High Speed Internet @ FW - The DIS Discussion Forums

Tri-circle-D · 02-21-2007, 10:04 AM

After reading conflicting information on this Board about internet access at FW, I checked it out for myself this past weekend.

After checking in and setting up my site, I traveled back to the Lobby, and waited in line to be helped by one of the hosts.

At the preferred sites, there is a sign on the utility post advising you to check with the front desk for information about high speed internet.

At the Front Desk, the castmember informed me that a kit was available for check out. This would require a deposit of $125 to be charged to my room account. The deposit is reversed when the kit is returned. So, there is really no actual charge for the use of the kit.

This is what the kit is in a little carry box. This is what it looks like when it is all packed up:

Here are the contents spread out a little:

What you get is a cable modem with power cord, a cable splitter, a cable to go from the splitter to the modem, and a cat5 cord to go from the modem to your computer.

Here is a close-up of the instruction sheet:

The hook-up is pretty simple. The cable splitter gets attached to the connection at the site. This way you can use both TV and Computer. Use your own cable to hook up the TV, the other cable goes to the modem, and then the cat5 cable attaches the modem to your lap top. NOTE: THIS IS NOT WIRELESS.

After hooking up, and attempting to open Explorer, a screen comes up and asks you to enter the last ten digits from your Key to The World Card (room key). The screen, like the instruction sheet, tells you that you will be charged $9.95 for 24 contiguous hours of access. I entered my numbers as instructed, and was then directed to the Disney home page. From there, you can go wherever you like. The speed was quite good.

I only kept the kit for 24 hours. The deposit was reversed when I returned it, and I was charged $9.95 for the one day that I paid for.

When I returned the kit, the castmember on duty did not know what it was, and had to call for help with the return process. I guess not a lot of folks are using this.

Also, when I checked out the kit, the castmember told me that there was free internet in the internet cafe. There is a small room right between the camper check in lanes which is set up for computer use. The jacks in the wall are for dial up and high speed. There are signs in there stating that the charge is $9.95 per day to use the high speed connection, so that is not free. It looks like it would cost the same as borrowing the kit to use at your site.

Here is a photo of the inside of the internet cafe (there isn't a whole lot to it):

So, I hope this info clears up the any questions about internet access at FW. If anyone wants to know more, ask away!

TCD

DisneyDadinOhio · 02-21-2007, 10:19 AM

Thanks for the info - albeit very disappointing..! $10/day is way overpriced - okay it is Disney afterall. There really isnt any reason for them not to offer free WIRELESS internet access..except $$$. lol

Tri-circle-D · 02-21-2007, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisneyDadinOhio

Thanks for the info - albeit very disappointing..! $10/day is way overpriced - okay it is Disney afterall. There really isnt any reason for them not to offer free WIRELESS internet access..except $$$. lol

No kidding.

BTW, I forgot to mention that the wireless card on my lap top did pick up a wireless LAN- which I'll bet is used by WDW employees. The signal was strong, but there was no way to access it.

TCD

DisneyDadinOhio · 02-21-2007, 11:22 AM

I was wondering if you could pick up some other signals... There are ways to access it, but I would not want to get kicked out of the campground..!

If you were there with a group of friends/family, you could rent the equipment and then add your own wireless router in the mix - split the cost and internet for everyone...!

Thanks again for the info, it is appreciated...!

CottontailCurl · 02-21-2007, 11:35 AM

I have not been posting here very long, but I believe this should be a sticky at the top of the page (until Disney gets generous and stops charging for access or the information changes). This is a very good and informational post about one of the most-asked (it seems to me) questions here. The CMs are not all familiar with this (I called the check-in desk a few months back and was told the only charge was a deposit for the equipment that was refunded and no daily charge). Thanks for posting this here and clearing the air.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tri-circle-D

After reading conflicting information on this Board about internet access at FW, I checked it out for myself this past weekend.
At the Front Desk, the castmember informed me that a kit was available for check out. This would require a deposit of $125 to be charged to my room account. The deposit is reversed when the kit is returned. So, there is really no actual charge for the use of the kit.
After hooking up, and attempting to open Explorer, a screen comes up and asks you to enter the last ten digits from your Key to The World Card (room key). The screen, like the instruction sheet, tells you that you will be charged $9.95 for 24 contiguous hours of access. I entered my numbers as instructed, and was then directed to the Disney home page. From there, you can go wherever you like. The speed was quite good.
TCD

clkelley · 02-21-2007, 11:45 AM

That is good to know about the high speed in the internet cafe, because those with standard full and partial hookup sites can't use the cable modem kit.

