How to make WDW fun for boys?

[JoBird]

OP,
I have three children- DD age 12, DS age 8 and DD age 5.

It isn't only the fact that you have boys, it's the fact that you have a "baby" who happens to be a girl, who happens to love the Princesses, and it just happens to be so fun and, well, magical for you as a Mom to give her all these fun things. So ignore anyone who says to not buy her "stuff" because going to Disney is special in and of itself. That's sad. Part of the buying and giving is that it is fun for the Mom as well.

Every time we go to WDW, I always buy "TinkerBelle" (even for my boy-)gifts to put out EVERY morning on the children's beds before they wake up. It might be an outfit for the day, a t-shirt that has their fave character on it, a toy and usually some sort of candy to take to the parks with them. This year, on Halloween morning at the resort, my 5 year old DD will wake to a new Tinkerbelle costume, complete with wand, shoes and wings to wear for the day. Have I bought the older two anything yet??? Um, no. Why? Well, because she'e the baby, is still in the "fantasy" mode, and therefore, SHE IS FUN TO BUY FOR!

For your older two, I have found that mine love having their own Disney Dollars to spend, at their discretion.
When we do a Princess breakfast, I let my DH take our son and he gets to name what they will be doing for Father/son time. Last time, they went on Splash Mtn/BTMRR as many times as they could, back and forth, while we pretended to be Princesses for the day.

Some ideas...
~Show the older boys some ride videos on youtube. Let them make lists of things they want to do in each park, and then let them check off their lists.

~They all might love the Kidcot stations in Epcot. Certainly not Princess related. Get them their own Passports and learn "hello" in the native language of each country. They would have fun doing that.

~Give each of them their own disposible camera to take into the parks with them.

~Take them on a trip around on the Monorail. Ask to sit up front with the driver.

~Give them a book on Hidden Mickeys in the parks. Go on a scavenger hunt to see how many you can find.

~Rent a boat at Downtown Disney for the family and take a trip. Let each of them take a turn "driving" (with your help, of course).

~Take them to see a movie of their choice at DTD.

~Do they like coasters? Have them ask to sit up front for Expedition Everest. A much different ride than anywhere else.

Yes, there are a lot of things that are geared more towards girls, but you must remember, "It all started with a Mouse..." and there's a reason that mouse was a boy mouse.

Good Luck, OP.

 

[NewCrew42]

Wal-mart usually has some "cool" shirts that your sons might like. I have picked up Star Wars or POTC in the past to give as "gifts" to my son while on our trip. I ususally sneak them out at night and lay them by the door.

My son went on the Pirate Cruise from the Grand Floridian when he was 10. It is one of his favorite Disney memories. It is a ton of fun. Your boys are great ages to do this.

Disney Quest or any arcade is a lot of fun at WDW. My kids love the arcade at the Comtemporary. Last year we stayed at Pop Century and they loved that arcade as well.

The Star Wars store at the end of Star Tours is awesome no matter how old you are. My son likes to have some $ to spend there. The Lego store in DTD is wonderful too!

We split up sometimes and dh takes ds to do "boy" stuff and I take dd to do "girl" stuff. We have a blast! And now we have even had Daddy takes dd to do "girl"stuff and I take ds to do "boy" stuff and our kids just thought that was hilarious.

Oh- in Epcot in Innoventions there is an exhibit called Fantastic Plastic. You make a robot on the computer (like a video game) and race your robot against maybe 12 other people in a video game. This is a very physical activity. I was very winded at the end of the game. Sort of a Dance Dance Revolution but racing (running) your robot. At the end, the winning robots are flashed up on the big screen. Very Exciting! Then you go into another area and make a plastic robot for FREE!!!! We did this last year for the first time and LOVED it!!!

