Two way radios question

[disneydebi]

I'm curious about 2 way radios in the parks.
I see a lot of people using them and was wondering the advantage over cell phones (assuming you have lots of minutes and no roaming).

Also - what radios do those who use them recommend. I was looking on Best Buy's web site and noticed that many of the ones with longer ranges require an FCC license? Do you folks get those? If not, what range works in WDW without having to get a license?

Thanks.

 

[Toadi]

We used our two-way radios a lot when our son was younger and before we all got small cell phones with good features like no roaming and free long distance. Now that we all have cell phones we use those.

The radios work good within a park, but not between parks. You don't need the long range ones; the regular ones work fine, but you do need different channels as we often found someone else on the same channel and needed to switch. And being able to lock the channel is helpful, especially if you have young children using them.

 

[jbdreamer]

I have to say I really dislike those. People use them standing in line, yelling into it so the person on the other side can hear them! It's very obnoxious. I don't want to listen to your conversation, especially while it's being yelled.

I have also heard because so many people use them, you get other people on the line instead of just your party.

I suppose the advantage would be you don't have to pay for a cell phone plan or minutes. It's a one time fee for the two-way radios.

 

[TXTink]

I have also heard because so many people use them, you get other people on the line instead of just your party.

Very true! And some are saying very "un-Disney" things!!

 

[LisaS]

I have to say I really dislike those. People use them standing in line, yelling into it so the person on the other side can hear them! It's very obnoxious. I don't want to listen to your conversation, especially while it's being yelled.

I agree! And cell phones can be bad, too, depending on who is using them. This past January we were in line for the Safari at AK and a very loud guy behind us in line was on his cell phone with his secretary almost constantly, conducting business, making travel arrangements, etc. We go to WDW to escape the real world and felt like we were in the middle of a 30-minute business meeting!

 

[ToTLaugher]

DisneyDebi -
You can borrow mine if you want them. I only like them for the kids in case they get separated from us. DH and I have switched to the cell phones (in case you didn't noticed when we were there together )

We will probably still have the girls carry them but won't use them for much communication.

 

[Anna114]

I have a very strong opinion here. I used radios last time we were there 2002, what a train wreck! Too many kids we playing on the radio we couldn't get a word in edgewise. It was very annoying! This time we all have cell phones. They will not be used to yack they will be used for informational purposes only (I've already advised my sons). I started a thread a while back getting feedback on the signal you get using cingular. It sounded like overall it was good.

 

[mejaie]

We just got some to try mainly because Grandma will be with us we expect her to get lost when she does not go on a ride.