Need Disney ideas for 16 year old girl

[DizDays]

Hi there, DH and I are going to WDW in May and taking a sweet 16 year old with us who has never been there before. She's the daughter of dear friends and excited beyond belief. We are all looking forward to this trip.

So... I'm looking for ideas. I know she'll have fun no matter what, but what are the "must do"s for a 16 year old that we shouldn't miss? What are the "absolutely NEVER do"s?

Any advice greatly appreciated!

 

[dbs1228]

All 3 of my teen daughters love the parks. All 3 agree AK is their least favorite so we make sure we get there when the park opens they get to do Everest with little line, safari, bugs life and then they are done! Favorites are MK and HS by far. My girls hate to get up early but for some reason have no problem getting up for the parks because they know they can hit all the "premier" rides with little to no lines if we get to parks when they open. We often go back to villa for lunch and back to parks later in the day where we take our time and browes since they got all the "good" rides done! My DD's are 19, 18 and 15 and have fun doing everything including riding the monorail to the different resorts! Have fun and enjoy the experience through the eyes of a kid enjoying her 1st trip to WDW awesome!

 

[BMC423]

is the trip a surprise? If its not I would have her check website and have pick some things she feels are must do.

 

[mtmbyck]

I polled my DD's for this. But I must say my DD's have been MANY times so they forget the magic of seeing things for the first time.

They said if she likes thrill rides get her to those rides first so there aren't huge lines - no one likes those. Follow this with the magical experiences - parades, shows and the rides like POTC and HM.

They said to let her shop at downtown Disney. We also love renting the surrey bikes at Boardwalk.

While a teen doesn't want to line up to hug a character, they still want the hug (as do we adults) so we book at least one character meal each trip to get great photos. We also try to hit the different Disney resorts for great pictures - Grand Floridian, Polynesian and The Boardwalk. Restaurants and ice cream shops are great.

You should get her a hidden Mickey book or Disney travel book to get her in the Disney spirit!

 

[kid-at-heart]

If you can, take her to dinner at 1900 Park Fare, my 13 year old daughter and her mid-20 year old male cousin both love it. The "wicked" stepsisters are a hoot and the food is tasty also.

 

[DizDays]

Great ideas! Thank you so much. Keep them coming! I was already told shopping is very important. Are there any favorite stores that teens like better than others?

 

[dvc2009michiganwife]

Can she bring a friend? Or what about one of the water parks?

 

[babydoll]

I posted on the teen board a similar question-RIDES, RIDES, RIDES it what I got in response to teen activities. But there was also a few recommendations for DisneyQuest at downtown disney. That might be fun for her to spend time with kids her own age. You could treat her to a spa experience at the grand floridian or to a Cirque de Sole show at downtown disney.

 

[DizDays]

Thank you! The spa sounds like a great idea. We'll spoil her rotten and then send her home . Seriously, thank you. That's a great idea. I agree about the rides, rides, rides, but she's not a thrill ride person (or so she thinks). I think it will be my mission to slowly immerse her. I'll start with Dumbo and work my way toward Rockin' Rollercoaster.

 

[Tink6666]

per my 16yo DD... Rides, downtown disney, waterpark, if she is into dolphins, do dolphins in depth. Chef Mickeys to meet with the main characters, or cinderellas royal table if she is into cinderella. Festival of Lion King at AK. Coca cola tasting station at epcot...taste beverly! Get her a few pins so she can trade and try to collect her favorite character, or series. Fireworks and parades! Spa day, pedicure! Hope this list helps!!! Have Fun!!

 

[dbs1228]

I have to say none of my 3 girls liked Disney Quest, they went once and never asked to go back. Rides, American Idol experience, stunt show, downtown disney, rides, rides and rides Thunder mtn and Splash mtn, test track, soaring ok you get it.... lol Have a great time and please let us know how it goes and what she likes best!

 

[daisyduck123]

Are there any favorite stores that teens like better than others?

MY DD16 & her 20 year old friend LOVE Mousegear in Epcot. They could spend hours in there every trip. In fact, they did, just this past week!

 

[rascalmom]

I have two dd's - they are now 18 and 22, but we went most every year during their pre-teen and teen years.

My oldest is not so much into thrill rides - she won't do open coaster at other parks without a LOT of coaxing, but she LOVES Rock n'Roller Coaster! She does not like Tower of Terror.