When we went to CRT for the first time, my ds wasn't going to have any part in any stinkin' princesses. Well, I tried for a couple of years to get this ressie and just couldn't get in until about two years ago. I couldn't get a table for 2 but could get one for 4! We decided not to tell the kids, and surprise them just before we went in. Well, DS was pouting, and complaining. Which we told him to zip it and try to have a good time. Well, by the time we were seated, and they brought out our food, he was totally into it. He wanted his pic made with every princess, was whipping out his autograph book, was eating like crazy, they kept bringing him bacon and croissants. He was all about the eatin'! It is now his favorite place and he will ask to go there every trip! Who knew! If my son can have a great time there, any guy can. Oh, BTW, my dh was about like my son, and guess what? He loves CRT too now!!!!

You are going to have a great trip! Your boys will have fun too!

You have been given some great ideas by lots of posters here! Have an awesome trip!

 

[kejais]

Thanks for all the GREAT ideas! We are staying at WL for 6 days and then going to Fort Meyers for some beach time! Here is what we have planned.

Day one-DD is going to BBB then to CRT for breafast with me and her grandmother. DS's are going to ride all the big rides with DH and my brother and hit the stores of their choice. We will then meet up and spend the rest of the day together.

Day two-We are all going to Epcot for the day. me and DH will bring DD back to room and the boys are going to spend the day with their grandma and uncle ( they only see them a couple times a year). We are meeting at Wispering canyon for dinner, then off to see fireworks.

Day three- We are all going to AK. Grandma will leave at naptime with DD and the rest of us will stay. After DD nap, grandma is taking DD back to MGK to do whatever they feel like and then we will meet ant DTD for dinner at ESPN (DH and uncle request).

Day four- spend day at resort. rest and relax. Do some shopping!!

day five- last day at MGK. Hope to see parades and fireworks.

Day six- head to Fort Meyers for 4 days at the beach!

For the DS'S special gifts I am going to give them Disney dollars, new shirts, and pool toys ( for resort day). We are all very excited! Thanks for all the tips. Keep them coming!

 

[collcass]

Thanks for all the GREAT ideas! We are staying at WL for 6 days and then going to Fort Meyers for some beach time! Here is what we have planned.

Day one-DD is going to BBB then to CRT for breafast with me and her grandmother. DS's are going to ride all the big rides with DH and my brother and hit the stores of their choice. We will then meet up and spend the rest of the day together.

Day two-We are all going to Epcot for the day. me and DH will bring DD back to room and the boys are going to spend the day with their grandma and uncle ( they only see them a couple times a year). We are meeting at Wispering canyon for dinner, then off to see fireworks.

Day three- We are all going to AK. Grandma will leave at naptime with DD and the rest of us will stay. After DD nap, grandma is taking DD back to MGK to do whatever they feel like and then we will meet ant DTD for dinner at ESPN (DH and uncle request).

Day four- spend day at resort. rest and relax. Do some shopping!!

day five- last day at MGK. Hope to see parades and fireworks.

Day six- head to Fort Meyers for 4 days at the beach!

For the DS'S special gifts I am going to give them Disney dollars, new shirts, and pool toys ( for resort day). We are all very excited! Thanks for all the tips. Keep them coming!

have a great time.

 

[irene_dsc]

I think what most of us with boys are saying is that there are several "special magical" moments for girls that are just not there for the boys. I have a daughter too, and she loved the princesses at one time. She dressed as a princess, pretended to be a princess, had to have everything princess, and to be able to eat with them was magical for her. For my boys on the other hand, they dream of fighting evil, swinging light sabors, being the hero, and sometimes being the villian. When you go to the parks, most of the little boys who are in costumes are dressed as Power Rangers, Buzz, Pirates, or Star Wars characters because that is who they are fascinated with. Yes, they like Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and Donald but they don't usually want to be them or pretend to be them. What I am saying is that the Princess Dining experiences and the Boutiques are usually a dream come true for the girls even if it is only for a short while. My boys like Mickey and his Gang but to be able to sit and see a Power Ranger or Darth Vader making his way to our table would be absolutely thrilling. It would be a dream come true for them. I so enjoyed watching both my sons fight Darth Vader during the Jedi Training because they were absolutely thrilled to be able to actually face him. It was "magical" for them ~ something they had pretended to do many times before.

