bringing a Teen to Disney

[Tink&Mickey]

Has anyone brought their 13 year old son to Disney? We have a 13 yr. old son and a 7 year old daughter. So I do realize this is going to be difficult to please both, but he doesn't even want to go, I am upset but hoping once we are there he will settle down and have fun? He is kind of negative about everything, and is at the age where he doesn't want to be with his family and especially younger sister. They fight alot and we will be there for 9 days! I'm hoping he will end up having fun, but i"m not counting on it, so if he does actually crack a smile it will be nice. He says Disney is for little kids and especially girls with all the princess stuff. I'm trying to tell him no it's not all princess, but I do kow there is alot. My daughter and I are doing the Princess breakfast in Norway just the two of us, so he won't be tortured, and the only character meal we are doing as a family is Lilo and Stitch breakfast the morning we leave. I tried to gear meals more towards his liking, the Sci-Fi, Fantasmic, Whispering Canyong. Anybody gone with a teen?

 

[princessdisneybelle]

Get him the Disney for Teens by Teens guid book. There is so much he will love. My brother even got autographs at 13. Maybe let him pick some things to do without his sister. Have him meet you at a certain time? Use cell phone or two way radios.

 

[Hannathy]

We just went with my 14 yr old DD and she is not into pricesses at all. We also took our nephew when he was around 14 with no problems. I would point out all the non-little kid stuff like RNR,TOT,EE Space mountain, the real side of Mission Space, Test track. Maybe you could split up if she wants to spend time meeting characters and one parent stay with her and the other go do all the mountains etc. A day at Blizzard Beach is alway a good idea with a teen. At that age they like to make a lot of noise but I bet once he gets there he likes it.

 

[pookybean]

we went in may, my ds was 11 and my dd turned 6 while we were there. he was into the big rides so much more than she, but we all stuck together. princess breakfast and everything! he still had a great time. the only thing we split for was while we were doing bbb i sent him over to the pirate section of the store with $50 to get whatever it was he wanted. i realize your ds is a little older, but im sure once hes there he will enjoy it.

and do disney quest, it is full of video games. while my dd and i were a little bored, he and my dh had a blast and i had to drag them out of there when i thought i couldnt take anymore.

we are going dec of 07 to celebrate his 13th, and while i know its a long time off and im sure he will change in attitude/tastes by then, he is saying how we had BETTER eat with stitch for his b-day breakfast, and that he might take a picture with jasmine because, she is ok for a princess LOL

hope you have a good time and all works out well.

megan

 

[MSSANDRA]

There is something about WDW that eliminates that need to "be cool". Away from all their friends they can relax and have fun and enjoy the magic with the family. This is why we have not yet taken a friend for DS. DS is 14 and he LOVES WDW. Three trips in the last 5 years and he is so excited about our January trip. SO much to do. DS does EVERYTHING with out complaint. Even going on small world (but only once) with me and this year going to a princess meal just for me!!!

AT MK, he will love the mountians, Buzz, Priates and a lot more
MGM - Rock and Roll coaster is awsome, tower of terror, Star Tours, Indiana Jones, really EVERYTHING is more geared to teens except a few shows.
Epcot is so cool for teens- Give him some time in intervations, test track, mission space, again almost everything. DS even likes WS
Animal Kindgon has Everst, the safari, Dinosaur, that whirl coaster I can not remember but DS loved.

There are lots of water acvtivites- water parks, swimming, boats to rent.
Disney Quest might be fun. WE have not done it yet.

Resturants DS likes-
Rainforest Cafe
Ohona's
Anything steak house!!

DDP is great so he can enjoy extra snacks teens love!!!

He will have fun. WE have a no complain rule at WDW. Almost always works!!!!!!!

MsSandra

 

[DVCLiz]

Plus, remind him that the princesses are really hot....

 

[Sandy22]

How about adding a day at Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure to your trip? My teen prefers the more grown-up atmosphere and rides and he's more willing to do Disney knowing he also gets to do Universal.

 

[Deesknee]

Plus, remind him that the princesses are really hot....

Works for both my teen boys. (not to mention DH, although that may go under dirty old man )

Seriously, I have triplet 15 yo. People always say why do you go to disney all the time, there are other places to vacation in the world. I challenge them to find anywhere else where my kids all get along. I also have a 3 yo DD. Now that has become a bit of a challenge as she wants all the character pictures. But even at that the teens join in. Like another poster said, once you take them away from the cool friends factor they become your sweet children again. (at least for the majority of the trip I consider mine sweet). Pixie dust. Some of the rides should be pointed out. Especially Rock n Roll coaster with the Aerosmith music.

 

[we3disneygo]

on our last trip dd12 soon to be 13 had a blast!! she rode rides, and did lot's of stuff we haven't done on other trips.....we had the best time. it will all be good once your there.....

 

[NMAmy]

My dd is 16 and WDW is still her favorite place to vacation. You might want to split up from time to time but give him the opportunity to come along on some of the little kid stuff, too.

DD told me on our last trip that she wished we had a little one along so she could still do the little kid stuff without feeling like a doofus. I told her she could blame it on me but apparently, I'm not allowed to be a doofus either.

I think you'll find your DS will have a good time once he gets there--even if he complains a bit about going. DD was the same way at his age--she whined about going but had a fantastic time once we arrived.

 

[vanillarum]

My ds is now 14 and I think he loves Disney more now than when he was young. We are going in Aug 07, and he can't wait. We were there in 05 and he had a blast ! He wants to become an imagineer ! On the other point, him and my dd (10) get along fine, esp. at the world. My prediction is that your ds will have a great time ! Good luck and have a great trip !

 

[blanq]

My DS is 13, in 8th grade, and our family will be going to WDW next month. This will be his 6th trip to WDW since he was 6. I read your post to him, and he said "Huh? Disney is the best place in the world. It is uncool for a 13 yo to think that WDW is uncool.Yeah, there are princesses around sometimes, but what's not to like about seeing Ariel in her shell bikini top?". So, there you have it, from the mouth of a 13 yo boy.

 

[hidmickey:myantidrug]

How about you leave him at home and bring this older Disney loving teen?!? I think that's by far the best idea on this thread yet!

Seriously though, the ideas on here are great. I'd give you a teen perspective but I'm obsessed with Disney and have never needed an incentive. Hopefully he'll come around and love it!

 

[catbertdave99]

Two years ago I took my DS14 and his DF13, along with my DS11 -- he had his DF12 around too. They ALL had a blast! This spring I'm taking my DS16 and his DF16, and my DS13, who will have his DS13 around.... they can't wait -- there are so many thrill rides, the water parks are great, and they just can't get enough of it! In fact, we've never done a "princess" related anything there... WDW is awesome for ALL ages.

 

[disneymomof6]

I have 6 kids and my 15 yr old decided this year he would rather just not go.... no real reason other then he didnt like the weather last visit... he is not a problem child, not a arguer with his siblings and is just an all around great kid... I know he will be fine when hes there but my response to his NOT WANTING TO GO was "guess you will have to go discuss it with a therapist that your parents are so terrible that they are dragging you to disney world for a week" never heard another word about it....

 

[kristin13]

i finally get to go to disney world with my cousins

 

[kristin13]

i finally get to go to disney world with my cousins

cant wait

 

[kristin13]

cant wait

kristin

 

[kristin13]

kristin

my cousin are really ecxited two

 

[kristin13]

my cousin are really ecxited two

i am so happy