Communication at Disney

[Sunshein]

We are going down at the end of August with another family and we want to be able to stay in touch during the day either to meet up at restaurants or at the parks. We were looking into getting FRS two-way radios but all that I have read here seems to say that it is a futile idea. cell phones are an option except I have a pay as you go and our friends don't have a cell phone (believe it or not!). So I am asking all of you, coming from Canada, Quebec specifically, what are our best communications options?

Is there a special deal on cell phones with no roaming chages and cheap or free call between subscribers? Are there disposable cell phones that we can use there?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Kazzy1548]

Hey, we're also from Quebec and wondering about this. My Dh says he'll get information on text messaging, seems like the best (and cheapest) option.

Kazzy

 

[F4disneyfan]

We use the new GMRS radios from Cobra thathave a 26-28 ilometer range for our communication with family and friends. It was 85.00 dollars for the radios with batteries and chargers and then we don't have to worry about the cost of texting and phone calls etc. Plus we then have the radios to use whenever we need them like when the ids go out to play so we can call them in for dinner etc. These radios worked great in the parks and at the resorts. We would have either my wife or I go to the pool with the kids while the other one stayed at the resort making dinner and then when it was ready we just called them to let them know. We picked ours up at Home Depot.

 

[MECH8T7]

We use the new GMRS radios from Cobra thathave a 26-28 ilometer range for our communication with family and friends. It was 85.00 dollars for the radios with batteries and chargers and then we don't have to worry about the cost of texting and phone calls etc. Plus we then have the radios to use whenever we need them like when the ids go out to play so we can call them in for dinner etc. These radios worked great in the parks and at the resorts. We would have either my wife or I go to the pool with the kids while the other one stayed at the resort making dinner and then when it was ready we just called them to let them know. We picked ours up at Home Depot.

GMRS radios are great. However, you should be aware that, in the U.S., you are supposed to get an FCC licence to transmit using the GMRS frequencies. (Canada does not require a licence for GMRS.) It is possible to get one from the FCC on-line but you will need a U.S. mailing address. We did this but I can understand why many people wouldn't bother.

 

[F4disneyfan]

GMRS radios are great. However, you should be aware that, in the U.S., you are supposed to get an FCC licence to transmit using the GMRS frequencies. (Canada does not require a licence for GMRS.) It is possible to get one from the FCC on-line but you will need a U.S. mailing address. We did this but I can understand why many people wouldn't bother.

I called teh FCC in teh states about this and they do not actually scan and look for people using them. I was ADVISED to stay in the FRS range but basically told that being from Canada they weren't looking for tourists using GMRS signals.

 

[NikP]

We defiantly need a sticky for this thread topic. Many Canadians seem to be purchasing Tracfones. (Disposable cells) At either Walmart or Target (In the US). I have yet to do this myself, but I plan on doing it for our October trip. From what I understand you can purchase the phone and air time for $20 US. Maybe someone who has done this will chime in. Tracfone website:
http://www.tracfone.com/home_page.jsp

 

[tribus121]

We used GMRS radios last september and they worked great we had motorola ones that had built in batteries and they would last all day after charging over night

 

[Sunshein]

We are flying down and won't have wheels when we are there at all. The Tracfone sounds easy enough but getting it is the problem. I am not very big on breaking laws that I know about, but I have to say I am considering it.

 

[tribus121]

there are lots of Tracfone phones and cards on Ebay and may be cheeper than a good set of GMRS radios ( You could even resell them when you get back )

 

[Sunshein]

How do tracfones work? Do I need a number local to where I will be using it? Do I need a contract or anything? I have never heard of Tracfones before.

 

[NancyK]

DS is in Epcot working for a year. He went to the Virgin Megastore in Downtown Disney and bought a Virgin phone. The cost for the phone and $20 in airtime was around $40. Not necessarily the cheapest option but it's quite easy to get to DTD from your resort.

 

[NikP]

How do tracfones work? Do I need a number local to where I will be using it? Do I need a contract or anything? I have never heard of Tracfones before.

Go to their website. I think that they will ship to your resort hotel. You do not sign any contract. You just purchase airtime cards. Register your phone using a Florida zipcode for a local number. I know that there are other threads on this board that go into these details. I will go search and post the link.

here is one link:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1281213&highlight=Tracfone

 

[F4disneyfan]

We are flying down and won't have wheels when we are there at all. The Tracfone sounds easy enough but getting it is the problem. I am not very big on breaking laws that I know about, but I have to say I am considering it.

The great thing with teh GMRS radios is they have plenty od uses after the trip they are very handy around the house and if you go on pic nics or anything like that. We also use them for car to car communications when we go away in tewh summer with other families that way you can let people know if you need to stop without having to use your cell phone. They also worked great on our trip to Canada's Wonderland with my wifes work last summer to keep track of people for meeting up so they do have a great after purchase logevity unlike a tracphone.