.99 per day, at least make it semi-convenient to use, right?

It seems odd that WDW - of all places - would lag behind the technology gap in this area. They boast that their $9.99-sit-on-your-bed internet service is MUCH faster than dial-up. Well Great Goofy, I would hope so! I was also impressed with the air-conditioned room and color TV.

It's not a deal-breaker for me, just frustrating and disappointing. The only way I can take 7 days from work is to be able to check in online...I'm sure I'm not the only one in that situation. If they can make the animated turtle have a dialogue with me, why can't they provide wireless internet? :shrug:

 

[lazyboy97o]

This is actually a common practice in the hotel industry. The thought is that if you can afford the cost of the room you can afford the cost of internet access.

 

[tampabrad]

I don't think it is common practice to charge for internet anymore. Most high end (and I guess non high end) resorts and hotels offer free wi-fi. I am actually surprised Disney doesn't offer it everywhere. I am more surprised they are still on "plug in". It took them a while to get i-docks, maybe 5 years from now they will get wireless.

Most coffee shops and bars offer free wireless around here.

I guess if you are on the internet, you are not spending money at the parks, shops, or restaurants. They have to make sure you are spending money all the time.

 

[‰‰‰‰‰‰‰‰‰‰‰‰‰‰‰]

I've always been disappointed with the lack of WiFi at the Disney Wolrd Resorts. It's a little ironic when you consider that Epcot is all about embracing technological advancement and connecting the world. Even my grandmother doesn't plug in her computer anymore.

 

[djpoore94]

I don't think it is common practice to charge for internet anymore. Most high end (and I guess non high end) resorts and hotels offer free wi-fi. I am actually surprised Disney doesn't offer it everywhere. I am more surprised they are still on "plug in". It took them a while to get i-docks, maybe 5 years from now they will get wireless.

Most coffee shops and bars offer free wireless around here.

I guess if you are on the internet, you are not spending money at the parks, shops, or restaurants. They have to make sure you are spending money all the time.

It has actually been my experience that the more "high end" hotels do charge for internet. While traveling for work we get comp and discounted rooms at places like Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, Omni, etc and they all still charge for internet access. Last year at the Hyatt in Chicago it was $14.99 per 24 hour block of time. Needless to say we either use our smartphones or the access in our staff room at the convention center!

 

[Figment1986]

they will either charge $10 a night for parking, or $10 a night for internet... Mind you if your a DVC member staying on points you will get free internet.

This topic is one of those I feel gets talked to death.

 

[rkelly42]

I do not believe any of the hotels give free wifi, other than if your a DVC member like figment just said. So you could stay in any Deluxe or Value and will still have to pay the $10 internet fee. Last trip I needed to be able to connect for work everyday, so it cost me a $100 by the end of the trip.

 

[csaguy]

?

Our last stay in SSR, they charged for internet and we used points. Luckily I charged it as a work expense. WiFi is OK, but I would rather be connected by cable, 56k vs 100k.

 

[kapeman]

Our last stay in SSR, they charged for internet and we used points. Luckily I charged it as a work expense. WiFi is OK, but I would rather be connected by cable, 56k vs 100k.

In most cases, your connection to ISP is going to be much slower than the 100Mbps for wired or even the 54Mbps for wireless.

Your connection is only as fast as the slowest link in the chain.

 

[mastif]

I do not believe any of the hotels give free wifi, other than if your a DVC member like figment just said. So you could stay in any Deluxe or Value and will still have to pay the $10 internet fee. Last trip I needed to be able to connect for work everyday, so it cost me a $100 by the end of the trip.

ouch, $100? when you put it like that it seems really expensive. with the plan im on right now, i'll have broadband internet at my house for 5months before i spend $100.

 

[RiversideBunny]

In the year 2020 WDW will offer free wireless internet access in all the resorts.
That's my guess based on the apparent urgency or lack of it.

First all the commodes have to be converted to automatic flush.
Priorities rule.

