Friend I'm going with doesn't have cell phone - alternatives?

[erincon23]

I'm leaving in 10 days to go to WDW with a friend who lives halfway across the country from me. We're obviously taking separate flights and planning to meet at the ME desk. I found out over the weekend that neither she nor her husband owns a cell phone! It works for them, so that's nice, but I'm concerned about being able to communicate while we're on our trip -- she said she would like to possibly schedule in a pool afternoon (we're only going for a long weekend) and I have no interest in a pool break, among other potential communications challenges. I own a pair of those little walkie-talkies with a 5-mile range -- any thoughts on how well that would work, from any of the parks to Pop? Having used them at WDW before, I know that they're not completely reliable, but other than insisting that she buy a go-phone (which I'm not going to do), what other choices do I have?

 

[Sammie]

5 mile range is not going to help you from the resort to the parks, maybe in the parks but that is about it.

The only other choice you have is to leave messages at your room. They can access them by any house phone. You, your cell phone.

It will be hard but people did it for years before cell phone.

 

[PHLtoMCO]

You could have her stand by the red phone booths in Epcot and wait for you to call sorry I couldn't help it!

I hope this doesn't get frustrating for you! You might have to go the old fashioned way and designate meeting places at certain times to check in with each other. Obviously at your resort, you can use the resort phones. I'm sorry I don't have better suggestions. Perhaps someone on here can suggest some!

 

[Hannathy]

Would they consider buying one of the cheap GO phones for like 25 dollars just for the trip?

Other wise you will just have to do like we used to and pre set a time to meet.

 

[Robo]

Would they consider buying one of the cheap GO phones for like 25 dollars just for the trip?

That is exactly what they should do.
Very inexpensive and practical.

The phones come with "minutes" for that price, and the owner can just toss it out after the trip,
or keep using it as long as (s)he wants back home, by adding more minutes as needed.

BTW, these phones can be purchased for as little as $10 at Dollar General or other retailers.

 

[Vixster]

Have you got an old spare phone for you to ring her?

 

[navywifetill2002]

If they're alright with not having a cell and apparently are used to making it work they may not see the big deal. If it would make your vacation better and more relaxed for them to have a phone then grab a Go Phone for them and "loan" it to them for the weekend. If spending the $10-$25 would make your trip better then it's well worth it

 

[thehowells]

as long as you get good plans with them such as meet at the castle or sse at 5:00 pm , it shouldn't really be that hard. it sounds like they are trying to comprimise with the go phone whatever that is, i don't own or need a cell phone, and as someone else said we made do without them for 30 years at the parks

 

[fla4fun]

What about pay phones? You will have your cell with you, so make arrangements that they contact you when necessary. For example, on pool day, you go on about your business, they go to the pool. When they are done at the pool, they call you and let you know and you discuss where and when to meet. Does that work?

I have a cell phone, but I have to admit I lock it in the room safe when I arrive and typically leave it there for the trip. I rarely have it on in the real world, and I'm not letting it disrupt my vacation. So I can see where they are coming from.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I agree with the suggestion of getting a pay-as-you-go phone (we've used Tracfones and they work well) and buy a 60 minute card for the trip. That's enough time to call each other and touch base. I think the most basic Tracfone phone is only $15, and you can buy one at Target or Walmart.

After the trip, you can opt to keep the phone or donate it to a charity.

 

[jlevis]

I wonder how we survived before cell phones? Maybe the two of you can agree to meet at a specific time and place?

 

[erincon23]

Thanks for the suggestions! You know, we do tend to forget that cell phones are a reasonably new invention... (although, if you've watched the original version of Sabrina with Humphrey Bogart, he's talking to his secretary on the phone while he's in his car...)

I'll check out the cheap go-phones. If I decide to do that, I'll get one and mail it to her this week so there's no problem getting hold of each other from airports (she has to change planes, which is always a worry). But I suppose we'll manage one way or another! I just tend to be a nervous nellie, and since this had been originally planned as a solo trip, I'm more than a little controlling about this, I think. Really what's needed is for me to step back and not be so large and in charge!

