NEWS: Internet Charge Discontinued After 5/4/08

[administrator]

From the Member site:

Daily Internet charge to be discontinued effective May 4, 2008

Based on Member feedback, the daily charge for wired high-speed Internet access for Members staying at Disney Vacation Club Resorts at the Walt Disney World® Resort will be discontinued effective May 4, 2008. Guests renting Disney Vacation Club accommodations will continue to pay the daily rate for access, and high-speed Internet access charges still apply to Members staying at non-Disney Vacation Club Resorts.

In related news, plans call for wireless service debut inside vacation homes at Disney's Vero Beach Resort and Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort sometime this year. Look for updates on this Web site as new details become available.

[carolina_yankee]

:clappingh We check in on May 4!!

Dirk

[Kynna]

I have to say I have mixed emotions about this because now we don't have an excuse not to work on vacation. Ah well, better than paying $10 a day to work I guess.

[carolina_yankee]

I'm on my soapbox now. It's vacation! You have every excuse to not work!! I now there are some positions where it's almost impossible to avoid a call or email, and even I like to keep up with things so I don't get hit with big surprises (planned 3 funerals while waiting in lines at attractions), but we Americans have got to learn to take time OFF!!! Otherwise, we'll get grumpy, overweight, and have unhealthy hearts . . .

Dirk

[Steamboat Bill]

I am at the AKL now and the $10 internet is pretty slow but I am glad they are making it free now.

[DVC Mike]

:clappingh We check in on May 4!!


We check-out on May 4. :worried:

[DVC Mike]

I'm on my soapbox now. It's vacation! You have every excuse to not work!! I now there are some positions where it's almost impossible to avoid a call or email, and even I like to keep up with things so I don't get hit with big surprises (planned 3 funerals while waiting in lines at attractions), but we Americans have got to learn to take time OFF!!! Otherwise, we'll get grumpy, overweight, and have unhealthy hearts . . .


Up until now, I have refused to bring my laptop to WDW. I do bring my Blackberry, but only turn it on one time in the morning to see if there are any urgent emails from my staff.

I am on vacation, and leave the "real" world behind, thank you very much!

[cincinmouse]

Now everyone will be able to keep in touch with mouseowners.com even while at Disney. :jumpingbe

[Kynna]

I'm on my soapbox now. It's vacation! You have every excuse to not work!! I now there are some positions where it's almost impossible to avoid a call or email, and even I like to keep up with things so I don't get hit with big surprises (planned 3 funerals while waiting in lines at attractions), but we Americans have got to learn to take time OFF!!! Otherwise, we'll get grumpy, overweight, and have unhealthy hearts . . .

Dirk


I have to say I whole heartedly agree. I am one of the rare few that refuse to give out my cell phone # because I don't think people other than those caring for my children should be able to get in touch with me when I'm away from home AND there are hours of the day I don't answer the home phone regardless of who is calling.

That said, we have a tendency to take more than our fair share of vacations. June trip will be the 3rd trip in 6 months and I miss work due to medical issues so an hour or two after the kids are asleep isn't all that unreasonable request.

It makes me absolutely CRAZY seeing parents on a business call or on their blackberry while they are supposedly having quality time with their family.

My last job kept trying to give me a pager but it somehow kept falling into the toilet. I don't know how REALLY:innocent:.

Part of the reason many people don't get to take time off is because they spend so much time Cyber Slacking so they can't get their job done in the regular hours. Catch 22.

[WDWfan]

:clappingh We check in on May 4!!

Dirk

Me too! :woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

[DarthGoofy]

I'm on my soapbox now. It's vacation! You have every excuse to not work!! I now there are some positions where it's almost impossible to avoid a call or email, and even I like to keep up with things so I don't get hit with big surprises (planned 3 funerals while waiting in lines at attractions), but we Americans have got to learn to take time OFF!!! Otherwise, we'll get grumpy, overweight, and have unhealthy hearts . . .

Dirk

I agree completely.

[carolina_yankee]

We check-out on May 4. :worried:

If it's any consolation, I'll be paying for $10 internet at PO-R from 4/30 - 5/3. :(

Dirk

[greenban]

The thing that excites me the most, is how many more live webcams will be up, now that it doesn't cost $10+ a day (with tax) to host one.

As this is the first time in 5 years that we haven't had a DVC April vacation, *AND* I don't have a countdown timer up (I am afraid of crossing the 20 ressie limit, even though they are all mine this year ;) ).

So I need my WDW fix.

-Tony

[JRandAJsMom]

I'm on my soapbox now. It's vacation! You have every excuse to not work!! I now there are some positions where it's almost impossible to avoid a call or email, and even I like to keep up with things so I don't get hit with big surprises (planned 3 funerals while waiting in lines at attractions), but we Americans have got to learn to take time OFF!!! Otherwise, we'll get grumpy, overweight, and have unhealthy hearts . . .

Dirk

I'm out of town right now, but I'm going to make my DH read this when I get home, haha :) He did the SAME thing (literally!) when we were down there last... We both work for a church... I'm the youth director and he is the music director and coordinates the funerals for our church. It was strange to read about someone else planning funerals in Disney lines...

And I AGREE!!! Vacation is vacation. There are some things that can't be avoided (like funerals) but if it can be put on hold, let it wait... You deserve a break!!! The way I see it, is you'll be that much more refreshed in the end and will be able to get back into the swing of things a little more renewed... People might have to wait a few days, but they'll get a new, improved and rested you when you return and your work will be that much better :)

[cobbler]

We check-out on May 4. :worried:

I know so do we - sigh!

