Planning and prepping- advice needed!

[NEEN09]

My family of 4 is headed to WDW at the end of April. The trip is finally starting to seem real between paying it off, seeing our ADRs for less than 2 months away, and booking our FastPasses! Now I am starting to worry about logistics.

We will be driving to Orlando, either in our own car or in a rental, so we have some flexibility. I am wondering if it would make more sense for us to stop at a local grocery store or would it be simpler to just have them delivered? I plan on bringing shelf-stable items in the car, so I am more wondering in terms of fridge items. On the food note, are there microwaves or an option for a microwave in our room? (Polynesian). We plan on eating breakfast in our room most days and also packing lunch/ snack stuff on some days.

And then the other big question is re: the stroller situation. We have a City Select with two seats, but it is bulky and heavy with two kids in it, so I'm quite sure we would resent rolling it around everywhere most days. Thoughts? Other option would be to rent a double stroller. If we do that, suggestions for rental places and/ or lightest and simplest option? Kids are 4 and 22 months.

Anything else logistics-wise that we should be planning/ prepping for right now? Next step in my brain would be compiling a packing list, which I know will be overwhelming. Are there any online resources where people have listed what they ended up packing for a family vacation? This is our first family vacation, and we'll be gone for 11 days total (6 days at Disney and 5 days at other places).

 

[ZeroMyHero]

It will be more convenient to have groceries delivered but it probably won't be cheaper. We have a small order of groceries delivered and it's pricey, but we fly down and rely on Disney transportation so it's worth the cost of delivery to us. If we drove in our own car, though, I'd stop and shop. I think you can request a microwave at the Polynesian, but I don't think they are standard in rooms (someone correct me if I'm wrong). We never traveled with two little ones in a stroller at the same time so I can't help you on stroller rental. As for a packing list, mousesavers.com has a good one IMO. Just Google mousesavers packing list and the first link will be it. It's a downloadable Word document that you can edit as you like.

 

[worm761]

Make a list of everything you want to accomplish between now and then. Cross it off as you go. I keep a shopping list in my phone to grab stuff while I am out. Like sunscreen, peppermint foot spray, etc.

Make multiple packing lists. One for each location. Home, Polynesian, other hotels if you are staying anywhere else. This helps to not leave anything behind.

Start finding entertainment for the drive down. Also, consider how you are going to run off energy at stops. I usually have bubbles or a small ball and we run around for a bit.

Personally, I do my own shopping. I pack anything that I can take with us and then buy what I need at Publix.

Can't help you with the stroller issue. My kids are 14 years apart. And DD didn't like a stroller so was mostly walking at those ages.

 

[uccats97]

I would just pack a cooler with your cold stuff and bring all of the groceries. The fridge is small and won't hold much, think mini dorm room fridge. You can request a microwave for your room. Do you have a friend who would swap strollers with you for the week? I've done that before and it worked out great. Strollers can be a huge pain when traveling to and from parks on the buses. You might consider using your own vehicle to go to AK or DHS. As a resort guest, parking is free. Strollers on the monorail (going to MK & Epcot) are easy. Don't forget, no straws are allowed in AK, even from juice boxes. Bringing snacks and drinks to the parks is a great idea. Lunch is more difficult unless you have a cooler backpack or bring non perishable lunches. Kids meals are only about $6 for quick service. Some locations even have power packs full of snacks. I'm sure everything will work out great! Enjoy your trip!

 

[canadiandisneynut]

When we haven't had a kitchen we always eat breakfast in the room. Most deluxe resorts that offer villas with kitchens sell milk, bread, eggs etc so assuming your perishables list isn't too large, you may just want to hit the shop in the resort. Our last trip was at the Contemporary and we bought our items in their store, it didn't cost us that much more than a grocery store and the convenience factor was there. If your kids are generally in a stroller for long hauls, don't skip it. It is annoying to pack it onto a bus, but it is harder on the back to carry a tired kid
My girlfriend rented her stroller, it was a city mini, perhaps that is lighter than the one you have? When she did the rental, she added grocery items onto the order which were delivered with the stroller. Something to consider.

