Attractions and Shows for an 11 yr old boy?

[brighteyes]

I am planning our first (and probably only) trip to WDW and am wondering what attractions my 11 yr old son might enjoy? There are so many. They all look wonderful. I am wondering about Fantasmic. I know I want to see Illuminations at Epcot. Also what is Pirates of the Caribbean, the Aladdin show or Monsters, Inc. I dont know if these are shows, 3D rides or what? I have just seen pictures in the brochures. And do they cost extra...I think we would also like to do the poly luau.

What about Philharmagic, Honey I Shrunk the Audience??

Any thoughts on these attractions and shows, sorry for all the silly questions, there is just soo much info I am trying to read these boards and trying to look all attractions up on the walt disney site, but it's sooo overwhelming!!!

Thanks


Steph

 

[DisneyFreak06]

I am planning our first (and probably only) trip to WDW and am wondering what attractions my 11 yr old son might enjoy? There are so many. They all look wonderful. I am wondering about Fantasmic. I know I want to see Illuminations at Epcot. Also what is Pirates of the Caribbean, the Aladdin show or Monsters, Inc. I dont know if these are shows, 3D rides or what? I have just seen pictures in the brochures. And do they cost extra...I think we would also like to do the poly luau.

What about Philharmagic, Honey I Shrunk the Audience??

Any thoughts on these attractions and shows, sorry for all the silly questions, there is just soo much info I am trying to read these boards and trying to look all attractions up on the walt disney site, but it's sooo overwhelming!!!

Thanks


Steph

I just took my 12 year old nephew and he loved everything. His favorite ride was Rock 'n Roller Coaster. He definitely loved the thrill rides, but he also loved all the 3D shows (Philharmagic, Honey I Shurnk the Audience, A Bug's Life and Muppet Vision 3D). He enjoyed the Pirates ride (I guess I'd call it a ride-you sit in a boat and look at the animatronic people from the Pirate movie) He loved seeing Captain Jack. Unfortunately our time was limited and we didn't see the Monsters. Inc show. We didn't do the Luau, but we did go to Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary. (It was a surprise) He really loved all the characters.

I can't tell you if my nephew is typical, but he was big enough for all the thrill rides, but still enjoyed all the characters and shows. His one worry was always, "I don't know if I want to see the princessy stuff, I might be the only boy!"

I don't know if your son likes thrill rides, but if he does, make sure he tries all the Mountains at MK, Expedition Everist & Dinosaur at AK, Tower of Terror, Rock 'n Roller Coaster, Star Tours at MGM, and Test Track and Mission Space at Epcot.

My nephew loved Lights, Motors, Action and Indiana Jones at MGM as well. If this is going to be your only trip, do not miss those two shows. Fantasmic should not be missed either! Beauty & The Beast is one that is really well done too, but we didn't see it because we didn't have time. It wasn't a priority on my nephew's list (only boy?) either.

You can always buy a guide book, they usually have the rides and shows rated by each age group. I love mine.

No shows or rides cost if they are in the parks, so don't worry about that.
Hope this helps, and enjoy your trip!

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

I'm sure you will find your 11 yr old will love everything. It's amazing no matter what age everyone enjoys a bit of it all.

 

[damo]

You might want to look at Universal too. It is 11 year old boy heaven!!! A seven day hopper pass will only cost $85 and if you stay onsite you get unlimited fastpass with your room key.

There are two parks and three hotels all within walking distance of each other. Universal has dinosaurs and dragons and comics and great water rides and sharks and tornadoes and earthquakes and shooting aliens and farting ogres and gory horror make up stuff and is absolutely wonderful for boys.

 

[hockey mom]

My son always enjoys all the 3D shows, Fantasmic, Indiana Jones, Lights- motor cars, The lion king, and of course all the thrill rides.

He might scoff at is Monsters inc. and country bear Jamboree.

Have a great time.

 

[maxie]

I think it may be a good idea to invest in a good guidebook like Birmbaum's. It will describe all the attractions. There is a Birmbaum's for Kids that your son can browse through and see what catches his eye.

 

[mtmbyck]

I agree with Maxie - and I would buy your sone the Birnbaum book for kids - this way he can read kids views on these rides and what they tought (it is reviewed by kids). It sounds like you are a first timer! How exciting. The more you invest in plannig your time now, the better time you will have. Decide as a family the top 5-7 things you want to do at each park each day. If some are shows, you will need show schedules when you arrive so you can plann accordingly. Just make sure to do these things and the rest you squeeze in when you can. And make sure to speak to someone who has used a FASTPASS and learn how to use it. It amazes me how many poeple stand in line for an hor when they could have fast passed and waited 10 minutes!

 

[brighteyes]

Well the rough plan is that we would like to do the Fantasmic show, and the luau..Hoop De Doo he may like but the way I see it, in Ontario you cannot see a luau. Even though he won't like the food, Im sure he will like the show.
Other than that, I think it will be maybe one Character Meal, and the rest of it in the parks.

We chose a 10 day visit to allow us time to leave the parks in the aft, because of the heat. My son does not like the heat So we will have one partial day on arrival plus 8 more days. We are staying at the POP. We have 10 day park hopper ticks. As far as the waterpark and more option, we may not even use it, but dad said "u never know, may as well get it, in case you want to use it." Well I am sure we would use it for Disneyquest at least, and maybe do the waterpark on the first afternoon, since the heat may hit us like a ton of bricks.

Then we will try to do an early dinner then back to the parks. We will try to do our TS in whichever park we are in that day. IF it works out that way. We have a TA who will plan a basic itinerary of where to be on what day, taking into account the shows we would like to see and the few restaurant choices we will give her. As for the rest, it seems like they are just rides... so we will plan those 4D or 3D rides for those days when we take advantage of the EMH hours with fastpass.

I know we can't do everything, but with 10 days, we hope that would give us 2 days per park, if we need it, we may do AK in one day and leave another day for the pool or waterpark. So we will have a basic idea but be flexible.

I was up till 2 am again last night looking at menus for the few rest. I would like to try or I think my son would find something to eat at...haven't added it up yet, but by the time I add it up with a few buffets in there, and even one character meal, I think I may be better looking at the DP, and I dont want to be doing CS the whole trip. Once I tell my DS then we can look at menus together and decide for sure.

The only question I have is, that I have read ppl who recieved the Fantasmic Dinner Package felt it was not needed as they could have gotten into the show fine without it? Does anyone have experience with this?

Thanks again, guys, and yes I can get the book off my friend who is leaving in 3 weeks....

Steph