Ideas Needed

[stink]

I will be seeing my nephews, ages 12 & 10, this coming weekend and want to get them something for our upcoming Disney Trip. Something to get them excited. I probably will not see them again until our November Trip.

I want to do something creative vs just buying them a DisneyGiftCard.

Any ideas ?

 

[Canooknic]

My boys love t-shirts that they can wear in each of the parks (Star Wars theme for HS, usually Stitch or Buzz for MK etc)
I'm currently looking for ideas on Pinterest for when we go to Harry Potter world...pretty sure I'll be wearing a few too!

 

[roseaster]

How about a guide book? My kids always enjoyed the guide books. Reading about te different rides and events, planning.

Maybe back packs with a guide book and some maps and a favorite character t-shirt?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would think about what they are most interested in seeing at the parks and go from there - the animals in AK? Star Wars? etc. When we took my stepsons for the first time, I bought them small carry-ons from Target and some clear plastic luggage tags from a craft store. The luggage tags had a blank white insert, so on that insert I put their favorite character on one side and their name on the other. I then packed the bag with things they could use on the trip, a Disney sweatshirt, a Disney custom-made t-shirt that I made on Zazzle with their favorite character and name on it, a guide book, an autograph book and pen. I also put a Pal Mickey inside, which unfortunately they don't make anymore! If you can home in on what their particular Disney interest is, you should have no problem filling a box or bag with a few things to get them prepared and excited for the trip!

 

[Jhondy210]

Are you planning on decorating the windows of the hotel room for Christmas? Maybe some stuff to decorate the room with?

I think a planning book is the best idea.

 

[Pesky]

I agree about weighing things based on interests. Some ideas:
* as folks said, t-shirts showing their interests of for certain parks
* guide book as mentioned above
* some autograph stuff -- autograph book, laundered white pillow cases with embroidery hoops and fabric pens, photo mat with pens, etc.
* coupon book with coupons for stuff there like special treats or souvenirs
* pennies and quarters for pressed pennies
* pins and lanyard for pin trading
* journal for them to note their favorite things and least favorite each day

 

[roseaster]

10 and 12 is a hard age. Usually kids are over the autograph thing by then. If you were planning on pin trading maybe pins and a lanyard, but that is hit or miss at that age, too.

Baseball caps maybe? It is hot and my son and husband wear caps in the park (Of course my husband hasn't got hair to protect his head LOL) Maybe some other parks things like a mister fan or water bottle?

That tween age is hard. They definitely don't think that the characters are real, they don't like stuff that looks too childish, but aren't really at that teen age yet.

 

[stink]

Thank you all for your replies !

That tween age is hard. They definitely don't think that the characters are real, they don't like stuff that looks too childish, but aren't really at that teen age yet.

roseaster...

You hit the nail on the head. Tween age is hard. Their first trip was when they were 5 and 3 and have gone every two to three years since.

They told me via skype when asking them about what rides they want, fast passes to get etc.... they do not care about meeting the characters and are not interested in "kiddie rides" anymore eg. Winnie the Pooh & PeterPan They are excited about Mission Space and want to ride the orange side . It is all about the thrill rides.

A guide book / park maps are great ideas.

They do have lanyards I will see if they are interested in pins and maybe buying them some pins to trade. Their last trip three years ago, they traded a few pins.

The oldest has the Japan Pavilion on his not to miss list and the youngest has Canada Pavilion on his list, as his best friend from summer camp was from Canada. They have done the EPCOT passport stamps, maybe getting autographs and greetings in other languages at the different pavilions is something they would like. Perhaps I cold find/make an passport combo autograph books for EPCOT countries.

 

[roseaster]

Thank you all for your replies !



roseaster...

You hit the nail on the head. Tween age is hard. Their first trip was when they were 5 and 3 and have gone every two to three years since.

They told me via skype when asking them about what rides they want, fast passes to get etc.... they do not care about meeting the characters and are not interested in "kiddie rides" anymore eg. Winnie the Pooh & PeterPan They are excited about Mission Space and want to ride the orange side . It is all about the thrill rides.

A guide book / park maps are great ideas.

They do have lanyards I will see if they are interested in pins and maybe buying them some pins to trade. Their last trip three years ago, they traded a few pins.

The oldest has the Japan Pavilion on his not to miss list and the youngest has Canada Pavilion on his list, as his best friend from summer camp was from Canada. They have done the EPCOT passport stamps, maybe getting autographs and greetings in other languages at the different pavilions is something they would like. Perhaps I cold find/make an passport combo autograph books for EPCOT countries.

I have 6 kids. 3 are teens, and 2 are tweens. ....and 1 infant.....

I figure we have 1 WDW trip left with the 10, 11, and 13 year old. Then when the baby is bigger.

This is sacrilege here, but maybe you might want to start looking into Universal. We did our 1st trip to Universal 2 years ago and the kids loved it. More thrill rides.

My 11 and 13 year old girls do love Disney, but my 10 year old boy is on the fence of thinking it's "baby."

It's such a hard age. All the hormones without that maturity.

 

[disney k family]

What about the hidden Mickey book. My 11 year old son enjoyed this last year. Sorcerers of the Kingdom in Magic Kingdom is also fun for that age. Perhaps a case to carry some of their cards in. I know you want to do something more creative than gift cards but gift cards are such a safe practical choice. Maybe a new wallet with a disney gift card and a starbucks card so they can grab a drink in one of the parks.

 

[ElenaRN]

YES!! This ^^^^^! I love looking for hidden Mickey's!

 

[Kaleea]

For those with littles getting bigger we are in the sameish boat. I have a soon to be 16 and soon to be 14 yr old that want more thrill rides. We are currently pricing out the difference between Disney's Ultimate Thrill Package vs a day at Universal. Then we will pick one to surprise the boys on a day in the middle when the girls (6 and 3) need a down day

 

[roseaster]

For those with littles getting bigger we are in the sameish boat. I have a soon to be 16 and soon to be 14 yr old that want more thrill rides. We are currently pricing out the difference between Disney's Ultimate Thrill Package vs a day at Universal. Then we will pick one to surprise the boys on a day in the middle when the girls (6 and 3) need a down day

Again, I know it is sacrilege here, but my kids loved Universal. Between the thrill rides (and they were all new to them because it was our 1st visit) and the Harry Potter attractions they were thrilled.

 

[NinaBella]

I agree, tough age. I have 3 boys ages 24, 22, and 14. Recently Hot Topic had a great sale. It was right after Pokemon Go came out. I got the 14 year old a pair of Pokemon pants and the 24 year old a pair of Zelda pants (his favorite retro video game). Got the 22 year old an Adventure Time t-shirt. These are loungewear clothes for them that they only wear in the house.

If you can find their size, the pants are super soft and comfy lounge pants for young men. They like the pockets too. So this would be something they can wear now and on the trip in the hotel room and to sleep in. Boys that age usually don't do "pajamas" and lounge pants are still cool. My 14 year old just starting wearing a size 14 jeans and their smallest mens size fits him okay. Slightly on the big side but still comfy and not falling off. I think his are a size small not x-small. They do have Disney and Star Wars and lots of other choices.

http://www.hottopic.com/guys/sleepwear/