Communication when split up

[musclemouse]

Our family of four may have to break up at times when in the parks. How do we plan to keep in contact with each other if we don't plan on using cell phones? Walkie Talkies maybe? I would hate to use the "meet you at 2:15 in front of Dumbo". DH always seems to hear something different than what I really say.

 

[wdwrich]

We always use our cell phones in the parks (on vibrate mode in case we're in and attraction). Never tried radios as it's been reported on these boards that so many folks use them that it's very difficult to find a channel that's not already jammed with others' conversations.

 

[kimsuenew]

We always use our cell phones in the parks (on vibrate mode in case we're in and attraction). Never tried radios as it's been reported on these boards that so many folks use them that it's very difficult to find a channel that's not already jammed with others' conversations.

We use our cell phones!

In the past (before all of us got our cells) we tried using the walkie-talkie's (the long range, multi-channel ones) at Cedar Point and Kings Island, but it was tough to do as so many others were using them as well.

If everyone in your party does not have one, would it be possible to buy the "cheap" (reloading minute type) cell phones, so you can all communicate effectively?

Whatever you do... have a wonderful trip!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

The only thing that has ever worked for us is cell phones set on vibrate.

We tried walkie talkies but the sound in the parks is so loud, we never heard them when a family member tried to reach us.

 

[musclemouse]

Ah okay. I guess we'll just bring our cells. Thank you!!

 

[Hootch]

We use our cell phones!

In the past (before all of us got our cells) we tried using the walkie-talkie's (the long range, multi-channel ones) at Cedar Point and Kings Island, but it was tough to do as so many others were using them as well.

with a friend whi tried this at Disney and had the same problem. Cell phones are much better. On our last trip which was five days in the park, I think we actually talked for a about six minutes over several calls.

 

[chartle]

Our family of four may have to break up at times when in the parks. How do we plan to keep in contact with each other if we don't plan on using cell phones? Walkie Talkies maybe? I would hate to use the "meet you at 2:15 in front of Dumbo". DH always seems to hear something different than what I really say.

We used our cell phones just to find each other in the World of Disney store.

 

[kimsuenew]

Ah okay. I guess we'll just bring our cells. Thank you!!

Don't forget to put Ziploc type baggies in your pocket as well! DS & DH went on Splash and Kali a lot so it (baggies) protected the phones in their pockets! Have a fun trip!

 

[debraW76]

Cellphones but instead of calling we TEXT each other... that way you don't worry about missing calls, calling back, checking voice mail, trying to hear in a midst of a crowd, show, or ride, and the other person can read the text when he/she is able to and just reply.

 

[luckytobeme88]

We too use texting instead. The parks are loud most of the time and the audible is poor in noisy environment. An other alternative to texting is a blue-tooth device.

 

[TBuss]

My husband and I have a family plan through Sprint. Does any one know what kind of reception we will get and what we can expect to pay for roaming charges while in Disney (we live near Boston)?

 

[ahecht]

All of Sprint's current plans include free nationwide calling and roaming, although if you are grandfathered into an older plan you may have fees.

In any case, Sprint service in the parks is fairly good, although you may not get a signal inside certain attractions (parts of The Living Seas for example, since radio waves travel poorly through water, or inside Spaceship Earth, ironically). Service at the hotels can be more spotty -- I only had good service in half our hotel room (the other half was 1-bar).

 

[DISNEYRIFFIC]

Walkie Talkies were a good idea when we bought them, until we started to use them, and all we got was interferrence from others, no matter what channel... Now we have Nationwide calling on our cells with no roaming b/c my husband travels a lot, so we just use our cells.

 

[WillCAD]

The only thing I've ever found that works as well as cell phones in the parks is business class radios, which are more powerful and work on completely different frequencies than the commonly available FRS radios.

I can't speak for the other providers, but Verizon cell coverage is very good throughout WDW property. Phones don't work inside many of the attractions, but outdoors and in a lot of restaurants and eateries, and in many of the resorts, coverage varies from fair to excellent.

 

[chartle]

The only thing I've ever found that works as well as cell phones in the parks is business class radios, which are more powerful and work on completely different frequencies than the commonly available FRS radios.

I can't speak for the other providers, but Verizon cell coverage is very good throughout WDW property. Phones don't work inside many of the attractions, but outdoors and in a lot of restaurants and eateries, and in many of the resorts, coverage varies from fair to excellent.

Just so you know anything above a FRS requires a licence from the FCC. Its not like any ever asks when you buy them or use them but it is the law.

http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=general_mobile

Also I think Animal Kingdom seemed to have the worst coverage according to my son who was talking to his girl friend what seemed like 8 hrs a day.

 

[WillCAD]

Just so you know anything above a FRS requires a licence from the FCC. Its not like any ever asks when you buy them or use them but it is the law.

http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=general_mobile

Also I think Animal Kingdom seemed to have the worst coverage according to my son who was talking to his girl friend what seemed like 8 hrs a day.

Right. A friend of mine is a contractor whose company used to use business class radios, and we brought them to the parks a few times. However, his company has since switched to Nextel service, so he no longer has a license to operate the radios; that's why I started using cell phones in the parks.