11 year olds and US vs. Disney

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I'm planning a trip this October with 2 11 year old boys to see WWoHP. One boy (mine) has been to WDW many times, the other (his BFF) has been once and was too small to remember, neither has been to US.

Since we're going during the school year, our trip will be short, 4 park days, and I'm trying to decide whether to go to both WDW and US or just US. The kids are saying 2 days at WDW and 2 at US (the most expensive combo, I believe) but I wonder if they're saying that because they haven't actually seen US, and that if we go to US first they'll be begging to stay at the end of day 2.

Here's 4 itineraries I'm considering:

1) 1/2 and 1/2

Wed: fly down, check in at the Swan, go to DHS for Fantasmic, RnR, ToT, and Muppets (DS's favorite)
Thurs. Magic Kingdom all day, Disney Quest at night.
Friday Epcot all day, check out of Swan, check in at RPR
Saturday: IOA
Sunday: US, fly home late at night.

2) Mostly US

Stay at RPR the whole time, head over to Disney for 2 evenings -- one at MNSSHP (with a character meal thrown in), one at Disney Quest, but spend the days at US.

3) All US

Assume that they'll love US/IOA so much they won't miss it.

4) Figure it out as we go.

Stay at RPR the whole time, and do the first night and 2 full days there (with or without a night at MNSSHP), then let the kids decide where to go the last 2 days. If we do that can we add days to our US tickets?

So, with 2 11 year olds -- roller coaster, Harry Potter loving young boys, old enough to want to ride the "big stuff" and young enough to still want their picture taken with Mickey, what would you choose?

 

[dawgs4disney]

I would probably go with option #2. Your first scenario sounds really tiring to me. Doing mostly universal and a evening at MNSSHP would probably be the best plan and then one evening at Disney Quest. You may not want to do a park the same day you do MNSSHP. Didn't know if you knew that even though the party is from 7-12 they actually let you in the park at 4 p.m. That would give you 8 hours rather than 5 at MK. I would probably just stay at RPR the entire trip like you mentioned if you did not need EMH at Disney.

 

[Princessmom2]

We went to Universal for the first time in 2009 Spring Break, and my 10 year old loved it. (She turned 11 in June). She went from being a Disney fanatic to a Universal fanatic. Maybe it's the age, I don't know, but we had a great time-and she doesn't even do the big roller coasters! Spiderman is her new favorite ride, loves the water rides, and is much more excited about going to Universal this summer than to Disney. So my pick is also option #2. And remember, you can pool hop at Universal, and the pool at HRH is supposed to be lots of fun. (yes, that is on my daughter's to do list this year!)

 

[Planogirl]

How are the boys about the characters at Universal? Those are more suited for boys and that can make a big difference.

Truthfully, I prefer Universal but in your case I like both option 1 and option 2. Disney would be fun for the kid who can't remember going but option 1 does sound tiring. If you have lots of energy it might work though. I also tend to be partial to Epcot so I'm biased.

However, there is plenty to do at the Universal parks and by staying onsite you'll want to take advantage of the great pools too. So maybe option 2 is better.... You'll still get a Disney fix and also have lots of Universal time. Yeah, maybe option 2.

 

[czycropper]

I would do #2.

My DDs were 10 & 8 the first time they went and they are now full Universal fanatics. We're planning on going in Nov, and when I asked them if they wanted to spend a day at any WDW park - they gave a resounding NO....they said they rather spend more time on the rides at Universal

 

[minniejack]

My DDs were 10 & 8 the first time they went and they are now full Universal fanatics. We're planning on going in Nov, and when I asked them if they wanted to spend a day at any WDW park - they gave a resounding NO....they said they rather spend more time on the rides at Universal

ditto!!! mine, too! even had a free day at Disney last year and they wouldn't go...

grudgingly getting them to go on one last Disney trip and took them awhile to get excited, but I had to promise them Uni at Christmas or Easter next year.

 

[mjohnson96]

This year we thought about doing a WDW/US combo but all my DD (7) talked about was the rides, hotels, and shows at US/IOA so we are going to skip WDW and just hang out at US/IOA for the week and relax.

With the WWOHP opening, the crowds are going to be a little more crazy so more time gives us time to see everything. We are also going to throw in SeaWorld and Aquatica while we are there too to break it up some.

 

[SmallWorld71]

I would probably go with option #2. Your first scenario sounds really tiring to me. Doing mostly universal and a evening at MNSSHP would probably be the best plan and then one evening at Disney Quest. You may not want to do a park the same day you do MNSSHP. Didn't know if you knew that even though the party is from 7-12 they actually let you in the park at 4 p.m. That would give you 8 hours rather than 5 at MK. I would probably just stay at RPR the entire trip like you mentioned if you did not need EMH at Disney.

I agree! And, FWIW, I am basing this on what I think my 11 year old would have the most fun with, not the fact that Epcot is my favorite theme park anywhere.

 

[izzie-wizzie]

I like option number 2 - MNSSHP is amazing.

however - if you do decide to go with option one, could I suggest that perhaps 2 11 year old boys may prefer DHS - with ToT / stunt show / aerosmith etc ?

 

[BGparadise]

I think option 2 is the best choice.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

DEFINITELY option #2 sounds really great for those few days you are there. I have done splits and I like them but for just 4 days it gets really hassled. I used to try to squeeze a lot in like your other options and trust me, it really gets stressed that way. You'll see a lot and you'll have a lot of fun doing #2.

 

[KLAIT]

Have to agree with the rest here. My DS was 10 when he announced that he didn't want to do Disney again. Wants to spend our whole vacation at Universal. He has loved Disney for years, but I think the age thing is happening.

 

[mamaminnie]

I agree that option 2 sounds like a great plan.

I'd skip the character meal, and like a pp mentioned enter the MK at 4pm for the MNSSHP. Between 4-7 you can get a lot of rides in and a CS meal, that way when the party events start at 7 you can focus on those (and getting candy!)

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

WOW! I've never seen a thread reach a consensus like this! I guess we're going with #2.

A variation of #2 -- do you think it would be too exhausting to do Disney Quest/ DTD, and MNSSHP all in one day? I'd love to only have to pay for the taxi trip once.

I figure we'd head over there around 10:00, hit Disney Quest early, have lunch, do some pin trading, and then head over the MK at 6:00 ish and stay for the rest of the evening.

Does that sound totally exhausting?

 

[Planogirl]

That depends on your energy level. We could do it but I'd need that quiet time in between. Just don't wander all over Downtown Disney without rest like tend to do.