Walkie-talkies In Parks???

[DNBois]

DH and I are going to Disney for a long, much needed Disney vacation. My in-laws are meeting us there for a few days of our trip and we are planning events/meals together. But if we happen to be at the same park and want to separate and meet up somewhere later in the day, we believe there are walkie-talkies you can rent at the parks. If this is correct, how much per day are they? Or is it worth it to just purchase them and if so, where and how much? Thanks for your help!!!

 

[Eeyore's Girl]

You will use the walkie talkies much more than you realize. My DH & I used the radio-type feature on our cell phones while there in September, even though it was just the four us (DD's are 10 & 3).

Based on the number of visits you've made in the last few years & assuming you'll continue that pattern, I'd say purchase the walkie talkies at home. You'll probably find other places to use them as well.

A couple of years ago, we also purchased two-way radios to take on that WDW trip. We bought them at Office Depot or Lowe's, I think. We just happened along a great deal and picked them up. Beware - do not allow your children to wear one on their clothing while playing in the water fountains at Epcot!

Check around for options - electronic stores such as Best Buy, etc. Target probably has something that'll work.

Are you actually going without ANY children? I love taking my girls to WDW but, I have to admit I day dream about the day my DH & I get to go alone! Have a blast!

 

[DNBois]

Thanks so much for the info - we will check out Best Buy and Lowes and see what they have in stock.
No children yet - we are early, mid 30's so we have decided that this is our very last trip before we have children. . .we probably will wait until our kids are at least 5 or so before we take them so we better live it up this March/April.
Thanks again for the advice - that is why I LOVE these boards!!!

 

[Gluman11]

We tried those about 2 years ago in MK.........and decided it wasn't worth it....... there were so many people using them that we were picking up everyone elses conversations.....and we'd spent a pretty $$$ on some good quality Motorola's................

We put them away after the first day and then sent them back to QVC when we got home...............

I'm not sure if technology has gotten any better in this area, but that was our experience in 2002.......

We've had better luck with cell phones........not that I'm one of those freaks that has the phone attached to his ear every minute of the day, but I just kept it on my hip (on vibrate) and didn't answer it unless it was my wife or dad, who were in the parks with us, but at different locations at different times.............

good luck..........

 

[TexasAggie]

We have used both two way radios and cell phones and have found that cell phones work much better. In fact my DW and DD and myself are leaving in 6 days and are bringing our 3 cell phones. We will use them in the parks and at the airport when I go and get the rental car and they get the suitcases, I'll call them and let them know what car to look for.

 

[Carrieberry]

We have always used them. NEVER rented the ones in the park. We have bought Motorola Talkabouts, and a few different types since. When we are home we use them with our son, he takes one to his friends house or the park and we can check in with him all the time.

There are A LOT of people talking on them in the parks, and they can get annoying. I would recommend getting some that have the scramble feature (privacy codes) so you don't have to listen to everyones conversations. We bought some Panasonic FRS radios that we used on our last trip in 2002 and they were great. We did not hear a single person, and they have a privacy talk option on them that you can use like a cell phone. A little flap comes down on the bottom and you hold it up to your ear and talk into the mouthpiece. Much nicer. No one can hear what you are listening too (often times my DH complaining abot someone cutting in line or running him off a path with a stroller or ECV) and it was much easier to hear what he was saying to me. These were espescially nice in the quieter attractions where let's face it, it's just rude to yapping loudly with that darn beep thing going off after evertime you finish saying something or the other person finishes. Here is a link to the ones like we have:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3076235893&category=3308

 

[FatCow]

As I've mentioned in many of DIS threads about WT.

1. Get GMRS, not just FRS. Better distance, lower power consumption.
2. Get the one with most channels and sub-channels.
3. Get the one that comes with rechargeable batteries and charger. Your wallet will thank you for it.


Here's what I've been using and I've been able to use it up to 1.5 miles in areas with high WT traffic and RFI/EMI. The pacjage can be obtained at around US$50

(I also have a regular FRS radio from Cobra. In the same area at the exact same time, the radius wasn't larger than about 500 yards)