Originally Posted by Tim SPRACKLEN
A WiFi iPad can only determine its location if it's in contact with a WiFi base station or hotspot whose location has been registered with Apple's location database. So, whether or not your iPad can find its location will depend not simply on being in contact with a WiFi hotspot but also that this hotspot is registered. That usually requires an iPhone or GPS-equipped iPad to have been in contact previously with that hotspot; the iPad or iPhone then automatically send the hotspot location to Apple.
Tim