Entertaining an Adolescent boy

[beth_cam]

Are there any tours or anything that will allow guests to see into the kitchen or cooking demonstrations. My son is obsessed with cooking. Since he attends cooking camps in the summer, and cooks a good bit at home and being a boy, I don't think he would enjoy Adventures in cooking, unless it takes place kitchen. We have Habatchi places here so the Japanese restaurant wouldn't be anything special. I was especially thinking about anything else from Epcot where he could see ethnic foods being prepared.
I don't know.

I've been racking my brain trying to think of things to make this trip special for him. Being a boy he just isn't into all the princess stuff. He's too old for the playhouse disney. He has very shy whicg keeps him from being able to enjoy things like the pirate dress up/photos. He did the pirate cruise before but I don't think he would go again since his sister won't be with him.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Perhaps some open kitchen restaurants would attract him? Flying Fish California Grill? You sit right up at the kitchen and you can always interact with the Chefs.

 

[MEK]

He is old enough to do the behind the scenes tours like the keys to the kingdom and the tours at AK. I know that doesn't involve cooking, but there might be something that interests him. How about a Segway tour? How about renting of those little boats you can take on bay lake?

Since I have two teenage boys I know there is a time period when they lose interest in Disney and a lot of things are "boring". I would also suggest the water parks or perhaps Disney Quest for a diversion. I know my sons like to sleep in late and they enjoy plenty of pool time.

Any chance you are going during food and wine? How about the Yachtman steakhouse....I understand they show the cuts of beef. Can you let you son pick your ADR's? How about Cirque de Soliel? I hear that is fabulous.

Anyway - good luck. I am sure someone will come up with something unique to do.

....oh yeah.....there is that Diving Experience at Epcot. That's pretty pricey, but apparently pretty cool.

 

[jharrowell]

I've got an idea but it's an expensive one.

There's a new dining experience at GF. I don't remember the specifics but you sit next to the kitchen and I believe that if you don't get in the way, you can go into the kitechen and watch them cook, get photos, etc.

I've no idea on the prices or minimum ages but it sounds like the perfect thing.

 

[Hootch]

is a culinary tour at AKL and everything I have read states that it is open to all Disney guests. It is also free. It essentially explains the restaurant themes and some food items. Samples of some items are provided for tasting. It's not a behind the scenes tour that you may want but you will have the opportunity, dpending on the number of participants, to ask questions of the CMs.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

And, of course, depending oin the rest of the family, his possible willingness to dress up, and the affordability you can always look into the Chef's Table at V&A. Now that the CT menu is available in the Queen Victoria room, the CT itself may have greater availability than in the past.

 

[itchin2go]

is a culinary tour at AKL and everything I have read states that it is open to all Disney guests. It is also free. It essentially explains the restaurant themes and some food items. Samples of some items are provided for tasting. It's not a behind the scenes tour that you may want but you will have the opportunity, dpending on the number of participants, to ask questions of the CMs.

We did this, and while I would not describe it as a cooking tour, it was thoroughly enjoyable and ..... FREE!

You first tour Boma and you are treated to a taste of the evening's soups. OH YUM! We tasted the potato bacon soup and the mushroom soup. JUST to die for. Then you walk over to Jiko and sit at the bar where you sample the Taste of Africa appetizer. You can request recipes of any of the items. It is worth it to explore the AKL as well.

 

[sue and co]

We did this, and while I would not describe it as a cooking tour, it was thoroughly enjoyable and ..... FREE!

You first tour Boma and you are treated to a taste of the evening's soups. OH YUM! We tasted the potato bacon soup and the mushroom soup. JUST to die for. Then you walk over to Jiko and sit at the bar where you sample the Taste of Africa appetizer. You can request recipes of any of the items. It is worth it to explore the AKL as well.

Do you need to be a guest at AKL for this or can you book it from other resorts as it sounds great for DD and I?

 

[itchin2go]

Do you need to be a guest at AKL for this or can you book it from other resorts as it sounds great for DD and I?

Anyone can do it. They didn't ask to see our keys or anything. You just show up at the right time and ask the nice hostess at Boma. I forget what time it was ... It was before they started serving dinner in either restaurant, but definitely in the afternoon close to dinner time...... Oh, and I think they do the tour every day. I would say call AKL close to your arrival date and ask them what time the Culinary Tour of Africa starts.

 

[beth_cam]

I looked up the meaning for adolescent and think i was a bit off. Even though he is very mature in his cooking ability and somewhat in his food likes, He is only 9. Does the thing at AKl have a minimum age? And being 9, that knocks out Victoria and Albert's. Although i did consider calling and asking if that is a strict rule. I'm not sure that he would enjoy that long at a table though. And btw he does love to dress up in a coat and tie.

 

[itchin2go]

I looked up the meaning for adolescent and think i was a bit off. Even though he is very mature in his cooking ability and somewhat in his food likes, He is only 9. Does the thing at AKl have a minimum age? And being 9, that knocks out Victoria and Albert's. Although i did consider calling and asking if that is a strict rule. I'm not sure that he would enjoy that long at a table though. And btw he does love to dress up in a coat and tie.

My 7 year old daughter went on the culinary tour of Africa. It's really a very casual thing. Meet up at the front of Boma and then tour the two restaurants (front of house only). Again, though -- it's FREE and includes food samples.

I think there's a "chef's table" at California Grill and maybe Citricos too. At Cali, I *think* you see your food prepared. Also, I would suggest dining at Flying Fish. The kitchen is visible from the restaurant. You could sit at the bar and watch the cooking to your heart's content. I have thoroughly enjoyed the food at Cali Grill and Flying Fish. Why not print out the menus and let him have a look?

 

[ElizabethB]

I second what Uncle R said -- find those restaurants with open kitchens where you can sit near the kitchen and interact with the chefs. Flying Fish is one. Jiko is another. Citrico's, too. California Grill also has an open kitchen, although I'm not sure if there is a place one can sit to observe/interact with the chefs.

I would also go at slow times. Not easy to find but if a restaurant opens at 5 pm, be there at 4:45 p.m. Don't go on a Saturday night. Go on a Tuesday night, e.g. When seated, mention to the waiter that your son is totally excited by cooking and would love to chat with a chef and possibly even step into the kitchen for a closer look if that might be possible.

I find that, if it is at all possible, CMs will do whatever they can to make a child's experience magical. And, if that means a visit in the kitchen, I'd bet it can be arranged, so long as it's not California Grill at fireworks time.

The Chef's Table at V&A is a great experience for observing chefs in action. But, the meal takes about 4 1/2 hours. Any 9 year old would be hard pressed to sit that long at a dinner.

 

[beth_cam]

The Chef's Table at V&A is a great experience for observing chefs in action. But, the meal takes about 4 1/2 hours. Any 9 year old would be hard pressed to sit that long at a dinner.

This is why I didn't call to see if the 10 year old rule was a firm rule. I just don't think his love of cooking could carry him through that long.