2-way Radios At Disneyworld

[Barbers2005]

Hi, just curious if anyone has used 2-way radio at Disneyworld to keep in touch when group splits up. Is it a good idea and if it is what kinds have worked well for you guys.

Thanks

 

[Zip-a-dee-dude-da]

too may people do this and it is real difficult to discern who is who.....get two cel phones

 

[jbird327]

I agree - I had radios on my trip in 2000 and they were basically useless.

 

[slp87]

We have always used our radios with great success. Only twice in 3, 10 day trips have we ever had anyone on our channel. Be sure to get the ones with subchannels, that's what makes all the difference. We always push the call button and wait for the other person to use our "secret" greeting so we know we're talking to the right person. We also keep a back up channel, ours is our DD's birthday, so we can change if we get other traffic.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

We have used the Disney Motorolla radios with no problems.

 

[disgram]

POOH&PIGLET, what are the Disney Motorolla Radios? Can these be rented at WDW? I have not heard of these before

 

[Bashful2]

Before my girls had cell phones, we used 2-way radios. They were annoying because so many people used them and it was hard to get through at times and also hard to distinguish who you were talking to. Sometimes kids would play on them, too. They did work, though, and we were pretty much able to keep up with each other with them.

 

[Geoff_M]

...what are the Disney Motorolla Radios? Can these be rented at WDW? I have not heard of these before

These are just Disney themed versions of their standard FRS "TalkAbout" radios that Motorola sold through retailers like Target. I think they've been discontinued. They are not rented at WDW.

I second the usefulness of the radios. "Privacy Codes", "Sub-Channels", etc. don't make that much of a difference with FRS radios at WDW. The channels are usually jammed. Our kids carry them, but they are for "emergency use" in case we get seperated.

 

[GoN2WDW]

We tried to use 2-way radios (good Motorolo ones with over 50 channels) and they were almost always useless. Way too much traffic on every channel we tried and when we found a relatively "quiet" channel, a few t'ween age boys also found it and continually made "noises" and cursed over them - we gave up and just had a "if we get separated" plan. Another family with us had cell phones with unlimited phone to phone coverage and they made out fine.

 

[sleepyone]

Dh and I had planned to use ours only when needed. So, once when I really needed to talk to dh, someone was cursing at me telling me to get off his channel.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

POOH&PIGLET, what are the Disney Motorolla Radios? Can these be rented at WDW? I have not heard of these before

As Geoff_M said, we bought ours at Target (on clearance).
Here's a link: LINK
They were cheap but we've used them for two years w/o a problem.

 

[jdonat]

We had FRS radios for a while, but now we spent a couple of extra bucks
and got GMRS/FRS radios. They're more expensive (about 15.00 each) and
you are supposed to get a licence from the FCC $75.00 for 5 years.
The GMRS channels are 1 watt rather than 1/2 watt, and you get another 8
channels (15-22). When we're on the GMRS channels and have an issue, I
get all officious and ask whether they have a licence. If not, I use my best
'official' tone of voice and boot them off the channel. Works every time
Range of of a GMRS radio? Good, not perfect reception by the Haunted Mansion
and our friends were on the monorail platform at the TTC.

They're cheaper than a cell, and I don't worry that much if one gets lost for
a while (we've got them back every time but once)..

 

[Momof6]

I vote - invest in cell phones! Our most recent trip to WDW with DD12 and DD14 pushed us over the edge. The trip prior to that one we did the two way radio thing - it stunk. Too much traffic, and the kids were easily confused by switching channels, etc. DH decided to add the two girls to our plan - and they are sooo responsible that we didn't waiver to long. Cell phones worked out GREAT. Plus, unlimited minutes between us, numbers programmed in...we highly recommend the investment.
good luck!

denise

 

[ducklite]

Two way radios are SOOOO OBNOXIOUS!!! I HATE those things, and wish WDW wouldn't allow them in the parks. They go off in shows, people talking on them don't pay attention to where they are going and either stop dead or plow into others. Please don't use them!

Anne

 

[Blondiex46]

I did problem was the kid didn't answer it.

 

[jdonat]

Two way radios are SOOOO OBNOXIOUS!!! I HATE those things, and wish WDW wouldn't allow them in the parks. They go off in shows, people talking on them don't pay attention to where they are going and either stop dead or plow into others. Please don't use them!

Anne

I think that the same issue is valid with cell phones, too. When our family
uses electronics, whether it's cell's or radios, we make sure that
1. Phone is on vibrate
2. Radios go off in shows, rides like Peter Pan, etc.

John

 

[bytheblood]

We do the Nextel phones.