MK exciting enough for 10 & 12 yr. old boys???

[rchwill]

My family and I are planning our first trip to Disney in December. I have been looking at the different theme parks and what they have to offer, and am wondering if maybe Magic Kingdom may be a bit babyish for my boys. I sort of have my heart set on going to that one, as is the original. Any and all opinions would be very much appreciated.

Thx,

rchwill

 

[Barb D]

My 10yob (getting ready for trip #5) says,

"It just depends on what they like. The mountains are really, REALLY good. I think they would like it. They would not like It's a Small World. Buzz Lightyear may sound babyish but it's really cool even if you haven't seen Toy Story 2. All the shows and parades are really good. Cosmic Rays is a really good restaurant. They have an alien playing the piano and saying funny jokes. All the ones like Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, etc. all depends on what they're interested in. I would say they would probably like to go, but not go on all the rides. I like to go on pretty much all of them except for a few very babyish ones like Pooh. "

 

[MAKmom]

If your boys only like Thrill rides like 6 flags maybe yes. But you have to go the MK & walk down Mainstreet. Maybe you will not spend a whole day but half a day for sure. SpaceMountain will be good. Alien Encounter will Scare them to death. Big thunder & Splash are hokey but fun.

 

[Kermit]

Unless they've decided that they're too cool for it, they should have fun there. There are a few "thrill" rides, and many of the rides have really good special effects (i.e., Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Alien Encounter).

 

[disneefamily]

Who is paying for this trip!! Unless it is the boys, then you name the deal! They will like Space Mountain and will be OK with BTMR. They may say they don't like it but they will love the Buzz Lightyear ride, it's live video game as you ride the ride! If they are high thrills, MK will not do very well. Personally, our family loves most of the attractions and my daughter knows who is paying the bill!! She is the best child traveler ever, even at seven when we first went! The first trip she wanted to go on a ride and I told her she could go the next day and wouldn't have to wait, and she said OK!! You set the plan, you decide the rides, and if the boys don't like it threaten them with having to ride "IT's a small world" over and over and over!!!!

 

[pnelson]

I'd like to hear more responses. My son will be 9 when we go. He still wants to get character autographs and go on Tom Sawyers Island. He may be in the minority for that age though. I think the MK has a lot to offer that age group, outside of maybe Fantasyland.

Does anyone have any experience with boys that age? What was their favorite part of Disney World??

 

[ShuisFan584]

I think that MK is exciting for everyone! Some rides that I think they would definitely like are Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Alien Encounter, Buzz Lightyear Splash, Big Thunder and Space Mountain

 

[cboudre1]

I have a 14 DS who loves the mountains. He also likes Buzz Lightyear, Alien Encounter, Haunted Mansion, and the Pirates of the Caribbean. He knows he has to ride what other people like and it has never been a problem. (Although he hates the Beauty and the Beast show at MGM.)

 

[koswalt]

... they might just be touched by the Magic. Sure there is lots there for the younger set and plenty for the "young ladies." I have boys: age 6, 9, 11 and there is plenty we will skip. But even my Nintendo-generation-ers are certain to have a great time on POTC, JC, Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, BTM, Haunted Mansion, Buzz LightYear, Tomorrowland Speedway, etc. In fact, I am so certain they'll love it, I'm planning on a full Sunday plus an E-night while we're there. I think if you counsel your older boy that his younger brother is going to follow his lead in thinking the attractions are either "lame" or "sweet" -- so maybe if you can get his buy-in to representing things positively for his younger brother, he'll be swept up with the spirit as well.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

My nine year old DS said "No Way" to the princess breakfat but is excited about most everything else.He can't wait to meet Donald Duck and even agreed to a Pooh meal for his mom.Unless you give them the idea they are too old,bet they will love just about everything.Also remind them every family vacation is some give and take.I expect to go on Buzz more than a few times but DS will also do Small World with me.
Have a wonderful vacation with your boys.
Jordan's Mom

 

[rchwill]

Thanks everyone for all the responses to this. It has really helped me decide. We will go to MK. It is a surprise that they don't know about yet. I think they will have a great time and I am really excited too!!

