Wi-Fi In Disney Resorts

[Cmdr_Crimson]

How come they don't have Wi-Fi at the resorts?

 

[Hakunamatata]

I dont know. Maybe because they just got finished fitting all resort rooms with high speed internet connections. Wi Fi may be on its way...

 

[Chape19714]

WiFi was recently installed across the Wide World of Sports complex. The cruise line also uses WiFi. It's probally not away from resort installation.

 

[mousermerf]

They do, the following locations:

Disney's Beach Club Resort

Main Lobby area
Stone Harbor Club Concierge Lounge
Stormalong Bay Pool area


Disney's BoardWalk Resort

Convention Center Lobby area
Main Lobby area
Luna Park Feature Pool area
Inn Keepers Club Concierge Lounge
Bellevue Lounge


Disney's Contemporary Resort

Main Lobby area
Tower Club Concierge Lounge
Outer Rim Bar (near Concourse Steakhouse)
1st Floor Convention Center Lobby
2nd Floor Convention Center Lobby
Main Feature Pool


Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

Main Lobby area
Convention Center Lobby area
The Dig Site Feature Pool
Francisco's Lounge


Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

1st Floor Main Lobby area including Garden View Lounge
Convention Center Lobby area
Royal Palm Club Conceirge Lounge


Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Main Lobby area
Regatta Club Concierge Lounge
Convention Center Lobby area
Stormalong Bay Pool

 

[Victoria]

Eventhough Wi-Fi is what is at the forefront of Internet access right now, I am pretty sure Resort wide Wi-Fi is still a few years away. Considering they just finished installing Hi Spees in all the rooms, I highly doubt they are gonna "throw away" all that work and money and begin converting to Wi-Fi. I think the constellation prize for quite some time is going to be having Wi-Fi in common areas in certain resorts (as evidenced by Merf's list) Personally, I would love if I could get Wi-Fi in my POFQ room next week but honestly, I am in Disney to go to the parks, not live in front of my computer. I live in front of my computer at home so the last thing I want to do is be chained to it when I am in Disney. Yes, I bring the laptop with me but I will probably only log on once a day (to add to my WDWMagic trip report of course!) I think the majority of WDW visitors do the same.

On another note, I think it is kind of funny that all of the resorts that have Wi-Fi have it in the pool areas. Something tells me computers and pools just shouldn't mix....Wi-Fi or no Wi-Fi. :lol:

 

[NeedABreak]

I would love to see Wi-Fi in the resort rooms. Most of the little chain hotels around here have it in every room.

I install Wi-Fi as part of my job and I could see them waiting for the full release of 802.11N technology to start putting it in the rooms. 802.11 N would be able to cover something like two floors of one wing in the value resorts with one access point. These access points will likely retail at at least $100 a piece. No doubt Disney would buy in bulk and get a discount but that would still add up when you do the math.

Of all the resorts I beleave the Contemp. would be the easiest to create a really good network for. With that large open lobby they could mount the access points at alternateing channels in diffrent places and be able to get wi-fi in everyroom. The suites would most likely need there own access point because they have kitchens (don't they?) and appliances like that kill wireless if the signal has to pass through them.

 

[mousermerf]

Speaking from personal experience from staying at several resorts and knowing folks working at various hotels..

Wi-Fi isn't all it's cracked up to be. Most places that say they have it really have a home wireless router in the lobby and you're luckey if it'll work. This includes places like Sheratons and Hiltons - if it works when the corporate test stay comes through, they get to say they have it.

Other places are hard wired like WDW and some even have PCs in the rooms or internet TV. Internet TV sucks. It is just a pain and horrible. Then everytime I use "high speed" on an in-room provided PC, for example the Gaylord Palm, i end up with speeds slower than dialup.

I've used some nice wi-fi systems though, but those places usually offer the options of hard wiring yourself in too, which is typically faster and more reliable.

Really, why do you need to sit in the hallway and have the internet? They give you cables that go anywhere in your room, and if you did goto a common area as mentioned aove, they offer it. Of course the the non-convention resorts dont offer it, but do they need to?

 

[Victoria]

Speaking from personal experience from staying at several resorts and knowing folks working at various hotels..

Wi-Fi isn't all it's cracked up to be. Most places that say they have it really have a home wireless router in the lobby and you're luckey if it'll work. This includes places like Sheratons and Hiltons - if it works when the corporate test stay comes through, they get to say they have it.

Other places are hard wired like WDW and some even have PCs in the rooms or internet TV. Internet TV sucks. It is just a pain and horrible. Then everytime I use "high speed" on an in-room provided PC, for example the Gaylord Palm, i end up with speeds slower than dialup.

I've used some nice wi-fi systems though, but those places usually offer the options of hard wiring yourself in too, which is typically faster and more reliable.

Really, why do you need to sit in the hallway and have the internet? They give you cables that go anywhere in your room, and if you did goto a common area as mentioned aove, they offer it. Of course the the non-convention resorts dont offer it, but do they need to?

Bingo. I stayed at the Sheraton in Chicago. They had the option to do both. The first time I used my comp there I used the Wi-Fi. I could barely get a signal. I gave up after about 15 minutes even though I had paid for 3 hours. The next time I used it I used the hard wired Hi-Speed in the room. Much cheaper, lasted longer, and the speed was pretty good. I kinda expected more from a high end hotel.

I dont see the need for Wi-Fi in every room of non-convention hotels either. Joe and Sally Tourist (and their 2 Jr. Tourists) staying at the All Star Sports don't generally even bring a computer with them so Wi-Fi in every room there would be a ginormous waste of time and money. Hi Speed and the prices that go along with it are just fine for me considering the amount of time I actually spend on the computer when in WDW.

 

[wdwmagic]

You cant beat a nice bit of cat5 network cable in your room for Internet access.