Favorite things at WDW for tweens/teens?

[mommommom]

My kids are 10 and almost 14, and they both have plenty to love about Disney parks, but I wanted to put this question out there to get some new ideas since they're getting a little older. Already on the list:

-casually looking for hidden Mickey's
-pin trading
-trying out different sweets from bakeries
-riding Big Thunder Railroad more times than we can count
-rides in general
-fireworks and parades

After typing this, I see this list probably describes what most people of all ages like at the parks.

What are your tween's and/or teen's favorite things to do at WDW?

 

[kenly777]

My kids are 10 and almost 14, and they both have plenty to love about Disney parks, but I wanted to put this question out there to get some new ideas since they're getting a little older. Already on the list: -casually looking for hidden Mickey's -pin trading -trying out different sweets from bakeries -riding Big Thunder Railroad more times than we can count -rides in general -fireworks and parades After typing this, I see this list probably describes what most people of all ages like at the parks. What are your tween's and/or teen's favorite things to do at WDW?

My 10 year old really enjoyed the Phineas and Ferb detective game in Epcot's World Showcase. Never knew anything about it till our trip last August.

 

[MacDalt]

My DD 16 really enjoyed Pick a Pearl at Epcot. We got matching necklaces.

Also, henna tattoos in Morocco.

Oh, are they boys or girls?

 

[mommommom]

The oldest is a boy, youngest is a girl.

I will look up the pick a pearl. I've never heard of it!

We did the Phineas and Ferb detective game last time, and it was so much fun! We only made it through England and France, so maybe we could skip ahead to some other countries. I also think it would be fun to go there, visit the different countries and try out different food.

 

[MacDalt]

We also purchased a passport. In each country, CMs at the Kidcot stations stamped it and wrote a message in their language to my DD.

 

[MacDalt]

What about Disney Quest or the hot air balloon ride in DtD?

Also, we like to hunt for hidden Mickeys. I think there is an app available but it's not free. Maybe you can get a book?

 

[MacDalt]

Oh what about that card game in MK? Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, I think. And maybe there's some kind of Pirate adventure game too. Sorry, I don't have any details. Maybe do a search on these boards or Google it.

 

[kenly777]

On our last day we ate counter service around the world, sharing and having tastes of many different things. It was a lot of fun!

 

[mommommom]

MacDalt, Thank you! My daughter would enjoy the passport. I googled Pick a Pearl and I'm so glad you told me about it! What a neat idea and keepsake! The price isn't bad, either. Now I'm off to google the card game, because that sounds like something my son would be interested in.

Thanks Kenly! Do you remember any favorites? This is something I really want to do.

 

[JonasLover25]

I'm 18 and I have loved going to the parks since I was a little kid but obviously the things I have had the most fun with have changed. One of my favorite things by far is pin trading, I love finding pins for my parents or my college friends back home. They are the perfect size of souvenir to bring back and they always have a good story behind them. I would also suggest eating around the countries at all the fast food places, just getting little snack along the way. That allows for good conversation and yummy food. My tip would be to do the things that your kids normally don't feel comfortable doing at home where they know people. Some of my favorite moments for me anymore are the moments where my family and I have just been total goofs. Just wearing mouse ears and not caring what people think and my parents doing the same is one of the best things for me in the parks. It's kind of funny, I really enjoy the same rides now that I liked when I was 11 so maybe the same will be true for your kids.

 

[RebeccaUC]

Pick a Pearl is a tradition for us every year. It is a lot of fun.
We also pick a night where the kids just stay up as late as they can. Then we sleep in the next morning. It's always a fun night (my two get silly when they are tired, not crabby).
Have fun!

 

[JonasLover25]

MacDalt, Thank you! My daughter would enjoy the passport. I googled Pick a Pearl and I'm so glad you told me about it! What a neat idea and keepsake! The price isn't bad, either. Now I'm off to google the card game, because that sounds like something my son would be interested in.

I love the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom! Its honestly really cool how they can do that. You might be suprised how much your daughter may enjoy it

 

[mommommom]

I love the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom! Its honestly really cool how they can do that. You might be suprised how much your daughter may enjoy it

Thanks! I really liked your other post, too. Good to hear from an actual teen. And your right, my daughter probably would like it, too! My son is obsessed with games, but it would be great to find something they'd like to play together. ETA this isn't what I was thinking it would be. They would LOVE this!

RebeccaUC, making it a tradition is a really cool idea. What did you end up doing with the pearls?

 

[mom2cinderella]

My older two really like the water mice/sea racers - whatever those little boats are!

My younger one loved the tea at the American Girl bistro, so next trip the two of us are going to do the afternoon tea at the Grand Flo.

I am also hoping we finally make to one of the water parks!

 

[kohlby]

My son absolutely loved the Sorcerers game. I expect we'll do that quite a bit on our next trip too - he'll be 11 by then. He also was really into the Missions in Epcot - Phineas and Ferb now, but he liked them as Kim Possible as well. My middle child wasn't that into them- but she was only 6 on our last trip. We haven't made it to a water park yet, but plan to on this next trip. Another thing that we're doing for the first time with kids is Disney Quest. We did it pre-kids and are looking forward to it now that the kids are old enough. Another idea is the Cirque show. We haven't done that with the kids yet - as the youngest is 5 and wiggly - but we saw the one at DTD and it was amazing. We did take the kids to a mini-Cirque type show at Myrtle Beach though and they enjoyed it.

 

[RebeccaUC]

Thanks! I really liked your other post, too. Good to hear from an actual teen. And your right, my daughter probably would like it, too! My son is obsessed with games, but it would be great to find something they'd like to play together. ETA this isn't what I was thinking it would be. They would LOVE this!

RebeccaUC, making it a tradition is a really cool idea. What did you end up doing with the pearls?

Actually we are just collecting them until there is enough for a necklace, matching earrings or something. They are safe in my DD's jewelry box. I asked her if she wanted something made last year and she wants to wait until she has more. But it's always a highlight of the trip. They've been lucky, we've gotten huge ones each time.

 

[JonasLover25]

When I went with my high school band one of the things that everyone was talking about after the trip was La Nuba. It was really cool and a good way to wind down after a crowded day in the park. I would definitely recommend it!

 

[roscoepc1]

-pressed pennies
-Bibbbity Bobbity
-they loved the Kim Possible Missions, so I know they'll love the Sorcerer one and Phineas and Ferb one as well. We haven't been for 5 years.
-Pick a pearl

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

MacDalt, Thank you! My daughter would enjoy the passport. I googled Pick a Pearl and I'm so glad you told me about it! What a neat idea and keepsake! The price isn't bad, either. Now I'm off to google the card game, because that sounds like something my son would be interested in.

Thanks Kenly! Do you remember any favorites? This is something I really want to do.

Several years ago our youngest DD did the pick a pearl in Japan and she picked a shell with twin pearls (she is a twin so it was so exciting) They made a big deal over her getting twin pearls. She made earrings with the two pearls since her twin brother wasn't interested in the other pearl. She will never forget that day.

 

[roscoepc1]

RebeccaUC, making it a tradition is a really cool idea. What did you end up doing with the pearls?

I bought inexpensive but pretty "cages" on ebay, Cinderella's carriage, and we placed them into those on a chain....like this:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/18K-WGP-PEAR...206?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43c1d5734e