10 year old son's first visit -- what MUST we do/see?

[TiggerFanatic]

I'm surprising my son with his first trip to Disneyland in December for his 10th birthday. He won't know about the trip until we get there.

What is the ONE thing you'd suggest we do/see/experience that will make his trip even more magical?

 

[nannyz]

Show your son all that there is to do and see (if he doesn't already know) and let HIM run the day.

 

[Camshell]

If he is like my son go on Buzz Lightyear or Star Tours first. I'd think any boy that age range would love those two rides.

 

[gardengirl2790]

If he is a fan of Star Wars, and would enjoy meeting Darth Vader, Darth Maul and a few Stormtroopers, I would highly recommend seeing the Jedi Training Academy show in Tomorrowland. The Jedi trainers select children from the audience who look the most eager to participate (some will have signs waving in the air to be picked). My daughter was picked for this and then she battled Darth Vader with a light saber, and received a great certificate that we framed and it hangs on her wall. I would recommend showing up at least 30 mins. early if you think your son would enjoy being selected. I am sure he will have a fabulous time with whatever you come up with!

 

[DarthMole]

First things first, go to City Hall and get him a Birthday pin.

As for Jedi Training, that would be high on my list if he's a Star Wars fan. Make sure he's in the front row and wearing that special pin. He's sure to be picked from the crowd. My son did it when he was 8 and he still talks about it and wants to do it again in a couple weeks. This time, I'll be wearing the pin. Maybe they'll pick me.

 

[TiggerFanatic]

This is EXACTLY the type of stuff I'm looking for - thanks! Keep 'em coming I'm making a list - thanks!!

 

[TiggerFanatic]

I know about getting him a button for his first time and his birthday -- anything else like that for first timers?

 

[Girimama33]

I was going to suggest JTA and ST. If he likes roller coasters, BTMRR is our favorite and SM. DCA has a lot of fun stuff to do too...like Carsland.
Maybe you could surprise him with a birthday lunch/dinner at Blue Bayou. It is in the POTC, so it is a unique restaurant.
Have fun!

 

[rramstad]

I'll go a little bit orthogonal and the #1 thing that we didn't do, that I wish we had, was get over to the Pirate Lair on Tom Sawyer's Island. I've heard a lot about this area since our last trip, and we never made it there, and we will this time!

(Runner up, same type of deal, Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.)

In the category of things we actually did, yes, Jedi Training Academy is a lot of fun, and worth putting in the effort to see. Also my kids really enjoyed Aladdin.

 

[KateDrake]

I know about getting him a button for his first time and his birthday -- anything else like that for first timers?

Yes, you can get both birthday and First Visit buttons at City Hall, I would definitely put that on the list. It is so fun to have the Cast Members tell you Happy Birthday, and sometimes you get special stuff like a cupcake at dinner, etc. Doesn't always happen, but sometimes.
I like the idea of letting him pick a few things he'd really like to see. I'm always surprised what my DD's must-dos are, they are often things I think she'd like, but there's always one random one thrown in that surprises me.
My nephew who is 10 loves the DL mountain range - Space, Splash, BTMRR and Matterhorn. One thing I would suggest is letting him skip stuff that really doesn't interest him. We dragged my nephew on stuff like Mr. Toad's, telling him he was sure to love it, and he was bored out of his mind. So maybe do at least one day where he gets to call the shots, and if he wants to ride Star Tours 7 times, that's what you do

 

[milan15]

I echo the sentiment of letting him run the show... at least for a day.

My little brother is 10 and if he could pick, we'd ride about 5 or 6 rides non-stop between the two parks:
Splash, Space, Indy, TOT, RailRoad, and Screamin'

If he is more of "man-child", buy him a turkey leg, get some napkins and wet naps, and sit back.
Watching my little brother devour one of those things is both disgusting and hilarious. He loves it

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

He'd might like the roller coasters and Jedi Training. You should make him a sign to get him noticed.

 

[joelnkelly]

Have him captain the Steamboat, my daughters got to do this and it was awesome to watch. Plus, he gets a certificate stating he is a honorary captain of the steamboat. it was cool. they allow him to ring the bell and blow the horn, which the kids loooooved!