How to make WDW fun for boys?

[kejais]

We are going to WDW in April. I have 3 boys, ages 7,8,10 and a girl age 3. Our little girl LOVES Cinderella so we are having breakfast at CRT and I have a ton of disney stuff for her as special "gifts from Cinderella" while we are there but I am stuck with the boys! They aren't into the characters anymore, they haven't watch a disney cartoon in years (very sad for mommy). We went when they were smaller and they were huge Buzz fans and they were in Heaven but I am hoping to come up with ideas that will be fun for them. I know they will love the bigger rides (they were to small to ride most of them last time) but what kind of "extras" can I do for them?

Thanks in advance
Jennifer

 

[portia9]

Hi-we are also going in April and I have three boys who are 11, 7, 5 and we have a 3yo dd.

We have made ADR's at Crystal Palace for breakfast and LTT for dinner. We have also decided to do the pirate and princess party on April 16th. I have booked the boys on a pirate adventure cruise and have booked BBB for my daughter.

I don't really understand why Disneyworld wouldn't be enough for your boys? I am actually more worried about my daughter because the boys will be going on rides that she can't and I have already talked to her about that and she isn't happy lol

Yvette

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Yes, I have often said that there is so much more at WDW for girls than boys. I don't understand why. . .


My boys are still young enough that they enjoy some of the characters. Although they will not wait in line to meet them. So I find character meals to be well worth it. We are trying the Ohana breakfast with Stitch this time! I wish they'd add another character meal geared towards families with boys - like Star Wars or Pirates.

With that being said, my boys love Star Wars and Pirates!! So we ride Star Tours and the POC rides a lot!! There are awesome gift shops when exiting these rides too!

Of course my older son loves the thrill rides! SMtn, BTMRR, RNRC, EE, etc. We love to ride Test Track and Soarin all together!! Those are our favorite family rides.

Other things my boys love are the swimming pool at the resort and going to DTD. We stay at moderate resorts and the pools are pretty great! The kids have to earn all of their spending money for our trip. So they start to save as soon as they hear me starting to talk about planning a trip! They save their allowance, birthday and holiday money, report card money, they ask their grandparents if they can do chores for Disney money, etc. . . They usually have well over $100 each by the time we get to Disney!! So they love going to DTD!! Last year they did the Build Your own Lightsaber that the Once Upon a Toy Store at DTD. They did the Fill your own Pirate Skull with Loot at another store. They love Goofy's Candy Co. They just love the atmosphere of DTD. There are also music stores and things along those lines for older boys too at DTD. We usually hit DTD 2-3 times on a trip! There are days we are at the parks and the boys ask to go to DTD!!

There are also a few Pirate Cruises at a couple of the Disney resorts. Sounds like fun for boys, although we've never tried it.

So there are things for boys, just not as many as there are for girls, and you just have to look a little harder!! Hope you have a magical trip!!

 

[jakenjess]

I know what you're saying. With all the emphasis on the princesses, it does sometimes seem like there's more for girls than boys. That said, we have a boy and a girl, and though our DS has been to more than his fair share of princess meals, he's never complained. He just loves being at Disney! He loves Crystal Palace, LTT, and Chef Mickey's. I don't think we ever get too old for characters!

Both my kids loved the Pirate Cruise from the Grand Floridian. My son's absolute favorite of course is Disney Quest. It's like heaven for him! He also loves the hotel pool and both waterparks. You could also try one of the mini-golf courses. Hoop De Doo Revue is a blast for the entire family (but can get kind of pricey).

Happy planning!

ETA: Also try visiting the Boardwalk area in the evening. There are jugglers and magicians and games. It's a really fun atmosphere!

