HELP!!! special activity for 13 year olds?

[lyndrajo3]

We have a family WDW trip planned for August next year. We plan the big package Bibbity Bobbity Boutique experience for my 8 and 6 yr olds, but we have no idea what special to plan for our 13 yr old at that time. She has already voiced dislike for the BBB like the others will be doing--"mom I am too old for that". You know it is nearly impossible to convince a 13 year old differently.

We already have a long trip to Disney Quest--she is into video games so is excited for that but we plan a whole afternoon with our entire family along with other GG group. She doesn't want to go to the Spa with me either. She is a 'Tom' but still feminine.

Does anyone have any ideas for something special for my 13 yr old? I have never been there and I haven't seen anything on the WD site? HELP!!! I want something special that she would never forget. I know her sisters will never forget the day of Princessdom--now I need an equivilent for big sister.

 

[marianas00]

I've got a 13 year old. Tough age... even though she calls herself princess she would never step foot in the Boutique! We have gone to the barber shop at MK and she loves to have a trim with the addition of hair color (temporary) and glitter. The barbers even will "paint" a hidden Mickey on the back of her head when asked. It's a great experience, not to froo-froo but lot's of fun! She will probably remember her experiences at the Magic Kingdom barber shop forever. If she doesn't I have the pictures to remind her!
Have a great time!

 

[karliebug]

I've got an idea! While the little girls are getting dolled up at BBB, go to the pick a pearl stand at DTD (also one at Japan in Epcot) and have the big girl pick a pearl. They then can set them in rings or necklaces. It would be a great souvenier that will last forever!

 

[goofy4tink]

So been there, done that!! I have a 13 y/o, almost 14, dd. She started going to WDW when she was 5/6, and now has a total of 8 trips under her belt. It's hard finding something 'special' for her. She does like playing mini-golf over at Fantasia Gardens, at the Dolphin. Nothing really jumps out at me though. They are really at that inbetween age. She did have many trips to the barber shop on Main St though. Actually got her back to school cut done on several occasions.

 

[hoosll]

When we took our young teens, they loved the small boats you can rent at CR, Poly, GF or WL.

 

[lyndrajo3]

OOO OOO All great ideas. Keep more ideas coming. I had no idea they did a make a piece jewelry. That's cool.

Most likely she will opt for a combo of the many things you all suggest. Any other not so advertised activities?

 

[Praise2Him]

If she's into horses, there's a trail ride at FW. We haven't done it, but have heard good things about it.

My DD also enjoys the mouse boats and the mini golf.

 

[APixie]

I am taking my 7 yo DS and 13 yo DD this October for the yet another trip. Your daughter sounds very much like mine, too grown up for BBB (although I am sure if she allowed herself she would have a blast there). Special thing she virtually begged me to do: TL surfing!!! She is very atlethic and she really wants to do it. We booked it for October 23rd. Now, for my DS, I booked a Pirate Cruise, hope he likes it....

 

[jenb1023]

Maybe one of the behind the scenes or other special tours or activities that are offered? A lot of them have age restrictions so it would be something she can do that her siblings may not be able to do.

Not sure if she would be interested in any of these suggestions but they sound fun to me and she is old enough for them:

Dolphins in Depth
Epcot Seas Aquatour
Keys to the Kingdom
Backstage Magic

Also, someone else mentioned Ft. Wilderness
They have Trail Rides but also have Carriage Rides and rent out watercraft and have lots of activities there.

Good luck!

 

[2TxAgs]

As opposed to doing a 'thing', maybe you could buy her a set of starter trading pins, and let her trade pins with the CMs at the parks. Both of my almost 13 year olds (boy and girl) enjoyed the pin trading more than they thought. It is fun because they leave with pins that THEY chose and THEY traded, and it lets them chat with the CMs, many of whom are young and enjoy talking to the kids.

(Plus, I secretly hoped that my kids might get the idea that being a CM at Disney would be fun, and maybe something they'd like to do when they got older....)

