First trip to Disney with 5 kids! EXCITED!!

[5greatkids]

This is our first trip to Disney- going the first week of August and we are so excited. We are staying off site at a nearby condo since we need alot of room and it was very economical. We are also driving from NY so we have a LONG drive ahead but are trying to prepare well and make the best of it. My kids range in age from 20-6 so I realize we may have to split up and do different rides and that is okay with us too. Since we are on a budget we are only planning on doing 1 character thing...I made reservations at the 1900 Park Place (I think that is the name) for a dinner with Cinderella and her step sisters- I hear the step sisters are a riot so I am hoping it will be fun. We have 6 days in Florida and I know we will need some breaks in between parks. Is it possible to avoid buying food in the parks (other than maybe a treat? One of my questions is regarding the Park Hopper option- it is more expensive- has anyone done just the one park a day, and how has that worked out? Any other tips you would give based on the size and ages of our kids? I have loved reading all the great info on here- we have even started doing disney themed dinners once a week to get pumped for our trip. Thanks in advance!

 

[Metro West]

 

[justloveit]

Welcome! I will try to help with your questions. You can bring food into the parks if you want. I have seen people dragging around coolers on wheels. There are plenty of places to sit and eat. If you don't get the parkhopper option, you can only visit one park a day, but you can leave, take a break and return to the same park later that day. For your first trip to Disney, I think this is just fine. There is alot to see, and since you have children of all ages you will be able to take your time exploring each park.

 

[magicaldisney]

 

[FindTheMickeys]

Welcome!
August heat will be brutal and the lines will be long as everyone gets their last minute vactions in before school starts. Lots of water, sunscreen and I would suggest buying a mister fan for each person in your traveling party. They are about $18 each if you buy them in the Disney resorts or parks so I would suggest going to Walmart or Target and getting them there (about $5 each at Walmart). You didn't state if your condo has a pool. Plan on an afternoon swim or nap in the cool air of the condo since the afternoons are the worst for heat. Go back to the park in the evening, when it has started to cool off. Plan a day in the middle of your trip to laze around at Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach (I prefer Typhoon Lagoon since it has a better wave pool). Use Fastpasses whenever possible. This will eliminate some time standing in a long line in the heat. Take in the shows (Hall of Presidents and Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom) as these are in the air conditioning.
Have a safe drive (I'm driving down in September from Indiana) and enjoy the World! Once you go, you'll be hooked

 

[Disneydonnam]

Have an awesome trip.

 

[5greatkids]

I was busy for a couple of days and didn't log on but just came back to some great tips and welcomes.....Thanks! I love the first timers tip sheet and keep going over that as well!

 

[ToddyLu]

I am sorry to report that I have never seen a cooler with wheels in one of the 4 theme parks at WDW. I have never been to the water parks so something my be different there. I do not beleive coolers or alcoholic beverages of any kind are allowed in MK. However, I have seen a family with several children pull out PB&J sanwiches and a bad of chips--out of a backpack. So yes to food and no to coolers.....someone will come along momentarirly and correct me if I am wrong. Please make sure you check this out. It would be horrible if you packed a cooler, then had to put it back in the car ...in August.

 

[ToddyLu]

Lots of folks do the one park a day thing....you can always add Park Hopper after you get there and see what works out best for you...it is about $50 each ticket but only that $50 and would be for the whole trip.