Walkie Talkie?

[SaWa]

Hi There - This is my first post since finding this site. I have spent waaaay too much time exploring! So much information, so little time.

We will be making our first true family visit to WDW the end of July. (I know, blistering hot but that was the only time we could all get together.) There will be 14 or so people in our extended "family". It would be great if we could break off and do some things and then regroup. To allow for spontanaiety (sp?) and the inevitable change in plans, would the small walkie talkie - things be useful or even feasible?

Has anyone had experience with them? Was the reception OK? I've searched many, many threads and haven'st come up with anything but perhaps I'm missing something.

Thanks and Blessings!

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

When we tried them a few years ago so many others were using them too, it was a bit "busy". I find that cell phones are easier, sometimes however the signal will not be great especially in the rides. My brother swears by his Nextel service, he lives in Ocala just north of Orlando.

 

[Snow Shoe]

Ditto on the walkie Talkies, to many other people using them all the channels were very croweded. Also, there are to many obstacles therefore reception can be a regular problem. The last two times we've gone, we used our cell phones. We placed them on vibrate incase we were in a show, so not to disturbe the goings on, and all worked very well for us. Cell phones are the way to go.

 

[SaWa]

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like cell phones are the way to go. I think everyone in our group has one. If not, now would be a great time to get one!! Thanks!

 

[jlima]

If you do use 2 way radios, get a Sharpie marker and put your family name somewhere on them, in case you lose one of them!

 

[nopdwife]

My hubby and I took the walkie talkies with us and I was ready to throw mine acorss the park! I had people laughing with me in line because I was so aggrivated by them. The reception stunk and there was always someone else on the same channel. We used them on 2 different days and decided we would stick to our cell phohes.

 

[piscesborn]

I agree Walkie Talkie's are a total waste! You may have reception problems with cell phones inside attractions but for the most part its not too bad. If you have Sprint/Nextel you will be ok simply because Disney is ALL about Nextel! hahah

 

[disneyred]

ok.
I hear about the walkie talkies not so great around the parks and just
use cellphones..
but how about if you are hanging around your resort all day?
Would it be the same situation with busy channels ??

thanks!

 

[piscesborn]

ok.
I hear about the walkie talkies not so great around the parks and just
use cellphones..
but how about if you are hanging around your resort all day?
Would it be the same situation with busy channels ??

thanks!

It probably wont be as bad if its a resort that is off property. I used to manage a hotel in Lake Buena Vista and we used two way radios and still picked up stuff from people at DTD. It would be worse if you are on property.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I agree with the cell phone. We too tried the walkie talkie route and it was frustrating with all the interfernce (both at the resort and at the parks, we ditched 'm after the 2nd day). Never had a problem with the cell though.
You might also consider making a meeting spot at each park atleast once a day (just in case) someone drops/loses a phone, wants to re-join with another group or plans change, etc. My only "hint" would be to NOT meet at the castle in MK because sometimes with the crowds it is very difficult to get thru, never mind locate someone there.
Whatever you choose, have a WONDERFUL time!!!

 

[PinkTink63]

We used walkie talkies a few years ago, because I wanted to be able to contact my son, in case we got separated. I searched long and hard for very small ones with good reception. Motorola made this one certain model that were much smaller than the rest of the selection out there. We got pretty good reception almost everywhere and we only had to switch channels once.

We now all have cell phones, so we don't need to take the walkie talkies, but it was great when our son was 9 and didn't have a cell phone.

 

[SaWa]

Thanks for all the helpful posts! Sounds like we should plan on using cells phones. Our group will be large - 2o or so - and walkies may get frustrating.

Does any one know how reliable Verizon's reception is within the park?

We will have a back-up for meeting somewhere in case all of our "plans" fail. Thanks!!

 

[sumrmist]

cellphones are great...I even got a call while riding BTMR yes I answered...it was a hoot !!

 

[Dizneydaz]

Does any one know how reliable Verizon's reception is within the park?

We've taken our Verizon phones on our trips over the last few years and haven't had any problems.

My DSis brought some walkie talkies with her back in Sept. 04 and we found they were more trouble then they were worth. And they really used up the batteries! So, once we changed our cel plan over to National coverage, with free long distance, we started taking them with us.

Also, if you have free long distance, you can really save on making calls without having to use the phones in your room. And even if you don't, it's still cheaper than the rates WDW charges.