Fun things for a 9 year old boy?

[riggins]

Hi guys-
Were going down in June for a trip with our extended family. My 9 year old nephew is coming along for his first trip. We've been many times with our kids, but I have girls who are 2 1/2 and 11 months, so I don't have any experience with a school aged boy. The family is looking to me to do most of the planning, so I need your help with ideas.

I suggested a group dinner at Chef Mickey's, but DH's sister said she didn't think her son would be interested in the characters. I honestly can't believe this, but maybe she's right.

Tell me what things you think he might enjoy. Like I said, this is his first trip, and will likely be his last for a while.

Thanks
Leslie

 

[jcemom]

Go ahead and plan on Chef Mickey's! My boys are 9 and 10 and they loved the character meals. They know they aren't "real" but they didn't care, I actually think they may have forgotten that and just enjoyed the magic for a while. We did Crystal Palace, Donald's Breakfast and the Garden Grill and they would have liked to do more! They even met and got autographs at Toontown and other places in the parks.

They also really enjoyed Disney Quest. Definitely don't miss Fantasmic, Illuminations, and Wishes.

 

[myboysmom]

My 10 year old is getting excited about going again. One of his buddies will be down there at the same time (he is 9) and we will be spending one day together at MK. He can get away with Mickey being cool (Mickey t-shirts and such).

He is looking forward to Chef Mickey's and Liberty Tree Tavern, even though he knows the characters aren't alive, he gets into the fun of the magic of Disney.

He is really looking forward to some of the larger rides (Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain...).

He is looking forward to spending a day at a water park and going on Mission Space (my little space cadet There will be lots for him to do and enjoy.

Don't worry, he will find plenty to do.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

AT 9 my DS was fine with all the character meals though he did not really care for CP and the pooh gang and was very embarassed by a princess kiss at the castle. His favorite at 9 was Donald's at AK. This year at 11 the characters held less intrest but he was still fine with them and even agreed to all the pictures I wanted to take. AT 9 he rode everything. He was ready for all the thrill rides but would still do everything in MK too. It's a good age. Plan time for swimming as that is aways a favorite, budget for the arcades, and lots of snacks. This was really the last trip that he was ok doing the kiddy stuff such as dumbo and that made that age really special. Other resturants he will like are RFC, Primetime, Sci-fi,& WCC. Have a great trip.


Jordans' mom

 

[LKS]

Have an adult take him out in one of the mouse boats. My husband took my then 10yo out in one from the Contemporary and he can't wait to go back when he can get "his own" boat. Later, on a parents only trip, my husband and I each rented one and we had a great time, so I can vouch for how fun this is.

 

[Blackunicorn]

I am constantly amazed at the things my 9 yo DS likes that I thought he wouldn't be interested in. I'd give a character meal a try--the kid's got to eat, right? If he isn't interested in the characters, he'll still get a meal, and everyone else will have a chance to see the characters, too.

 

[vistana]

my boys are now ll and 14 (soon to be 12 and 15) there favorite thing is the whispering canyon cafe and chef mickeys. these are some of the only resturaunts in disney that cater to young boys.
I agree that the boat rides are alot of fun. If he has never been to disney it is hard to judge what his opinion of things will be
(some things that may not be "cool" to his friends at home may be a blast to him at disney. Set the tone for a great time, be crazy yourself, get involved and have a great time.

 

[gopherit]

As the mom of a 9 yr old boy, I can tell you that the same child who never wears a Disney item at home goes wild over the characters and has a grand ol' time at WDW! He has already asked to go back to Chef Mickey's. Sci-Fi is another good choice too -- my boys both loved sitting in the cars under the stars! At 9 your nephew is old enough to read through a guide (perhaps Birnbaum's for kids?) and decide what interests him and what does not. Our 9 yr old is already preparing for our August trip and has been having a grand time going through all the info, old park maps, etc with his brother and figuring out his "priorities" and saving up his $$ for the trip.

But in regard to the books, a note of caution! Be sure to help him fully interpret what he reads! My poor kid is leery of "new" things. He loved Test Track once he tried it, but it took us 2 trips to ever get him on, and he waited until the 9th and final day of our last trip to FINALLY try it! DH and I try to answer his questions about rides honestly, so there are no surprises, and no comments back afterwards of "You lied to me! I'm never trusting you on anotherride again!" After all, it's his vacation too, and he should only ride what he feels comfortable riding. So I thought it was a good idea for him to read about the rides in one of my planning books he happened to pick up, and discern for himself what sounded "do-able" for his level of adventure, with no pressure from Mom or Dad. So there he is, reading up on all the rides he is "capable" of doing for a person of his height. He was apparently reading about Tower of Terror and said loudly, "Well, forget THAT! Dad said it was just like a free-fall kind of thing, that you drop really fast a couple times from way up high!"

I asked him, "And so what you just read confirms that, and it scares you?"

He replied with huge eyes, "Well, yes, it does say that part about the drop, but that's o.k. -- THAT part I was ok with. (He opens the book and points to a passage titled "The Legend of the Tower of Terror") But Dad didn't TELL me that the elevator had been hit by LIGHTNING and it freaked out and people had DIED or DISAPPEARED on it! And no one KNOWS how it even happened! Well, forget it! Who knows WHAT could happen on THAT ride!"
He took it very literallly!

(We had a little conversation afterwards on the word "fiction"....)

 

[pigget74]

My 9 yr old boy is loving planning for out trip in MAy. THese are the places he wants to eat--still hasn't narrowed it down yet--Chef Mickey's, Garden Grill, Ice Cream Social, Donald's, Ohana's breakfast, Sci-Fi (it is a must), Crystal Palce (Tigger is his Fav.), Rain Forest--if it was up to him all meals would be a character meal. The rides--he can't wait--RRC, ToT, Sp. M, SM, BTR ... My son also loves to pin trade--he started this when he was 7--din;t think that he would like it but he loves it.

 

[zurgswife]

My boys 10,11 love Chef Mickey's and Whispering Canyon....

I also think sometimes first time parents of older kids get the feeling that if there kid isn't interested at home that they will have no interest while there...I have found this to be wrong interpretation..