first time taking the kids

[chickbabe]

Ok so this is my first time posting and I'm totally stressed. We are leaving in 3 weeks for our first Disney trip with our kids. Dd is 11 and on the spectrum (we will not be using the disability card) and Ds is 7. Dh and I were there last in 2000 for our honeymoon. We will be driving and staying off site. We will only be going to 2 parks because for one that's all we can afford and 2 because dd get to overwhelmed if we try to do to much. So we will do Magic Kingdom on Monday 4/6. We be there at rope drop and we have fast passes for the rides the kids wanted to do and we will let the kids guide us the rest of the way. Same for when we go to Animal Kingdom on Wed 4/8. So my questions are what should we make sure we bring? And since we are only going to 2 parks is the memory maker worth it?

 

[wdwjeffc37]

Since you are going to be in the parks for the entire day I would bring snacks and bottled water. Bringing your own can save you a lot of money. Plan to get a Disney snack (Dole Whip, Mickey Ice Cream, etc.) and maybe a quick service lunch. Having your own snacks lets you get something quick and cheap. Bottled water costs at least $2.50 in the parks. You can also fill your empty bottles in the park (if you don't like the taste of Orlando water bring some Mio or flavor packets). Scope out some quiet places in each park for some down time away from the crowds (there are threads on this board just about that). If you really want to save money pack an ice chest with lunch stuff in the car and you can go and eat in the parking lot then go back into the park later. You can even replenish your water bottle supply at lunch in the car.

As for Memory Maker, that will be a personal choice. Look at what it provides to help you decide. You can always have the PhotoPass photographers take your pictures then you can pick and choose which ones you want to buy. They will even take shots with your camera. We have never gottten MM due to the cost. We have our own camera and we get PhotoPass pictures taken and pick one to buy when we get home. That is our family souvenir, a family picture in front of one of the iconic things at Disney. I have occasionally purchased a character picture of my DD if it came out really good, but mostly we take our own pictures. We sometimes play photographer of the day and give the camera to a different person each day to use however they want.

Have a great trip!!!!

 

[chickbabe]

Since you are going to be in the parks for the entire day I would bring snacks and bottled water. Bringing your own can save you a lot of money. Plan to get a Disney snack (Dole Whip, Mickey Ice Cream, etc.) and maybe a quick service lunch. Having your own snacks lets you get something quick and cheap. Bottled water costs at least $2.50 in the parks. You can also fill your empty bottles in the park (if you don't like the taste of Orlando water bring some Mio or flavor packets). Scope out some quiet places in each park for some down time away from the crowds (there are threads on this board just about that). If you really want to save money pack an ice chest with lunch stuff in the car and you can go and eat in the parking lot then go back into the park later. You can even replenish your water bottle supply at lunch in the car.

As for Memory Maker, that will be a personal choice. Look at what it provides to help you decide. You can always have the PhotoPass photographers take your pictures then you can pick and choose which ones you want to buy. They will even take shots with your camera. We have never gottten MM due to the cost. We have our own camera and we get PhotoPass pictures taken and pick one to buy when we get home. That is our family souvenir, a family picture in front of one of the iconic things at Disney. I have occasionally purchased a character picture of my DD if it came out really good, but mostly we take our own pictures. We sometimes play photographer of the day and give the camera to a different person each day to use however they want.

Have a great trip!!!!

Thank you. I had heard about bringing the water bottles but not about adding flavor to it. I definitely will try that!