How'd your pre-teens do?

[Zoemakes5]

We're looking at taking a trip down to WDW next year (2007) for spring break (yep, for us it's a year's worth of planning and saving.)
For the first time it truly occurred to me that my boys will be in "that" age. My older DS will be 12.5 and my younger DS will be 10.5.
When I was growing up, my family lived in LA near DL and my grandparents lived in FL and we went to WDW. I went to one or both every year of my life until I was 21. But, that gave me insight into how the different age groups responded to Disney. I found that unless they were already "hooked", this age range was just the worst to take them. The rides weren't "big" enough for them, the "disneyness" of it didn't appeal to them (if they didn't notice it), and they weren't old enough or mature enough to enjoy the younger kids having such a good time (which is a bunch of the magic for me now.)
While the boys have been to Disney a few times, )DS1 b4 DS2 was born, when DS2 was 6mo., when they were 4 & 6, when they were 7 & 9, and a brief DS trip this last Nov), most of the trips were too young for the boys to really have a memory of. When I suggested taking DD on a surprise trip for her b-day, just her and me, the boys didn't have a fit about it.
So, what's your experience? Especially with boys. Would this just be a needless expense for us? Should I look at another option for us? It's so hard finding something the entire family will enjoy doing, and I always thought that would be Disney.

 

[msbegin]

We're headed to DW in a few weeks and DS (12 now, he was 9.5 last trip) cannot wait! Disney definately has it's fair share of "big" rides (twer of terror. rock'm roller coaster, test track, mission space, etc). It is what you make of it... I see you have a DD 4 also, I suggest not making the older ones sit through EVERY kiddie ride, perhaps you & DH could split up & take the big kids on older rides while the other stays w/ DD on kiddie rides once in a while. We did that, but DS also had a blast on some of the kiddie rides too, he enjoyed watching his brother's (6 yo twins, they were 3 last trip) reactions just as much as we did!

Not to worry! They'll have a great time!

 

[Mom to Jordan]

DS will be 14 in June and still loves WDW. He is really excited about our Jan trip. He loves all the trill rides but is tolerant of any thing I want to ride too. We have given up character meal and toon town but do pretty much everything else.

I think WDW is a great family trip for any age.

I am sorry that I do not know much about their special needs but DS at 13 is at the age where he does enjoy seeing his infant and toddler cousins enjoy things and we can not wait to take them with us soon.

 

[weirdpaintballr]

Have your sons ever been before? If they haven't they might get really excited or they might not. I'm 14 and I've never not been excited. Although, I'm hooked. I've been 14 times since I was 5 or 6....gotta love DVC

 

[HunnyPots]

My son was 12 on our first trip and he loved everything about it. But then, he's never been one of those kids that worries about being cool; he pretty much makes his own rules! We did character meals and he and his then 16 year old sister posed for tons of pictures and even got autographs. The only time he got slightly embarassed was at 1900 Park Fare when Suzy and Perla made a huge fuss over him and kept coming around to kiss him on the head! Even then he was OK with it, he just a little pink in the photos.

You know your own kids. Do they love Disney? Or are they into big thrills and bored easily? You're the best judge of your own kids. If they fall into the bored easily category, you might want to consider a day or two at Universal for the big rides.

On side note, I talked to a 9th grade boy today who'd just gotten back from his first trip to WDW. When I asked how he liked it he said, "Eh... it was ok... it'd be better if you're the right age..." I then told him that I guess 42 must be the right age because its my favorite place in the whole world!