First Timer-so many questions!!

[dumas10_22]

Hi everyone!! My husband and I are heading to Disney this weekend with our 17 month old son. We are going from 4/11 to 4/18 (I know...crazy week to go) This will be our first trip (well, I went when I was younger) and I have so many questions!! Wondering if anyone can help us out? TIA!!

1. Our son won't stay in the stroller long unless we use our Uppa Baby Vista which is like our prized possession. I know the Maclaren umbrella will be so much easier for traveling..but I think it'll make our life much easier there if Jackson is comfortable and can nap when he needs to in the Uppa....so...since the stroller wasn't cheap....my husband wants to put a bike lock on the wheels so it can't be stolen. I know that the CMs will sometimes move the strollers to organize them better so I'm wondering what the policy is on this??? We wont lock it to any Disney properyt..I just mean to lock the wheels so they cant turn which might deter someone from taking it??

2. If our son is 17 months old....what should we do for safety....ID's?? It's not like he'll ever leave our side but do you think it's necessary to do some sort of ID bracelet or something??

3. We booked this trip so last minute, didn't realize before we purchased the deluxe dining plan which has 3 table service meals a day that you need to make ADRs and now can't get any reservations at the restuarants we'd like to go to. I know we're going at one of the busiest times so we'll probably end up eating all quick service which we're really sad about. What are the chances of us being able to eat at a table service rest. without and ADR?? Also....if we end up only getting quick service..will they refund us a difference or are we just out of luck. I wish they had told me when we booked that since we were booking last minute we may not get ADRs.

4. Should I bring a life jacket for Jackson for the water parks??? We have swimmies for the pool at the hotel but wonder what we should do for water park?


5. Should we bring bug spray for evening parades and fireworks?

6. If we do the Magical Express transportation from the airport...how long will it be before we get our luggage??? Trying to figure out just what to carry in the carry on???

I'm sure I have a gazillion more....but this is all I can think of right now.
TIA!!!
-Maria

 

[daisyduck123]

Also....if we end up only getting quick service..will they refund us a difference or are we just out of luck. I wish they had told me when we booked that since we were booking last minute we may not get ADRs.

No, I'm sorry but you will be out of luck. Disney will not refund the difference. You've just got to keep calling everyday & trying to get some ADRs. I recommend trying the resort restaurants, as they tend to not fill up as quickly as the restaurants in the parks.

 

[tzolkin]

1. Our son won't stay in the stroller long unless we use our Uppa Baby Vista which is like our prized possession. I know the Maclaren umbrella will be so much easier for traveling..but I think it'll make our life much easier there if Jackson is comfortable and can nap when he needs to in the Uppa....so...since the stroller wasn't cheap....my husband wants to put a bike lock on the wheels so it can't be stolen. I know that the CMs will sometimes move the strollers to organize them better so I'm wondering what the policy is on this??? We wont lock it to any Disney properyt..I just mean to lock the wheels so they cant turn which might deter someone from taking it??
You can lock the back or front wheels together with a chain, so the CMs can tip the stroller and push it to another location if necessary. So it can still be pushed, but no one would want to steal it and push their child around like that. (You can also be particular about where you park it... We saw many strollers being moved, but ours never were.)

2. If our son is 17 months old....what should we do for safety....ID's?? It's not like he'll ever leave our side but do you think it's necessary to do some sort of ID bracelet or something??
There have been many posts on this. Try a quick search. I've seen some people that buy temporary tatoos with their cell phone number on them, so someone can call you if they find your child.



4. Should I bring a life jacket for Jackson for the water parks??? We have swimmies for the pool at the hotel but wonder what we should do for water park?
They have life jackets available at the water parks and most (all?) resort pools.


5. Should we bring bug spray for evening parades and fireworks?
We were amazed at how bug-free Disney was. We were in FL for 10 days prior to Disney visiting family and couldn't even step foot outside in the evening without being all bit up. None of us got even one bite while on Disney property.

Have a great trip!

 

[ldymcbth]

I am making small labels with my name and cell phone number on them, and putting them on my 2 1/2 year old under his arm. I am bringing extras so that if they get wet or etc I can replace them.

I have also read that making your stroller really "yours" will help prevent people from taking them - attach scarves, a balloon, whatever you can think of. We are taking our own double stroller and I am doing a bright scarf and locking the wheels when we park. I do think your child will be happier in his favorite stroller rather than try to make do with an umbrella stroller.

Keep calling dining and see if you can get any ADRs. Just in the past week I have been able to get Cape May and Chef Mickey. The reps I talked to said the most cancellations happen ~48 hours before - so don't lose hope! Keep trying!

 

[kerstfan1]

also for a dinning tip try the hotel lobby dining person they can see what is free

joyce

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

You are going to have such a great time!!

I don't know if there is a specific "policy" on locking strollers, but I doubt the CM's would like it much as they do need to move them around a lot. Tip for night-time: hang a glow stick on your handle to identify your stroller from the sea of other strollers!

Don't give up hope with the ADRs! Like another poster said people will cancel at the last minute. We got ADRs last minute when everything had been previously filled on a past trip. You can also use your dining credits creatively depending on where you stay: the new "picnic" meal at Animal Kingdom from Tusker House, pizza delivery (I think is 2 credits), some might let you do room service?? For the heck of it see if there is any availability for the dinner shows that take 2 credits (Hoop de due revue, luau at the poly, mickey's bbq, etc.), you may get lucky!

We went with DS when he ws 13 months and did not have any ID. He did not get lost because he was right by our side, but you sure can't go wrong being on the safe side! If Jackson wears shoes with laces, laminate a small piece of paper with your cell phone # that you will have on hand at the parks and punch a hole with a hole puncher and thread onto his laces. We always try to point out how to identify a cast member in case they get lost.

Definitely bring your own stroller if that is what works best. Because there is nothing worse than a cranky toddler than a cranky, sweaty, tired Disney toddler!

Have a great vacation!

 

[las3888]

As a side note, I would try to make ressies for sit-down restaurants that are not that popular, or ask the CM on the phone, what IS available (say at MK or HS or wherever your destination is). Often we can't get into our favorite restaurants, but we can make ressies at nice restaurants that we still enjoy. If you can't get in, maybe you can change (or cancel?) your dining plan.

Also, as PP mentioned, it is truly amazing how bug-free Disney is. You should have no problems with bugs. Bring a small container of bug spray if you are feeling worried.

I don't think you will need floaties for the pools and water parks...they seem to have vests at most resorts and I assume they do at water parks.

As far as Magical Express, aren't they supposed to take your bags automatically? I know my sister just used ME last week and they did have to find their bags because their 'yellow' tags didn't arrive in time, but they did find their bags, however, they waited at least a half hour to load the bus with other people, bags, etc. Be patient is the best advice I can give you about ME.

Good luck and have a fine time!

 

[lilmissie]

I agree with taking a stroller you feel comfortable with that your child will enjoy. We've been looking into the strollers for rent and they seem to be hard plastic in the parks. So I would either take my own down with me if you can or possibly look into a stroller swap if you think he may like one of those. If he isn't going to like the stroller you get (especially an umbrella style) you'll end up just not using it.