Boys at Akershus??

[CowboyCO]

My DS 11 doesn't want to go to Akershus because he says it will be all girls eating there. True, we don't have any girls...well other than me and my mom, but I'd like to have one girly experience. He's at an age where he doesn't like girls but still has crushes he doesn't want to admit to, if you know what I mean...
If any of you have had any positive experiences with pre-teens boy there, even if it's just, "He didn't HATE it", please share them.

 

[CowboyCO]

If you didn't notice, I hijacked my DH's screen name... He's not a girl!

 

[Maxwell42]

We went to Akershus in June 2009 - me, DW, DS10 (then 8), DD7 (then 6), and DMIL. DS didn't complain and liked the experience okay, but wasn't crazy about it - after all, it is all about the princesses and was a special time for his sister, not for him.

There were other boys (and men) there, and the princesses interact with the boys as well as the girls. But that was just a little bit embarrassing for DS. Not a major problem - he still got their autographs, etc. - but he could take it or leave it.

This year, DD wants very much to go back, but DS wants no part of that meal. So our solution is to split up our party - the girls will go to Akershus, and I'm taking DS to Teppan Edo because I think he'll have fun there. Everyone is happy with that arrangement.

I don't know if that helps or if it's even an option for you. If it's not, rest assured that he won't die from the experience. And he might even warm up to it if you offer him a special "boys" experience in exchange for putting up with the girls!

 

[bleeps]

I am saying this very nicely -- I really mean well:

I appreciate your wanting to do something fun with your mom, but I don't think it's being fair to your son to make him do a princess meal. I'm sure there will so much about the trip that you are doing for him, and putting up with things that you wouldn't necessarily care to do, either, but it is such a sensitive age for boys, and it really could put a damper on the whole trip.

I say this as a mother of a boy -- he's 12 now, and still very sensitive to this kind of thing, and it would be really awful for him to be forced to do something like this....

 

[MommyJack]

but it is such a sensitive age for boys, and it really could put a damper on the whole trip.

I say this as a mother of a boy -- he's 12 now, and still very sensitive to this kind of thing, and it would be really awful for him to be forced to do something like this....

I say this a a mother of a boy too.

Are you kidding me?? All I could think when I read this was "give me a break". Do you really think she's going to scar her kid for life because he went to a princess meal? I think that teaching him to be sensitive to others and willing to try different experiences can be valuable as well. Not to mention the fact that a family vacation is just that a "family" vacation, you have to be willing to do what others want to do. Kids should know that it's not always about them.

Now that I'm done with my rant OP I will tell you my experience from the real world. We took DS to a Princess breakfast and he enjoyed it. Especially when sleeping beauty planted a big kiss on his cheek. He was truly in love. (Although he did refuse to allow any pictures of the big lipstick lips on his cheek). The meal is nice and the only real "girly" part about it is that the princesses circulate throughout the room greeting people. If you stay low key they probably won't spend much time with you anyway.

 

[Belleandtinker]

He'll live!

There are tons of "boy things" you have to do on the trip. He can live through an hour dinner.

We took our son in the spring and loved it.

 

[daisyduck123]

My DS was about 9 when we had dinner there on his sister's 13th b-day. Tell your DS he will be fine and not the only boy.

 

[mousemom23]

Some of my favorite memories and pictures are of my son leaning away from the princesses in every picture with a priceless look on his face! He knows with two sisters that princesses are a part of the WDW experience and he patiently deals with it. At 11, he is learning the art of compromise to keep everyone happy! The park fare dinner was a classic interaction with Drisella asking him if he was eligible and rich. We will never forget it and have it on video for future blackmailing! I say go for it!

 

[baler31]

Teach your child to think of others, the world is not kind to sensitive adults. He will function much better in the real world by relating and showing empathy for others. Tell him each member will pick an activity, restaurant or experience they want to do, have him pick one as well and attend all the activities together.

Your child's emotional health will not be damaged by attending a princess meal at Disney. However, his emotional growth may be damaged by the "me first" mentality so prevalent today.

 

[bleeps]

I say this a a mother of a boy too.

Are you kidding me?? All I could think when I read this was "give me a break". Do you really think she's going to scar her kid for life because he went to a princess meal?

Whoa -- I really said I meant it nicely, and I gave my opinion. We can agree to disagree; that's OK.

 

[DCDisney]

Are you really set on Akershus? We've been a number of times with my son (because he has a younger sister) and honestly not only is mostly girls it is mostly very young girls in fru fru princess dress. 1900 Park Fare dinner is much more dealable for my son because the evil step sisters and step mom are a hoot. CRT even was more dealable because the castle inside was cool to see. Not to mention that the food at Akershus isn't the highlight of the restaurant. If you do decide you really want to go I'd let him know that you won't make him take the picture when you go in because for my son walking into something he doesn't want to do and then boom a posed picture with Belle was making a bad situation worse. I don't mind making my son do a few girly things and vice versa but there really isn't any upside at Akershus because he probably won't like the food either. My son is much more willing to do girly stuff if he gets some good food and is left alone to sulk

 

[swi1231]

I am also planning to bring my 2 boys here for breakfast on our December trip as we are traveling with their girl cousin age 8 who wants to see the princesses. I think WAY too much is being made of the boy girl thing. I mean everyone is acting like they are going to dress the up and put make-up on them or something. Its just meal!!!! We went to Chef Mickey on a previous trip and Minnie and Daisy kissed and hugged my boys then 3 and 8 and have wonderful pictures of them blushing. They acted like they hated it but couldn't wipe the smiles off their faces. I thinks boys and girls need to be tolerant of each other and if the adults didn't make such a BIG DEAL about it the boys may not feel so uncomfortable.

I plan on casualy walking my boys in the restaraunt like I would do any other and if they comment on the princesses and lack of male characters I'll just say something like "I guess we are lucky. We found the restaraunt where all the beautiful girls hang out!"

GET OVER IT!

 

[jenjersnap]

When I asked my oldest for a list of potential meals, Akershus was number one. So, yes, I am taking my 3 boys there despite me being the only princess in the family (actually, I am the queen. ). We've eaten there several times (every trip in my signature) and we've NEVER had the only boys in the room. My DS is not quite as old as your DS, but I doubt he'll be any different in a year which leads to this thought: I think it is about the personality of the kid and you can't make a blanket judgment of "it'll negatively impact his trip" or "he'll LOVE it anyway". If he has the right spirit about it - tell him it's a favor to you, if necessary - he'll be fine. But do tell him it won't be only girls!

I think you deserve your girly experience so I hope it goes well!