[mkhurley]

Well hopefully they have all the bugs worked out by the 10th when we check in.... :woohoo:

And I just printed off a copy of the DVCMEMBER webpage for when they try to charge me for it anyways.....cause ya know they are gonna....:headscrat

[greenban]

Well hopefully they have all the bugs worked out by the 10th when we check in.... :woohoo:

And I just printed off a copy of the DVCMEMBER webpage for when they try to charge me for it anyways.....cause ya know they are gonna....:headscrat

Sadly, you are so right!

At least you'll be prepared to battle the charges......sigh.......

-Tony

[kdzgon]

I'm on my soapbox now. It's vacation! You have every excuse to not work!! I now there are some positions where it's almost impossible to avoid a call or email, and even I like to keep up with things so I don't get hit with big surprises (planned 3 funerals while waiting in lines at attractions), but we Americans have got to learn to take time OFF!!! Otherwise, we'll get grumpy, overweight, and have unhealthy hearts . . .

Dirk



I do agree we have blurred our lines too much, but choosing from available options, I choose periodic interruptions over staying home. IMO, 8-10 days at Disney with 2-3 days of a couple of hours work (or less) is better than skipping the trip, which is what would happen if I could not log in from the Land of the Mouse.

[richswit]

Thank you MouseOwners for staying on top of this!

As someone checking in on May 8, I'm happy. It's not the daily fee, it's the principle of the thing. I found this fee very petty and disappointing.

As an expat who lives in Australia, the Internet is my low cost lifeline to staying on top of what's going on at "home" 10,000 miles away. I agree with those who say we shouldn't work on vacation. I have a standing order from my office not to bother me unless it is absolutely critical. I rarely if ever get bothered. But the laptop is so convenient for so many other things, including reading MouseOwners.com!

[jamstew]

The only reason I'd be tempted to take my computer would be to upload my pictures every night and email them to my kids and grandkids. I'm not sure it's worth the hassle, though.

[withdisneyspirit]

I am not going to bother with it for my too short Minnie trip but definitely looking forward to it on the next one :computerg

[jimbo2all]

Great news.... however, just a bit confused still... so we will be @ DVC HH on May 17-22... free or not free? much thanks if anyone knows...

[NorweJenNY]

When you consider the general WDW prices going up, and some things being taken away (like aspects of the DDP), it's nice to see a perk, especially for those with long-term commitment to Disney.

[disneyfreak89]

How will they be monitoring whether its a DVC member or someone renting points who uses the free internet? Since we are renting (not DVC member) if we have to pay for the internet, can we go on once a week (24hr) or do we have to pay for it everyday of our stay? :idontgeti

[disneyfreak89]

Anyone? :bigear:

[kdzgon]

How will they be monitoring whether its a DVC member or someone renting points who uses the free internet? Since we are renting (not DVC member) if we have to pay for the internet, can we go on once a week (24hr) or do we have to pay for it everyday of our stay? :idontgeti

Unless things have changed today (and I have seen nothing to indicate such a change) you can purchase it for as many (or as few) 24 hour periods as you desire - it need not be length of stay.

[wdw1972]

I'm sure when dvc said renters have to pay, they mean guests renting the room through CRO for cash. Those are the people who book & pay Disney, get daily housekeeping, etc - for paying through the nose :D

Any reservations booked using points will come up as dvc member reservations. I imagine unless the person checking in makes a bid deal of wanting to inform them they're NOT a member, they'll most likely get the free internet - just as they get most of the other dvc perks because their resort id will say "dvc member".

[disneyfreak89]

Thanks kdzgon and Sue:
That makes sense to me.....I was wondering how they'd know the difference. Good to know....now we can keep in contact with the family back home....alot cheaper than using the phone! :woohoodan

[carolina_yankee]

When I logged on this morning at SSR, the confirmation screen came up with the charge posted, but charged it to a bogus room number. I suspect that's the way it happens for any room booked on points. I would find it highly unlikely they would sort out owner from renter for internet purposes.

As for how many days if you have to pay, you just open your browser and confirm that you want internet. Then, you're givien a 24 hour window of service. At the end of 24 hours, you have to re-up if you want it. It caught me mid-surfing at PO-R and threw me to the sign-up page rather than the page I was trying to link to when my 24 hour period ran out.

Dirk

[disneyfreak89]

Thanks for the live report Dirk! I wondered exactly how it worked since we've never brought a laptop and used the service before. Great info! :highfive:

[Lovetheboardwalk]

What took them so long?! Most other hotels we stay at offer
free internet, even restaurants have free internet. Seems like
they were just nickel and diming us ~ and to their credit, they are
changing it! :clappingh

Occasionally some of us self-employed folks have to work, even at Disney.

[JimP]

What took them so long?! Most other hotels we stay at offer
free internet, even restaurants have free internet. Seems like
they were just nickel and diming us ~ and to their credit, they are
changing it! :clappingh

Occasionally some of us self-employed folks have to work, even at Disney.
The difference is that in the examples that you used... Each company is using free internet to get your business. In the case of DVC... they already have your business.

But... I really do agree with you!!!

/Jim

[JimP]

I agree with those who say we shouldn't work on vacation. I have a standing order from my office not to bother me unless it is absolutely critical. I rarely if ever get bothered. But the laptop is so convenient for so many other things, including reading MouseOwners.com!
That is the way I am too. The internet is now intertwined with almost all aspects of my life. I do not like the feeling of being unplugged.

I believe it is called - Work/Life Blur

/Jim

[ilphil]

Well hopefully they have all the bugs worked out by the 10th when we check in.... :woohoo:

And I just printed off a copy of the DVCMEMBER webpage for when they try to charge me for it anyways.....cause ya know they are gonna....:headscrat


On another site I saw a comment from someone that was there after the 4th and they were told the charge would appear on their bill but then be credited back.
Doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me and hopefully that will get straightened out before we get there on June 16th. :woohoo: