2 way radios?

[Laura]

What 2 way radio would you recommend using in theme parks? I've heard that some of them are terrible because you always hear other people's conversations, and there's other kinds where you can have your own private channel. Does that make sense?

I'd like to go buy a pair today (inexpensive!) to use at Disney, and I have no idea what to get.

 

[krzy4dzny]

I recently bought the Motorola 5720 which has 22 channels and 38 sub-channels. With this at disney we never had a problem with hearing other peoples conversations.

 

[Deaclaw]

I just got back from Disney about 3 weeks ago. We used the Motorola ones with the security codes. They were about $80. I had posted on this before (or read another post aobut it) and you must have the ones with the channels and the security codes to have any chance at good recepation. My experience is they will work in the parks you are in so long as both parties are outside of a building. Have fun!

 

[Laura]

So if one of us is inside a ride and one of us is outside you don't think they'd work? Hmmmm.

 

[Since1976]

Ack! I hate my Motorola phone. It's a company phone, which means that I could be out to lunch or driving home when I hear that horrid beeping, followed by my boss yelling "[My Name], you there?"

If I were to hear that beep at the park, whether or not it were my own phone, I think I would chuck that thing into the nearest lake!

 

[tigsmom]

Originally posted by Laura22
So if one of us is inside a ride and one of us is outside you don't think they'd work? Hmmmm.

Thats the problem we had. The only time we didn't have a problem was when we were in the WL & my SIL was on the boat back from the MK.
We finally gave up on them. This past trip we used our cell phones (free calls betweens phones on the same plan). Worked much better for us. :wave:

 

[frazierle]

We bought some good walkie talkies with the sub channels. Other than the kids talking to one another, standing next to one another I might add, they really did not do a good job. We just finally just started using our cell phones to talk.

 

[Tom]

Cell phones are the best way to keep in touch in the parks - just turn them off in rides, attractions and shows.

As for the radios, those Walk-About or Talk-About radios (whatever they're called) by Motorolla are the best option. You can buy the next line up, but they require an FCC license because you get your own frequency (the private channel that someone asked about).

If you buy these radios in your home state, and are assigned a frequency, that frequency may be being used in Florida by someone, even Disney. It's VERY difficult to find a frequency that will work at home, AND in another state, and I think they're licensed only for where you live as well (not positive).

 

[bgraham34]

Sine I go with adults its all cell phones on vibrate. I hate the sound of those darn walkie talkies.

 

[Laura]

Hmmm...

I have Cingular Nation Family Talk. According to their map I shouldn't be roaming in Orlando, but you never really know till you get there. Anyone else have that plan and brought their phones to Disney? Are they roaming there?

Now I'm reconsidering buying radios after reading your responses. The cell phone on vibrating alert is a good idea.

 

[PhilharMagician]

We have a set of motorola walkie talkie radios (about $85.00) and they worked great for us. They also have a vibrate setting on them and with the sub channels we got no interferance from anyone alse. My cell phone is also a company phone and I do not want to get calls when I am in my happy place. It is always something that can be handled when I get back to the room. Since work still has not figured how to contact me through my walkie talkies I am safe. I hope!:lookaroun :lol:

 

[humphrybear]

I purchased the Motorola Mickey 2-way radios. Not sure how they will work. They are really cool becuase you can choose either Mickey, Miney, Goofy, Donald or Daisy to say different sayings.

Has anyone used these in WDW?

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Here's my two cents:

We are big fans of the motorolas with 22 channels and 38 subchannels. With that many combinations, it's VERY unlikely someone else will be using your favorite. If it did happen, you won't have any problem finding one without anyone on it. With 4 trips to Disney using them, we have never had a problem.

Sometimes you can hear your party inside buildings, but occasionally you can't. Our last trip to Disney I was in space mountain talking to family inside the Contemporary. If you don't pick someone up, wait five minutes and try again.

We have huge parties - 16 to 25 and all the adults carry one. Much easier then dialing multiple phone numbers, you can talk to everyone at once with motorolas!

The mickey motorolas work the same as the others. My daughter brought the princess version last time and loved them. She picked up all our conversations and we had fun playing with the voices!

If you're going to buy them, buy some rechargeable ones, they're wonderful!

We use ours outside of Disney all the time - in malls when we want to split up, wal-mart same problem :lol: , following someone in another car, etc.

Have fun!

 

[MikeVarney]

Radios...

We also love using the radios... we have the kind with the SubCodes (we have some of the older Motorola ones). I paid about $25 each for them, and we have 3.

If your party is outside a ride building, and you're in the ride, you can talk with no problems. When you have issues is when you put a little bit of distance between the groups - - at Magic Kingdom we found the distance to be about 1/3 the width of the park. Especially in the back of the park with all the rides crammed in there.

When we traveled with a group of 9, we had a total of 5 adults with the radios, and they worked great. We only used a cell when we were in separate parks (i.e., a toddler needed a change of clothes, etc). We never had any problems with others on our frequency.

Someone was talking about the frequencies and what state you buy the radios in - - for the 2mi range Family radios, the frequencies are standard across the country. I wouldn't spend any more on higher models unless you had a specific need for them at home.

-- M

 

[Pioneer Hall]

We prefer cell phones over the radios. We either got too much interference from others or we didn't get enough range. We just stick to making phone calls now.