Last Minute Questions - We leave in 6 days

[WDWfor5]

We are leaving in 6 days and I have a few last minute questions for the experts.

For background - it's me, DH, DD 6, DS 4 and DS 2 1/2. We're staying at POR Riverside for 7 days and 6 nights and then 2 days with DH's Grandfather in Tampa. We have 7 day park hoppers and thanks to all the great advice I got on the DIS, ADR's for each day

Now the questions

1) Stroller - should I bring my oldfashioned double stroller with fully reclining seats and a basket but my DD couldn't fit in even if she was ready to drop OR my double umbrella stroller which has no basket, doesn't recline and my DD could in a pinch sit down in it for a moment (she's almost 7, 50" + tall and over 60 lbs)?

2) Camcorder? Should I bring it? It seems horrible to leave it home but I don't know if I'll be in the mood to carry it along with a regular camera and a diaper bag and the stroller. Okay, I know I don't want to carry it but I'm afraid I'll regret leaving it home.

3) Our 1st Day: We arrive at MCO at 10:45 and are taking ME to POR. We have no plans until 6:00 dinner at Chef Mickey's. My question - should we do a prk (I have a 7 day PH so we have the extra day if we want it) or should we take it easy, do DTD, maybe play mini-golf, hang at the resort, etc.

I think that's all my question for now although I'm sure to think of more later. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[lucky978]

You will have an awesome trip! Sounds like you've done all the right things so far.

Here are my comments regarding your questions.

1) Stroller - should I bring my oldfashioned double stroller with fully reclining seats and a basket but my DD couldn't fit in even if she was ready to drop OR my double umbrella stroller which has no basket, doesn't recline and my DD could in a pinch sit down in it for a moment (she's almost 7, 50" + tall and over 60 lbs)?


Why don't you bring the double stroller, and then if you DD (7) gets that tired, rent one. I love our double stroller, but it sounds like your daughter may be too big.

2) Camcorder? Should I bring it? It seems horrible to leave it home but I don't know if I'll be in the mood to carry it along with a regular camera and a diaper bag and the stroller. Okay, I know I don't want to carry it but I'm afraid I'll regret leaving it home.

I would bring it. Especially since you are going to be there for 7 days. You don't have to bring it every day to the parks, but you will regret not having one at some point. My daughters love watching the video from their first trip. Unfortunately, we've been 3 times since, and I haven't had one. Do I regret it..YES!

3) Our 1st Day: We arrive at MCO at 10:45 and are taking ME to POR. We have no plans until 6:00 dinner at Chef Mickey's. My question - should we do a prk (I have a 7 day PH so we have the extra day if we want it) or should we take it easy, do DTD, maybe play mini-golf, hang at the resort, etc.

I say get settled into the resort and then hit the MK. Especially since you've paid for it. I'd go to a park and just take it easy. Where is your ADR? If it's in a park, go to that park. Definately go!

QUOTE]

 

[mskani]

Just wanted to say have a great trip.

Stroller: I'll leave that one to the folks w/little kids for pros and cons. I brought my stroller in 2000 when my kids were 4 and 2 1/2 and it was a lifesaver.

Camcorder: I'd bring it. Just make sure it is in tip top condition before you leave. Learned this the hard way. Finally got ps for CRT and when Cinderella arrived at the table, the darn thing had conked out. I don't know if this is your first trip or not, but my dh captured all of our expressions when we first saw the castle--it was priceless.

As for all of the bags that you listed: diaper bag, camera bag, etc. Our video camera was small enough to fit in my dh's camera bag (it was a relatively large camera bag). Anyway, the bag was large enough to hold extra tapes, batteries, etc. Both of us wore fanny packs, which held the tickets, wallets (instead of a traditional wallet, I used an ID holder) lip stick and gum. Dh wore a backpack, which eliminated the need for a separate diaper bag. It wasn't even a particularly large backpack, but we were able to fit ponchos, pull-ups, wipes, change of clothes for ds sunscreen and some snacks. DD had miniature backpack that she insisted on carrying which held her sippy cup (which we filled up with water).

Arrival Day:

I would suggest that you take it easy the first day. More than likely the kids are going to be waking up extremely early on that day and they won't nap at their usually scheduled times. What we have done is use arrival day to get supplies. The last two trips down, we did what you are planning--dinner at Chef Mickey's. That is great! The kids will absolutely enjoy it! My suggestion would be to hit Downtown Disney, explore a little, have dinner at Chef Mickey's then head back to your room and get some rest. I don't know which park you're starting off with--more than likely it will be the MK--but I'm sure that you will want to get there early. It's best to be well rested.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[go cowboys]

Stroller?