 

[Perditamarie]

Here are some ideas for boys:

* punky-glitter 'do at the Mainstreet Barbershop in MK

* a tour of the arcades...maybe Disney Quest

* have them pick out a crazy hat (anywhere in WDW)

* build a light saber (DTD or there is a kit at Hollywood Studios)

* driving around in one of those sea mice boats (any marina)

* hours and hours in the Lego Store at dtd

* water park is a great idea

* temporary tattoos (parks and DTD)

* if you are looking for little ideas for surprises: sunglasses, goggles, jibbitz, pins, Disney dollars, hats, disposable/underwater camera,

* midway games in Dino-land in AK and a few at Boardwalk

 

[mom2aredhead]

I have a ton of disney stuff for her as special "gifts from Cinderella" while we are there

Here's a crazy idea - maybe your 3 year old doesn't need the "ton" of special gifts from Cinderella...then boys won't feel bad that they don't have any extra stuff.
I know, I'm a cynic, but last I checked a trip to WDW was pretty special in its own right. Let them each pick a special meal or activity that they'd like to do - Pirate Cruise, Disney Quest, Water Park, etc. and it will probably make sitting through CRT a little less painful for they boys knowing they have their special activity coming up. You can save the "stuff" for her birthday.

 

[Sheaboys]

When we wnet in 2005, my boys were 7, 5 and 3. They loved it. We did do Dinner in the Castle, just for me, but they loved eating in the castle as well. They not once said it was too girly or kiddie like for them. They even had their picture done with Cinderella down stairs. Although the 3 yr old was taken aback by her, sort afraid, because she was a real person, I had to coax him a bit. They run up to the characters as well, I think more so because I do too. I make them excited for it.

We are going again in August, this time they will be 10, 8, 6 and the newest boy 2. YUP 4 boys. But they share my love for the world. The fireworks are great, the parades, etc. While there is alot of princess stuff and girlie stuff they have never commented on how they get nothing geared towards boys. Pirates has alot in their store, and dtd has stuff. I tend to stick to stuff like sweatshirts for a gift, and not the junky trinkety stuff.

 

[kejais]

Here's a crazy idea - maybe your 3 year old doesn't need the "ton" of special gifts from Cinderella...then boys won't feel bad that they don't have any extra stuff.
I know, I'm a cynic, but last I checked a trip to WDW was pretty special in its own right. Let them each pick a special meal or activity that they'd like to do - Pirate Cruise, Disney Quest, Water Park, etc. and it will probably make sitting through CRT a little less painful for they boys knowing they have their special activity coming up. You can save the "stuff" for her birthday.

Well This trip is for her birthday, so I think the special gifts are appropriate. I didn't mean to sound like my boys are not grateful and excited about going, they just aren't into girly stuff! I found some cool pool toys for the resort pools and we have planned one evening just for the boys at DTD. Keep the ideas coming!

 

[daisyduck123]

My DS9 loves Stitch.
We always have a breakfast at 'Ohana's with Lilo & Stitch.

I'm wondering which resort you are staying at?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Well This trip is for her birthday, so I think the special gifts are appropriate. I didn't mean to sound like my boys are not grateful and excited about going, they just aren't into girly stuff! I found some cool pool toys for the resort pools and we have planned one evening just for the boys at DTD. Keep the ideas coming!

Yes, the gifts for your daughter are appropriate. Don't let anyone tell you any different.

I totally understand what you are saying about it being hard to find special things for boys. Yes, all of Disney is special! But there really is a lot more special stuff geared for girls.

Your boys are going to have a blast on their DTD evening!

 

[karajeboo]

Alright, let me have it! I get so tired of hearing that WDW is more fun for girls! Yes, I have a daughter and we do the Princess character meal, but because of that, we have never done Chef Mickeys. So a lot of the classic characters are squeezed out for us because we've been "limited" to the Princesses. I think that there are equal amounts of attractions for girls and boys.

 

[irene_dsc]

I have a dd3.5 & ds6, so not quite the same ages, and not as lopsided, but we did ok. I suppose it helps that ds loves cartoons still, tho he actually got to know Mickey Mouse more from our trip than he had known beforehand. I had planned one special surprise for each - for dd, it was dinner at 1900 Park Fare to meet Cinderella, and for ds, it was the Jedi Training Academy at MGM/DHS. (He knew about Star Tours ahead of time, but JTA was a complete surprise - partly because I wanted to make sure they didn't suddenly cancel it!)

Also at DHS, ds really enjoyed Lights, Motor, Action!

Also, if it hadn't been just after the holidays, ds would probably have gotten to go to the Lego store.

