Best way to communicate while in the parks?

[rbalcom]

We're a large family group of 13 going in April and need some inexpensive method of keeping in touch with each other in the parks. Some ideas are cell phone, walkie talkies, or text messaging. Any ideas? What have others used?

 

[snoopyandpooh]

Using cell phones will be too expensive, there will be roaming charge, I don't know about text messaging, I think the same thing applies since you are using the wireless service. It may be better to divide people into groups and each group holds a walkie talkie.

 

[mbb]

Do you need to communicate for a specific reason, ie, the line for TOT is only 5 minutes - get here now!?

Or is it just for "peace of mind" sake?

Because the walkie talkies - if you buy the cheap ones - are going to be more headache than help. *EVERYONE* is "Big Mama"...and you get really tired of hearing it!
...after one morning with the walkie talkies, we gave up.

We managed with our group of 13...no teenagers, just family groups with little kids, and the grandparents..we arranged a time and place to meet for lunch in the morning...and everyone did their own thing.

Even managed to run across each other a few times

If I had teens traveling and wanting to do their own thing in the parks, I would talk to my cell provider before I went. This year, we just paid a flat fee of $70 for US coverage, and that worked great.

HTH!

 

[rbalcom]

It's more of a peace of mind thing. Despite my efforts for everybody to do their own thing, most are still thinking we will stick together. I don't think this will happen and have prepared them for the idea that we will get separated at some point. (I hate the idea of spending our time waiting for somebody) We also have days where due to the age of the kids we will definitely be going in different directions ie. Dumbo vs Space Mountain at MK or Bear in the Big Blue House vs Tower of Terror at MGM. They would like to meet up at both of these parks for later rides/shows. They each have a copy of the touring plans so they know where to go next. We also have two grandparents with medical issues. We are going over Easter week and considering how crowded the parks will be, I was hoping for some way to stay in touch. Just wondering if there were any magical solutions.

 

[CharlesTD]

We used to use FRS radios now we have the new GMRS radios longer range and more channel options so as to decrease the cross talk that plauged the FRS radios the last couple years. The price of the GMRS radios has really come down also and they are redily avbailable at Zellers Wal Mart Canadian Tire Futureshop and other places like that.

 

[cslittle999]

To legally use GMRS radios in the US you need to get an FCC license. I believe it's $75 for five years and will cover everyone in your immediate family. No license is required to use them in Canada.

 

[CharlesTD]

To legally use GMRS radios in the US you need to get an FCC license. I believe it's $75 for five years and will cover everyone in your immediate family. No license is required to use them in Canada.

We have never gotten teh liscence and have never been questioned mind you we only ever use them at WDW they are way better than the FRS radios and we will continue to use them the same way. we tried the cell thing with text messaging but if you don't have your phone with you in your pocket it is kinda useless.

 

[cslittle999]

Never getting the license may be okay. I doubt that a family that only uses them at WDW would ever be questioned. There are some fairly heavy penalties for not having a license so people need to make their own choice knowing that

I agree that GMRS radios are the way to go. With the need for a license in the US, the GMRS channels tend to be emptier than the FRS channels so they even make sense at short range.

 

[Nagle]

SCREAM REALLY REALLY LOUDLY