Do cell phones and/or walkie talkies work well in parks?

[pjynx]

We have verizon cell phone service but we were also considing getting a set of 2-way radios (not nextel, but the walkie-talkie type that are hot these days). Do cell phones and/or the 2-ways work well in the parks or are there way to many people using them so we'd pick up on their conversations too? Any brands of 2-ways that work better than others? Any to avoid? Thanks!

 

[G00fyDad]

We have verizon cell phone service but we were also considing getting a set of 2-way radios (not nextel, but the walkie-talkie type that are hot these days). Do cell phones and/or the 2-ways work well in the parks or are there way to many people using them so we'd pick up on their conversations too? Any brands of 2-ways that work better than others? Any to avoid? Thanks!

Cells work good (please dont use them on rides though ) but the 2 ways have EVERYONE else on them as well as you and OP.

 

[mhingher]

We have Verizon, and never had any problems reaching each other in any of the parks. They should be fine. I don't know about the walkie talkies though...

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

I got great reception in the parks but I use Sprint. And no one I was with had Verizon so I don't know how their service is. We do know people who have used 2 ways and they said they worked great

 

[G00fyDad]

used 2 ways and they said they worked great

But they also work great picking up other people. Remember pjynx, the 2 ways have a set number of channels to talk on. Everyone else with a 2 way has those same channels.

 

[snappy]

We have done both, the walkie talkies did not work well, but we did not have an expensive pair. Gave up on them. The next trip we used Verizon and they were great. It really helped us reconnect when we had to separate in the parks-our kids having different tolerances for rides. We do not have long involved conversations- we just used them to set up meeting place, etc. I even allowed DD14 to go off on her own shopping on Main Street in MK. I don't think that would have happened without the phones. As a matter of fact I can't even imagine doin WDW now phoneless.

This last trip early February we used our new Cingular phones. Service was great, both in the parks, at OKW and offsite. Also, we enjoyed sharing our good times with friends and family at home.

 

[pjynx]

Great, thanks for the feedback. I wanted to make sure the verizon coverage down there was good enough. Since it sounds like it is, we'll stick with our phones. Thanks!

 

[Tiffany]

We have verizon cell phone service but we were also considing getting a set of 2-way radios (not nextel, but the walkie-talkie type that are hot these days). Do cell phones and/or the 2-ways work well in the parks or are there way to many people using them so we'd pick up on their conversations too? Any brands of 2-ways that work better than others? Any to avoid? Thanks!

We have Verizon for our cell service and it works very well on Disney property. If everyone in your group has a cell phone I would just go with those.

 

[KathyTX]

pjynx-

I use Verizon, and I find cell phone coverage in the parks *very* spotty. I can usually walk around a bit and find a spot with a strong signal, but I also find lots of spots in the parks with no signal.

At Yacht Club, I had to stand in a certain spot on my balcony to get a good signal. Inside Epcot, I had to walk around quite a bit to find a signal.

So you *can* get the cell phones to work, but it takes a bit of finagling.

We use the 2 ways when we need to be able to find each other, but you will find that you'll frequently have others on your channel. Not good for real conversations, but they're great for the "I just got off Splash Mountain, where should I meet you?" kind of thing.

 

[tinan]

Has anyone with Cingular used their phones in the park? Thanks!

 

[Brendita]

Any one have any info on T-Mobile.
I'm taking my cell with me.
T-Mobile to T-Mobile free.
Dad is staying home.

 

[cranbiz]

2 Years ago in our Dec trip we had Cingular phones and I brought my professional Motorola 2 ways.

The phones had very spotty coverage, the 2 ways worked very good, they were just bigger than I liked at Disney. I used my own licensed frequencies on direct and had no problems. The other family that was with us had FRS radios and while we could talk to each other (I programmed my radio to talk to theirs) so could everybody else and there was constant noise on their frequencies.

The last trips we have taken, we had switched to Sprint with Ready Link (Sprints nextel type 2 way service), left the big radio's home and the phones worked great. Great coverage and very convenient. I have not found a dead spot yet (except in a couple of attractions).

The problem with the FRS radios is the power and the fact that everyone has them. The GMRS radios are better as they have more power and private line capabilities, but require a $75 license (good for 5 years).

If I did not have 5 watt radios to use, I would most likely stick to the cell phones (as long as you have a nationwide plan)

Of course, If you have younger kids without cell phones and you allow them their own space, you would most likely need radios despite the shortcommings mentioned. Some communication is better than no communication.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I had a TMobile when we were there last April. It worked when I needed to make a call. However, for some odd reason whenever someone called me, the phone would never ring. The calls would go straight to voice mail.

My sister has a Verizon phone and never had any problems.

I purchased a Verizon phone last month so I shouldn't have any problems this time around.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

We have TMobile and never had any problems in the parks. It was great with the teenagers going off on their own.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

The only caveat I can think of is I rarely heard my cell phone ring. The ambient noise in WDW is pretty loud and I keep my cell phone in my camera bag. If it weren't in a bag I probably would have heard it.

 

[snappy]

We had no trouble with Cingular in February, but we have new phones-the Motorola V180, purchased in November 2004. We chose these specific phones because they work fairly well in our neighborhood where everyone gets spotty service. I was very pleased with coverage in WDW, we made many, many calls. I am surprised at others reporting spotty service with Cingular. Maybe it is the phone? BTW, these were not expensive phones, in fact you can get one free now, with new line of service. More the technology than the phone itself.

 

[NotUrsula]

In parks, relying on text messaging tends to work much better than relying on being able to hear. Also, that way, waiting until the ride is over to answer is much less problematic.

 

[snappy]

We put ours on vibrate only of course. Also, our phone screen shows if a phone call has come in recently. When we are separated, we just check for a recent call and we know to call each other. It worked well for us.

 

[estnh]

Can you hear me now?

 

[rcraw45425]

Nextels work great there. We even had good signal in our room at YC, CR & WL. Only problem I remember was with the Poly.