Engaging teens at WDW

[Twoboysnmygirl]

My dd and I went to WDW last year for our first visit and loved it so much we wanted the whole family to understand our new obsession, so we're headed back in October!

I need some tips and ideas for getting teens (boys) to enjoy and let go of this "cool factor" thing with Disney. Has anyone ever dealt with this?

I suppose it's my own fault for not taking them when they were young, we didn't have the money, but they have an attitude about the trip and seem to think it's for little kids. I've shown them the dvd and tried to get them excited, but they are tolerating it as best. It's funny b/c my kids are homeschooled and I thought for sure I wouldn't have to deal with this uncool, babyish, typical teenage response! (I know, delusional! )

So, what have you done or what got you interested in WDW when you were 14 & 15? One of my sons says he's afraid of heights and won't even want to go on the rides?!?!? I know that once we get there, Disney will do it's magic and that will help, but I'm trying to get them as involved with the fun stuff building up to the trip. Maybe I'm just expecting too much (why is it that you have to expect so little from teens?!?!?)

Oh and are there any 20something's out there that went as a teen thinking it wouldn't be cool and now are addicted as adults?!?!? I guess I'm a worry wart...I just want them to have a wonderful time!!!

 

[tinkerlisa]

I wonder the same thing but with 14 and 17 year old girls!
The 14 year old is afraid of her own shadow and likes to "play cool"
The 17 year old just "plays cool" and says she don't care what we do. But if she acts like she does any other time we take her on vacation, I'll make her sit in the hotel room alone. I am not having anyone spoil my Disney trip!


What DO teenagers like to do at Disney?

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I know for mine, I've been talking up things that are "less mickey" and might seem cool to them. Haunted Mansion is one and lots of things at Epcot (Test Track, Soarin', etc.)

BUT, this is difficult as my oldest thinks he's afraid of heights b/c he went on a log flume at 7 years old (Mall of America) and was scared. He's never even tried a rollercoaster! My 8 year old went on all of them last fall but she started slow on Barnstormer, but I really doubt I could even get him on that b/c it's too babyish.

I've been making tshirts for everyone and that is difficult too. Apparently wearing anything but black with skulls isn't cool either. Sheesh. My kids like to pretend they are Emo or Goth, but they aren't! Their posers!

 

[a1tinkfans]

Kids, they can drive you nuts!

I have a DS teen who now says he will not go unless the cousin goes again this year with us (which we area ll currently booked, HOWever, they're having some financial difficulties so not sure if they'l be able to make it, UGH!)

So, I am trying to say....well....it'll still be great, but he is an only child so it is that much harder, I mean really, what kid wants to hang with mom and dad all week long....you can't do 3 on many rides ....it is just sad, as I am SO DISNEY addicted (the only one actually) I think I am hoping for the best, but really have no idea how it will go, our trip last year was lots of fun with the extended family but my ds did "ditch us" to go hang with them and ya know what, I had a good time at MGM with dh (i still call it that) while he had fun with his cousins......OH, goodness, growing up is hard on parents too.........
Here's to hoping that it ALL works out!!!

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

How about the Disney for Teens book? Maybe you can have them read it and do a report, or a poster with info., as if they were a travel agent trying to convince a teen to go to the park. LOL they'll probably be on to you, but maybe they'll actually find some stuff that they're interested in!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

There's a book?!?!?!

...
I found this on amazon, is this it?? http://www.amazon.com/Walt-Disney-W...r_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238341536&sr=8-10

 

[tinkerlisa]

Apparently wearing anything but black with skulls isn't cool either. Sheesh. My kids like to pretend they are Emo or Goth, but they aren't! Their posers!

This describes the 14 year old that is coming with us(hopefully)to a tee!!!


However,
The 17 year old likes to dress like a how shall I say this without getting in trouble on here...oh well I can't...she dresses like a slutty scumbag. She wears sweatpants and low cut shirts with crocs. Is that actually in style? Unfortunatly, we can't control what she wears since she doesn't live with us.

LOL I just hope the 14 year old can come so that way our 17 year old will have someone to hang with and dare I say it: get into trouble...
I hope I can find some kind of engaging activity for them.

 

[tinkerlisa]

There's a book?!?!?!

...
I found this on amazon, is this it?? http://www.amazon.com/Walt-Disney-W...r_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238341536&sr=8-10

OHHH I may have to get this...

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Don't have to convince me much! I just bought it!

This is where homeschooling comes in handy...I'll just MAKE them read it for "school work"!

 

[anabelle]

Unfortunately, the thing that makes Disney uncool to teens is hanging out with their parents. My teen boys are WDW vets. I let them have their space while we are there. I know they can manuver the bus system and their own counter meals. So we let them plan their own days and meet us for a family dinner. If you are late for the ADR, you are will be spending the rest of the vacation with mom , dad and little sis. They have phones but are required to stay together. They like going in the single rider lines for all the fast rides. They will sometimes do it all day. They say they meet a lot of new people.

