Considering Trip with 8 Year Old Niece

[figment814]

I am considering taking a weekend trip next fall with my (will then be) 8 year old niece. I have been/will be on multiple adult only trips. She has been on trips with her family (and just returned from a cruise/park trip). She is very girly, but "too cool" for princesses.

What are some cool things to do with her? I think she would enjoy a Grand Floridian tea, is she too old for the kid one? or should I just take her to the regular one?

Her last trip included her 4 year old sister (who also had a horrible virus) so I would want this to be all about her. ( Don't worry, I'll take the 4 year old on her own in a couple of years too!)

TIA

 

[Wigit12]

How about putt-putt?
We're taking our 10 yr old niece to Cirque de Soleil this time.
Is Disney Quest still open? I can't remember anymore after so many rumors.

 

[dizluvah]

I have read on other threads that the pick a pearl in Japan at Epcot (also a location at Downtown Disney) is a lot of fun. Some of the settings for the pearl can be expensive but they also have less expensive options. Your niece would not only have the memory of the experience but also lovely jewelry as a souvenier/keepsake to remember your trip together.
Happy planning

 

[noahdove]

I am taking my sister's 8 year old granddaughter in August...I am planning on several princess things, breakfast in Norway ,dinner at Park Fare, BBB, I would like to go the afternoon tea in the Garden View Tea at GF( I think that is the name of it, I have it written down), and she has never been and most likely never go again until she is an adult...I am just so excited to do this with her...her mom is as excited as I am so that makes this whole planning time even better Her dad, well, he's not sure she should go, she is the only girl in the family Oh, well, I'll be happy as a clam...and I know she will be too

 

[brittsmum1998]

Another vote for Cirque. We took my dd who was 7 at the time and she loved it. She has been to 3 Cirque shows since then. The last one being here in Boston in November (I think?).

She has also done the Hannah dress up at BBB and loved that. She never wanted to be a princess growing up but was very excited to do Hannah.

 

[figment814]

Oh, the cirque show is a good idea, I hadn't thought of that. I don't mind spoiling her (or her sister) since I don't have children of my own. I think I will do pick a pearl too...I heard somewhere where a mom and daughter each picked each others pearls and got matching jewelry that the daughter picked. I think I might do that.

Thanks all!

 

[Wigit12]

The pick-a-pearl is a great idea!
Also, she sounds like the right age for the KimPossible adventure in EPCOT. Something that would really have to be slowed down (if tolerated) by a younger sister.

 

[serene56]

Too Old??

tell me it aint so

 

[JeanfromBNA]

My husband and I did the Garden View Tea in the Grand Floridian (my apologies to all who may have been there to hear him call the tea cozy a fez, and try to put it on his head). I think that 8 years old would be an ideal age for that and Cirque, too.

Maybe you could try some of the more "grown up" restaurants with her, like the California Grill during Wishes?

 

[flannaga]

First of all... what an awesome Aunt you must be!! My daughter got to go on a trip (non Disney) with my parents and just her this past year, and it was so special for her because it was a special time for her to bond and have fun with the grandparents, plus all the things they did really were just about her. You are going to create some wonderful memories for her!!!

We are heading to Disney in a week and a half (eeek!) and my daughter will be 8 in 3 weeks. So she will be close to your nieces age.

She is looking forward to the pick-a-pearl thing, plus she loves thrill rides, and is excited about those. She is looking forward to big thunder mountain railroad, Soarin, Rockin' RollerCoaster, etc. We are going to celebrate her birthday a few days early while we are there, and I let her look through all the park restaurants online and choose where to eat for her celebration meal. She actually chose Hollywood and Vine at DHS (though I've heard mixed reviews), which really surprised me. She also is excited to try the pin trading! And she still is excited to meet the characters, though it is less about the princesses this time around, and more about the classic Disney characters (though she wants to visit Ariel in her grotto again!)

The best thing we did was purchase her a kids guidebook (we have Birnbaum's). She read it cover to cover, then went back and pick her top 3 "must do" things at each park. This really got her super-excited about the trip, she feels like she is part of the planning process, and I'll make sure not to miss any of the things she is looking most forward to.

Have a great trip!