Walkie Talkie Madness

[iamleia2]

Last time we went to DW we took walkie talkies with us... but I hear that that idea has become more popular so now it's sometimes hard to find an open channel to talk to you party on.... So I was just wondering how cell phone reception is in the park. We have a family plan with 3 phones so we were thinking we'd just use them but if reception is bad, we want to come up with something else. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[pigletforever]

My understanding is most are pretty good but there are reports of Tmoblie being a little iffy

 

[Bob P]

Cell phone reception depends on your carrier.

We have Cingular and in general it is fine...there will always be some dead spots.

 

[micksterlee]

On our last trip we decided to use cell phones for communication the problem was not reception but getting the other person to answer.None of us couldhear our phones ring due to the noise in the parks and for some reason the vibrate option was not always successful either.

 

[Good Ol Gal]

we have Tmobile and have always used them in the parks.

On our first trip I learned this lesson: don't forget to use you LOCAL area code when dialing! I just used my speed dial to get dh and I kept getting this other person. At first I was getting real nervous and freaked out..... did someone steal his phone? did he lose it? Agh...where is he with the other two kids?!!??

Then it hit me.... I was dialing the person who had his number in that area code

Once I figured I had to dial all 10 digits, we had no problems.

 

[musicmama]

Verizon has always been pretty reliable for service, especially in Epcot. Have even gotten calls from work. (in the perfumerie in France)

Just remember to turn your ringer up as loud as possible and use a ring you know really well - I changed the ring during a previous and thought it was someone else's phone - missed a lot of calls.

 

[gonemousin']

We have Verizon as well and have no troubles getting reception. We typically put our phones on ring AND vibrate mode (on our belt loop) and that helps. If you're planning to carry your phone in a fanny pack, backpack, or purse...turn the ring volume WAY up.

 

[Bay in TN]

Oo! So happy to find this thread. I just came to the boards this morning to find out how to handle the keeping-the-group-in-touch-across-four-parks problem.

Basically, y'all recommend getting family plan type cell phones for keeping in touch? Is that the deal? Or would I be better served to buy three Cricket phones for use in WDW alone?

I am handicapped by cell phone ignorance in general....

--Bay