Hey there, Nina!
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel. I'm so excited for you and your family to be going on your FIRST
Walt Disney World Resort vacation! I know you are going to have an amazing time and make lots of magical memories.
You should definitely purchase your
tickets in advance if at all possible.
FastPass+ is included in the price of your tickets which means you can make reservations for up to three attractions per day in advance. If you are staying at a
Disney Resort Hotel, you can make your FastPass+ reservations 60 days in advance or 30 days in advance otherwise. So I highly recommend that you plan your day ahead of time so that you can maximize your time in the parks.
As for items that you can take into the parks, you can certainly take food, small coolers and backpacks. However, loose or dry ice is not permitted and re-usable ice packs are recommended instead. Wagons are not permitted in the parks and strollers cannot be greater than 31" in width and 52" in length. Just be sure to check the
property rules for prohibited items and to check the dimensions of your cooler or stroller. That way you know you'll be just fine when you head through the security gates!
I hope this helps with your planning and please don't hesitate to let us know if we can do anything else. We're always happy to assist in whatever way we can. Enjoy your vacation and have a magical day!
~Carrie