Disneyland with a teenager

[redrocks]

My family (including my soon to be 18 year old DS) will be leaving for our first trip to DLR in 6 days! Although we are all so excited, I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas or suggestions to help keep the excitement alive for my DS. We have the City Pass 3 day hopper and I can see him being "done with" Disneyland after two days. He is an extreme thrill seeker (i.e. he wants to go skydiving for his 18th birthday....Oy)! We do have other things planned, such as USH, Knotts, and Magic Mountain, during our trip. Also, I have no problem letting him stay back at the hotel while the rest of us enjoy our third day, but it would be nicer to have him with us. Of course, being a teenager means he is unpredictable! Maybe all the new sights, sounds, and treats (the boy likes to eat!) will keep him interested after all. Last time we were at WDW, he was intriqued by finding hidden Mickeys. Does anyone know how many there are at DLR? TIA!

 

[larina]

My now 18 year old daughter didn't get tired of the parks in 5 days, I'm sure your son won't in 3. My daughter loved ToT (she and my 8 year old DD went on it at least 12 times in December), Grizzly Rapids and Ca Screaming, but she also likes a lot of the other rides and experiences as well. She has as much fun, if not more, than the younger kids.

 

[Stitch35]

DLR has lots of hidden Mickey's along with a few other characters as well. Every attraction has at least one hidden Mickey. I hear Carsland is full of them and they aren't the easiest to spot. There are a few thrill rides, even for an almost 18 year old extreme thrill seeker. Food always keeps them occupied too besides thrills and mickeys, would he be interested the history of the park? There are so many things in and around the resort that are historic, even the names on the windows on main street.

 

[KateDrake]

When I was that age I often wanted alone time, so I would go off on my own or with another family member and ride the E ticket rides over and over. Many of them have single rider lines, so you can do something like ToT six times in an hour, etc. So that could be an option. Just have a plan to meet somewhere for dinner or plan to call each other to check in at a certain time...

 

[PinkBudgie]

Go check out my scavenger hunt thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2765604&highlight=scavenger+hunt

I did this to encourage photo participation in my teenage boys. They could earn prizes like free snacks and no chores at home.

 

[DisneytheKid]

Good idea

Go check out my scavenger hunt thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2765604&highlight=scavenger+hunt

I did this to encourage photo participation in my teenage boys. They could earn prizes like free snacks and no chores at home.

 

[ArchOwl]

I think a teenager would also appreciate the Mad T Party!

 

[milan15]

I'm 23. If the kid grew up on Disney movies, he won't get "over" DLR in 3 days. I'll vouch for that.

One of my favorite DLR trips, in fact, was my senior year of high school with my family. We were there for 4 days and I was so sad to leave.

 

[lana772]

He likes to eat.... that gives me an idea.
Make a reservation for Blue Bayou on your last day there. That will give him a BIG reason to want to spend luch with you.

Then let him single rider a bunch of stuff. My husband took off from my two small daughters and I one afternoon and he rode more rides in a couple hours than we did the previous 3 days. Everyone was happy.

 

[elgerber]

I went in June for 4 days, with my 16 and 19 year olds. They were not ready to go home when we were done. I guess I'm lucky that both of my kids love the parks, and have no problem hanging out with us all day, and doing all things Disney.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I went in June for 4 days, with my 16 and 19 year olds. They were not ready to go home when we were done. I guess I'm lucky that both of my kids love the parks, and have no problem hanging out with us all day, and doing all things Disney.

Mine do too, but when they were 15 I discovered they weren't interested in stopping for pictures and they rolled their eyes when I wanted pics. That is how the Disneyland Resort Scavenger Hunt was born. I started it the next year when they were 16. When we back back last summer at age 17, they were asking for another scavenger hunt. Also, last summer we kept encouaraging them to go off by themselves but they said we knew all the tricks for getting on lots of rides. This summer they are disappointed not be going with us but they need to stay home and try to get jobs. Besides they just took a big trip back east to Washington DC with their senior class so I don't feel too sorry for them.

I'd love hear back how the trip goes!

 

[pixiewings71]

I just got back from a trip with DD to celebrate her 16th birthday, we didn't get bored, or tired of it, and we wanted to stay longer, if I could have we'd still be there! LOL
Tell him to go do his own thing, and I love the idea of booking a meal on your last day, that way he will want to go for sure. Be sure to ask him what he wants to do and I'm sure he'll be fine.

 

[pixleyyy]

Love the scavenger hunt idea!

My teenagers are 14 & 16 so I'm guessing that there's some differences between them and your 18yo, but we try to be flexible enough that if they want to do something different than our plan, we usually accommodate them. Then they're happy to stay with us and still get to do some of what they want.

The exception to that is in the mornings, when we have a clear plan we can't deviate from. That often includes the thrill rides though so they're kept happy.

 

[Hojoanaheim]

In regards to eating, I think many teenage boys would LOVE Big Thunder Ranch BBQ. Anyone one who loves meat and a lot of food would like it. It’s all you can eat ribs and chicken for lunch. During dinner I believe they add sausage. It’s delicious and has a great atmosphere.

Since your DS likes Hidden Mickeys and more thrilling rides; there’s a Hidden Mickey on California Screaming! When you are on the loop, look up (or down, pretty much look at the ground when you are on the loop) and where the post and the lights meet, there is a Hidden Mickey there. I’m not sure if it is an official one, but it’s definitely a fun find either way .

Hope this helps,
Kriss

 

[lk2500]

In regards to eating, I think many teenage boys would LOVE Big Thunder Ranch BBQ. Anyone one who loves meat and a lot of food would like it. It’s all you can eat ribs and chicken for lunch. During dinner I believe they add sausage. It’s delicious and has a great atmosphere.

Since your DS likes Hidden Mickeys and more thrilling rides; there’s a Hidden Mickey on California Screaming! When you are on the loop, look up (or down, pretty much look at the ground when you are on the loop) and where the post and the lights meet, there is a Hidden Mickey there. I’m not sure if it is an official one, but it’s definitely a fun find either way .

Hope this helps,
Kriss

How much is the all you can eat lunch/dinner at Thunder Ranch?

 

[redrocks]

Thank you for all the great ideas! The scavenger hunt looks like something both of my kiddos would enjoy. I like the idea of booking a lunch ressie on our last day. He would definitely LOVE Big Thunder Ranch BBQ (although I am very intrigued by Blue Bayou . I've started telling him about the hidden Mickeys and we have made a plan to look for one at each attraction, especially the one at CS! He does like history, so I do think he might get into the history of the park. I can tell that this trip will be very different than any of our WDW trips!