Ideas for Large Family + Older Kid Activities at Disney

[FrozenMoana]

Hi everyone, next month my family and I will be taking a trip to Disney. Our party will consist of 2 adults, 1 elder, and "kids" (even though some are legally adults, I still think of them as kids!) ages ranging from 21 yr old girl, 18 yr old girl, 16 yr old boy, 14 yr old girl, and 12 yr old boy. It's an interesting group because they all have different tastes in rides. (some love coasters, others hate them...etc) They all have been to Disney many times before, but it's been about 3 years since the younger 2 have been (longest time away from Disney!)

Anyway, I really want this trip to be super special for the whole family. Are there good places for the older kids to explore (not including rides!) something that the our whole group can enjoy and do together. I have also been looking for hidden mickeys for us to try and find on our trip, so any suggestions on that will help us as well! I know Disney if for all ages, but I'm just trying to find something new for them to enjoy!

Finally, we are going to Disneyland in California and will be there for 2 days, hopefully this is the correct board for that!! Sorry if it isn't, and thanks in advance!

 

[Grammy4Lizzy]

The Disneyland Board is better for this,

 

[theluckyrabbit]

How is your family with character meals? We've done character meals with large family groups (multi-generational) and had lots of fun. The photos are the best and make great memories. Would your family enjoy a tour? When we go with older kids and/or young adults, we allow for some free roaming time so everyone can do what they like. Then we try to book at least one TS meal per day so everyone can meet up to relax and talk about what they did that day.

 

[Angrose]

I would suggest drawing characters at the Animation Academy, that is something that young and old would enjoy. You can all compare drawings afterwards and whoever in your family has the best one wins a prize! This serves another purpose in that it's a nice cool, indoor break that gets everyone off their feet. Have fun!

 

[lk2500]

My kids are older also. We really don't do anything different than most except that we hit up the e-ticket rides over the kiddie rides. There is the Mad Tea Party if they're into that at all. We always also take a day to head up to Six Flags Magic Mountain to hit up the thrill rides there.

 

[bcla]

It's kind of a pet peeve of mine (there was a fun thread about it a few years ago) but "going to Disney" generally doesn't compute in California. Most people would say "I'm going to Disneyland".

 

[bcla]

My kids are older also. We really don't do anything different than most except that we hit up the e-ticket rides over the kiddie rides. There is the Mad Tea Party if they're into that at all. We always also take a day to head up to Six Flags Magic Mountain to hit up the thrill rides there.

Mad T Party is gone and has been for a few months.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...march-30-at-disney-california-adventure-park/

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Mad T Party is gone and has been for a few months.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...march-30-at-disney-california-adventure-park/

But it has been replaced by a DJ dance party called (I think) Jammin' on the Backlot.

 

[ADLFAN]

You could try sending them off to complete a picture scavenger hunt with a fun list of required pictures like 'take a picture with a fairy', 'take a selfie on Small World ', 'take a picture of a musical performance ', 'get an autograph from a Princess' etc. When they return with the photographic proof, you could let them choose a random prize. I think that a treat from the Jolly Holiday Bakery, a new pin, a pickle, a Mickey ice cream bar, or another small affordable item would be a nice prize!

We used texting to communicate within the parks and it worked great.

Have fun!

 

[rentayenta]

I like the Animation Academy and the dance party idea at DCA. My *kids* still enjoy character meals. We really enjoy breakfast at Storyteller's at the GCH. It's not so babyish if that makes sense. And the food is really good.

 

[DahliaRW]

I would plan some things to do together, but also some time for your group to split up into pairs or smaller groups and people to go on rides that they like (coaster people go ride Screaming, dark ride people go ride those, etc).