help with a 16 year old non-believer

[JJP]

All tickets booked and paid going christmas in a family group of 10 for 4 weeks --but!! my 16 year old grand daughter has now decided she does not want to go she can't give a reason and is really fighting against the idea how do we convince her that disney is not just for he little ones

 

[Dimplenose]

If she's never been before then I wouldn't try and convince her that Disney is for her. Perhaps you could play up the being in America, shopping and other entertainment more. And at 16 maybe she can be allowed to go off and do her own thing from time to time.

However at 16 the thought of 4 weeks away from my friends, let alone cooped up with just my family, would have horrified me. Can you arrange for her to have internet access so that she can stay in touch while she's away?

We're taking DS(17) next year. He's been before so he's not fighting the Disney aspect but his main concerns are that we should stay in an hotel (he hated being in a villa) with a foodcourt (hollow legs) and have a refillable mug. How things have changed from 1998 when we first took him!

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

I was 17 when my mum decided we were going for the first time - why did a 17 year old girl want to spend a holiday with Mickey Mouse when she could have been on a beach somewhere? After about 2 days, I was hooked. Don't try to make her like it, insist that she goes as it is booked and paid for (could she bring a friend maybe?), I am sure she will love it.

 

[B2B-2008]

I went at 16 for the first time with my best friend and her family. I loved it but I'm a disney freak.

We are taking my 19 year old niece with us in a few weeks and she loved the idea until she got a new boyfriend and now she wants to take her lap top to talk to him every day. I told her we will get her a phone card but I'm not having her sit in the hotel every day on the computer in Disney!!!

 

[Deedee]

Show her some of the larger coasters ie SM , Kraken at seaworld 0r the hulk hopefully this will convince her it isn't only for little kids but us big kids too.LOL. My 17 year old DD is planning her first trip with her and her friend god help WDW

 

[disneyholic family]

All tickets booked and paid going christmas in a family group of 10 for 4 weeks --but!! my 16 year old grand daughter has now decided she does not want to go she can't give a reason and is really fighting against the idea how do we convince her that disney is not just for he little ones

has she ever been before?

my kids at 16 would have killed to be at WDW for 4 weeks.....they still would (at age 23 and 21)....

actually when they were that age, we went every summer for 3 weeks....and they'd have been happy to stay longer...

if she's never been before, you might want to introduce her to the dis teen board....maybe someone on that board can convince her how fun it is....

and not just the rides, but all the other stuff that goes on....like at the hollywood studios - there are performances of high school musical songs on the street (by very talented young performers)....and there is a great rock band that performs every day....mulch, sweat and shears...
when my daughter and i were there in november, she made us go to the hollywood studios every single day at the same time so that we could hear them play....9 days in a row....there's lots of stuff like that for teens....

 

[UKDEB]

she loved the idea until she got a new boyfriend

Funnily enough, I wondered whether this might be the issue with your granddaughter, JJP. Is it the prospect of WDW she's railing against, or that of being away from her friends and/or love interest for 4 weeks? If it's the latter, it's probably going to be an uphill struggle.

 

[faerie.locks]

I too kicked up a hissy fit at the thought of going on holiday to Disney when I was around that age. I was adamant I wasn't going, but mums being mums I was given very little choice. I just couldn't understand why I was being dragged to a place that was designed for little kids.

BUT.. and here is the big but. I absolutely adored it. Admittedly I thought Epcot was rubbish (I'm a convert now at 23 though) But I did love Magic Kingdom and MGM.. I also wasn't so big on the shows, but I got dragged round them anyway.

The real swinger for me, however, was Universal studios. (there was no Islands of Adventure then) I adored this park to the point of begging to go back solo while my parents went off shopping. The parks are so safe my parents didn't mind at all.

So if you have the time maybe factor in a Universal trip, imo it's a haven for teens. Also show her pictures of the parks and she may be somewhat swayed seeing the Hulk Roller Coaster and stuff. It just looks cooler than Disney (in a teens eyes) less princesses and pixie dust, more marvel and RAWR!

I bet once you all get there she'll be the one in tears because she doesn't want to return to rainy old England.

Failing that, I'll come with you. Hahaha.

 

[disneyholic family]

I too kicked up a hissy fit at the thought of going on holiday to Disney when I was around that age. I was adamant I wasn't going, but mums being mums I was given very little choice. I just couldn't understand why I was being dragged to a place that was designed for little kids.

BUT.. and here is the big but. I absolutely adored it. Admittedly I thought Epcot was rubbish (I'm a convert now at 23 though) But I did love Magic Kingdom and MGM.. I also wasn't so big on the shows, but I got dragged round them anyway.

The real swinger for me, however, was Universal studios. (there was no Islands of Adventure then) I adored this park to the point of begging to go back solo while my parents went off shopping. The parks are so safe my parents didn't mind at all.

So if you have the time maybe factor in a Universal trip, imo it's a haven for teens. Also show her pictures of the parks and she may be somewhat swayed seeing the Hulk Roller Coaster and stuff. It just looks cooler than Disney (in a teens eyes) less princesses and pixie dust, more marvel and RAWR!

I bet once you all get there she'll be the one in tears because she doesn't want to return to rainy old England.

Failing that, I'll come with you. Hahaha.

regarding universal - my kids hated it as teens (and still hate it today)..
having said that, it's definitely a must do - she might love it....
but not ALL teens love it....(just as not ALL teens love disney - my nephews hated it and still do - but i wouldn't share that bit of info with your granddaughter)...

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

All tickets booked and paid going christmas in a family group of 10 for 4 weeks --but!! my 16 year old grand daughter has now decided she does not want to go she can't give a reason and is really fighting against the idea how do we convince her that disney is not just for he little ones

The answer is SHOPPING SHOPPING SHOPPING! Between the outlet malls, the Mall at Millenia and the Florida Mall, all discounted and at U.S.$ prices, she will bring home an entire suitcase full of new clothes and be the absolute envy of her friends!

BobK/Orlando

 

[Heva2015]

I'm thinking she has a boyfriend. I loved Disney as a kid...still love it now and we go at least once a year. BUT...when I was about 14 I met a boy a couple of weeks before we were due to go to Florida for three weeks. I didn't want to go and spent the whole time crying in my room lol! She's probably terrified that if she goes away for four weeks he's gonna forget her! I would make sure she can contact people at home as much as possible by ensuring where you stay has internet/wireless and get her a cheap pay as you go mobile when you get there to keep the costs down.

 

[Dimplenose]

The answer is SHOPPING SHOPPING SHOPPING!

I think that is the answer to most things (well that and chocolate!)