Engaging teens at WDW

[MichelleinMaine]

My son was 12 when he last went, had been before and knew it wasn't all little kids stuff. What *I* had to let go though was the "little kid stuff", lol. I had his autograph book and name tag and we made matching shirts... Ok mom, just mortify me completely NOW! I finally realized he was enjoying it on his own level.

His biggest thing was no pics with characters. (I reduced my insistance to just one of his sister and Mickey. ONE.)

For what it's worth, he had never been a roller coaster lover either. Previous trips (last one had been at 7), he had only done Barnstormer and didn't like it. I don't even think he did Splash Mountain. This time around, his grandma started him out on BTM (not even going to Toontown!) and he ended up making the grand sweep of all of them. (Eventually did "take his sister" on Barnstormer to complete the set.)

 

[61292cna]

I have 2 Daughters 15 & 17.The 15yo still says the princesses are real & would live at WDW if she could. The 17yo For the last year has refused to even think about going to WDW, so I made arrangements for her to stay with grandma. Then 2 days ago she decides she will go after all! If her dad wasn't so excited about her going, i'd tell her too bad too sad!! Also for the poster who said her DD dressed like a slutty scumbag, count your blessings, My 17yo is always trying to dress like a hootchie mama.Thankfully theese days don't last much longer & then she'll be human again.

 

[mareed]

Also for the poster who said her DD dressed like a slutty scumbag, count your blessings, My 17yo is always trying to dress like a hootchie mama.Thankfully theese days don't last much longer & then she'll be human again.

So there's a difference between a slutty scumbag and a hootchie mama?! LOL!

 

[amylevan]

Are you spending any time at Universal? It tends to be a little more teen-friendly.

Most teenage boys love to eat. Do you have any good ADRs scheduled? Maybe a trip to Beaches and Cream for a Kitchen Sink is in order?

 

[trennr]

My DS14 is a Disney Addict...he even buys old collectables he finds here and there. Has several Park Music CDs. Even a Documentary or two on DVD. He's DIS'er in training. Looks like DS9 will be the same w/o the collecting stuff.

I remember when I was a Teen Boy...I didn't care too much for allot of it.
Fantasyland and Characters = Barf
BUT I still had a good time.

I remember looking at all those pretty girls runnig around.
Rode BTM, and Space M allot.
Epcot didn't have those cool ride like TestTrack, Soarin, or Exp Space...but I thought some of the stuff was cool...we really liked the Aquarium at the Living Sea.

HOWEVER...my (our) parents let me and my cousin of about the same age run on our own with designated meeting times at location X about every 2-3 hours. We were around "16 goin' on 17" age. Plus now you have the extra security of cellphones and/or those long range Walkie-Talkies. So maybe offer them some freetime?

It's a different World now...so I'm not sure how I would feel about doing this if they were much younger than 17.

 

[tricia]

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!

Love it. I was just thinking that maybe the OP shouldn't make that big a deal of it before the trip. Just we are going and you are coming, take it as you may. Chances are teens will enjoy themselves when they are there.

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

Hello !

Mine are now DS:17, DD1:16, and DD2:15. we've pretty much been going every other year...

in '02 DD1 was scared of roller coasters....I remember being at HS looking at the big poster with wait times and she was talking about being scared of Rockin' Roller Coaster. A Disney CSR overheard us and we ended up walking straight past the lines and CSR rode with DD! Love Disney. Anyway told that little story so that perhaps you can enlist a CSR to help you. DD1 is now a FANATIC about scary rides and roller coasters...

If they are 'into' video games they are going to be blown away by the area after the Mission Space ride...whether they ride MS or not. I'll bet they'll love Buzz Lightyear/MK...Toy Story Mania/HS...Downtown Disney.

We HAD a tradition of dressing up and going out to 'party' at Pleasure Island...the teens loved the Adventurer's Club, the atmosphere, the fireworks, etc. but Sadly that's gone now I believe

BUT - maybe you could subsitute Downtown Disney and do a "night out" with dinner at Planet Hollywood then hang out at the four story video game place - they can design their own roller coaster there!

I just asked DS his favorite thing about Disney and he says Hibachi (Teppan Edo), Rockin' Roller Coaster, and the place after Mission Space....

Agree with poster who mentioned letting them plan a few restaurants on their own...Rainforest (Not DD plan) is really cool, Teppan Edo.....

You are all going to have a wonderful time!!!

Hugs,
Mary

 

[GRUMPY D]

have you looked into the tours Disney have if your kids are into how it works or what gos on beyond the rides then they might like to do one , I liked the segway tour at epcot , just trying to riding them was a challenge , and at the time your going i think the wine and food festival is going on so they can eat there way around the world and try a sample of food from each country

 

[Tinkmom75]

Love this post. Teens are complicated. I have DD15, DS10 and DS3. Quite a range. Let's just say they don't like to do the same things and DD15 and DS10 fight like cats and dogs. I would love to let DD15 bring a friend, but don't know if this will be possible due to the time of year we are going.

My DD is just like that teen girl on the Royal Carribean commercial. The one that never smiles and then the parents catch her smiling on a wave runner. When she sees them she instantly frowns. I hope we will have fun. She would like to go somewhere else, but DS3 has never been so we told her it's DW this year. Maybe next year a cruise.

 

[LisaNJ25]

sounds like my almost 17yo son. My kids are very spaced out (expect the last 2) and a vacation to please kids from 17-3 is hard. He wasnt thrilled about going this year. I am even open to the idea of him not going and staying home with family. Honestly, I would rather have him stay home than came and make up all miserable. I did ask my 18yo sister if she wants to come with us. She is still undecided. This way the 2 of them can go off and do things of their own.

 

[StitchFanZ]

>> I've been making tshirts for everyone and that is difficult too. Apparently >> wearing anything but black with skulls isn't cool either.

What about some Pirates Shirts or Tower of Terror Shrits? They are black and some have skulls and crossbones.

Also, get some trading pins. They might really get into trading for pirate pins or pins with characters in pirate hats - they have skulls and cross bones on them. i.e. We even have one with chip and dale in pirate hats.

My DD14 puts the pins on a baseball hat as she does not like the lanyard. If they do that be sure to put your name/number on the hat in case if flies off during a ride - (just speaking from experience here).

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

LOL - the girl from the cruise commercial! Too funny....

We usually buy 'matching' shirts. Last year they were all simple w/ just Mickey on the front, but YES of course DS 17's is the black one.