2 Way Radios Hit Or Miss??

[jndmommy]

Last summer, we had a hard time keeping in touch when our group would split up. At one point or another our cell phones would lose calls and then we had to wait forever to find each other again. We were wondering if anyone tried 2 way radios in the parks and what were the results. If the radios don't work then we obviously have to just go with the cell phones. Thanks

 

[Dizneydaz]

Hi-we used radios Sept. 2004 and I didn't care for them. The batteries seemed to run out quick and the sound quality was bad. We usually only travel with a small group but in Jan. 06 we had 5 adults and 1 child. We used our cel phones. Free nationwide calling and free cel to cel-it worked great! We're used to carrying our phones anyway and this way we didn't have to worry about someone being on the same channel. Also, we never got out of range. Just my thoughts.

 

[zurgswife]

Yes they are hit or miss. Prior to our kids having cell phones that is how we communicated.

At least with a cell phone you can leave a message if you can't get through...

I really like having cell phones now...my 8 yr old enjoyed having her own radio and doesn't understand why we don't use them...

 

[Hannathy]

WE have always used the radios without problems. Even at Easter. You have to be sure and pick a channel that wasn't the one programmed when you buy the phone and pick a privacy code and a back-up code in case. We don't all have cell phones so for 40 - 50 bucks total all 4 of us can have a radio. We don't turn them on unless we seperate so never had trouble with the batteries. With kids it is very quick and the instant they touch the button you hear something on your radio so if there really was a problem they wouldn't be trying to dial. I can't imagine paying for phones and minutes just for a vacation if you didn't need them at home.

 

[pbharris4]

After we didn't get anywhere with our cell phones..I thought I'd buy 2 way radios for our next trip. They weren't worth the $$ I spent for them either. There was always interference and we could barely hear each other and we tried several different channels. But for some they may work.

 

[idreamofdisney24/7]

We use/bring both.
We have 4 of the Motorola too and we gave one to our 2 kids and ourselves. Sometimes we would leave them in the room and bring our cell phones. They were good if the kids walked to the food court too. In our experience, we never had a problem with them and interference. We always pick an odd number channel.

But, for my husband and I communicating we usually use our phones and never had a problem either.

 

[NotUrsula]

If you've got phones, the best choice is often text messaging. They can sometimes get through even when voice calls cannot, and you don't have to struggle to hear a call or be heard over the ambient noise in the parks. It also won't disturb others around you nearly as much.

 

[scoolover]

I have used radios and liked them. We had pretty long range radios that worked well. When half of our was at Ohana and we were at MK, they were a little shakey.
Take care