Disney World - Waukegan,IL

We love Port Orleans, but the room is going to be tight (just a warning!). If you have a car, you can always make a run to a supermarket or the superwalmart and pick up a bunch of snacks and breakfast items (might even be worth taking a bus or a cab). We usually get bagels and cream cheese and snack bars and cereal and have breakfast in the room to save time and get to the parks as early as possible. I would also buy water and carry it into the parks in a small bag - the water in the parks is very expensive and Florida can be very hot (even the last week of April).

Since you're staying on site you'll get the extra magic hours - I would advise to skip the morning hour (unless you go to the park with the hour and then hop to a different park) because that park tends to get SUPER crowded once it opens to the public. The evening hours are better - they are usually crowded for the first hour or so but then the crowds thin and make it worth it.

If you want to eat at a sit down restaurant, definitely make your reservations now! And try to see things you think you might not like - Disney is full of surprises - my husband and I always rode the Pooh ride even before kids because it is so cute and whimsical!

Have fun!!!

We stayed there last year and the Port Orleans had a microwave in our room... so maybe not all rooms (?).

- Sunscreen! Even though it's cool out, you'll need sunscreen.
- Some type of identification for the young ones. I got Road ID for our kids. I also tell them if they are lost, to find another mommie or someone in uniform.
- Backpack with snacks.
- Light weight jackets, it's still cool at night due to the ocean breeze. The humidity is crazy out in Orlando.
- Reservations to eat! That is so important if you want to take everyone to the Characters' buffets / Polynesian Luau / Other restaurants. Most mid-nice places will not look at you unless you have reservations.

Good luck and have fun!

If you think your kids will be into the pin trading (mine were), buy a random set from EBay before you go. Pins purchased at the parks start at around $3 and go up from there. You can get grab bags of authentic tradeable pins from EBay as low as 50 cents/pin.

Have one person in your group carry a small backpack. Use it to carry bottled water, snacks, souveniers, camera, etc.
Get on the Disney website and check the calendar for Extra Magic Hours - which parks and what mornings/nights they have them. Animal Kingdom is a good one for the early magic hours. When you first get to the park, head for Kilimanjaro Safaris since it tends to fill up quick and the animals seem to be more active when it's cooler.
If you purchase souveniers and you don't want to carry them around the park, Disney will have them delivered to your room for you.
Most of the resorts have a laundry room so you can pack fewer clothes - just remember to pack some detergent and quarters.
Have a blast!

At the Magic Kingdom, we found the Pinnochio House restaurant to be the best - most affordable and better then McD's.

You might be able to rent a microwave, but first ask for it free. You should make sure you have plenty of snacks for the children, and a 14 years old boy can really eat. You should make sure you have plenty of milk, juice, cereal, fruits, and healthy snacks in the room. It can get pretty expensive traveling with three children, so get PB&J for sandwiches in the room. I also suggest that you take a couple of evenings with your husband to have a peaceful dinner, or do adult activities. Your son might be happier doing teenage activities around the hotel, and maybe the hotel has a camp for teens. You can also hire a babysitter to do inroom sitting, and care for them. Please send me an email at ____@____.com as soon as you can, and I will give you all the details on the services. Fourteen years experience in the area, have (references/background check) on company's file.