Dad needs advice

[disneyplanningdad]

Sorry to intrude on the teens board but I'm taking my 12 and 14 y/o to WDW and I don't want it to be a lame trip with character meals and boring shows. What activities do you guys suggest?

 

[CastawayJ]

are you implying that charactor meals are lame

tsk tsk

you do need to do some research

 

[Princess victoria]

well
i'm fifteen
and i still LOVE the Character meals and shows and stuff xD
but that's just me

but Downtown Disney is always a great place
i would definitly Suggest Disney quest

and the Water parks are alot of fun too



hmm that's all i can think of at the moment
but i'm sure they'll be some more sugestions by other people

and have fun!

i wish i was going to disney

 

[Babyjustrun]

I've been both when I was 12 and 13. I would have loved a character meal xD
I enjoyed the ones on DCL.

Anyways, I personally thought Disney Quest was lame, but that's just me.

I can't think of anything to do really, when we went we did the first time at Disney thing. See everything we could in the amount of time we were there.

 

[KidGoofy]

I would say do a lot of rides...if they are like me I would be embarrassed to be at character meals because a 16 year old with a bunch of 2-6 year olds is kind of embarrassing unless they have a brother or sister at that age. And try watching all the side shows like Off Kilter, The British Invasion, and the World Showcase Players(specifically King Arthur and The Holy Grail). They are all very fun for me and if I am like a normal teen then they would like it too.

 

[Vannah]

Character meals? Lame?
That makes me want to cry.

Okay, not really.
I'm 15, and I was 14 when we went last year in November.
Definitely do Expedition Everest. It was one of the best things the entire trip. I do wish that my dad had planned for more shopping time in Downtown Disney, though.

 

[Em&Em]

Character Meals are great. Also you must do Fantasmic and Wishes and Illuminations. The parades are also a must. And rides , rides, rides. Oh and Mickey's BackYard BBQ. I loved that.

 

[imabrat]

Rides.
Character meals.
Disney Quest.
Shopping, and lots of it!

 

[disneyplanningdad]

OK Sorry. Didn't mean to call anything lame. That's why I'm planning this trip because I definitely think and I'm pretty sure my sons agree that Disney is a fun vacation. I'm concerned that they agree with Kidgoofy that they don't want to spend the week with little kids.

Anyway Thanks for the answers everyone. I love ideas like taking time to see the sideshows. We have never done that before and they look like fun.

Keep the ideas coming!!!

 

[BandGeek911]

Character Meals are great. Also you must do Fantasmic and Wishes and Illuminations. The parades are also a must. And rides , rides, rides. Oh and Mickey's BackYard BBQ. I loved that.

Ooh, I didn't like Mickey's backyard BBQ. There was no air, and I was dying of heat and it was crowded! But everyone else loved it xD But, I 'm not a big BBQ person sooo...


And character meals are not lame D:
I'd recommend Downtown Disney, all the mountains (Splash, Space, Big Thunder, Everest) and for Shows Illuminations and Fantasmic.

 

[diva122094]

Well i am 13 and i still love going to character meals.A deffinate must!!!

I love going to Downtown Disney for some shopping!!
The fireworks at night are amazing.
Deffinatly go to the parks and go on lots of rides.
You might want to get a autograph book if they want to get autographs and pictures from the characters(i like doing it)

 

[disneyoverload]

I just got back, and there are a few things I really liked. I liked the Hoop-De-Doo Revue, I actually laughed at most of the corny jokes. xD I would recommend to go on the big rides like the rollercoasters, and avoid parades like the high school musical one and the family day parade, unless they like parades. Be cautious about watching the movies in world showcase if they aren't interested in the culture/history of that country. I would steer clear of the american adventure and the movie at the end of norway personally. Some of the shows at MGM may be a little embarrasing for them to go to, such as the Little Mermaid, Playhouse Disney, and Beauty and the Beast, so you might want to avoid those if you think they will be uncomfortable. Fantasmic and Wishes are two great shows, and hanging out in Downtown Disney or the Boardwalk is nice too.

 

[nickkevingirl93]

I'll be fifteen in November, and we're going to Disney in January, and we're going to two character meals, and I don't think they are lame. I mean, we're going because my sis and bro are WAY younger than me, but let's just say they are lame. I totally like them. Definitely think about doing a character meal or two.

 

[seaturtledude]

I'm 14, and one of my favorite things to do is go to "House of Blues" in Downtown Disney. it is decorated with folk art on the walls, with a bayou/voodoo feel to it, and the food is amazing! also, if you plan ahead, on certain days they have concerts (in the all-ages club next door), with popular musicians. usually at night from thursday-saturday, they have a guitarist or singer on the front porch or in the restaurant. i have also heard good things about the "gospel brunch" on sunday mornings there. have fun on your trip!

 

[MrsSparrow..]

Depends on how big of a fans your kids are of Disney.

Personally, the character meals are personal taste. If your teens don't like greeting the characters, or disney, then don't bother.

But spend your time doing the rides really and the shows are Disney are entertaining for everyone

I know, kill me for saying this but, maybe you should consider going to Universal Orlando's parks for a couple of days. They are targeted at the younger audience more

 

[GoofysOnlyGirl]

Well my brother is 14 at the moment and all he thinks about is rides. At this point in his life hes not too concerned with detail and is just looking for a thrill. He actually prefers Universal to Disney, but so did I when I was his age.
I woud suggest Hollywood studios, as I think it has the most for older kids. The shows are entertaining, and rides are as well.
If you are doing the park hopper, make sure and check out everest at animal kingdom, but other than that ride and the safari, I find AK a bit boring.
Also hit all the mountains[splash, space, thunder]
water parks are fun too.
Downtown disney, and shopping are a must as well.
I don't know what your teens personalities are but it definently depends on them. Ask them what they would want to do, unless it is a suprise?

 

[disneyplanningdad]

Depends on how big of a fans your kids are of Disney.

Personally, the character meals are personal taste. If your teens don't like greeting the characters, or disney, then don't bother.

But spend your time doing the rides really and the shows are Disney are entertaining for everyone

I know, kill me for saying this but, maybe you should consider going to Universal Orlando's parks for a couple of days. They are targeted at the younger audience more

You make a good point but we are Disney fanatics. We are also Harry Potter fans so we figured one more Disney trip for now. When the Harry Potter attraction is up and running we'll do Universal.

 

[MrsSparrow..]

You make a good point but we are Disney fanatics. We are also Harry Potter fans so we figured one more Disney trip for now. When the Harry Potter attraction is up and running we'll do Universal.

If your kids are disney fanatics, I'm sure you'll find absolutely tonnes to do Hope you have a great time!

 

[disneyplanningdad]

I'm 14, and one of my favorite things to do is go to "House of Blues" in Downtown Disney. it is decorated with folk art on the walls, with a bayou/voodoo feel to it, and the food is amazing! also, if you plan ahead, on certain days they have concerts (in the all-ages club next door), with popular musicians. usually at night from thursday-saturday, they have a guitarist or singer on the front porch or in the restaurant. i have also heard good things about the "gospel brunch" on sunday mornings there. have fun on your trip!

Do you know if there isr a website to find out what musicians will be there on the dates we will be there?

 

[seaturtledude]

let me check, it's in my favorites =)