13yo who hates rides

[brightspark73]

Hi, my DH and 2 Ds (13 and 17, both autistic) are going to WDW December 28th. Travelling from the UK and doing marathon weekend, we are there for 15 days. We have all been many times.

3 of us love rides but my 13 year old really hates all but small world and TSM (pretty much). He is so fed up of waiting around whilst we ride, and I'm trying to come up with things he and I / his dad can do with him, whilst the other is in the park with Ds17.

So far I have..
Swimming in our pool (SSR)
Water parks (although he doesn't like water slides and I don't know which is open)
Adventure golf
Footgolf
Visiting resorts and looking at Christmas decorations
The new button hunts in some resorts
Walking trails in resorts (had hoped for DVC pool hopping but it's shut).
Resort / Park bingo (make cards before hand).

He loves a good spreadsheet so hoping we can rank things and count things like decor and the walking trails.

Can you think of anything else we could do?
Anything we could count?
Anything we could collect

All ideas welcome.

Thanks so much
Helen

 

[Disneylover99]

Has he tried pin trading?

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Pressed pennies, community hall at different resorts, arcades at different resorts

 

[hardcorestitch]

Hi, my DH and 2 Ds (13 and 17, both autistic) are going to WDW December 28th. Travelling from the UK and doing marathon weekend, we are there for 15 days. We have all been many times.

3 of us love rides but my 13 year old really hates all but small world and TSM (pretty much). He is so fed up of waiting around whilst we ride, and I'm trying to come up with things he and I / his dad can do with him, whilst the other is in the park with Ds17.

So far I have..
Swimming in our pool (SSR)
Water parks (although he doesn't like water slides and I don't know which is open)
Adventure golf
Footgolf
Visiting resorts and looking at Christmas decorations
The new button hunts in some resorts
Walking trails in resorts (had hoped for DVC pool hopping but it's shut).
Resort / Park bingo (make cards before hand).

He loves a good spreadsheet so hoping we can rank things and count things like decor and the walking trails.

Can you think of anything else we could do?
Anything we could count?
Anything we could collect

All ideas welcome.

Thanks so much
Helen

Typically Blizzard Beach would be open around this time. Typhoon Lagoon will soon close for refurbs.

If I were you, I’d also play a little “bus roulette” whilst visiting the Disney resorts. Make a bit of mystery on the day you visit (as in look away from the My Disney Experience app and the Disney Transport bus screens) and go to the first resort bound bus you get upon arriving at the station (or if staying offsite, Disney Springs).

 

[Skippyboo]

Epcot has a scavenger hunt for the current festival that is going on. You buy a map for $10 bucks and you have to find what they hide in the various countries. For Festival of the Holidays, it is Olafs .

He could count hidden Mickeys. I know there’s books on hidden Mickeys. He could also track posted wait times versus actual wait times for the rides he does.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Take a boat ride from MK and visit the Disney horse barn, Tri Circle D Ranch, at Fort Wilderness.

Go get some hot biegnets at Port Orleans French Quarter. You could take a boat or horse and carriage ride there, or rent a surrey bike, also.

Visit all the countries’ gift shops in World Showcase and get something at some of their quick service or shops like fresh Werther’s popcorn in Germany, a cinnamon roll at Kringala Bakeri in Norway, or a Kaki Gori (snowcone) in Japan. Also watch all the movies and shows there, or ride Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros in Mexico (which is similar to Small World, but with a Mexican theme - it can be loud and there are some “fireworks”, but you could probably see a video online if unsure if he’d enjoy).

 

[Genie+]

How about things like, Philharmagic at MK, Animator Class at AK, Moana water exhibit at EP?

 

[cruising spud]

What about all of the shows in the parks? The animal trails and Conservation Station at Animal Kingdom?

 

[Keladry84]

He could collect the transportation cards from each of the different types of transport around the resort.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

Its hard to believe that he doesn't like any other rides... You're saying JC, POTC, HM, PP, Little Mermaid, Spaceship Earth, Figment etc are all off limits???

Also is rides literally the only things you do inside the parks? There are TONS of attractions that are not rides.
You've got shows, parades, fireworks, the World Showcase etc.

 

[Rory607]

Has he tried pin trading?

Yes! My kids, 15 and 11, love pin trading. They use lanyards, but I’ve also seen a portable case for pins on Amazon. You could put it in a backpack. It’s a fun way to chat with cast members and he could try to trade for certain characters or themes. Definitely a spreadsheet activity.

 

[Peaseblossom36]

Is there a reason he doesn't like them? Is he maybe getting motion sick and not realizing it? Or is it just a "this is boring situation"?

 

[tetera]

Wilderness Explorers at Animal Kingdom:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/animal-kingdom/wilderness-explorers/
"Set out on a series of fun, nature-themed challenges on your way to becoming an official Wilderness Explorer.

Self-guided activities range from animal observation to learning important wilderness skills. Collect over 25 badges and earn the right to echo the Wilderness Explorer call: Caw! Caw! Roar!

Complete the activities on your own, or take on each task as a group."

Self-Guided Resort tour of holiday decorations:
https://www.disneytouristblog.com/disney-world-christmas-decorations-tour/

Lego Store at Disney Springs:
https://www.lego.com/en-us/stores/store/disney-springs
Lego Minifigure Factory: https://www.lego.com/en-us/stores/events/lego-minifigure-factory
Build Your Own Minifigure (separate from the Minifigure Factory, you pick and choose different pieces on your own vs. using a screen to print items)
Pick & Build Wall ("Pick-a-Brick" and fill a box with specific pieces/colors of your choice)


Someone else already mentioned the scavenger hunt in Epcot, here is some more info about that:

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/holiday-scavenger-hunt/

There is also the Ducktales World Showcase Adventure: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/epcot/ducktales-play-app/


If he likes it's a small world, then maybe you could take him to get a snack or meal at Pinocchio Village Haus (which overlooks isaw): https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/magic-kingdom/pinocchio-village-haus/

I know someone else also mentioned pressed pennies- you can also purchase WDW-specific wallets to keep them in (this site has a map with locations):
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/coin-presses/

 

[Pea-n-Me]

You can buy postcards and mail them home from an antique mailbox in MK.
The postcards are sold at the Newstand as you enter MK (which has a special stamp) and around resorts and gift shops.
The mailbox is outside of City Hall by the train station.



https://theaffordablemouse.com/disney-with-kids-magical-mail/