Taking children for the first time and want to be prepared

[Takeitforgranite]

My wife and I have been 5 times together, but never with kids. We will be taking my niece (12) and nephew (9) for a week, flying Southwest (all adult fares), using the magical express, and staying at POP.

What are some important things we need to take for the trip as far as documentation, ID, insurance info, etc. for them? I don't want any surprises.

 

[JeffnPa]

I would take a pic (using your smart phone) of all insurance info, if needed. Also depending on the emergency issue some ER or urgent care facilities want to see the Parents Drivers License, so you may need to take a picture of that.

 

[smk]

I would take a notarized authorization for medical treatment from their parents, a list of any allergies they may have, original prescription bottles if they take any regular medications, name of their pediatrician and phone numbers too.

 

[Dwarful]

You might want to check with Southwest. Post 9-11 we took our niece and nephew with us to WDW. We had notarized travel consent forms. We never needed them, but would rather have an extra two pieces of paper and not need them...vs. not having them and needing them.

 

[JillC LI]

If they are not your own children, bring a notarized travel consent form and authorization for medical treatment signed by both of their parents.

 

[Weather_Lady]

If they have health insurance cards, you'll want to bring those.

They won't need any kind of I.D. to fly.

Some tips on the forms here (written for grandparents, but equally applicable to you): http://traveltips.usatoday.com/consent-travel-grandparent-108749.html