Free Wi-Fi?!?

[TiggerHappy]

Before very long we will have completely lost our ability to communicate with actual people or enjoy our surroundings without the help of some artificial device telling us we should do it.

Welcome to the future.

[WEDFan]

Just saw an article that included a statement from Disney saying that free WiFi would be rolled out to all the WDW parks and DTD by early 2013. The article speculated that it was in part connected to the new "My Disney Experience" being rolled out. Over all, nothing truly new.

This was part of the Walt Disney World Update for this week at Mouseplanet.

[KieranDotW]

As a Canadian visiting WDW, this will make a huge difference.

Funny you mention this, I'm actually GLAD I visit WDW from abroad (that is Canada) because judging by my awful habits at home, I know that if it wasn't for my lack of a roaming plan I'd unfortunately find it difficult to control myself when I, say, get a text or other notification. When I visited MK last week I personally chose not to connect to the WiFi simply so I don't get tempted.

But honestly, the way technology has split families apart at WDW is simply disgusting IMO. At Epcot I saw a man at the Italy pavilion, all alone, chatting away on his phone about how much he didn't want to go to Disney and wishes he didn't have to be with his kids all the time, all that jazz. WiFi's only going to make this worse. Why surf websites you could check out anytime when you could be enjoying yourself where you are while you have the chance? Personally, the only practical use I could ever have for this is Mobile Magic or other wait times apps and possibly iMessage just to keep in contact with my party, in case someone gets lost (we prefer to stick together).

[mapo]

Well it has to work first.

Yup, that is right. Wi Fi is basically not working at either MK or EPCOT. :p:

Gotta love it

mapo

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

When we go, we turn off the electronic leashes and relax!

[NemoRanger]

So the "Guest" Internet has been up and kinda running for a little while now. Since its really been around I have had a few guest freak out on me.

I had one guest come running up and ask the password for one of the locked Wifi channels because the guest one was not working and she planned her ENTIRE trip on her ipod app.

This morning I had a guest in a sheer panic grab me on center street and ask for my help because he was having trouble connecting to the internet. I looked back and he had his phone out and a laptop set up on the table. I am not sure what he was doing but it was strange to me he brought his laptop in with him. When I told him there was nothing I could do for him he stormed back PISSED off. I walked over to tell him to go to City Hall and he got snippy and brushed me off so I just said have a magical day and walked away.

Oh and lastly, I had a guest stop me and ask where he could log on to computer in some sort of business center or computer cafe.

I am starting to wish we didn't offer Wifi now.

[hobie16]

Oh and lastly, I had a guest stop me and ask where he could log on to computer in some sort of business center or computer cafe.

This looks like a revenue opportunity to me. Most hotels have business centers. If you've got guests looking for an internet cafe in the park give it to them. If they want to spend big bucks to get into the park and additional money to spend their day sweating over a hot computer then make them happy.

Case in point. My last company made data storage systems. We were happy to be a network attached storage (NAS) company. We looked down our collective noses at storage attached network (SAN) companies.

During a board meeting the chairman asked the vp of engineering who was also one of the two founders why we didn't do SAN. The vp/founder replied that we were a proud NAS company. The COB asked if any customers has asked for SAN and were they willing to pay for it. The vp/founder said that yes we've had requests and they were willing to pay for it. The COB asked if customers want it and are willing to pay then don't you think we should take advantage of a revenue opportunity. The vp/founder thought about it for a few seconds and said yes we should give our customers what they want.

Three months later we had a combined NAS/SAN system that, in short order, made millions for us.

If the customer is willing to pay, give 'em what they want.

[Mikey]

I can advise that the Wilderness Lodge internet service is operating very well. I was able to connect with a notebook computer as well as a "droid" phone.

Apparently there are two networks, the "guest" one in the lobby and a second one for the rooms.

It worked quite well and was reasonably fast.

Mikey.