Dining w/Imagineer - appropriate for smart kid?

[nan1217]

My son is 8 (almost 9) and he's a very precocious kid - reads at high school level, creates computer programs and he's fascinated with all things that combine creativity and engineering of some sort. He has a Disney DVD that is hosted by an Imagineer which explains how the levers and pulleys work to control rides at WDW.

When I saw that dining with an Imagineer is possible at The Flying Fish or at a restaurant in HS, I was sad to see that it seems to be mostly adults.

Does anybody know if a smart kid would find this interesting at all? Straight up talking/lecturing and sitting around w/adults may not be of interest to him but maybe it's not that way and he would like it?

If not this, I'm open to any other suggestions for a kid like this. Unfortunately, he's always had issues with being too young for the things he's into so it's a bit of a challenge.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

 

[nan1217]

I just noticed that Allears lists a kid price and adult price for the Brown Derby lunch w/an Imagineer but only the adult price at Flying Fish w/the recommendation to be 14 and up. I wonder if the Brown Derby one is really planned to accommodate children if the pricing for them exists? Hmm.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It's conversation.
There's no way to know until, possibly, the week of your reservation, in exactly which area 'your' Imagineer works.
It's restricted to teens over a certain age, and adults.

One problem with younger children attending is the attention span. Lunch takes over two hours; dinner probably longer. Most kids aren't willing (able?) to behave that long; they get bored or tired. Another problem - and there were two boys at 'my' lunch younger than the minimum age - is the strong possibility of children to monopolize the conversation.

 

[nan1217]

One problem with younger children attending is the attention span. Lunch takes over two hours; dinner probably longer. Most kids aren't willing (able?) to behave that long; they get bored or tired. Another problem - and there were two boys at 'my' lunch younger than the minimum age - is the strong possibility of children to monopolize the conversation.

You're right. Although he's smarter than most kids his age, he's not more mature. He definitely wouldn't monopolize the conversation as he's a shy kid but the attention span is something I'm concerned about.

I wish one of the backstage tours included one led by an Imagineer. He would geek out so much about that!

 

[PictureJumpr]

I agree, it's conversation. I've done it many times, and only a few have we had people younger than about 20 in the party - teenagers, though, not children with one notable exception.

It's a program that is really designed for teens and adults, and is not meant for children. The one time we did have kids (9-10 year old range, two boys), they seemed both bored/restless and unhappy with the menu. While the menu issue was simple for the server to overcome (brought them the ubiquitous chicken nuggets), the restlessness was never resolved and the rest of us had to work around their interruptions and complaints and over-exaggerated sighs so often used by kids to exhibit boredom. The Imagineer that afternoon did try his best to engage them and bring up topics that they could/might have input on... but it just didn't work.

There is no set program or outline for what will be brought up or discussed. Mostly it is a conversation around the particular field of the Imagineer, his/her background and road to where they are now, favorite park/resort/ride/characters/flavor of ice cream, processes behind development of various elements from blue-sky to completion, things like this. There are no visual aids or printed materials and the conversation can and frequently does wander off into left field.

 

[Brian Noble]

I think I would save it for a future trip. Down the road, it will be an awesome experience, and he'll have the frame of reference to appreciate it more.

For this trip, what about Behind the Seeds in the Land pavilion? It's not too long, kids are A-OK, but it's got a good dose of science to it that he might really enjoy.

Also, in preparation, get him a set of the Imagineering Field Guides. They have a lot of "just under the surface" detail that an inquisitive kid might well love, and he can use them while he's in the parks to explore some nooks and crannies.

Depending on when you are going, there might also be an "open" (i.e. individual kids can sign up) YES session---some of them have broad age ranges, and you could easily pick one where he is eligible but would still be interested.
http://www.disneyyouth.com/youth-education-series/

The first trip he hits 10, you should also consider the Steam Train tour. That would be great for someone who is a tinkerer.

 

[nan1217]

omg, Brian. That's EXACTLY what I've been looking for. I've Googled and searched and never found anything. I only see dates listed through 2010 but I'll check back to see if they list any for 2011 soon.

THANK YOU!

 

[TDC Nala]

Straight up talking/lecturing and sitting around w/adults may not be of interest to him but maybe it's not that way and he would like it?

It's exactly that way. This is not a child-centered event. If he can handle sitting and talking for up to three hours (my lunch ran nearly that long but the imagineer was more than willing to take extra questions, pose for photos, etc) he will be fine. If he will get restless with adults having discussions, it may not be a good experience for him. Kids his age are generally not up to that.

The Lunch with an Imagineer at Brown Derby is not age-restricted, but is suggested for guests age 14 and older. The teens in our group (high school age) seemed to enjoy it. One got lots of tips for areas of study in college if she wanted to be an Imagineer someday.