Turn off windows automatic updates when you go on vacation - especially if you are operating over a mifi. Set a calendar item for when you get home to turn updates back on.
iPad does not work at Disney. You need full laptop at night for entering data, or triaging pictures, or catching up on business, etc. During the day in the parks, you never have a hand for it if you are a camera carrier. The iPhone works better, because it waits in your pocket for that quick moment you need it. There's also the weight, and the extra data plan. I really wanted the iPad's help in the parks - easier to see maps and apps. But I never had a moment where I wanted to fumble it out of the bag, plus worries about the cachet factor and having it stolen. Wanted to make it work, it just didn't. The iPad is a content consumption device. Disney is a theme park. Oil and water.
The Canon SX30IS is am amazing camera for Disney. If you don't have $1000+ for a DSLR, it's the one to get. First off it's wonderfully cheap for what you get. I paid much more for the G10 a couple of years ago. It has amazing zoom, 35X. This is crucial for Disney. Otherwise you have no faces in your pictures. It has great image stabilization, so if you are trying to take a shot while walking or while riding a ride, if it can focus the fact that you are jittering some will make no difference to the final shot. It has a wonderful sports mode with continuous focus and shooting. It does insanely amazing in low light without a flash, which is great as rides don't allow flashes. This camera is the absolute sweet spot for Disney. I even dropped it once with no problems.
Make sure you have lots of storage space for pictures (backing up off sd cards). With camera megapixels ever increasing, it's important to have literally 10-20 Gig free on the hard drive you back up to.
