Characters and 8 year old boy

[Lynzer4]

I'm trying to finalize my plans for my upcoming September trip.

Last time my nephew was 5 and loved meeting characters. Now he is 8 so I am wondering if he will have any interest in meeting them. As an adult I like too. Lol
So anyone with boys around that age. Was there any interest?

Btw the trip is a surprise and he won't know until a few days before so i can't just ask him. Plan to surprise him sept 5th.

Thanks

 

[juliekzp]

My 6-year-old boy still loves meeting characters, but if given the choice he would always rather go so a ride. But my 8-year-old girl still super loves meeting characters. If I were you, I'd maybe schedule one character meal but wouldn't waste any FPs on them. Most 8-year-old boys would prefer rides, and you could always switch to a character meet instead if he's loving that.

 

[caroline1851]

When my son was 9, he still enjoyed meeting characters. Not as much as when he was 6....but still liked it a lot!

 

[alicat8]

I think it really would depend on the kid. Hard to say! When my brother was 8 he was still very into meeting characters and getting autographs.

 

[brb1006]

I would recommend buying an autograph book before meeting the characters to see how he would react. I remember meeting Marie in the Magic Kingdom last spring and while waiting in line for my first and second encounter with her. I remember seeing children really loving her.

 

[bucky1023]

I agree with the PP, it depends on the kid. my nephews have all liked meeting the characters and still do (youngest is 15 now).

 

[erocrobro]

At that age, my boys still enjoyed interacting with the characters, but hated wasting time waiting in line for them. My compromise was to schedule some character meals so they didn't have to wait.

 

[Michelle G]

Our 10 year old son loved meeting the characters and getting their autographs! I was worried that he would be too old, but his face lit up with joy and he truly enjoyed it. I think Disney brings out the younger side in all of us!

 

[cath1979]

my son gonna turn 8 in our next trip, the only caracter he really wanted to see ifsbaymax and Baymax is gone since a few days If your son is like mine, I think one meal caracter is enough and maybe try to get jedi academy

 

[cath1979]

oups sorry nephew

 

[brb1006]

At that age, my boys still enjoyed interacting with the characters, but hated wasting time waiting in line for them. My compromise was to schedule some character meals so they didn't have to wait.

It is really worth the wait once you finally meet that one character you've always wanted to meet.

 

[MainMom]

My son does not like to meet girl characters. lol no problems with Mickey, goofy, Pluto, Donald, Buzz, Woody, etc. Definitely no princesses!

 

[Lynzer4]

Thanks everyone. I have an autograph book I got earlier this year as part of hissurprise. We have a character breakfast scheduled too ... Ohana! I am thinking he will like meeting them just not wanting to wait In a long line. Last time he would pick characters over rides. This time I think it might be the other way around. Lol.

I just wanted to see what others expierenced. Since I can't ask him and plans have to be confirm before he finds out I just wanted some thoughts.

Thanks

 

[scoobygrl79]

Seven year old boy in the house here!!...LOVES LOVES L-O-V-E-S it still and even wishes to fist fight 8yr DD if she dare implies that theres a human inside.

 

[hicksnichols]

My son is 7. Has no interest in characters. I think he secretly likes the character meals but won't admit it. He won't stand in line to meet anyone. He has asked about the Star Wars breakfast at Hollywood and Vine though.

 

[vicky33006]

We're here now and I have a 9 year old boy. We've been doing character meals and he's still loving them. I'm so happy because I was also worried he wouldn't like them anymore. So far we've done 'Ohana breakfast, Cape May breakfast, and Garden Grill. The only characters he openly dislikes are the princesses. That's just too much for a nine year old boy. Haha

 

[Nancyg56]

I would plan character meals. You know you have to eat so if you plan meals that have charaacters who are classic Disney, you would be good to go. I would avoid CP, and Princess meals, but would book meals like 'Ohana and TH. You will find out soon enough if he wants to stand in the lines. I would also check out where characters like Gaston are hanging out because the boys seem to have fun with him.

WE have a trip planned for two first timer's: a 5 and 6 YO girls, and we have no idea if they will be character junkies or not. I booked character meals I think they will like, but am also planning on standing in the lines if that is what they want to do once they arrive. I figure that if I know where the ones they may enjoys are I can be prepared. It has been a while since we had young ones who prefer teh characters over attractions, but you never know! LOL!

 

[dsdeleon]

Yes, I have pics of my 7 and 9 year old's faces lighting up when they meet some characters. Can confirm, still magical!

 

[tnd]

My son (almost 10) has always enjoyed meeting characters, but like one of the PPs said, he would prefer a ride. I scheduled a few meet and greets when looking for FP+ fillers (like Character Spot in Epcot), and we have a few character meals, but we don't spend a ton of waiting for characters.

 

[JZCubed]

I'm trying to finalize my plans for my upcoming September trip.

Last time my nephew was 5 and loved meeting characters. Now he is 8 so I am wondering if he will have any interest in meeting them. As an adult I like too. Lol
So anyone with boys around that age. Was there any interest?

Btw the trip is a surprise and he won't know until a few days before so i can't just ask him. Plan to surprise him sept 5th.

Thanks

I think if it's a question of FP+ for Rides vs. Characters, most children at age 8 will prefer Rides.

Of course, some little princesses might prefer Princesses, but that's not the case here.

One solution is Character Meals. I'm thinking Mickey & Friends at Tusker House, for example.

Also, the Characters without FP+ are the time-fillers between FP+ - examples are Stitch and/or Buzz Lightyear in Magic Kingdom. But you don't really need to plan for these.