Keeping in contact in WDW

[Paddyshack]

Can anybody offer advice on how it is best to keep in contact if you group splits within the parks. Are UK and Irish mobile phones able to contact each other?

I think I read that 2 way radios are popular but that the ones bought in FL can not be used in the UK. Can the ones bought in the UK be used in WDW?

Any advice would be appreciated as I have visions of spending valuable time trying to reunite the group.

 

[MorningGlory]

I made an enquiry earlier about using mobile phones and was told that as long as your phone is at least tri-band (you should be able to find this info in the phone settings) then you can use it in WDW.

Remember that you will still have to dial the international dialling code for the country the phone belongs to. +44 for UK mobiles (not sure of ROI, and I imagine Ulster is the same as mainland UK).

Oh, and welcome to the Dis!

 

[wifey]

The first time we used our mobile phones in Florida we had to check they were triband phones and that our network would provide "roaming" facilities. Your phone should find a service automatically and these days most of them are quadband phones anyway.
Just watch out for the call charges from some of the networks out there most of them are over £1 a minute!!
Calls to the UK are +44 minus the first 0 of the area code of your number eg +44 1325 000000

 

[CoralCayTownhome]

We have found the best thing to use is while in the parks are walkie talkies. Buy them in Walmart - get as long a range as you can or one with plenty of channels as loads of people use them.

We found them great if the family had to split up - DD wants to go on a ride but DS needs the toilet?? (all families have this problem I am sure )

They are relatively inexpensive - most certainly cheaper than using a mobile.

Tracey

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

We bought walkie talkies at radio shack & have used them many times. This year my phone did pick up a network when I tried it - use text it's cheaper.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Go to walmart and buy a couple of Tracfones, PAYG USA mobile phones, about $20 each.

Then you can use those to keepm in contact. A Lot cheaper than dialling the UK to ring back to the USA!

 

[wayneg]

We always use text, never had a problem, but always arrange times to be places so very rare we need to text.

 

[Richard Bruvofetc]

Go to walmart and buy a couple of Tracfones, PAYG USA mobile phones, about $20 each.

Then you can use those to keepm in contact. A Lot cheaper than dialling the UK to ring back to the USA!

...and remember, using mobiles abroad also means you may well have to pay to receive the call as well!

Walkie talkies are fine if one person is on one hill and another is on another hill and there is nothing in-between. Stick a few buildings in the way and even US 8km range ones have difficulty receiving a signal (DD 5km one manages approx 1km at best in a normal built up area. Also, if you buy US ones they are illegal to use in the UK as they work on a different frequency (likewise UK illegal in US).

As said above, best go to Walmart and get a couple of cheapo US mobiles.

 

[Paddyshack]

Thanks for all the excellent advice. Walmat is already planned for the morning of day 2. PAYG phones added to list.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Thanks for all the excellent advice. Walmat is already planned for the morning of day 2. PAYG phones added to list.

Thius site will tell you all about the phones
http://www.tracfone.com/home_page.jsp

 

[tezza_init]

We found our USD20 walmart walkie-talkies better this year than last time (2005) as I guess more US kids have mobiles are there's less contention for channels. Work fine if your trying to meet up in a busy park and of course cost nothing to use 'cept batteries after the original purchase. We've used ours 3 times now so definitely got good value for the money.