Help me plan Arrival Day - First trip for 11yo

[abie]

Hello Everyone,

This will be my 11yo stepsons first trip to DW. (Dh and I have been before) It will be just the three of us staying in one of the All Star Music Suites Last week of July.

We arrive on a Sat. Our plane gets in at noon. I was thinking it would be good to have his first park experience be Sunday morning rope drop at MK.

What are good teaser activities to do on the arrival day?

A couple of scenarios I had were

Hang out at resort, pool etc.. Ride around on the monorail, dinner at Chef Mickeys

or

Downtown Disney, Chef Mickeys dinner

or Downtown Disney, Late dinner at Cali Grill where we could watch Wishes.

Do 11yo enjoy Chef Mickeys?

Any other ideas for a great non-park arrival day that will get an 11yo excited about the week?

Thanks!
Abie

 

[DisneyFan06]

I am also looking for suggestons for my first day. Like things to do. lol I am twenty however, and a single traveler. All I have so far is downtown disney and pool. I was reading on Disney Website about Minature Golf, Jogging Trails, and Playgrounds at various locations.

 

[la79al]

Honestly, our DS was 8 3/4 last year when we went and I don't think he was impressed with MK. He loves animals so he really enjoyed AK and he decided MGM has the coolest rides. I think hanging out around the resort and then hopping on the monorail for dinner at Chef Mickeys would be cool. I don't know about 11 yo but our 8 3/4 yo liked Chef Mickeys more than DD4. Also your stepson may enjoy riding in the front of the monorail. All you have to do is ask when you get there.

 

[krissyh]

Don't plan anything too huge - planes can be late and if you are doing ME, you have to add a little time to your arrival.

Does he like videogames? How about DTD? Go to DisneyQuest and then dinner. Take him to see the huge legos and walk around. Then do dinner and get back to the hotel for a swim and early to bed to be up for rope drop.

At that age, I'd plan my days so that he doesn't get too worn out and to give him more "kid friendly" parks spread out over the trip. MK followed by AK followed by Epcot followed by a water park, etc....

 

[flynnibus]

You didn't say what kind of tickets or how long you are staying..

If you are staying for 7 days or more.. just add that day to your tickets! The price is negilable.. and goto one of the parks that day. Its a long day, but trust me your son will be jazzed and will be fine.

My kids (7,6,2) all goto bed at 8-8:30 every night. That day we we started traveling at 9am.. and they went till midnight and still wanted more! We took them to MK for the fireworks and fantasyland rides that evening. We didn't get settled in the hotel till almost 4pm.