Your sons are not vets, so I might not let them run around alone. But if you have plusses, I would drop them off a Disney Quest for their afternoon break. My boys can stay there all day. Have them research the rides and let them choose which ones they don't want to go on. If one is afraid of heights, you would elimate Tower of Terror. But Rock and Roll Rollercoaster is fast and does not go high.

My boys love the water parks as well.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Thanks Ana!

Now this is where my boys differ, probably b/c of homeschooling. I don't think they will want to go off away from us. They both enjoy going places with us and ask to go to the store with me, etc. b/c that's just what they are used to. I am totally open to letting them head off in another direction at a park, if they get comfy enough (not transport though...we are staying offsite) but more than likely they won't want to. We are also going to be with my IL's and that will add to the mix!

What they can't seem to get over is all the princess/mickey mouse/pooh bear stuff. I've tried to focus on the other stuff, but WDW hasn't been that great lately about pointing out things for older crowds. The DVD was all about dreams and princesses...I was afraid their eyes were going to roll right out of their heads! I did get them to watch the pre-teen part "just for kids" and they seemed "ok" with that. I heard the older version DVD they used in previous years was more rounded and not just all about little kids.

Don't get me wrong, I have a little kid too! I am all about the magic and my dd is as well, but these boys of mine think it's just a girl thing. I'm hoping my dh will get involved, wear his grumpy shirt/baseball hat, and they will follow his lead.

Apparently nothing beats video games and halo. Thank goodness for Disneyquest! It's on our itinerary, for sure! BB too!

 

[anabelle]

We homeschool too but my kids are tired of being with me all the time. It's pretty funny all kids are so different. We are going Homeschool week. I am hoping they can hook up with some nice kids their age to hand around.

FYI, If they love games, I recommend that when you go to EPCOT, you let them hang out in Innoventions. There are lot of game type things there....

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

They are all so different, even in the same family! They keep me on my toes, that's for sure.

 

[srwarden1928]

I am a WDW fanatic who went for the first time as a small child. We are taking my 21 year old neice for her first Disney trip this summer. She is as excited about going as I am. While I regret not taking her sooner, I am confident she will enjoy this trip like I do. She is a junior in college, honor student, sorority member, works part time, and is alot more cool than I ever was. She knows that there is plenty in Disney for her without having ever been there before. Certainly there is plenty in Disney for your older DDs. I wish they could talk to DN. Her excitement would probably help.

 

[irene_dsc]

Do they like animals or learning about other countries? Would it help the trip to start at AK or Epcot, which aren't as over-the-top Disney as far as characters are concerned? And at DHS, Lights, Motor, Action might be fun, and maybe Star Tours?

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I think they will really enjoy Epcot the best, we're going there are 2nd day. The first day is MK, it's their sister's 9th birthday and she got to choose!

I think they will like AK too and the rides at DHS IF I can get the one son to try some of the tamer stuff at MK (barnstormer, BTM) and build up to the other rides that he thinks he'll be afraid of. I won't pressure him though, I just hope he decides to give it a try. I've never really heard of a teenager that didn't like rollercoasters???

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

I need some tips and ideas for getting teens (boys) to enjoy and let go of this "cool factor" thing with Disney. Has anyone ever dealt with this?

we have a teen son (does some modeling and is too cool to move sometimes) and one tween! trust me once they get there and see all the cute teen girls on que doing the same thing it will instantly become "cool" and if they chat them up in line they will follow them into its a small world with a smile on their face and ask for seconds

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Oh man, that's what I'm hoping!!!

 

[mommic32]

Hi, I would like to see if there are any other suggestions? My hubby and I are thinking of another trip this year and asked my daughters if they wanted to go and my 15yo dosent, she thinks she will be bored and my 13 yo is ok with the idea. While Hubby and I are excited, we think/know that this will probably be one of the last times we can go as a family where they will "stay" with us, It's sad they grow to fast! So if anyone has idea's as to deal with a 15yo, or any fun suggestions I'd love to hear them.

 

[RN4Babies]

Relax. They're going to WDW. They're teenagers. On a family vacation. And they're teenagers.

Their reaction is NORMAL!!!

Think about the way Disney markets itself...toward kids who are about 3-10 years old. Your sons probably think WDW is for little kids, with a roller coaster thrown in here and there.

DS18 wasn't at all excited about our trip leading up to it last month. I bought the teen WDW book, showed him youtube videos of rides, attractions, etc, and he couldn't have cared less. Our first dayat WDW, we got to MK about 3pm. We watched a parade, then went to Monsters Inc. Floor and the Buzz Lightyear ride; that was all it took! From that point on, he was totally into it. He took the guidebook each night and planned what he would like to do and see the following day. He was enthusiastic and had sooo much fun.

They'll be fine. Lighten up, and trust that Disney magic will do its thing!