I say rent for both. They are a hassle on buses, planes and stairs. The Disney rentals are great, easy to maneuver and if you buy multiday up front you get a discount and can get money back for the days you do not use.

Camcorder?

Yes, bring it but we never take ut to the parks everyday and most of the time just use it at CM's or around the pool/resort. It is nice to have but not always easy at the parks.

First day?

Are you tickets non-expiry? if so maybe just relax the first day and head to Chef Mickey early, take a ride around on the monorail through the resorts, shop at the Contemporary and save the day for another trip. If the expire, lace up, load up and hit the park. you have nothing to lose and the monorail from MK or Epcot is easy to take to Chef Mickey.

 

[belle&beast]

I hope you have a great time!
My opinions- just back yesterday from 7 days 6 nights at POR with DD4 and DS2:
Stroller: Take your own! We could not have managed POR without one. I liked having the basket and it was great for the diaper bag/backpack while we walked.

Video camera: We took it and the kids have already watched about 3 hours worth of videos. Yes it was a hassle in the parks, but now I am so glad we had it!

First day: You should probably see how your kids are doing- if they are ready to go then I would head to the MK and you can monorail to Chef Mickey's.

We used a backpack for a diaper bag and stuck the camcorder in it along with diapers, wipes and a chage of clothes. It wasn't too bad to maneuver on rides and then we didn't have too much to worry about. Have lots of fun!!!!

 

[WDWfor5]

Thanks for the great comments. I think I will bring the big double since DD is really too big (hard to beleive she's grown up that much ) I love the idea of renting a single if she really needs it towards the end of the trip. I hadn't even considered that. As for just renting one, it's not really an option since I couldn't imagine the airport without one and I think I read somewhere that they're $18 / day for a double which is just too much for DH to handle .

I guess I'll bring the camcorder - we have ADR's for Cinderella's Castle for lunch and it does seem crazy not to get it all on tape. Thanks mskani and belle& beast for the ideas on carrying all the stuff. I use a backpack all the time at home as an alternative to a diaper bag (couldn't handle carrying a diaper bag after almost 7 years with kids in diapers). I'm sure the camcorder would fit in it and that would work out great (one less thing to carry).

As for the parks, we didn't purchase the non-expire option(attempting to keep costs down) so it's use it or lose it. But, they only cost $4 per ticket to add a 7th day so I'd rather waste it than burn the kids out on the 1st day.

We're actually doing MGM 1st -I don't even remember why except I read not to do MK first with kids as nothing else measures up and now my ADR's determine my park schedule. My DH can't beleive we are planning our trip around food but then again he doesn't understand how hard those Cindy's ADR's were to get .

I was thinking about walking around Epcot for a few hours to get in the mood without overloading the kids. But, we could do MK depending on what time we actually get checked in.

Now off to pack before I run out of time after planning for more than 150 days.

 

[3princesses4us]

We stayed at POR last September. I vote for taking the boat to Downtown Disney for the first afternoon before Chef Mickey's. You can have a great sandwich at Earl of Sandwich and shop all the great shops. If you need to buy any costumes/ t-shirts, etc. for the trip, you could get that out of the way then. Have fun!

 

[princessjv]

Sounds like you have done a lot of planning! My suggests are:

Bring your double stroller with recline for the kids, you will need it at the airport, getting to and from the bus at your resortand the parks.

I would for sure bring our video camera, but you may want to choose what days you bring it into the park. Try to bring 1 bag with as much stuff as possible in it(a few diapers, wipes, snacks, wallet, sun block etc.), instead of several bags. Use the bottom of the stroller to store a few misc. items like ponchos(as long as it can still fold with them in it).

You will be surprised how long it takes to get from plane, ME, check in and unpack. I would check out POR/FQ and possibly DTD, if your room is not ready.

As long as you have the passes and you will already be close to MK, I would go in after dinner at Chef Mickeys for a bit (if it is open late). My suggestion is to try to catch the train over to toon town, just do toon town, then ride the train back to the station and maybe catch the parade/wishes.
Or you could just go in for Wishes/Parade. This way the kids will not be too into MK, that they aren't still excited by it. IMHO, We always try to do MK just a bit on our first day(if we have the passes for it)...it really gets everyone into the magic!