Epcot rolls out free wi-fi, other Walt Disney World parks to follow

This is awesome! I don't have a cell phone, but I find I can't live without my iPod. I know that I am in the minority here, but free wi-fi is my lifeline to the outside world when I am away from home. Good job, Disney!

Magic Kingdom and Typhoon Lagoon (!) are already up and running, IIRC.

This will be great for international guests.

This seems like a no-brainer to me. About time.

It's funny...not so long ago, Disney still didn't offer wi-fi in their hotel rooms! Now they are installing it in the parks.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

I was at Hersheypark yesterday, and I was pleasantly surprised to find free wi-fi at practically every corner of the park! It really helped me to watch the storm radar.

Last October I took a good friend to WDW for his first Disney trip ever. He had a great time, but what two main things was he jonesin' for? Wi-fi and Starbucks!

The expansion of wi-fi into the parks may force me to reevaluate my gadget collection. I don't have a smart phone, partly because I have no desire to pay through the nose for data service, partly because I happen to like the longer phone when making phone calls, and partly because I live (and theoretically work...) in a wi-fi cloud.

But occasionally, it would be nice to be able to look at a weather radar while at a park, for instance. I still don't see the point of a mobile data plan, but with more parks making network service available, I should consider something like an iPod touch or other pocket browser.....

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

The point of a mobile data plan is to not require that you be around wi-fi all of the time.

Yes, but my point is that most if the time when I need it, I've got the wi-fi. Now the data availability is migrating into areas where right now I don't need it...but where I could find a use if I had the hardware! 8-)

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Get an iPod Touch. It's the greatest invention since the iPhone. lol

Seriously, I hate to talk on the phone, but I love to play games and "surf" the internets. I love my iPod soooo much. I never let it get too far away from me.

There is talk of a slightly larger iPod Touch, or is it a slightly smaller iPad? That announcement is very soon, I think.

my point is that most if the time when I need it, I've got the wi-fi.

I had the same take, initially. But, after actually getting a data plan I was shocked at how often I happened to be somewhere without wi-fi, but wanted to check up on something.

It is also very useful in dealing with (i.e. avoiding) Crappy Hotel Networking.

Yeah, I took that even a step further and replaced my iPad with the updated Verizon model this year, because it's no-contract and can act as a hot spot as needed. It isn't cheap ($20 a month for 2 gigs or something like that), but in a hotel that wants $15/day for crappy service, I'd rather give my money to Verizon. Worked great in downtown Chicago. I've used the service two months out of the year so far. If only cable TV were that a la carte.

replaced my iPad with the updated Verizon model this year

I did the same thing. The new display was my primary reason, but the no-extra-charge hotspot pushed me over the edge.