Starting to Panic

[gryphonm]

Okay. So my family and I are going to WDW on May 13-21st. DD#1s 11th B-day is on 5/13 and we are staying at Pop Century. DD2 is 5 and DD3 is 3.

Obviously, I’m not as in-depth a Disney trip planner as some folks on here and I’m starting to panic. I want to make sure the kids are totally having a good time. I'd love to trade pins and I want to scrap our vacation as well.

What are some of the must-have things that we should bring?

What are some of the must-do things that I should make sure we catch?

Is PAL Mickey worth it (I’d probably have to buy 2 for the two little ones but I would probably get them on e-bay)?

We are planning on the Pirate and Princess Party on 5/16. Are Disney Halloween costumes a good shot for the kids (again, thank you e-bay)?

Are there any Ratatouille-themed things at the parks?

Any help would be awesome!

 

[ChrisMouse]

Don't panic!

We will be there the same week & we will be at the Pirate Princess Party on the 16th!!!

Have you made your ADR's for any table service dining you want to do? I would do that first thing if you haven't already. (Use the Unofficial Guide or TGMike to plan your park days, if you want to, first...)

You will all have a great time--after all, you will be at Disney! I LOVE the Birnbaum's WDW Guide for Kids--get a copy (library will probably have it if you don't want to buy it) and pour through it with the kids. There are great attraction pictures, and this will help you make a "family plan" for what you want to see and do.

If you are a scrapbooker, like me, you DEFINITELY want to get a Photopass. You can pre-order it at a discount (you can also find someone to "share" it with to cut costs). I LOVE having the photopass pictures of our entire family together--otherwise I end up behind the camera for all of the pictures.

Most important thing--just have fun. Don't worry about missing something, and don't rush. Just soak it all in and live the magic.

 

[ChrisMouse]

I forgot--the Disney halloween costumes will be great for PPP. Both of my two wanted to be pirates (I thought DD would go princess, but she LOVES pirates) so I got some great costumes on clearance at www.disneyshopping.com. They still have some available. The E. Swann pirate girl costume I bought for DD is still only $20, as is the Cap. Jack costume I bought for DS. There is a great Jasmine one right now for only $20 if one of your kids likes Jasmine, and a darling Tink one, too. Oh , and a Belle...

Check it out once you've checked Ebay!

Good luck!

 

[karenklo]

Please breathe normally!! It will all be fine! I agree about the ADR's and the photopass. I love to scrap and find that I am missing in most pics due to be the camera person! You do not have to be a super planner to have a great time (it does help during the super busy times!) remember, it a VACATION. have fun. The P&PP will be great. Costumes are a good idea! Ebay is the best. I don't remember any Rat places yet? But my kids also love that movie, so maybe soon!

 

[trip]

Remember it's a vacation! Take time to enjoy the parks with your family. Don't make yourself crazy trying to do it all. Don't worry if you miss something - if you do, you'll have a good reason to go back.

 

[Perditamarie]

Sounds like a great trip coming up!!!

I read a great tip on these boards for scrappers: bring 6X6 or 8X8 scrap papers on a clipboard for the characters to sign - store in a ziplock. Then you can scrap w/your pics at home when you are going through WDW withdrawals! Also, many grab napkins, fastpasses, etc to use as scrapping material.

Pins can get pricey in the parks (you can get a starter kit w/4-5 smallish pins and a lanyard for $20-$25), so if you want to get into pin trading, buy some lots on e-bay or check out:
http://mousepinsonline.com (I haven't used them, but many on the Dis recommend). You want to make sure your pins are stamped w/a Disney Copyright so they are authentic for trading. I also think investing in locking pin backs is well worth it, as I find the mickey head backs come off easily. A child could be heartbroken over the loss of a pin!

Another fun thing to do in the parks is to collect pressed pennies-- you pay 51 cents and a machine presses the penny into an elongated shape w/a character or Disney theme stamped on it. It is a lot of fun to search out the machines and they are everywhere if you start looking! Pack sets of 2 quarters and 1 penny in the Easter eggs!!

Have a great trip!