General WDW questions

[JodiR]

I am leaving in 13 days for our first trip. So excited! Anyway, here are some questions I have. My girls are 7 & 11 and I am going to have them each carry their own backpack. Nothing big, just for their water bottle and fan. Do most kids carry something? Are there any rides that having backpacks on wouldn't be safe? I don't want the contents or the bag itself falling out of a ride.

I wasn't planning on going to Downtown Disney, but a friend of mine said there is some good shopping there. Can anyone give me some info about Downtown?

Any other advice for someones first trip?

Thanks!
Jodi

 

[delswife]

My kids are always carrying something. They didnt have backpacks, they had fanny packs (goes around the waist). I bought the bottle straps for thier water botles. I know backpacks are fine, saw tons of kids with them. You wont have a problem on the rides, the rides like body wars has a netted compartment to hold your things in place. I carry a camera bag (big one) and I never had any problems.
Sorry I dont have any info on DTD.
How long are you staying?

Have a great time!

 

[snuggles]

My kids usually carry thier own stuff too. When they enter through security they will have to open them up and show whats inside. Doesn't take long. The rides all have somewhere to put them. Usually under your feet in a little net. Splash Mtn. doesn't have a place so we usually keep ours between us in the seat.
Downtown Disney has some great shopping. If you have time go over and look around. Have a great trip!

 

[quilt4luv]

we just returned yesterday from our first trip and my 11 year old did carry a fanny pack and her brita water bottle along with an insulator(hooked to a strap). She had no issues on any ride with any of the items. I along with a fanny pack also carried a back pack like purse and when it came to sitting in a ride would just know to take it off before sitting down. It is true that all bags are checked by security,we never had a problem with the fanny packs, but the back pack needed to be able to see clear down in, so sometimes that took a few minutes longer. I am not sure when you are going, but one huge piece of advice is make sure your kids drink water. I was amazed at how hot and humid. My DD on 3rd day of trip had some realy heat issues where she went from being very hot to not sweating at all to standing in 95 degree weather with goosebumps and chiling. What a scare, but she is ok. ====Are you staying on property? Please take advantage of early entry and plan to be at the stop early. We were having a wake up call from Mickey daily at 5:30 so we could shower, eat and get in bus line to be at the park when it opened. This really helped with the more popular rides. ---Remember that at the resorts they will decorate your window with toys or such that your kids have or buy. I just left a note and the stuff lay that the maid could use and they did a great job! --don't forget your rain ponchos as it does rain everyday it seemed for like 10 minutes and then stopped.--If you need more hints please email me privately at quilt4luv@msn.com would love to help you out. Also, if your kids will do the pin trading, watch the bcks of the pins. Emily lost 2 pins the first day due to backs that don't stay on. They do have new backs coming out that I guess will work better. By the third day she left the pins in room as the lanyard was getting very heavy and akward. ---Where are you eating? Sci-Fi and Chef Mickeys are great and awesome. We did lots of counter service also and Emily and I shared meals, making it lots cheaper. Anyway listen as I babble on I had a great time and again if you need more hints email me!
Mary Jo

 

[iain harrison]

At DTD is our favourite theme park, Disney Quest. We had great fun, but when you are there for only a few days a lot of people miss it. This is because they want to go to bed early to get to the other Theme parks in good time.

I promise you, if you go to Disny Quest you will talk about it all the time. Plenty for the kids and grown ups to do together. A lot of it is interactive, I couldn't get my kids on a roller coaster but they loved the interactive one.

There are some great shops as well, a great Christmas shop all year round and team Mickey is well worth a visit. Have fun !!!

 

[OhMari]

I had a Nike Back Pack that gathered together after you draw the strings together. It held camera's, water bottles, extra socks.

I had Lee shorts with pockets on the side of my shorts with a looped thru buckles. These shorts worked out great for my vouchers, tickets and money. I knew my pocket was always shut and locked. LOL

 

[Lory]

When we went back in 2002 my kids (8 & 4) wouldn't have carried a toothpick if you asked them!!! I had a good size fanny pack which carried the only bare essentials and my husband and I each had a water bottle (which I only brought 2 days---too annoying carrying it ) We were so busy doing the parks we barely stopped to eat so we would stop every 2 hours or so, drink and then be on our way. Less you carry the better, dont know if your kids will enjoy the added weight and bulk on their back, it is bothersome in my opinion. Either way have fun.