Need Advice-NonPark Day W 12 Yr Old Girls

[DisneyTravelers2008]

My daughter is 12 and her best friend is going to be in Orlando the same time we are next month. These girls have been best buddies since they were three and were in the princess stage where they loved all things Princess. Since they first met, they have been talking about going to Disney together. The girl’s mother and I have a plan to take them to Disney or on a Disney cruise when they turn 16…but for now we are going to meet up for some time together at Disney. But…they don’t have park tickets ( their trip is not to Disney). I am trying to come up with something really fun for them to do while we are together. It will be just me and my daughter and her friend for a few hours. Which of these sounds most fun and do you have other suggestions?
1. An appointment at Bibbity Bobbity Boutuque at Disney Springs for the basic makeover…most 12 year old might not be into this and this is the last chance they would be able to do it before they are too old….but since they have been buddies since they were so little, and spent hours in princess dresses and crowns, this might be fun for them…one last hurrah as a princess before you become a teenager and that is no longer cool…LOL…Cost is about $130
2. Go to DTD and do a little shopping…and ride the balloon…have some ice cream, etc…Cost is about $90
3. Go to the POLY for a dole whip and see the fireworks and water pageant. We’d probably just eat at the quick service place…Cost is minimal…maybe $40-50
4. Have dinner at 1900 Park Fare with Cinderella and her step sister. Im really torn between this and the BBB idea. This is the most expensive option but would be so fun and the most “Disney” thing to do without a park ticket…Cost is about $160 for 3 people…more than I want to pay but it might just be worth it
5. Breakfast at Chef Mickey or with the characters at Ohana at the POLY
I have also considered a carriage ride at Port Orleans (about $40) but that just doesn’t excite me as much for some reason. Do you have any other suggestions or thoughts about my ideas above?
Thanks!

 

[holden]

Afternoon Tea at Grand Floridian was a big hit with my DD12. We did it last August and she still talks about it.

 

[Pesky]

I think you know your DD best. I'd just be hesitant about #1 unless they are REALLY comfortable being in a room with potentially a lot of younger girls. Also consider doing Splitsville at DTD or Disney Quest.

 

[Crystal824]

The Ivy Trellis Beauty and Barber Shop does make overs with real up-dos, but I think it is a little more expensive than BBB. I also think tea would be really fun.

 

[aaarcher86]

Id probably combine 2 and 3

 

[jacknsally19]

Are the girls into Hunger Games at all? They can do archery at Fort Wilderness as well as carriage rides or horse back ride. You can do that in the afternoon, dinner at Trails End, and then watch the fireworks from the beach.

Another option is miniature golf at the Disney courses.... If you bought a package, I am pretty sure you get free passes in the booklet that Disney sends.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

How about breakfast at 1900 Park Fare? It's cheaper than dinner. No princesses, but Alice and Mary Poppins will be there along with the Mad Hatter and characters from Winnie the Pooh. They could also get mani/pedis at Senses Spa at GF.

Or maybe one of the children's pirate cruises? The one out of the YC actually goes into World Showcase! Maybe that followed by lunch at Beaches and Cream?

 

[jmccoy18]

Is Disney Quest still open? If so, when I was a teeneager, my sister and I loved going there! I have also heard really good things about Splitsville

 

[amylevan]

There's no way I would shell out the money for BBB for 12 yr olds unless I asked them if that's what they want to do. Most 12 yr olds I know, would not. Just because they did it together when they were younger does not mean they still want to do it now.

I'd probably lean towards 3 unless the girls showed interest in a character meal.

 

[cvjw]

Spend $105 and buy the friend a one day ticket to the MK, and then spend the day with them there. Cheaper than some other options, and more fun for a longer period.

 

[roseaster]

Honestly, by 12 my girls were more than done with the princess thing and characters. They, probably, wouldn't have been caught dead in BBB.

For 12 year olds better ideas would be shopping, a movie, Splitsville, mini golf, horseback riding, sea Raycers, or the afternoon tea.

By 12they were more interested in doing things that appeared more "adult."