It used to be the only thing available in there was dialup.

stillh2o · 02-21-2007, 01:08 PM

The Disunplug said that Pioneer Hall was a wireless hotspot.

Tri-circle-D · 02-21-2007, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stillh2o

The Disunplug said that Pioneer Hall was a wireless hotspot.

You know, one night, I saw a young man walking around with his lap top open and in use on the sidewalk that goes between the main road and Pioneer Hall. I figured that he had some kind of cell phone card or something on his computer, but who knows?

I would not be surprised, though, if there is a hot spot, but that you would still have to charge on your room key for access.

But there isn't any mention of this being a hot spot on any of the literature that FW provides.

I will check this out next month, because I am going back.

TCD

Tri-circle-D · 02-21-2007, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisneyDadinOhio

If you were there with a group of friends/family, you could rent the equipment and then add your own wireless router in the mix - split the cost and internet for everyone...!

This thought crossed my mind too.

The set-up is the same as what I use at home. We have a cable modem, and then a wireless router attached.

I also thought that this could be a business opportunity

- pay for access, set up the signal, and then rent out the password to my router. I could probably supply a whole loop- or set up an Internet Cafe in my screen room. Maybe get Mrs. TCD to make coffee for everyone. Definitely could earn enough for beer money or maybe pay for the trip! Heck, maybe I could just move to FW and set up a permanent hot spot at my campsite!

I am sure FW would frown on this, though.

TCD

terri01p · 02-21-2007, 05:33 PM

Ok, I am so glad for this information ! I have called them twice about being able to use my computer while there and I received two different answers. One CM told me you could use your labtop for free at certain places within the campground. Glad to have things cleared up.

Escape Artist · 02-22-2007, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tri-circle-D

This thought crossed my mind too.

The set-up is the same as what I use at home. We have a cable modem, and then a wireless router attached.

I also thought that this could be a business opportunity

- pay for access, set up the signal, and then rent out the password to my router. I could probably supply a whole loop- or set up an Internet Cafe in my screen room. Maybe get Mrs. TCD to make coffee for everyone. Definitely could earn enough for beer money or maybe pay for the trip! Heck, maybe I could just move to FW and set up a permanent hot spot at my campsite!

I am sure FW would frown on this, though.

TCD

Sign up my dh as customer #1 !!!

Sue in TX
...with the same setup at home...

DisneyDadinOhio · 02-22-2007, 08:14 AM

Perhaps we have some friends out there with internet over satellite (DirecPC, DirecWay, etc.), who would be willing to "share"..?

PiperG · 02-22-2007, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tri-circle-D

No kidding.

BTW, I forgot to mention that the wireless card on my lap top did pick up a wireless LAN- which I'll bet is used by WDW employees. The signal was strong, but there was no way to access it.

TCD

I thought the cabins had wireless access. Does anyone know about that (I presume the charge is also $10 per day).

tim5055 · 02-22-2007, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PiperG

I thought the cabins had wireless access. Does anyone know about that (I presume the charge is also $10 per day).

Nope, no wireless in the cabins. They use the same wired cable intenet, yes it's the same $10 a day.

Tri-circle-D · 02-23-2007, 10:35 AM

It looks like the price at FW is the same as what is charged at the other WDW resorts:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resorts/wireless.htm

TCD

02-21-2007, 10:19 AM	#2
DisneyDadinOhio Love The Fort..! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bellbrook, Ohio Posts: 99	Thanks for the info - albeit very disappointing..! $10/day is way overpriced - okay it is Disney afterall. There really isnt any reason for them not to offer free WIRELESS internet access..except $$$. lol __________________ Jim July 1973 - Off site July 1975 - Contemporary July 2005 - All Star Movies Spring Break 2006 - Port Orleans Riverside Spring Break 2007 - Fort Wilderness-Site 602 Spring Break 2008 - Fort Wilderness-Site 1101 Spring Break 2009 - Fort Wilderness-Site 841 Thanksgiving 2009 - Caribbean Beach August 2010 - Fort Wilderness Spring Break - 2011 - Fort Wilderness 2008 Coachmen Chaparral 340QBS-Bunkhouse 2006 Silverado 3500 CC-LB-SRW-DMAX

02-21-2007, 11:22 AM	#4
DisneyDadinOhio Love The Fort..! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bellbrook, Ohio Posts: 99	I was wondering if you could pick up some other signals... There are ways to access it, but I would not want to get kicked out of the campground..! If you were there with a group of friends/family, you could rent the equipment and then add your own wireless router in the mix - split the cost and internet for everyone...! Thanks again for the info, it is appreciated...! __________________ Jim July 1973 - Off site July 1975 - Contemporary July 2005 - All Star Movies Spring Break 2006 - Port Orleans Riverside Spring Break 2007 - Fort Wilderness-Site 602 Spring Break 2008 - Fort Wilderness-Site 1101 Spring Break 2009 - Fort Wilderness-Site 841 Thanksgiving 2009 - Caribbean Beach August 2010 - Fort Wilderness Spring Break - 2011 - Fort Wilderness 2008 Coachmen Chaparral 340QBS-Bunkhouse 2006 Silverado 3500 CC-LB-SRW-DMAX

