We have had wireless internet for free at Cypress Harbour. It was great!
I wish Disney resorts had it, but they don't provide it, even for the $95 fee; you have to pay $19,95 a day. So we take our laptop to a hot spot, usually near a hotel or nice restaurant. It works okay, but Disney should consider offering this service free to guests.
I'm a Marriott Vacation Club owner (two resorts), and I'm now once again a Disney Vacation Club owner (after having sold a couple of years ago).
I stayed at Marriott's Cypress Harbour in October 2007 through a bonus week exchange. I had free Internet in the room using an ethernet port at the desk. The speed was much slower than at home, but acceptable. There was no wireless Internet in the room.
According to Internet reports, Disney Vacation Club (DVC) management at the annual DVC member meetings last month announced free internet access for DVC members staying at DVC resorts (on DVC points) beginning in 2008. This will be wired Internet that's already in the resorts. Cash guests will still be charged the current $9.95 per 24 hours.
There was nothing in those reports about II members trading into DVC resorts, so I contacted DVC through a form on the DVC member site. Initially, I received an e-mail response:
"At this time, Interval International Members who trade to stay in a Disney Vacation Club Resort will still have to pay for the Internet Access. This is only free to Disney Vacation Club Members who stay in a Disney Vacation Club Resort and use their Vacation Points."
I replied by e-mail that Interval International exchanges come from DVC member inventory, and should include the same services as DVC member stays. After all, we DVC members pay for those services through our annual dues. Also, DVC already charges a $95 "resort services fee" so that inbound exchange guests receive the same services as DVC members staying on points.
Today I spoke with Sheila in DVC Member Correspondence. First, Sheila said the start date had not yet been established, but it should be this spring. Then Sheila explained that she had researched the matter, and II exchange guests would not have to pay for high-speed Internet. She agreed that the $95 fee provides inbound exchange guests with the same services as DVC members on points.
I suggested that it would be good idea for DVC to publish the full policy on the DVC Member website. Free Internet not just a rumor, because DVC management announced it to members who attended their resort's annual meetings. Now it's time for DVC to announce it to the rest of the DVC membership, and to explain the full rules.