TxAg

 

[wdwmickey]

It's funny, my DH and I were just discussing this. We decided that Disney is missing out on a VERY lucrative market by not having some special things geared towards tweens and young teens. Most tours that go backstage are age 16 and up, and most of the other fun stuff (pirate cruises, tea parties, etc) are for those under 10. My DD (13) and I picked a pearl ($14.99-setting it into jewelry is extra), and went on the Mickey's Magical Milestone tour at MK ($25 each). Have a great trip.

 

[futreWDI]

I know you said she is a "tom" but I suggest taking her to an afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian. Tea and finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries. mmm and it could be a real fun mother-daughter thing.

 

[MichiganMomto4]

My 10 y.o. turned her nose up at BBB with her sister but she still wanted something along the same lines so I made ressies at the hair salon at GF (I believe there is one at all the deluxes) to get the hair braiding. Think Bo Derek's but only a half a head on top.

I know the braiding will last the entire trip whereas the BBB treatment will not.

 

[goofy4tink]

It's funny, my DH and I were just discussing this. We decided that Disney is missing out on a VERY lucrative market by not having some special things geared towards tweens and young teens. Most tours that go backstage are age 16 and up, and most of the other fun stuff (pirate cruises, tea parties, etc) are for those under 10. My DD (13) and I picked a pearl ($14.99-setting it into jewelry is extra), and went on the Mickey's Magical Milestone tour at MK ($25 each). Have a great trip.

So true. While on a Disney cruise earlier this summer, my dd and I were talking about why Disney didn't offer something similar to Aloft or the Stack at WDW. It could be something sort of along the lines of a kids club, but for those tween/early teens that don't 'love' being with their parents 24/7, but aren't quite old enough to be all alone for too long a period. They could have food, videos, music, computers, organized activities. But, so far I've never heard of anything like that. I love traveling to WDW with my dd, but there are sometimes we just don't want to be together or I want to head to a club or such and I'm not happy just dumping her in the room all by herself. Ah well...maybe down the road Disney will come up with something for the 12-16 group.

 

[momandseandodisney]

they really need to tap into this age group!

 

[lyndrajo3]

I agree with you all there about tapping into this age group. Maybe things will change now that HSM2 was such a HUGE hit. All of my girls loved that show--especially my TWEEN!! Maybe they will think of some fun things for the tweens at the parks now. I am hoping anyhow. Hopefully they will be reading this and begin the process if they haven't already.


You all are so heplful though. My tween says the jewelry thing sounds like fun but she lacks the "OH Wow!" factor that the other two did when I told them about the princess thing. Maybe it is her age. I guess we will see when time comes.

My fingers are crossed for some fun tween activities in the parks.

 

[BabyPiglet]

There are very few 'special' things at WDW geared towards teenagers. Especially when your at that awkward age of trying to pretend you don't like Disney, and you don't want to get a fancy princess hairstyle. I think it's easier for ages 16 and up because then they just let go and enjoy the things that are there.

It'd be a really fun thing for Disney to make something geared towards 11 - 15 year olds.

 

[westcliffemom]

I've got a 13 year old. Tough age... even though she calls herself princess she would never step foot in the Boutique! We have gone to the barber shop at MK and she loves to have a trim with the addition of hair color (temporary) and glitter. The barbers even will "paint" a hidden Mickey on the back of her head when asked. It's a great experience, not to froo-froo but lot's of fun! She will probably remember her experiences at the Magic Kingdom barber shop forever. If she doesn't I have the pictures to remind her!
Have a great time!

Does anybody know how much this costs? TIA

 

[kparc]

Rent a sea Raycer boat or let her go horse back riding at the campgrounds. Those are things my girls would like to do at least!

 

[cabanafrau]

As the mother of a 13 y.o. DD myself, I say if nothing is presenting itself right now, have the courage to let it be & I'd be willing to bet something will present itself while you're there. Yes, believe me, I know. Take several deep breaths & think about it, no matter how much mom pressure you're putting on yourself.

It may not be so much a "do" something special, but possibly a really significant souvenir that she'll decide she's dying to have, maybe even something specially significant to your trip that she can have and hold for a lifetime.

Be brave enough to let the pixie dust do it's magic & the answer will come in time. Hope you all have a spectacular trip!!