I agree WDW is equally fun for both boys and girls. It is just more magial at times for girls. You have to see it through a little boys eyes ~ "Mom, is it princesses again!"

Well, it really all depends on the obsession, lol. Yes, Disney has played up the whole Princess thing - WAY out of proportion, IMNSHO, actually. But, otoh, if you have a girl who *isn't* into princesses, it is harder - there are plenty of older girls who aren't into princesses anymore, and are into HSM, etc. So, they would feel left out of that stuff, too. And if your favorite princess isn't one of the current popular ones, they can be relatively harder to find, too.

But, it is also very easy to avoid the princess stuff, too, or do it at a manageable level. On a 6 day trip, we had dinner at 1900 Park Fare, watched Voyage of the Little Mermaid, saw Tink's flight in Wishes - and that's the complete sum total of the princess stuff I can think of from our trip! Oh, yeah - dd's purchase were all Princess related (hat, pin & necklace). (Ds bought a dinosaur hat at AK, and mini SW figures)

Another point - Star Wars aren't Disney characters! So, while it would be cool to have more Star Wars stuff, I'm not surprised that they don't. And also notice - most of the characters at the meals are older, classic ones.

 

[Momvic5]

Well, it really all depends on the obsession, lol. Yes, Disney has played up the whole Princess thing - WAY out of proportion, IMNSHO, actually. But, otoh, if you have a girl who *isn't* into princesses, it is harder - there are plenty of older girls who aren't into princesses anymore, and are into HSM, etc. So, they would feel left out of that stuff, too. And if your favorite princess isn't one of the current popular ones, they can be relatively harder to find, too.

But, it is also very easy to avoid the princess stuff, too, or do it at a manageable level. On a 6 day trip, we had dinner at 1900 Park Fare, watched Voyage of the Little Mermaid, saw Tink's flight in Wishes - and that's the complete sum total of the princess stuff I can think of from our trip! Oh, yeah - dd's purchase were all Princess related (hat, pin & necklace). (Ds bought a dinosaur hat at AK, and mini SW figures)

Another point - Star Wars aren't Disney characters! So, while it would be cool to have more Star Wars stuff, I'm not surprised that they don't. And also notice - most of the characters at the meals are older, classic ones.

I understand. My daughter is turning 9 soon, and she isn't thrilled with the princesses anymore either. We were just stating how we were going to skip the princess dining experiences this next trip. My oldest son jumped for joy! I was just responding to a PP who questioned why moms with boys would feel that there is more for girls at WDW. I only speak from experience with my daughter and my sons, and I was referring to younger children. We all know our Disney itineraries change a bit as our children get older.

It is easy to avoid the princesses provided you don't have a daughter who is interested in them. However if you do have a daughter who loves princesses and wants to experience them, you also want your boys to have something as equally special and available. They get tired of all the "fluff" and want to swing a sword at something.

The reason Disney would have more Stars Wars or even Power Ranger characters is because Disney has made a claim on them. They feature them in main attractions and parades. I was just stating what my boys would be thrilled to experience, and we all know Walt Disney himself was all for future changes and new ideas.

 

[NJfamily2007]

I think that your boys are old enough to understand that you are giving your daughter gifts from Cinderella. My husband and I split up a few times so he could take my 4 year old son to some of the rides that he really liked that my daughter was afraid of. It was nice to have alone time with my daughter.

 

[Carrie772]

For my boys on the other hand, they dream of fighting evil, swinging light sabors, being the hero, and sometimes being the villian. My boys like Mickey and his Gang but to be able to sit and see a Power Ranger or Darth Vader making his way to our table would be absolutely thrilling. It would be a dream come true for them.

