First-Timers List

[kristenrice]

I'm not sure how to word this, so let me start with a little background. My parents are taking our extended family to WDW in June 2012. Here is the "cast" and their WDW experience...

1) My family...me, DH, and 2DD's....oldest DD will turn 9 on the day we return and other DD will be 6. I've been to WDW 4 times as a child and 7 times as an adult. DH has been 5 times as an adult and our DD's have been there 4 times.

2) My Brother's family... Brother, SiL, DD10, DS9 (12 days older than my DD) and DD7. My brother went with our family 4 times as a child and hasn't been there since 1988. SiL and the kids have never been there.

3) My Sister's family....Sister, BiL and DD who will turn 4 on the day we return (yup, same day as my oldest DD). Aside from our 4 trips as children, my sister also has not been to WDW since 1988. BiL and their daughter will also be first-timers.

4) Dad and Mom...took us 4 times as kids, went with DH and I in 2001 (when we got engaged) and then went this past April with our family for Easter.

In 2001, we stayed at OKW (4 of us in a 2BR) at rack rate. (Oh, how I wish I'd discovered the DIS boards earlier)! Dad fell in love with OKW and then and there decided that he wanted to treat the entire family to a trip there "someday". Well, "someday" arrived! We are planning on going June 16-23, 2012 and staying in (2) 2BR's. Mom and dad are paying for airfare, park tickets and they are giving each family a very substantial food allowance. They are also going to treat us to a group dinner too.

So, after that lengthy background, let me get to the part where I would like your input. I want to put together a list of things that my siblings will need/want to make their trip go smoothly. Their budgets are a little tight so I thought it might help them if they could buy things over time instead of all at once right before the trip. It will also help with birthday and Christmas presents

Here are some of the things I've already thought of...
1) A stroller for my niece (got it, and a travel bag for the flight)
2) Appropriate bag for the parks, either for adults or kids
3) Comfortable shoes!
4) Packing cubes for luggage
5) "Misting fans" (we ARE going in June....)

It's been a while since I was a "first-timer" and I am drawing a blank as to all the stuff I went out and bought for our first trip. I gave them each a copy of the "Unofficial Guide 2011" and Birnbaum's guide for Christmas. Please add anything else to my list of things to help. We will be flying and using DME so we will not have a car.

Any and all tips are appreciated.

 

[southerngirl1014]

I know that when my grandmother took me for the first time she gave us autograph books ahead of time. It was fun because my sister and I put on one side of the page who we wanted to sign there and then got their signature on the other side. It was like a very fun scavenger hunt!
Also I know when we went in September it was still hot and I had brought with us those earth friendly metal refillable water bottles. They keep cold MUCH longer, especially if you put ice in there in the beginning of the day. They packed ok and were so helpful in the park. I did not end up spending as much on water as I could just refill it, sometimes I would even ask for a glass of water at a restaurant and fill it with that! Maybe getting everyone one of those? Walmart sells them pretty cheap (I think they are only like $5)
Have fun!!

 

[LuvBug1977]

Ponchos are a must have item in June!!