:king:

 

[bgraham34]

Our last stay in SSR, they charged for internet and we used points. Luckily I charged it as a work expense. WiFi is OK, but I would rather be connected by cable, 56k vs 100k.

If you stayed on points at SSR all you needed to do is show your DVC card and they would have refunded you.

 

[DisneyParksFan]

Most higher brand hotel companies do not offer free wi-fi. One of the reasons is because of location. If the hotel is say located in Downtown Chicago, how many people would be using the free wi-fi?
Too many.
And most of those people will probably not even be hotel guests, but rather people searching for free wi-fi. The hotel does not what all those people using up the service.
In this case, is is understandable to charge for wi-fi.

Though, I do feel that wi-fi should not have a fee attatched to it at the WDW resorts.

 

[Master Gracey 5]

Its never bothered me - WDW is an escape for me and I don't mind being out of touch for a week. Its actually quite relaxing.

Cost may be an issue in the short term when there are other issues, but it always gets cheaper. They also have a lot more ground to cover than most hotels since none of the resorts are highrises so that increases the cost of installation.

I'm sure they'll install wireless in the future, but wouldn't make it free to help keep the demands on the network lower. Too many people trying to connect to wireless through laptops or smartphones and the system will grind to a halt.

 

[fosse76]

Most higher brand hotel companies do not offer free wi-fi. One of the reasons is because of location. If the hotel is say located in Downtown Chicago, how many people would be using the free wi-fi?
Too many.
And most of those people will probably not even be hotel guests, but rather people searching for free wi-fi. The hotel does not what all those people using up the service.
In this case, is is understandable to charge for wi-fi.

Though, I do feel that wi-fi should not have a fee attatched to it at the WDW resorts.

I once stayed at the Marriott in downtown Chicago and the wi-fi was free. But you are right. It's generally places that don't have foot traffic that offer free service.

 

[DizneyPryncess]

I have found that free internet is almost never where I stay - whether it's Disney or elsewhere. I usually feel like I end up paying per 24 hours of use, and sometimes a hotel will refund it as part of a special. I go to NYC for work every season, and I've always paid there. Probably as others have said, because of location.

If free internet was offered, it would be a lot harder for me to get my husband away from fantasy sports and into the parks.

 

[KingdomHeart]

A lot of places I've seen offer free wifi - you just need to show your room card and request the login information. That's how it was at two of the Disneyland Good Neighbor hotels.

I don't think WDW needs to offer free wifi, even. Just maybe better than $10/day considering the number of people who stay 1+ week.
-Nicholas

 

[lazyboy97o]

A lot of places I've seen offer free wifi - you just need to show your room card and request the login information. That's how it was at two of the Disneyland Good Neighbor hotels.

I don't think WDW needs to offer free wifi, even. Just maybe better than $10/day considering the number of people who stay 1+ week.
-Nicholas

That's an extra $70 on top of what? At least $700 in room expenses. $1200 in ticket expenses for a family of four. Food costs. Souvenirs. It is a bot of a vicious cycle, but its the same thought. If you can afford the high costs of A, B, and C, then D should not be a burden either.

What Disney needs to be wary of is cell phone based connections. Why pay $10/night when my phone, netbook, laptop, mi-fi router, e-reader, etc. can just connect via the cell network free of additional charges? It may get to a point where Disney would be better off ending direct internet access for guests, and maybe partnering with a mobile carrier to offer aircard rentals.

 

[Dwarful]

We arrive on Saturday at our resort. I find it ironic that I find this thread immediately after I get an email from Disney telling me to check my email daily while I am staying at their resort to get special discounts, offers and promotions that will end when I check out. The email also stated that the offers would change daily so I need to check often. Hmmmm, maybe not too many people are paying that $10 daily fee.

 

[dxwwf3]

I wish they would charge to use the TV instead of the internet. Especially now that the Resort TV program hasn't been good in years :lol:

Seriously, you would think that eventually they will stop charging for internet in the rooms. Internet is every bit as commonly used as television, or at least it is with myself and those I know. Soon it's going to be something that is pretty much expected to be free at a paid resort.