 

[Robo]

I wonder how we survived before cell phones? Maybe the two of you can agree to meet at a specific time and place?

Having met others at WDW and Disneyland for years and years before cell phones, I can tell you I never want to have to try to do so without the phones, again.

There are so many situations that can make for substantial delays, that just having a "place and time to meet" won't cut it.

The best laid plans at WDW get nixed by the most common of things,
especially for guests who are not familiar with the place.

Example. Someone had a flat tire on their rental car the way to MK.
We thought we'd never meet up, as those other guests simply did not show up at the meeting spot for over two hours after the "plan."

The Florida freeways are notorious for delays.
The monorails have been prone to breakdowns.

A disposable phone is $10-40 well-spent... and I, myself would pay it, just to not have
to end up standing in a "meeting spot" while who-knows-what
has delayed the other party.


.

 

[disneychic2]

What about pay phones? You will have your cell with you, so make arrangements that they contact you when necessary. For example, on pool day, you go on about your business, they go to the pool. When they are done at the pool, they call you and let you know and you discuss where and when to meet. Does that work?

I have a cell phone, but I have to admit I lock it in the room safe when I arrive and typically leave it there for the trip. I rarely have it on in the real world, and I'm not letting it disrupt my vacation. So I can see where they are coming from.

I think this is the winner! Your friend can contact you whenever she is ready and you can continue to do your thing until then.

ETA: using the room phones, since pay phones have gone the way of the dinosaur (as Robo points out)!

 

[Robo]

What about pay phones?

Most pay phones have been removed from service.

Have you tried to find one recently?

 

[jlevis]

Having met others at WDW and Disneyland for years and years before cell phones, I can tell you I never want to have to try to do so without the phones, again.

There are so many situations that can make for substantial delays, that just having a "place and time to meet" won't cut it.

The best laid plans at WDW get nixed by the most common of things,
especially for guests who are not familiar with the place.

Example. Someone had a flat tire on their rental car the way to MK.
We thought we'd never meet up, as those other guests simply did not show up at the meeting spot for over two hours after the "plan."

The Florida freeways are notorious for delays.
The monorails have been prone to breakdowns.

A disposable phone is $10-40 well-spent... and I, myself would pay it, just to not have
to end up standing in a "meeting spot" while who-knows-what
has delayed the other party.


.

I don't disagree - cell phones have become a necessity today. But, only because we've made them indispensible. You're right, ka-ka occurs. We used to deal with it, now we reach for the cell phone and are lost if we left it home. I didn't have a cell when I was in high school nor did I have a car. I walked. If something happened and I was going to be late I would call from a phone booth. Can't do that now, why? Cell phones.

 

[okeydokey]

I wonder how we survived before cell phones? Maybe the two of you can agree to meet at a specific time and place?

Well generally in the past, you would plan to meet at a place and then something would happen that would delay one party for an hour or more and everyone would waste lots of time and worry needlessly. or once a plan was in place it could not be changed until you met up again and re-planned. Thank goodness that is not the case anymore.

 

[jlevis]

Well generally in the past, you would plan to meet at a place and then something would happen that would delay one party for an hour or more and everyone would waste lots of time and worry needlessly. or once a plan was in place it could not be changed until you met up again and re-planned. Thank goodness that is not the case anymore.

Or, you would plan to meet at a restaurant or a theater or the corner drug store or some bodys house, etc. If you were delayed you went to the pay phone that were everywhere and called them at the restaurant, etc. Can't do that now because cell phones have eliminated phone booths.

 

[mom2rtk]

Well, if they're the sort to want to spend an afternoon of a weekend trip to Disney by the pool....... maybe it's just better to part ways now!

 

[Robo]

well, if they're the sort to want to spend an afternoon of a weekend trip to disney by the pool....... Maybe it's just better to part ways now!

Agreed.