Need suggestions for fun in the parks for teens

[jfp0pat3]

Need some good ideas and suggestions for two teens (DD 18, DS 14) at the parks and resorts over Xmas. We're booked at CR. They're not thrilled with the idea of WDW for the holidays, would rather we be at home (don't get me started).

They both feel Disney is for "kids". So I need to have lots of surprises for them to make this trip special and change their minds.

Help.

Jen

 

[newholiday]

DS12 loves Animal Kingdom
He also enjoyed the Living Statues at EpCot
not into the characters anymore - thats now for me

 

[simzac]

You may not like my answer, but if they really don't want to go, leave them at home, at their age they should be able to take care of themselves. You will probable have a much better time without them constantly complaining about not wanting to be there. JMO

 

[funhouse8]

I won't leave them home. I brought my teens to disney last christmas and we had a ball. I tried not to wake them too early and we did different things this trip. Disney Quest is always a hit. Renting mouse boats and we went to the early shows at PI. I know this isn't Disney but have you taken them to IOA. It has amazing rides.

Let them tell you what they would like to do and Most of all let them do most of the planning and I think you will have a great trip. Enjoy, Gina

 

[funhouse8]

Oh another thing they really enjoyed was the Illuminations cruise. We first ate dinner in B&C (big hit) followed by an Illuminations cruise. We shared it with another family so the cost wasn't great and our captain was captain Ron. It was a fantastic night!

 

[MsSpinShady]

Hi Jen,

Don't get discouraged - there are a lot of neat things for teens to do there - we are about to take our 4th trip in four years and our 15 year-old DS is probably the most excited of our four kids!

I agree with the suggestion to let them hang out at DisneyQuest - maybe a have nice family lunch at Planet Hollywood first and then let the kids go spend a few hours there (then you and DH can catch a movie or do some shopping at DTD).

We're doing the Illuminations Cruise for the first time this trip, so I can let you know how that goes over with the oldest two (15 and 12).

Another idea is some of the behind-the-scenes tours. We are taking the two older kids on the EPCOT Aqua Seas Tour (a chance to swim in the big tanks with the fish!) and my DH is going on the Segway Tour at EPCOT (although he doesn't know it yet - hehe).

Also, check out some of the special meals they offer - my 15 year-old and I are doing the Dine with an Imagineer at MGM.

They can go parasailing and boating on the lakes (rentals are at any of the Lake resorts), dinner at ESPN Zone (fun, LOUD place!), play mini-golf at one of the two themed courses, horseback-riding at Fort Wilderness, and of course, the water parks - which are LOADED with big kid attractions.

Last but not least, make sure they check out the big rides like TOT, RNRC, M:S, and TT. Plan more time at MGM or EPCOT and less time at MK if they are worried about the "Kiddie" aspect of MK.

Try to keep them involved as much as possible in the planning, so they start to really feel like it is "their" trip too.

Good Luck, and have a wonderful time!

Aloha,

MsSpinShady

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Take lots of quarters, and you won't have to worry about entertaining them at all. If you're staying at CR, you'll have easy access to the ultimate of all arcades. Give them quarters, and let them enjoy! If all else fails, try the same thing in the MK. Also, they can spend many hours enjoying the games at Innoventions at Epcot. We're also taking our son to DQ & to play mini-golf. Of course, we'll spend time at DTD Westside at Virgin Records, and probably a movie at the theater. My DS(12) doesn't like the Marketplace at all, so I go there alone, while they're at DQ. I have some other surprises for him, but most of them are off property. I don't know if you're will to venture off property or not. I know how you feel about them not wanting to go. Neither my DH nor DS, are thrilled with the idea. I'm getting them more excited with my promise of surprises, that I have planned for both of them. Good luck, and enjoy your trip.

 

[gigi1313]

let them use your fastpasses to get on all the rides they like twice! and definitely allow them to plan some of the days... do they play golf or tennis or like fishing or boating? any of those would be fun... maybe a manicure for dd if she'd like that... show them the variety of restaurants and ask them to pick one or two they'd like to try... go to a water park (typhoon lagoon you can swim w/the sharks!)... go to 50s primetime at mgm so they and the waitstaff can torture mom/dad!