Free WiFi - and more - coming to Magic Kingdom

[GusMan]

Throughout the day, I have been seeing various Twitter posts that free WiFi is being expanded to include the Magic Kingdom. Soon afterward, possibly the other parks as well. This is coming out of some complaints on how cell service is poor in some areas which makes it difficult to use certain mobile Disney apps. Expect the new WiFi setup to correspond with expanded use of Mobile app use as well.

Additionally / supposedly, the rollout of WiFi somewhat corresponds with preps for the new Fastpass+ system, which is still in a testing phase.

Im sure more info will be forthcoming as plans and info are solidified.

[scoobydooby]

This is all over a UK board too. About time. I can get free wi if in my local pub!

[magicalmoments]

I'm glad they're finally doing this. Now I can update mousewait and my photos without killing my data plan.

[Andrew]

I love this in principle.

In practice I've been to too many crowded venues (conventions, etc) offering free WiFi, and what invariably happens is that the network is way over-capacity and unusable. I'll be interested to see whether Disney can build out a free WiFi network that works throughout the parks (difficult given all the buildings and landscaping) and has enough bandwidth to be actually useful.

[TinaMouse]

I think on the one hand that "it's about time." On the other, I don't want people to be surfing the internet in line. I love the interaction between people!

[GusMan]

via Tweet, people are saying it is now active.

I think Tina makes a good point. There is something to be said about being disconnected - along with others being disconnected as well. This includes families and fellow guests alike. I know that my son is going to love the free wi-fi. But what he does not know is that is that Im not going to allow him to constantly bury his head in his iPod while in lines. Let's face it - I pay too darn much to not spend quality time interacting with my family. Sure, every once in a while, especially during a super long line, it may be a nice, brief, distraction, but as a parent, Im going to make sure its not going to be something to take away my family time.

I share Andrew's comments as well. From a technical perspective, this can be a very challenging task. Not to mention that it will have to be one more thing that Disney has to support from a guest-experience perspective. How many people will complain if the FREE wifi does not work to their satisfaction? Sure, Im saying that with a bit of humor, but you know it will happen.

[stan4d_steph]

I think on the one hand that "it's about time." On the other, I don't want people to be surfing the internet in line. I love the interaction between people!

People are already disconnected via cell data connections, now they'll just be able to surf faster.

[Drince88]

Mark had a blog post about it here, with some additional information.

[TinaMouse]

People are already disconnected via cell data connections, now they'll just be able to surf faster.

yes, but the ease of doing it will make more people do it. I ride the bus into the city every morning and no one interacts. It is completely silent for 35 minutes in and out every day. No one speaks on the street either. Just earbuds and trudging along. I just think it is a sad evolution in society. (And I love surfing as much as the next guy.....)

[Drince88]

I don't know if I'd use the bus as a guide -- I rode a bus for a while out to my work site in the late 80s (it was about 25 miles from the bus lot to the gate), and even though we were all working at the same place, there wasn't a whole lot of interaction going on between people. Lots of reading or napping/zoning, very little talking.

[magicalmoments]

I love the interaction with people in line too but since I'm going solo, I'm glad that I'll be able to post photos to share with my family. I already have data but at Disneyland, I'm rarely on my phone.

[carolinakid]

Although I'd prefer if folks put their "toys" away while in the parks, I'd rather see them surfing the net than making out/pawing each other!

[scoobydooby]

This is fantastic. It means I can use Disney apps without racking up obscene roaming charges.

[tappenfeat]

I think Tina makes a good point. There is something to be said about being disconnected - along with others being disconnected as well. This includes families and fellow guests alike. I know that my son is going to love the free wi-fi. But what he does not know is that is that Im not going to allow him to constantly bury his head in his iPod while in lines. Let's face it - I pay too darn much to not spend quality time interacting with my family. Sure, every once in a while, especially during a super long line, it may be a nice, brief, distraction, but as a parent, Im going to make sure its not going to be something to take away my family time.

Absolutely!!! You both said what I was thinking.

[scoobydooby]

Linked to Gusmans OP. I just read that the next generation fast pass will be tested between August 14th and 20th. I'll keep my eyes open and report back!

[codewoman]

Please do, Scooby! We'll be there in Oct and it isn't out of the realm of possibility for it to be up and running by then.

[scoobydooby]

Has anyone been on what I think is the newish official DW parks app? I can see why they need wifi. It is nothing short of brilliant. The map alone is the best I have seen on an app by a mile. You can book reservations, find out what's on 'now', check show times and wait times. It's very intuitive. Just a shame I will only be able to use it in MK where there will be free wifi. My I pad is coming to the MK with me so I can test this out

[scoobydooby]

Sorry I should have said, the app goes under the name 'My Disney Experience'.

[Drince88]

Thanks, I was just going to look for it!

[GusMan]

Ive downloaded it on my iPod Touch and it does look rather neat. Ive only looked at it late at night after the parks are closed, so I did not get the full look and feel for it yet, but it does look like a well laid out app.

I think the biggest thing to see (for me at least) is how the wait time portion works. (After hours - shows "no wait.") I think that would be a BIG time saver if it works well compared to the handful of other user-supported apps that require guest input for accuracy.

[scoobydooby]

Ive downloaded it on my iPod Touch and it does look rather neat. Ive only looked at it late at night after the parks are closed, so I did not get the full look and feel for it yet, but it does look like a well laid out app.

I think the biggest thing to see (for me at least) is how the wait time portion works. (After hours - shows "no wait.") I think that would be a BIG time saver if it works well compared to the handful of other user-supported apps that require guest input for accuracy.

The maps interact particularly well with the screen size of an i pad and the option to 'finger' zoom in and out. I have found the walking routes from BC to Epcot and Boardwalk to DHS using it.

[Andrew]

If I can get a FastPass with the app tied to my Disney ID, what's to stop me from making multiple IDs?

FastPass works (as much as it does) because it's tied to activated admission media. When it debuted at Disneyland, it worked with anything barcoded. So naturally, we made cards with multiple barcodes and they worked, until that hole was plugged. If all I need to do to get FastPasses for everything at the same time is log out and back in with a different ID, well, that sounds pretty easy to me.

I'm not advocating this, by the way. I'm pointing out what seems to be a pretty big hole in the "get your FPs by phone" scheme.

[GusMan]

I guess that would beg the question - does that mean each member of the family would have to have some sort of smart device to get an electronic FP or other benefit? I would hope not. Not to mention that kids under 13 should not be able to "legally" have a Disney site ID.

Being that the Mrs. and I both have Disney ID's, and Im sure many households do have more than one Disney ID, that would be an interesting loophole. Makes me wonder if you would have to key in some sort of number found on the admission media to activate things. (If not now, maybe later.)

[stan4d_steph]

Wifi has been rolled out at Epcot today.

[codewoman]

2 down, 2 to go!