02-21-2007, 01:08 PM	#7
stillh2o Looking for my Zen Join Date: May 2005 Location: West Palm Beach Posts: 399	The Disunplug said that Pioneer Hall was a wireless hotspot. __________________ FW 1972-2013

02-22-2007, 08:14 AM	#12
DisneyDadinOhio Love The Fort..! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bellbrook, Ohio Posts: 99	Perhaps we have some friends out there with internet over satellite (DirecPC, DirecWay, etc.), who would be willing to "share"..? __________________ Jim July 1973 - Off site July 1975 - Contemporary July 2005 - All Star Movies Spring Break 2006 - Port Orleans Riverside Spring Break 2007 - Fort Wilderness-Site 602 Spring Break 2008 - Fort Wilderness-Site 1101 Spring Break 2009 - Fort Wilderness-Site 841 Thanksgiving 2009 - Caribbean Beach August 2010 - Fort Wilderness Spring Break - 2011 - Fort Wilderness 2008 Coachmen Chaparral 340QBS-Bunkhouse 2006 Silverado 3500 CC-LB-SRW-DMAX

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02-21-2007, 10:04 AM	#1
Tri-circle-D Throwing some love to TCD They are full and clean! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Dunedin, FL Posts: 4,957	High Speed Internet @ FW After reading conflicting information on this Board about internet access at FW, I checked it out for myself this past weekend. After checking in and setting up my site, I traveled back to the Lobby, and waited in line to be helped by one of the hosts. At the preferred sites, there is a sign on the utility post advising you to check with the front desk for information about high speed internet. At the Front Desk, the castmember informed me that a kit was available for check out. This would require a deposit of $125 to be charged to my room account. The deposit is reversed when the kit is returned. So, there is really no actual charge for the use of the kit. This is what the kit is in a little carry box. This is what it looks like when it is all packed up: Here are the contents spread out a little: What you get is a cable modem with power cord, a cable splitter, a cable to go from the splitter to the modem, and a cat5 cord to go from the modem to your computer. Here is a close-up of the instruction sheet: The hook-up is pretty simple. The cable splitter gets attached to the connection at the site. This way you can use both TV and Computer. Use your own cable to hook up the TV, the other cable goes to the modem, and then the cat5 cable attaches the modem to your lap top. NOTE: THIS IS NOT WIRELESS. After hooking up, and attempting to open Explorer, a screen comes up and asks you to enter the last ten digits from your Key to The World Card (room key). The screen, like the instruction sheet, tells you that you will be charged $9.95 for 24 contiguous hours of access. I entered my numbers as instructed, and was then directed to the Disney home page. From there, you can go wherever you like. The speed was quite good. I only kept the kit for 24 hours. The deposit was reversed when I returned it, and I was charged $9.95 for the one day that I paid for. When I returned the kit, the castmember on duty did not know what it was, and had to call for help with the return process. I guess not a lot of folks are using this. Also, when I checked out the kit, the castmember told me that there was free internet in the internet cafe. There is a small room right between the camper check in lanes which is set up for computer use. The jacks in the wall are for dial up and high speed. There are signs in there stating that the charge is $9.95 per day to use the high speed connection, so that is not free. It looks like it would cost the same as borrowing the kit to use at your site. Here is a photo of the inside of the internet cafe (there isn't a whole lot to it): So, I hope this info clears up the any questions about internet access at FW. If anyone wants to know more, ask away! TCD

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02-21-2007, 11:45 AM	#6
clkelley I squealed really loud!! I got one on my camper too Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Madison, AL Posts: 12,852	That is good to know about the high speed in the internet cafe, because those with standard full and partial hookup sites can't use the cable modem kit. It used to be the only thing available in there was dialup.

02-21-2007, 05:33 PM	#10
terri01p DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,622	Ok, I am so glad for this information ! I have called them twice about being able to use my computer while there and I received two different answers. One CM told me you could use your labtop for free at certain places within the campground. Glad to have things cleared up.

02-23-2007, 10:35 AM	#15
Tri-circle-D Throwing some love to TCD They are full and clean! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Dunedin, FL Posts: 4,957	It looks like the price at FW is the same as what is charged at the other WDW resorts: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resorts/wireless.htm TCD