 

[DisneyCAL]

My family of 4 is headed to WDW at the end of April. The trip is finally starting to seem real between paying it off, seeing our ADRs for less than 2 months away, and booking our FastPasses! Now I am starting to worry about logistics.

We will be driving to Orlando, either in our own car or in a rental, so we have some flexibility. I am wondering if it would make more sense for us to stop at a local grocery store or would it be simpler to just have them delivered? I plan on bringing shelf-stable items in the car, so I am more wondering in terms of fridge items. On the food note, are there microwaves or an option for a microwave in our room? (Polynesian). We plan on eating breakfast in our room most days and also packing lunch/ snack stuff on some days.

And then the other big question is re: the stroller situation. We have a City Select with two seats, but it is bulky and heavy with two kids in it, so I'm quite sure we would resent rolling it around everywhere most days. Thoughts? Other option would be to rent a double stroller. If we do that, suggestions for rental places and/ or lightest and simplest option? Kids are 4 and 22 months.

Anything else logistics-wise that we should be planning/ prepping for right now? Next step in my brain would be compiling a packing list, which I know will be overwhelming. Are there any online resources where people have listed what they ended up packing for a family vacation? This is our first family vacation, and we'll be gone for 11 days total (6 days at Disney and 5 days at other places).

The Poly rooms should have a small fridge, and in most deluxe hotels you can request a microwave.
Cereals, bread, pb and jam, and milk are great staples to have. Use a grocery store as there is typically a delivery charge on groceries being brought to you; plus sometimes just roaming the aisles you'll think of something you might have forgotten about.
For Packing there are several lists you can find by googling wdw packing suggestions. I would suggest making a Word Table or Excel sheet with columns based on the specific bag. For example I list my packing by bag (large suitcase #1, large suitcase #2, DD suitcase, DS suitcase, DM carry on, DH carry on, DS carry on, DD Carry on. This way i have a checklist and we know where everything is.
With regards to the stroller, last time we went DD and DS were 2.5 yrs old and we rented strollers at the park. The usage of the stroller depended on the day and how long we were there. MK day the stroller was annoying finding a place to park it and the kids barely used it, but then again at AK they fell asleep in it on the way out of the park. With a 22 month old it would be a good idea and i would go with your own so you don't have as hard of time looking for it in the sea of strollers.

 

[hokieinpa]

I would stop and pick up cold items on the way to the Poly since you're driving. I think some of the delivery services have a $50 or so minimum so it would save you money! And you can get exactly what you want.

As far as strollers, I would stick with the double jogger. Since you'll be at the Poly you will be able to roll it onto the monorail without folding it to go to Epcot and MK. You're probably going to want a comfy seat for your two little ones on long days, especially if you want them to sleep in the stroller. If you have a parent console and basket underneath that will be great for holding your stuff!

I used the packing list from WDW Prep School to make my own list. Her site is great and really helped me plan!

 

[cadawson]

I do my shopping at Target on the way into Orlando. They have groceries and also those other items you may have forgotten (wipes, diapers, sippy cups, mascara, etc). They also have a bigger selection of Disney-themed items than typical Target locations, so you may see a souvenir you can't live without! But for fresh fruit and veggies, you are better to go to Publix. My kids are 6 years apart, so I never used a double stroller. I couldn't see myself hauling one around. I'd probably use 2 umbrella strollers. We've had two Maclaren Volos, and we love using them in the parks. Easy to take through the crowd, fold up on buses, throw over shoulder to take up/down stairs, come with a rainfly, fast to dry out. Also, a kid's poncho can be draped over them for added shelter from the FL summer downpours. If you and DH want to split up with the kids, you'd be able to each have a stroller.