And me too! I, the mom, love all that guy stuff. Wow. Darth Vader for dinner. What a cool thought!

 

[solfan68]

How about setting one day aside for the boys and see how many of the thrill rides you can get through ? Everest, Splash, Big Thunder, Space Mountain, Test Track, Mission Space, R-n-Rollercoaster, and T-o-Terror ! Most boys tend to be addrenaline Junkies and this would be one monster day even if it did mean shuttling between the parks !

 

[lntsmom]

have photos made of your boys...their heads are superimposed on their favorite Star Wars character's body. In Downtown Disney they can also build their own lightsabers.

My boys also enjoy things like searching for the talking waterfountains and trash cans, searching for hidden Mickeys, sending home the e-mail photos of themselves from Buzz, playing the video games (Innoventions), etc. This time they're also looking forward to trying the sodas from around the world at Epcot, trying to find the perfect nutcracker and snowglobe to bring home as souvenirs, and squishing pennies.

Our favorite squished penny is the one we had the cm put on the tracks at the DisneyWorld railroad...the train squished it!

We will miss the Star Wars weekends and my boys would be bored silly by the pirates adventure, so there aren't any "dress up" activities they will do. I don't think boys are into dress up anyway.

I let them do things like take off their socks and shoes (stow them under the seat) for Soarin', have ice cream for dinner one night (grabbing a before-bed snack of real food at the hotel), run through any fountain they can find (as long as they ditch their shoes and socks first), etc.

Boy stuff, lol!

p.s. I'd add that, of the two, Disney World is much more boy friendly than Disneyland. I was so thrilled that we got to do the Mickey character lunch at Ariel's there...a month or two after our trip they changed it to yet another princess lunch. Without Star Wars and Indy, Disneyland is lacking in the boy themed areas!

 

[hmerritt]

You could get them a pin trading starter pack, or the book with hidden mickeys in them. We did that last time and it turned every ride into a game of can you find the hidden mickeys. Also- at Epcot, my 9 year old LOVES the kidcot stations!

Heather

 

[2tinks2pirates]

As you can see from my screen name, I have 2 of each (boys/girls), and while it is certainly a bit easier to find cute Disney "stuff" for my girls, I think the boys will actually get a bit more out of our trip next January simply due to the thrill ride factor. That being said, check out the $ section of your local Target. Ours has some Star Wars stuff right now and I grabbed some little nylon Darth Vader "backpacks" for my boys to use at the parks.

 

[lisalonglash]

What a great thread!

There are some really wonderful WDW activities listed in this thread that really do seem to be geared much more towards boys - and, as the mom of two boys that are VERY excited to be going to WDW, I appreciate the info!

 

[trennr]

My Boys 13 and 8 both love the place.


DS8 loves Animal Kingdom... Everest and the Rapids
DS 13 Love EPCOT... Test Track and Soarin'

Both like Space and Splash Mts.


We tried one of Waterparks last year and both seem to have the best time there.

so maybe a day at Blizzard Beach would be good try.

 

[dougsmom98]

I have three boys 9, 7, 7 and a little girl who is almost 3. My boys LOVE Tom Sawyer's Island. In February of 2007 we never got to Tom Sawyer's Island and my oldest DS cried. I felt awful. This year we made sure the boys got there. My boys would also be thrilled if we let them play video games in Innovations for a couple of hours. We are always there for 30-40 minutes, but they never want to leave. The other thing my boys LOVE is money. They would toss a small toy or other little trinket aside and would much prefer some cash. I do like the idea of disposable cameras and pool toys. I think boys would like those. The other way to make WDW fun for boys is to not force them to go on It's a Small World, or some other ride that they perceive as a girl ride. We made our boys go on Small World last year and you would have thought I tortured them. Next year, I will let them pass. I also like the idea of giving them a hidden Mickey book and having the boys try to find them in the parks. My boys love hunting for stuff. My boys also love the Birnbaum Disney book For Kids By Kids. Two years ago, we brought it with us to the parks and my oldest DS read the ride information to us while we were in line. It has some interesting information.
No matter what, you will have an awesome time and so will your boys. Part of the fun for my boys is to see how excited my DD is at the parks and I am sure it will be the same for your boys. As a parent, there is nothing better than to see your kids being happy for one another.

