Hallelujah! WDW, A complimentary Wireless Internet (WiFi) Pilot program

[HauntedGabe]

All Ears is reporting in their newsletter:

A complimentary Wireless Internet (WiFi) Pilot program is in effect at a limited number of areas of select Walt Disney World resorts:
-- Since March 25, guests at the Contemporary Resort have been able to take advantage of free wireless internet in: the lobby, main pool area, The Wave Restaurant and lounge, and the Convention Center common areas.
-- Since April 16, guests in Coronado Springs Resort's Casitas Building One and the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa's Sugarloaf Building have been able to take advantage of free wireless internet.
When you connect to the network using a wireless-enabled device (e.g. laptop, cell phone, etc.), you will see a network option labeled "Guest * Access (unsecured)." Click on that option, and you will be taken to a screen that prompts you to accept the terms and conditions. After accepting the terms and conditions, you will have free wireless internet access. Internet access is available in areas that aren't part of the pilot program for a fee: $9.95 per day for public areas (wireless) and guest rooms (wired). This pilot program is testing a new configuration of wireless/cell phone coverage. After the pilot is complete (in about 30 days), Disney will evaluate the results and will consider expanding wireless access to other areas of Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

[20K]

Some wag had a great Tweet about this a week or two back...

words along the lines of

"Nice to see WDW is now offering something that most Holiday Inns had years ago. What's next? Color TV?"

[missbounce]

Excellent news - better that than never, I guess?!

[WDW4Ever]

I'd still prefer to have it in my room, however. But beggars can't be choosers. Most people have Internet-capable phones so wifi isn't even completely necessary to have there anyway anymore.

[N.J.boy@N.C.St.]

I know there are great arguments about why you shouldn't have interent while in Disney World...but, for example, I needed access to it while down at the Contemporary (albeit for 2 days) for my cousin's wedding in November to keep up with homework, assignments and e-mails for school...

So I think this is an awesome idea...with the way technology is changing, there are many instances where internet is becoming more of a need than a want

[20K]

I know there are great arguments about why you shouldn't have interent while in Disney World...

Which are? This whole debate evidently went over my head.

[N.J.boy@N.C.St.]

Which are? This whole debate evidently went over my head.

Maybe "great" wasn't the best word to use, but it's just something people talk about...like "why should you need to go on facebook while you're on vacation?"...just stupid stuff like that

[20K]

Fair enough.

I agree personally. I always leave my laptop at home when I go away. I enjoy getting to put these things out of mind and enjoy myself. Same with cell phones.

[N.J.boy@N.C.St.]

I bring my macbook with me just about everywhere...granted, it gets used next to none, basically just at night before I go to sleep...and plus, if I needed to check something on facebook during the day, my blackberry would suit just fine...internet just isn't all that integral on vacation...unless you're in WDW for the weekend and need to keep up with college assignments...there goes $20

[NC_WDW_Daddy]

Be nice to check Lines on the ipod before heading to the parks.

[missbounce]

I find it really useful when I do my solo trips - my hubby likes to get updates from me each day so that he knows I'm safe, and also so he can join in my adventures from England.

[zippitydoodah]

Maybe "great" wasn't the best word to use, but it's just something people talk about...like "why should you need to go on facebook while you're on vacation?"...just stupid stuff like that

I'm not american, so having my phone on during my vacation isn't going to happen (we called our parents for 10 minutes to say we were engaged and it cost $45 on the last trip... roaming fees!!) so having internet to be able to have SOME communication with the outside world would be wonderful. I also take online courses and they don't require toooo much internet time if I plan well, but I can't go a full week without making a few posts.

In theory having no communication with home while on vacation is lovely, but its just too hard nowadays!

[Donaldfan]

I understand about not wanting to use the internet while on vacation. I however have no choice in my job I have a need to communicate via email and check and respond to email daily and I am sure I am not the only one here that requires that vacation or not my laptop goes everywhere I go unfortunately. It is a very good thing wireless internet now just get it at the Beach Club.

I truely do wish I could forget my laptop and reality on vacation at Disney, but it is not my choice.

[HauntedGabe]

I travel always with my laptop. At Disney it gets locked up. I try to forget the other world while I am at the World, I don't want to get snarf'd up into my "real" life. I also don't watch any news or read the newspaper (though my DH does read the sports page).

We heard about the San Fran earthquake one year while down there on accident as my DH attempted to watch a World Series game one evening and it went off line....We got snarf'd into the horrible tragedy and it did interrupt the magic, how couldn't it. So we have that rule now...no outside influences.

Now my I Pod Touch would be great to only hit the app's that would help our vacationing.

[N.J.boy@N.C.St.]

so having internet to be able to have SOME communication with the outside world would be wonderful.

In theory having no communication with home while on vacation is lovely, but its just too hard nowadays!

Agreed. I need it for some stuff definitely as well, but can get by on minimal usage.