11 Year Old Son

[maymom96]

We will be in Orlando the end of July. We have two children and each child gets to pick one day to do what ever they want in FL. My daughter is 5 and wants to go to MK. My son is 11 and is driving me insane because he changes his want everyday.
When we started planning for Disney, he wanted to go to Epcot. Then he wanted to go to Universal Studios. Now it's Animal Kingdom.
When I try to show him videos from mousedaddy or from books, he isn't interested and says he wants to go to what ever we are looking at. It's getting frustrating and feel like I am having a hard time finishing up the planning of our vacation. I fear buying tickets to anything because he has changed his mind so often.
Us girls are getting hair done and having dinner with Cinderella. The guys decided today that they are going to dinner at Arabian Knights. But that could change before we get to FL.
My son is a sports junkie. He likes simple rides and is NOT a thrill seeker. He likes animals but from what I seen of Animal Kingdom, we can see similar animals and environment from the zoo (they have a huge safari area). My child is complex and his likes change with the wind.
I am looking for ideas for places to take my son. I don't want to drive around taking him from place to place. My son isn't one for change so I want one park and then spend the day exploring it. Does anyone have suggestions for me? Can you work a miracle by giving me the spot my son will love and allow me to finish planning this vacation?
Thank you!

 

[Redbudlover]

I would buy a park hopper and go to two. Definitely go to AK - it is awesome - much more than a zoo. And he would probably love MGM with all its noise and car races and crashes.

I would tell him he has to make a final choice within seven days or lose his pick. Count down every day with him so he knows the deadline is approaching. Then the final day if he can't decide just flip a coin and tell him the window of choice closed. He needs help learning to commit to a choice and you can help him....

 

[Hannathy]

It's not an entire 12 hr day but what about Gatorland? If he likes animals he'll love all the gators. Are you and DD eating alone or will the boys be there for the food? If you were having your hair done and then eating lunch alone the guys could go to Gatorland and then meet up with you mid afternoon. If you are trying something other than Disney and have a car Kennedy Space Center is wonderful for that age. I always try to get mine to Kennedy at least once when they are about his age. Most boys like space. It is frustrating but I understand his dilemma-how do you pick just one!

 

[MSSANDRA]

In reality he is likely to enjoy the MK the most anyway!!

I think you need to narrow his choices down for him. He is overwelmed. I would let him choose between Epcot, MGM or Animal Kingdom. Give him to the end of the day to decide or you get to decide. If that happens I would choose Epcot for him. DS loved Epcot at that age and there are lost of easy rides there.

Good luck!!!!!!

 

[Marianne0310]

Hi

I just sent you a PM, I hope it helps.

Marianne

 

[trennr]

My DS12 is a little old man trapped in a boys body...he likes Epcot.

My DS 7 is a Firecracker full of spunk. He likes Animal Kingdom.


We are trying MGM for the first time this year...so no help with that one.


Last year I liked Sea World the best...but I'm 37 going on 5.

 

[Minnie]

My DS is 13 now but when he was 11 and still even now Epcot is his fave.

He is not a thrill seeker (EE was too much) but for some reason loves MS (spinning side)

Lots to do in Epcot for a child that age. TT is an easy fun ride, MS non-spinning would be great. Land has Soraing another easy fun one. If he likes animals then the Living Seas is a don't miss (dolphins, sharks, ect). Plus tons of other run rides that aren't "thrill" rides at all. He'd probablly also like the Inventions East & West with tons of cool for that age stuff to do.

Personally I'd tell himt that your first pick is always your best and to stay with Epcot

 

[Charleyann]

My 11 year old DS just loves Epcot. He didn't like it the trip before. When we went this past Oct/ Nov ,He loved it so much we went for a second day.

Epcot is now his favorite park!


Charleyann

 

[eddieras]

i agree with the previous poster about AK - it is nothing like a zoo- my 11 year old loves AK (we all do) Kali is great fun - great shows and just fun walking around. my son really loved epcot this trip (3 weeks ago ) and we spent a ton of time in world showcase - he loves other cultures and eating other types of foods (like other post about being an old man trapped in a boys body=-that's my son too!)

how long are you there? do you have other park days? i know you said they get to pick one park for one day, but will they get to other parks too?

only you know you're son- but sometimes too much info is crippling for anyone - let alone an 11 year old

 

[makinorlando]

My DD10 will tell you anyday that EPCOT is her most favorite park. It really suprised me, and I thought it was a passing thing, but it has been this way for some time now. She could spend hours in the Innoventions buildings.

 

[tripplanner]

EPCOT is my son's choice. It has been since he was a toddler. He's 13 and his favorites are Test Track and Mission Space (the non spinning easy side). He's not a thrill seeker and rides everything at Epcot.