 

[all4fun]

Oh- in Epcot in Innoventions there is an exhibit called Fantastic Plastic. You make a robot on the computer (like a video game) and race your robot against maybe 12 other people in a video game. This is a very physical activity. I was very winded at the end of the game. Sort of a Dance Dance Revolution but racing (running) your robot. At the end, the winning robots are flashed up on the big screen. Very Exciting! Then you go into another area and make a plastic robot for FREE!!!! We did this last year for the first time and LOVED it!!!

Unfortunately, Fantastic Plastics is now closed, and will be replaced with something else. We were just there the first week of April, and they already had the section boarded up, ready for refurb. Sorry... I'm glad we had a chance to do that on a previous trip. We were a little disappointed we weren't able to do it again as ds (4) was looking forward to it.

I think the OP's been given lots of great ideas though. My ds also enjoyed the Jedi Training in front of the Star Tours ride, and he of course LOVES to "shop" at the Tatooine Trader shop after the ride. We always try to set aside a little money so he can buy some trinket there.

He's a big Pirates fan too, loves Stitch and Buzz. Our 10 & 14yr old nephews enjoyed the Lights Motors Action stunt show so much they went to see it a 2nd time. I think that was their favorite.

 

[Tam1067]

Disney is Disney. The boys will love it even if they don't care about CRT or princesses. My boys never complain about their sister getting to see princesses because they just go on roller coasters or hang out at the Star Wars store in DHS.

 

[PA Princess]

We have 4 kids - 2 boys ages 12 and 13 and 2 girls ages 7 and 3. Perhaps our boys are just easy going, but we have never had much issue with them bulking at doing a pricess meal or had trouble finding fun things to do in Disney. They love Disney and always want to go back (and we have been going yearly for the last 5 years and every other year before that).

The princess stuff is fun (and we have done it all...the th castle meals, BBB, the princess tea, etc), but frankly they have very rarely been my favorite events or my daughters'. Why? I think because more often than not it is the unplanned, spontaneous magical moments that always trump those planned events.

We will be in Disney this year for both boys' birthdays and they picked how they wanted to spend their days...oldest wants to spend the day at TL, have dinner at Brown Derby (he is a big steak fan), and finish with fantasmic; the younger wants to spend a day at Disney Quest, dinner at Hoop De Do Review, and then he plans to stay at EMH at the MK as long as his stamina holds (goes from 12 am til 3 am!!!).

 

[ty&brenmom]

I don't have any new ideas on what kind of "extras" that you can do for them. I really like the idea of letting them choice a few things that they would like to do. I took my sons last year and we had a blast. My oldest son is "imagination" inclined. He does not do pretend, hates any make believe, and hates costumes. I was just a little worried that he would ruin the magic for my younger son and myself and that he wouldn't have a good time. He had an awsome time, he hunted down characters for my younger son, road the indy cars by himself, he was in charge of the map, and was okay when I forced him to ride it's a small world and watch fireworks and spectro parade (he also doesn't do parades or fireworks).
He also loved hunting for pressed pennies and pin trading and hidden mickeys.
IMO there is something for everyone and Disney and your sons will have a great time
For one of our ADRs for next year my oldest has suggested the princess lunch at Norway (always suprises).
I do agree that nothing would make my sons day than a character breakfast with Darth Vader or power rangers.
As much as I love my sons, I didn't get tearied eye over them meeting characters as I think I would if I had a daughter and she got dressed up and met a princess.