The other thing - you may be happier if you split up some of the time. Especially if your dd doesn't want to go on the bigger rides, or isn't tall enough. That happened more at MK and DHS for us - we mostly stayed together at AK & Epcot, except for ds' abortive attempt to ride Test Track (it closed right as they were getting in line.)

Plus, even if your kids aren't into the characters much at home anymore, they may surprise you when they see them at the park...

Oh, yeah - I also hear you can find a lot of Pokemon & Yu-Gi-Oh (I think?) stuff at Japan in Epcot. There are also the Innoventions areas - I skipped them because I didn't want to lose an entire day to them!

 

[Momvic5]

Alright, let me have it! I get so tired of hearing that WDW is more fun for girls! Yes, I have a daughter and we do the Princess character meal, but because of that, we have never done Chef Mickeys. So a lot of the classic characters are squeezed out for us because we've been "limited" to the Princesses. I think that there are equal amounts of attractions for girls and boys.

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!"

 

[_queenie_]

Funny how things have changed over the years, my DS is 17 and my DDs are 13 & 3.5, and there always a lot more for boys. They really didn't start a lot of the princess stuff until my DD13 was four (I like to think it was because of my suggestion), before that, they emphasized sports and boy things quite a bit more.

By the way, you could take them to WWS (not sure what's there though) and the ESPN club at the BW someday after Epcot.

 

[Perditamarie]

Oh, yeah, don't forget the little shooting range in Frontierland!

 

[JeremyGNJ]

We are going to WDW in April. I have 3 boys, ages 7,8,10 and a girl age 3. Our little girl LOVES Cinderella so we are having breakfast at CRT and I have a ton of disney stuff for her as special "gifts from Cinderella" while we are there but I am stuck with the boys! They aren't into the characters anymore, they haven't watch a disney cartoon in years (very sad for mommy). We went when they were smaller and they were huge Buzz fans and they were in Heaven but I am hoping to come up with ideas that will be fun for them. I know they will love the bigger rides (they were to small to ride most of them last time) but what kind of "extras" can I do for them?

Thanks in advance
Jennifer

Save some money.....cancel the CRT for the 3 of them, and let them do something else. They will LOVE it.

 

[d1gitman]

you don't need to worry about the boys...just let the kids (DS & DD) be kids. I don't think Disney is too Girl or Boy oriented. In the end you will see that the boys will have new reactions and interests from when they last went. We have gone 6x since 2004 and have seen our sons have new reactions and new interests every trip. It truly is a joy as a parent to see the kids so 'wowed' and the big smiles. It's pretty cool to feel like a kid again too.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Can't speak from experience, as we didn't get to it last time - but what about Tom Sawyer Island? It sounds great for boys, and is in our plans for this time with DS7.

 

[babyruth]

I do understand the feeling that its biased towards girls, as I am feeling that way myself. I have a 6 yr old DS, and even watching the planning videos its all princess this and princess that. You know what? At this point the kid doesn't even want to go to MK because he thinks all it is is Cinderella stuff. I have tried to point out the other attractions there and he is excited for POC and Buzz (but he is getting a little old for him too.) At the Disney store I was looking for those spinning-light toys and guess what, all they have is PRINCESS- nothing for boys.

So here is what we are doing:

DS is going on a Pirate Cruise out of POR, and we are going to take the boat from there to DTD and planning to spend awhile with the Legos and going to Goofy's candy co. I think older boys will get a kick out of trying to cram as many sugar loaded candies as possible onto their creations.

We have only a few "must-do" things at MK, and one of them is to see Jack Sparrow. We have more planned to do at DS, Star Tours, Jedi Academy, the stunt shows, meet Power Rangers and at AK he can't wait for the Dinosaur ride. Luckily he is still into Crush and so Turtle Talk is on the list for Epcot.

ADRs are for: Donald's Safari Breakfast at Tusker House, Sci-Fi Dine In, Biergarten

For the ages of the OP's boys, I have heard wonderful things about Whispering Canyon- I think you can take a boat over there from the MK. It might be more fun for them if you planned a split lunch, DD at CRT and boys head over there (if you have two adults to manage this.) If you are taking DD to the BBBoutique at DTD, you could send the boys into Disney Quest or let them hang out at the Lego place.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

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!"

Couldn't have put it better myself!!