Using 2 Way Radios At WDW

[wee-haggis]

I've just bought a couple of 2 ways radios and I was wondering how well they work at Epcot and the larger parks.
These ones claim to work up to 2 miles and have 22 channels.
Is there much cross talk?
Do they fade in and out in the buildings ?
Thanks

 

[PixieDust32]

We use the radios everytime we go to the World, and they do work very well, about the cross talking, oh yes, be prepared to hear all kinds of conversations, we use nick names or codes, because my DH's name is David, and oh gosh to many David's over the radio!


Do they fade in and out in the buildings ?

Ours worked fine, but i don't know if others do.

 

[bluejasmine]

MY DS is David as well but he has already picked a code name... I just bought two way radios yesterday and was wondering the same things.. Mine are a 6 mile range with 22 channels... I think they will work great, cant wait to try them out..

 

[PixieDust32]

MY DS is David as well but he has already picked a code name... I just bought two way radios yesterday and was wondering the same things.. Mine are a 6 mile range with 22 channels... I think they will work great, cant wait to try them out..

LOL! oh we got same 6 mile and 22 channels!

 

[ncbyrne]

We bought Motorola Talkabout GMRS radios (5 mi. range) a few years back and have used them a few times at WDW. They work very well. We have also used them on camping and hiking trips as well as in the mall. A great way to keep in touch with others in your party.

 

[dpuck1998]

Range is great and they work well. LOTS of people using them so be prepared with alternate channels and the possability of "out of control" kids using them to annoy and torment people.

 

[RayRing]

The first time I tried 2-way radios at WDW they were an inexpensive set. They worked OK but there was a lot of people talking on the channels.

Last year I took a new pair of Motorola's. This pair had 99 channels, and privacy sub-channels. Basically it took each channel and broke them up into multiple sub-channels. When we used them, we didn't hear any one else when we were talking. So that worked out a lot better.

However, always take the rated distances with a grain of salt. Also, always have a verbal fall back plan, in case the radios don't work. I say that because we experienced very sporadic results in the park. For example, in the MK we could talk from one land to the next. However, a couple of times we couldn't communicate, even though we were very close. One time we stopped for lunch. My DW sat down with the kids, and I got in line around the corner. I wanted to clarify the kids lunch order, but I didn't want to get out of line. No problem, I thought, I'll just use the radios. They didn't work, even though we were in the same place. Another time, I was trying to get my DW, but ended up seeing her, before I could raise her on the 2-way radios.

My suggestion would be to take them to the parks, and use them. Just don't count on them working 100%. If your going to split up, always arrange a meeting place for later in the day.

 

[2Xited4Disney]

We've got one with 10000 Mile radius. One Channel. No cross talking. and Free to other Verizon Customers... My Cell Phone

hahahaha Just Kidding

 

[PixieDust32]

LOL!!!

oh we do too! Can you hear me now?? Good!

 

[crazymomof4]

The two-way radios are a nice alternative since I've read many posts on these boards about some cell phones not working very well in the parks.

We used our 2-ways in 2003 to keep in touch when we split up for what ever reason. We also have ones w/ the sub channels and didn't experience any interferance or difficulty contacting each other.

We'll be taking them again in 50 DAYS!!!!!!

 

[slp87]

We've used ours on our last 3 trips and love them! We have the motorola talkabouts with the subchannels as well. I think there's only been 2 other times that we've had someone on our channel. We have a backup channel (my DD's birthday) so if we need to switch we can. Be sure to turn them off while visiting attractions. One other tip...before talking, we press the call button and wait for the other person to respond. That way we don't have to say any names and it's easy to hear if you're being paged.

 

[jlcbshaw]

We a have used radios at WDW and they worked fine, heed the advice about code names and other conversations. I was actually trying to get a hold of my wife and another man with a thick accent came across and said "Who are you, get off of my channel." I just started laughing, needless to say they worked "okay," but I am glad we will be using our cell phones this year instead of the radios.

I have read the posts about cell phone coverage at WDW and am a little concerned, not sure if I'll bring the radios as a back up though.

 

[frannn]

They worked ok, if you don't want to spend a lot on better ones. We were able to call our AS Movies room from the food court, and I believe we were able to get DH when he was on the monorail (it broke down) and we were in MK watching Spectro. There were a lot of people on our channels, though. We use our cel phones also. DH added the long distance plan to his Sprint phone for the month we were going, since we would be calling other places in FL when we were there.

 

[sherry66]

We have used radios at WDW and found them ok. Like in many of the previous posts you will have to have alternate channels and be prepared for interference. We would also verbally say where to meet and when.