nextel service in parks

[crzy4mk]

We have 2 families with 3 nextel phones between us going in a couple of weeks (woo hoo!!!) Question: has anyone had a problem with nextel direct connect service in the parks? We would like to be able to split up and communicate without renting radios.

 

[Tess]

We had no issues whatsoever with our Nextel phones last summer. The adults had a phone and the teens had a phone. We communicated our locations when in the parks without problem. One evening the adults went to WL from Polynesian and the kids stayed in the room (rainy night)--we were able to communicate just fine with the walkie talkie aspect of Nextel.

As an aside, now that Nextel has the nationwide feature, we've even spoken to our neighbors from home to Florida and vice versa. It's a major comfort knowing your just a "beep-beep" away from contact on the home front--wherever that home front may be at the moment!

 

[lagirl]

This is nice to know because DH and I both have Nextel phones. I'm glad we will be able to communicate if we split up.

 

[mickeymule]

i have a nextel as well, but may I suggest that if you are using them, shut the speaker off and beep - beep while using it like a phone as not to annoy others around you.

I used a Nextel, but my dad had Verizon Wireless and the 2 of us had no problems communicating via the cell phones.

 

[HumphreytheBear]

Nextel is the service provider for WDW... The managers in the parks have company issued Nextels so you should have no problems with yours

 

[msr709]

Thanks for the heads up on the Nextel phones. Our family (actually 2 families) are all getting Nextel and I was wondering the very same thing. Theres nothing like these DIS boards for vacation planning!!

 

[girlsma]

The nextels work great in the parks and surrounding areas.. But we found that they did not work at all at Fort Wilderness. Just an FYI...

 

[Tess]

I'm shocked they wouldn't work at FW but do work at WL--FW isn't that much farther away. It's good to know though in the event someone in the party is headed that way and you wish to remain in touch.

We did use them in all parks and DD, including DQ without problems.

 

[mickeymule]

FW had spotty service with the nextel when I was there, but had no problems there. I also made sure that anytime I was in a ride or at a show, I put it on Vibrate, that way I knew when someone was calling me so I could call them back when we were done.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I was communicating with my office in New York on my last trip with direct connect. It sounded like I was right next door. It also made me turn the phone off because it made me feel like I was right next door.

HBC

 

[Tess]

That is the drawback to the "right next door" feeling. One trip we made that thing "beeped" in the airport while having lunch on our way down, in the car on our way to the resort, at check-in, and as we were wandering around the parks waiting for our room. When we got into our room, I took my husband's phone, turned it off and placed it in a drawer! It didn't come out again until we returned and deplaned at home! Our kids were with us all the time that trip, so no need to communicate by two-way.

Last summer though--we used it frequently. We had three teens and they wanted to do some things we did not, i.e., DQ, TT for the zillionth time, and Innoventions. Also the night I mentioned they stayed in and we went to explore WL. It sure does give you peace of mind. They aren't babies anymore, but I still like to know where they are and what they are doing!