COOL things for that 12 year old stepson to eat/do??

[Madhead22]

guys any ideas, he primarily lives with dad far away but we're taking him last week of nov , doesn't really get the wdw experience thing, but would love for him to get it.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

What are his interests? My DS9 loves the thrill rides, the Boardwalk at night (to see the shows and play the carnival games), the waterparks, eating at ESPN (if he likes sports), mini-golf. In terms of restaurants, Sci-Fi in DHS is pretty cool. Is he into Star Wars? If you could give us an idea of what he is interested in or what his hobbies are, we can probably point you in the right direction.

 

[EdmondD]

Meeting face-character princesses.

 

[Hawkeyejedi]

My 12 yo son likes the thrill rides, loves trying the different desserts at Epcot, and his favorite restaurants are: Sci-Fi; O'Hana, Teppan Edo and Yak n Yeti. He also loves the water parks. Both my son's love WDW without ever wanting to meet a character even when little and the Magic Kingdom is there least favorite park - go figure. Hope that helps

 

[LisafromIndiana]

My 14 year old DS has been going to Disney since he was little, and his big Disney moment was on the trip when he was 7 and could finally ride Tower of Terror and Rockin Rollercoaster at DHS. I was terrified and didn't want him to ride either, because he was *just* tall enough and his shoes and hair helped . We ate at Sci-fi, rode star tours and closed down the parks after hopping to the one with late night EMH. This mom was exhausted, but my kid, on cloud 9 and thereafter a disney addict like those who came before him!

 

[Ladyfish77]

Also check out Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom. Pick up free cards at the fire station on Main Street and they will teach you how to use them. Then as you go around the parks you can play the game--it's fun.

 

[Madhead22]

All sounds great , it's kinda difficult, w/o sounding like a sob story ,he's really got that small town mentality, and isn't encouraged to see different things , I kinda just want to blow his mind and let him know there's more out there,but everything noted so far sounds great besides some other things I'm already thinking of.

 

[Roxyfire]

All sounds great , it's kinda difficult, w/o sounding like a sob story ,he's really got that small town mentality, and isn't encouraged to see different things , I kinda just want to blow his mind and let him know there's more out there,but everything noted so far sounds great besides some other things I'm already thinking of.

Definitely the world showcase and all of AK. Obviously Pandora stuff is a given but don't overlook the safari, Everest, and the nature trails. Who knows if seeing some of that stuff in person will inspire him to travel when he gets older. It's worked for a lot of people, including me!

 

[hakepb]

If he has a bottomless stomach, than a few buffets would be a good idea.
Also, Teppen Edo is fun (but a fairly typical hibachi experience) and the Metro Mezo pizza at via Napoli.
You could attempt the kitchen sink sundae at Beaches and Cream

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

Kitchen Sink at Beaches and Cream is a fun idea - we've done this with our teens (it's a one and done thing with us, but glad we did it once for the experience)
Club Cool at Epcot
Try different foods in each country at Epcot for cultural experiences
Thrill rides / Indiana Jones show at DHS / Lights Motor Action stunt car show at DHS

 

[DisneyWishes14]

The Star Wars stuff in DHS is really cool - go to the Star Wars fireworks show at night! In AK, if you want to do something special, we did Wild Africa Trek last year and it was super cool. You wear a harness and get to walk across a swinging bridge! My DS9 also votes for the new Pandora!

 

[Shellbells]

Maybe you guys can do one of the tours? Or parasailing? The tour at AK lodge sounds like a lot of fun. Although, I'm not sure of the age requirements.

My son loved world showcase. We did the passport thing and it was fun having them write his name in each language.
It's also a great opportunity to speak to the cast members about there country.
It's also fun to get snacks and candy at each country. You can really get a feel of what different cultures eat.

 

[Sundowner2]

Can you talk to him before hand and find out his interests? If he loves Star Wars that can take up a large part of the day at Hollowywood studios. If he likes water, the water parks, if he likes animals, Animal Kingdom, etc...there's something for everyone, but it really helps to know what he's into. If he doens't like Star Wars, he would feel miserable walking around through all that.

 

[Accident]

the giant ice cream sandwiches at the outdoor window for restauranasorus (also the corner stand, last one before you walk to rnr or tot.. Dole whips. citrus swirls. any bakery, let him pick. stop in gastons for the giant cinnamon rolls. The main street mickey cinnamon rolls I think are back or about to be (they would be in starbucks, coffee is startbucks, everything else in that store is disney made).

for interesting activities.. I think he's old enough to take one of the little speed boats out on the lake alone so you could rent a couple and go around together for a couple hours. (my favorite memories from being at disney about that age).

there is 1 general thing 12 year old boys usually discover about that age so the luau at poly might peak his interest and you woudln't find that in small town usa.

 

[hakepb]

Sea Raycer boat rentals have a minimum age of 12, I imagine letting him "drive" a boat would be a lot of fun.

 

[a742246]

If you are going in the hot months the water parks should be a go!

 

[2disneyboys]

The most important thing you need to know is does he like roller coasters / heights / speed. Everyone assumes that because he's a pre-teen/boy that he will and not all do. - my youngest DS has always been small for his age and is the biggest daredevil - would do anything - was so upset because he was always too short to ride a lot of the thrill rids @ Busch Gardens, Disney, Universal, etc. My oldest DS though - is NOT a fan of the thrill rides/heights/etc and neither is one of my nephews... you don't want to plan a day around thrill rides or adventures and it not be something he is into.... All the kids in our family like to look for hidden mickey's (and other characters) and some of them like the special "facts" that are listed in the hidden mickey books. The SeaRaycer boats are a good suggestion and I've heard that Disney Quest @ Disney Springs is a big hit also, although, we haven't been.

 

[BarbMike821]

What about the Cirque show at Disney Springs? I was around that age when I went to my first Cirque show and my mind was freakin' blown.

 

[Westcoastwild]

Are you local? I'm guessing he isn't? At that age- with the same mentality- I would have been way more impressed by "real" stuff like surfing lessons or snorkeling or city stuff.

But I definitely agree on world show case. Japan in particular.

 

[Nayan]

I know you want him to 'get it', but don't be upset or disappointed if he doesn't. Not everyone likes theme parks.

If you want him to see other things the world has to offer, maybe Disney isn't the way to do it. We have so much to offer here in Florida and like the PP said, real stuff might make a bigger impression than rides and princesses. Find out what he likes and go from there.