Both my girls always put a viewing of Wishes and Epcot's Illuminations high on their lists of "must do's" every trip. They also love Festival of the Lion King at AK. They are also big fans of Pirates of the Caribbean (and Johnny Depp), so we always catch that ride at MK.

For shopping, they love World of Disney at DtD. There is also a teen clothing store a few shops down from there....I forget the name of it, but it carries a lot of Roxy stuff, etc.

My girls also appreciate a few nice table service dinners - they tend to like the places with nice views (California Grill and Artist Point are faves).

I'll second a pp - they love DisneyQuest. Particularly the interactive games like Pirates and the river raft thing.

If it is warm - pool time is crucially important.

 

[Bribrittmom]

My DD 19 has always loved renting the water mice boats at the Contemporary.Nothing like seeing the castle up close from your own personal speedboat!

 

[DizDays]

I couldn't have asked for better input. Thank you EVERYONE. I can't wait to go on this trip and show Allison the world. Know that you have all created much joy for this 16 year old! Much appreciated.

 

[mecllap]

I would encourage her to get lots of photos with characters -- princesses, Pooh's group, etc. Her parents will love them, and many years from now they will be fun for her to share with her own kids.

If you do bother to go to Disney Quest (a low priority depending on how many days you'll be there), go when it opens before it gets horribly crowded. I'd put the water parks much higher in priority for a teen girl.

(And don't count on being able to ride Dumbo -- not sure when the new double one will be open in relationship to your trip, but it usually has the worst slow-moving line).

Let her sleep in a couple of days if she needs to (teens need a lot more sleep than they often get -- I wonder if that contributes to their surly reputation [not that I would expect her to be at all surly during your trip]).

Relax, know you can't show her everything, and have a great time!

 

[ldo]

my teen loves to do ceramics. Most DVC Community Halls have them 1-2X per week. You can do ceramics at any DVC. Our favorite is either SSR or AKV. You cuold combine the one at AKV with lunch at the Mara and a walk aournd the viewing places by the lobby of the animals. You will need to come 2days later to pick it up. They will also deliver it to the front desk of your DVC, if it is a different one. This year, DD made an African (colored wavy lines) themed knife/fork holder for $20 that she uses for pens, pencils on her desk--it is a fun reminder of her trip.

 

[Pixieflip]

I get what you're trying to do, to think of things she can look back on and always remember ____.

My dd14 says you need to take her to have Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian. It's in the Gardenview Tea Lounge and it's so special! It's very ladylike and yet there are men there, too.

Also, she says to take her to the TrenD store at DTD. She'll love it there! They sell lots of teen/20's brands, much of it has Disney related stuff on it. She always finds a souvenir there.

A spa treatment would be fun, but depends on how long you'll be there, as it takes away from precious time doing things you can only do in WDW. But if you're there long enough, she'd totally love it. Maybe a mani/pedi? Maybe early in the trip so she can enjoy it in her flip flops? Otherwise, you can also do this at home before you leave and at a fraction of the cost.

If you can swing it, a meal inside the Castle would also be special. It's the iconic place. And for the rest of her life, every time she sees it, she'll remember the breakfast or dinner and how special you made her trip.

Such a nice thing you are doing! Enjoy!

 

[rocketriter]

Do one of the swim activities at The Living Seas. We've done the SCUBA activity (no prior training or experience needed) and we've heard that the dolphin activity is also wonderful. For us non-divers, it was thrilling to paddle around with fish and rays and huge tortoises, and see the sharks meandering about below us.

 

[crisi]

Talk to her. There are a number of shapes a trip could take, and which shape she will enjoy would depend on her. She can also mix and match

There is the "shop til you drop" trip - lots of time in DTD, World Showcase and a visit to the outlet mall - less time on attractions.

There is the "grown up relaxing vacation" - involving a spa day and sitting by the pool

There is "return to childhood" - with a Princess meals, character photos and riding Dumbo

There is the "educational, try new things" - with scuba and segway tours.

Then there is just the sort of "lets go to Disney World and go traditional" - go on rides, look around.

At sixteen, I would have been all over the educational, try new things trip, not at all interested in shopping or spa days, and wanting to do a day of return to childhood with characters and kitchy rides.