 

[tar heel]

MK is my 13-year-old son's favorite park and my 17-year-old's second favorite park (Epcot is his favorite. For record, MK also is the favorite of DH, 7-year-old and me). They are not too keen on Fantasyland but love the rest of it. I always drag them to Fantasyland at least once, though, and both usually choose to do most of the attractions (17-year-old puts his foot down about a couple of things). If this is their first trip, I would even take them to Fantasyland, though. Ditto for ToonTown -- the one place we spend almost no time. Although they would put them in somewhat different order, their favorite attractions at MK are Splash Mountain (13-year-old's favorite), Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain (17-year-old's favorite), SpectroMagic and Buzz Lightyear. They are perfectly fine with Pirates, Haunted Mansion, the train (we use as transportation), Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Carosel of Progress, Jungle Cruise, race cars, even Aladdin (but not Dumbo) and Astro-Orbiter. Both think Alien Encounter is dumb, but some kids like it. I think my 13-year-old likes some of the things that he pretends he's too cool to do -- he pretends he's just doing them b/c his little brother wants him to. Don't suggest to your kids that MK might not be cool. You may find that they will love things at WDW that they wouldn't do if their friends were around.

 

[Planogirl]

tar heel, I "drag" my son onto things too or so I say. I tell him that he HAS to ride or see certain things to keep Mom happy and it gives him a reason. I caught him grinning at Bear in the Big Blue House (even though I never let on) even though he'd gone to see it just because Mom wanted to. Your response just reminded me of that. Oh by the way, DS is 8 so it may not work much longer!

 

[tar heel]

Planogirl,
I got both my teens to ride Small World on our most recent trip by promising to buy cinnamon pretzels after we got off. I think we should ride it every time we go to WDW for historical reasons, but they don't agree with me . . .
tar heel

 

[mikesmom]

He's gone maybe every other year since age 7. They probably won't want Pooh, but most of the areas have plenty of things for them to do.

 

[KathyT]

I brought my son (11) and daughter (10). They both loved it. They were really amazed at how clean the park was. He liked Space Mountain, Alien Encounter, Buzz Lightyear (loved being part of a video game). And believe it or not, the two rides they enjoyed the most. Pirates of the Caribbean and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. They just kept going back on the over and over. My mother and I finally sat down outside the rides and just let them do their thing until they wanted to go on soemthing else.

 

[callahanjulie10]

My DD is 9 and this last May we went back to WDW for the first time since 1998. She thought MK was a little hokey! She has always been a thrill ride kinda girl!
Her favs

1-MGM (TOT and RnR)
2- AK (she just loves animals)
3- MK (I think it is more the auroa than anything- seeing the castle is awe inspiring)
4- I can't really say Epcot becauyse the only things she enjoyed were TT and HISTKs. She was bored out of her gourd! Maybe in a couple of years, but she loves action.

We are planning to do MK but we are only going on E night- it is more exciting to stay out late and plus the best rides are open! If you really want to go- split up and enjoy your trip to MK without the gripping.

 

[rfassett]

As is true with kids of any age, no. 1, coaching is critical; and no. 2, whether we believe it or not (and whether they admit it or not), IF we are active in our kids' lives, they will like the things that we do with them. My 11 year old DS and my DW are headed to WDW is December for the fifth time. He was just 4 the first time we went and, although his interests have changed, he is just as excited to go this year as he has ever been. And why not, he has Mom and Dad to share in one of the most special times of his year. He will talk about it to his friends before we go and after we get back. I would not say that our family is neurotic about Disney (well, maybe border-line), but we have been talking daily about this next trip for the past month - and the trip is still five months away. It is a common thread that permeates our life. I would encourage you to get your kids involved in the planning. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. The MK is not about Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder, or even (bite my tongue) Dumbo. It is about pixie dust, and being able to fly. It is about being Mouserized. It is about magic. If you go with pre-conceived ideas about what the park will do FOR you, you will be disappointed. If you go with the idea that you will become immersed in the magic, you and your kids, whatever their age, will never be the same.

ENJOY YOUR TRIP!!!