? for parents with older teens

[ChisJo]

We'll be taking my step son to WDW and IOA/USO in May. He's been to USO and IOA (once, for a short trip), but we have never taken him to WDW. This will be his first time. We probably will only get to give him 3 days total in WDW. I've been multiple times in my life and I thought I would know what he would like in WDW, however, now I'm questioning myself after reading some of the teen board threads.

If you have an older teen (mines 17), what is their favorite park and why? My step son is so awesome...he would like anything, but I was thinking of skipping MK since their isn't really any thrill rides there (which he likes), but then I thought of Splash Mountain, and Space Mountain, and BTMR, staples of any Disney Park, and would feel guilty about him not experiencing that.

What would you recommend? Just a side note - we are taking him to Busch Gardens (this is one of my husbands favs) - would skipping the AK then make the most sense (even though it is my favorite park)?

Also, we are not buying the hopper pass. I've never hopped before in my 9 previous trips, and its not worth it to spend the extra money for something we will not use.

 

[chimo2u]

We'll be taking my step son to WDW and IOA/USO in May. He's been to USO and IOA (once, for a short trip), but we have never taken him to WDW. This will be his first time. We probably will only get to give him 3 days total in WDW. I've been multiple times in my life and I thought I would know what he would like in WDW, however, now I'm questioning myself after reading some of the teen board threads.

If you have an older teen (mines 17), what is their favorite park and why? My step son is so awesome...he would like anything, but I was thinking of skipping MK since their isn't really any thrill rides there (which he likes), but then I thought of Splash Mountain, and Space Mountain, and BTMR, staples of any Disney Park, and would feel guilty about him not experiencing that.

What would you recommend? Just a side note - we are taking him to Busch Gardens (this is one of my husbands favs) - would skipping the AK then make the most sense (even though it is my favorite park)?

Also, we are not buying the hopper pass. I've never hopped before in my 9 previous trips, and its not worth it to spend the extra money for something we will not use.

Hi ChrisJo . my boys are 15/19.... They love DHS ( RNRC, TOT) they also love Epcot.... In the evenings, we usually end back up at DHS most nights, or Epcot.....My oldest hasn't Been to Universal/IOA yet....my youngest and I went in Feb 2011..... And LOVED it! I can't wait to share that with my oldest this Oct....he'll love it, so much for older teens, and it's got a vibe that they just love
Hope your ss loves his trip!

 

[essom71]

my boys are 15 and 16....they love DHS and also Epcot...The reason I would suggest animal kingdom is for expedition everest and Kali....we would never miss it!....They also love blizzard beach waterpark.

Just an idea...one of our boys favorite places to go is Disneyquest in DTD. Maybe you could spend time there without buying a park pass for the day.

 

[jelo]

We'll be taking my step son to WDW and IOA/USO in May. He's been to USO and IOA (once, for a short trip), but we have never taken him to WDW. This will be his first time. We probably will only get to give him 3 days total in WDW. I've been multiple times in my life and I thought I would know what he would like in WDW, however, now I'm questioning myself after reading some of the teen board threads.

If you have an older teen (mines 17), what is their favorite park and why? My step son is so awesome...he would like anything, but I was thinking of skipping MK since their isn't really any thrill rides there (which he likes), but then I thought of Splash Mountain, and Space Mountain, and BTMR, staples of any Disney Park, and would feel guilty about him not experiencing that.

What would you recommend? Just a side note - we are taking him to Busch Gardens (this is one of my husbands favs) - would skipping the AK then make the most sense (even though it is my favorite park)?

Also, we are not buying the hopper pass. I've never hopped before in my 9 previous trips, and its not worth it to spend the extra money for something we will not use.

I have a 16 year old girl, so we are looking at a Disney trip from a different perspective!

My daughter loves MK, there were so many moments that she became emotional! Our MK and Epcot days got switched and we ended up doing MK our last night before we were to come home.....we stayed for the fireworks and at one point I looked over at her and she had tears streaming down her face with a big smile!

I didn't need to ask if she enjoyed her vacation that year!

 

[c&m]

I also have a 16-year-old DD. She loves MK and wouldn't dream of going to WDW without stopping in at MK. It's just not an option. She loves having breakfast at CP and then going on her fave rides like Splash Mtn, BTMR, Autotopia. However, for our trip in March, I haven't found a way to break it to her that BTMR is closed for refurbishment. She's going to be very disappointed.

I honestly believe there's still a little kid in these teenage bodies.

 

[bababear_50]

Hi Hon
I have three sons(early 20's)
They like IOA/US better than Disney-I know what's a Disney mom to do.
I fear I've lost them to the Dark Side.

All three say Rock N Roller Coaster,Tower Of Terror,Star Wars, Indiana Jones Stunt Show, Toy Story Mania,and a quick lunch at Disney's Sci-Fi Drive Inn would be worth a trip to DHS.

Have a wonderful time
Hugs Mel

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

My 18yo DS also agrees with Epcot and DHS. He says MK is ok and surprisingly he was not a fan of US/IOA....... We are heading to California in a few weeks and both of my boys actually expressed that they have no desire to do US there..... They chose the Warner bros studio tour instead much to my surprise!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Hi Hon
I have three sons(early 20's)
They like IOA/US better than Disney-I know what's a Disney mom to do.
I fear I've lost them to the Dark Side.

All three say Rock N Roller Coaster,Tower Of Terror,Star Wars, Indiana Jones Stunt Show, Toy Story Mania,and a quick lunch at Disney's Sci-Fi Drive Inn would be worth a trip to DHS.

Have a wonderful time
Hugs Mel

Totally agree .

My 16 year old DS much preferred IOA/US over Disney (though he thoroughly enjoyed both). Definitely more "thrills" for older kids, and we thought the theming (particularly in IOA) was fabulous.

Like Mel said, DHS is an awesome choice for teens. And OP, if AK is your favourite park, I wouldn't skip it.....I personally think its important for all members of the family to get to visit one of their fave's each trip. Your stepDS will have a great time there with Everest and the safari and Kali River Rapids.

Have a GREAT time, whatever you choose. Your kiddo is a lucky boy to have a stepmom like you!

 

[Sue M]

Really hard decision which park to cut! Too bad you couldn't manage to do a 4 day WDW visit! My girls were teens when we started going to WDW. One's a thrill ride lover, the other won't go on RnRc or TOT,
Good luck with want ever you decide.

 

[myramsy]

my ds is only 13 but votes for dhs....loves it!