2 way radios?

[SheriN]

Can you take these into the parks? How's the reception in there?

Thought it would be good to take one in case we get seperated.

Sheri

 

[lustergirl]

This last trip we purchased a set of 3 walkie talkies. You can bring them into the park and they work GREAT!!!!!1 This is probably one of the best things we bought for our trip.

Lisa

 

[SheriN]

Good! One way to keep track of the easily distractable 11yo.

Sheri

 

[laura001]

We used walkie talkies on our last trip, we made our kids stick together with one and we used the other. Most times the reception was good, find a channel that works ahead of time and make sure your batteries are good. We always set a time to meet somewhere in case they weren't working properly or something crazy happened. It all went smoothly!

 

[kawaba]

We have used the walkie talkies before but we always had trouble finding a channel that wasn't being used by many other parties. For the last couple of years we have used our cell phones which work great. You do need to have a national coverage plan if you are not from the orlando ares.

 

[OKW Lover]

In addition to the other tips here, be sure to get one with a headset so you won't miss any calls due to ambient noise levels.

 

[CBoysMomLovesDisney]

Anyone ever use the Nextel radio service?

 

[tmt martins]

Yep and now that disney went to them the reception is great at the parks.I get up early and get on my rides the DW &DD get up eat and DC me when they hit the park.
I worry alittle less with DD12 having one and getting seperated.

 

[MrsNick]

We used walkie talkies in 2003, and they worked very well, but for our trip in 2006, I think we will just use our cell phones. It is my understanding that service has gotten better and better.

We're on Verizon...can anyone comment on Verizon service in the parks? (my apologies to OP, not meaning to hijack your thread).

 

[dj2]

We have used the walkie talkies before but we always had trouble finding a channel that wasn't being used by many other parties. For the last couple of years we have used our cell phones which work great. You do need to have a national coverage plan if you are not from the orlando ares.

you can buy an inexpensive phone (about $20) from www.tracfone.com and activate it once you get to orlando (or change the "home location" once you get there) so it will be in the right coverage area. we live in the midwest, but orlando is still considered a local for us.

actually, you buy the air time--the phone comes free!

once you get the first phone, you can you can use it to "refer" your spouse for getting a second phone. that way each phone gets some bonus minutes.

tracfone is a pay as you go service. just so you know, i don't work for them, but have been happily using them for the past few years as it only costs us about $100 per year for a cell phone with NO MONTHLY charges. this is bacause we use our phone only rarely/for emergencies. if you talk a lot on a cell phone, this would not be the way to go.

anyone can pm me if they have questions or want more info on being referred for the bonus minutes.

dj

p.s. twice now i've taken a trip to wdw with only a DD and have bought her her own cell to carry in case we got separated. it was well worth the peace of mind.

 

[ZoZo]

you can buy an inexpensive phone (about $20) from www.tracfone.com and activate it once you get to orlando (or change the "home location" once you get there) so it will be in the right coverage area. we live in the midwest, but orlando is still considered a local for us.

actually, you buy the air time--the phone comes free!

once you get the first phone, you can you can use it to "refer" your spouse for getting a second phone. that way each phone gets some bonus minutes.

tracfone is a pay as you go service. just so you know, i don't work for them, but have been happily using them for the past few years as it only costs us about $100 per year for a cell phone with NO MONTHLY charges. this is bacause we use our phone only rarely/for emergencies. if you talk a lot on a cell phone, this would not be the way to go.

anyone can pm me if they have questions or want more info on being referred for the bonus minutes.

dj

p.s. twice now i've taken a trip to wdw with only a DD and have bought her her own cell to carry in case we got separated. it was well worth the peace of mind.

I researched Tracfones, and it looked like they had roaming charges if you're outside your local calling area. True??

 

[Okiemom]

I am taking a fanny pack, I was wanting to use cell phone to communicate, but I had heard that the cell phone can de-activate your passes. Is this true? I don't want to mess up the passes.

 

[tlbwriter]

I researched Tracfones, and it looked like they had roaming charges if you're outside your local calling area. True??

But the poster said to not activate it until you get to Orlando, which would make that your local calling area. I think it's a great idea. I've heard mixed reports on 2-way radios - some people like them, and some say they were useless because there were too many other people using the same channels.

 

[dj2]

I am taking a fanny pack, I was wanting to use cell phone to communicate, but I had heard that the cell phone can de-activate your passes. Is this true? I don't want to mess up the passes.

this is this first time i've ever heard this! sounds like it's NOT true. i mean, cell phones don't deactivate my credit cards....


also to ZoZo:

with tracfone, a local call means your phone is within your local area and you're charged one unit for one minute. doesn't matter if you're talking from FL to CA, as long as your phone is physically in your local area.

roaming means your phone is not in your local area and you're charged double, two units for one minute. it doesn't matter if you're talking to next door, as long as your phone is physically outside your local area.

that's why if your phone is not "local" in orlando (we are, even though we live over 1000 miles away), that you either activate once you get to orlando, or you call tracfone's 800# from your hotel once you get there and have them change your local area to orlando.

i think the cell phone route is easier than the 2-way radio because you don't have to listen to everyone else's chatter. i know other people prefer the radios. i'm sure this debate will never have a winner, just like the great on-site "atmosphere" vs. off-site "space/price" debate.

enjoy your trip!

dj

 

[pugdog]

We used walkie talkies in 2003, and they worked very well, but for our trip in 2006, I think we will just use our cell phones. It is my understanding that service has gotten better and better.

We're on Verizon...can anyone comment on Verizon service in the parks? (my apologies to OP, not meaning to hijack your thread).

we use verizon and the only problem is in some of the buildings otherwise it works fine. ug:

 

[jtopp]

Nextel works great! In a counter service restaurant, DW would find a seat and relay the family order to me in line. Also, when me children decided they needed some time away, they were a beep away.

 

[striker3636]

We used walkies when we went with friends. Most of the group would go on a ride and dd and I would find something else to do while we waited (she was too small for many rides). We also used them when the group split up and didn't always connect where expected. Of course, it helps when the people carrying the walkies remember to turn them on! It never fails that the one time you need to talk, someone has forgotten to do so! We found them very helpful and only had to change channels once due to so many other people on the same channel.

 

[dj2]

We used walkies when we went with friends. Most of the group would go on a ride and dd and I would find something else to do while we waited (she was too small for many rides). We also used them when the group split up and didn't always connect where expected. Of course, it helps when the people carrying the walkies remember to turn them on! It never fails that the one time you need to talk, someone has forgotten to do so! We found them very helpful and only had to change channels once due to so many other people on the same channel.

when you leave them on, do you hear static or other people talking?

 

[Twende]

We just purchased a set of walkie talkies and I will let you know how they work very soon!

We just could not justify the cost of a cell phone for our family. We enjoy spending that money on fun things not cell phone bills!