Need tips for teens/pre-teens

[rickydean]

We are going to disney for second trip in NOV. Since the kids have grown alot since 1999, I need some tips for older kids (12 and 14 and traveling with niece 11). Since my 14 year old son will be stuck with 2 girls and us old folks, Are there some special cool things for him? What about good places for eating. Might do a character meal since 11 year old niece has never been there. Also, does anybody know if you can rent a car for the day on disney property. (hoping to book at POP). We are going to Universal. Only have 3 days for disney. Can you buy park hopper passes for only 3 days or do we need to pick 3 theme parks to limit are days to? Thanks for the tips in advance!!!!

 

[CapeCod53]

Yes, you can get 3 day hopper passes. There are rental cars available at the Swan/Dolphin or at some of the downtown Disney area resorts(the ones inbetween that shopping center with Goodings Market & DTD marketplace. Not certain which companies are at what hotels, we have always rented at the airport.
Our last trip over Thanksgiving was a grand gathering 3 families with 9 "kids" ages 16-28, only 2 of them girls. They did love all the thrill rides EE, Space, Splash, RRC, ToT, Test Track, Misson Space, etc but just as important were things like Buzz Lightyear, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Dinosaur, Star Tours. We have been several times & they still enjoy rides that they liked as young children so you might be surprised by what he still wants to do. We do split up. For instance my son loves Buzz but doesn't really like Space Mt(he'll ride 1x but that's it) so he'll do Buzz over & over while we ride Space again, see Carrousel of Progress, ride the people mover. Frontierland shooting arcade is still a big hit in th MK & they love Innoventions in Epcot. We still ride some of the rides in Fantasyland(Peter Pan is a must do) & loved Mickey's Philharmagic. We skipped IASW, Dumbo, Tea Cups, Stitch, Tiki Birds, Aladdin's Magic Carpets & toontown fair,the river boat, afternoon parade & character shows but did everything else in the MK for example.
Places to eat, how about the Sci-Fi Dine in Theatre in ST? Whispering Canyon Cafe in WL, Rainforest Cafe. Hope this helps a bit.

 

[scorpad99]

YOu can do a night in dtd and take him to Disney Quest, its awesome, a teenagers dream, 3 floors of video games and virtual reality rides, everything is free with admission price (with a few exceptions, like recording a CD or buying pictures and videos as any park)
Chef Mickey is great for all ages as far as a Character meal, after all who doesnt love Mickey & friends! And the food for Breakfast buffet is good there!
I would totally plan a girls breakfast at the castle and let him go to the park with the other adults (they can ride tons of things in the 2 hours that morning! The parks are practically abandoned at that time!
Have fun and make sure not to miss The electric parade in
Epcot and The Fantasmic Show in MGM!

 

[rickydean]

Thanks for the great tips!!! Keep them coming....

 

[swillis]

I taveled last year with my kids (they were 9 and 11) They surprised me by how much they let go of the whole "preteen" attitude and really let themselves get soaked up in the whole Disney atmosphere.

They loved all the big thriller rides, and humored me by going on all of the older, slower classics. I would say that there isn't much that your 11 year old neice won't like, and the older two will probably enjoy showing her their favorite things at Disney.

My kids loved spending an afternoon at the pool, and truely loved all the character meals. I recommend Liberty Tree Tavern and Crystal Palace. Liberty Tree is a great meal served family style. So they keep bringing you helping of food (think thanksgiving dinner) until you are full. The characters are Minnie, Goofy, Chip and Dale.
Crystal Palace is a buffet, so there is always something for everyone, and will easily quench a teenagers appetite. The charcaters are the Winnie the Pooh gang.

They loved the trip so much that they have been asking constantly when they can go back...little do they know that a surprise trip is coming next month,,,

 

[iluveeyore]

The Car Care Centre at WDW (Near MK) has Alamo and National car rentals, and they will pick you up in a shuttle at your resort with 24 hours notice, and drop you off when you return the car.
My sons had to 'hang' with us and their sister a couple of years ago - loved the Whispering Canyon Cafe at WL (make sure you take the boat from MK to the Lodge- that's fun too), loved Fantasmic at MGM, and EMH are fun for teens/preteens too, especially until 2am!

 

[disneybabii]

all teens LOVE disneyquest!!!
its like a dream!
let them decide what they want to do and where they want to go and be prepared for doing the thrill rides over and over and over again!
MAKE SURE to do EMH during late nights because its awesome ad theres barley any lines!!
you'll also be surprised about how much they'l drop the whole attitude. itll be great to see them smile and have fun!

deff do a night at DTD for your son!
thatll be a great time away from the girls and just to p0lay some video games at disneyquest! maybe that night could be a 'guys night' and then the girls could go out for EMH at MK some night!

i hope i helped!
have a magical trip!!

 

[rickydean]

Thanks for the great hints and tips..It sounds like disneyquest is a must!! And I'm interested in EMH also. That sounds awesome. POP here we come!!!

 

[mysparky]

DisneyQuest is lots of fun, but understand that it can get crowded at night. We got there for opening (11:30 at the time) and we did everything we wanted, multiple times.

We've only been to WDW twice (both times during Thanksgiving week), but on this last trip we only spent 1/2 day at MK because rides aren't as "thrilling" for DS11. Other than RNR, TOT and Star Tours, MGM was also a little limiting on the thrill factor (DS wasn't really into the shows). However, it was very easy to keep busy & highly entertained at Epcot (MS, TT, Soarin', Innoventions, Club Cool, and even Turtle Talk). Interestingly, although AK doesn't have that many thrills, we all enjoyed that park because it's just so beautiful and different and there's lot to see without even waiting in lines.

Depending upon your timeline and the weather, you may also want to consider a water park. We're from the Northeast so if it's sunny and in the mid-upper 70's, we're there (and the crowds really aren't).

 

[funhouse8]

Disney Quest is a must in our book, maybe rent mouseboats, teens love this too. My kids enjoy eating around the world when we go to Epcot. We sample a food from each land. It usually is a dessert that they pick but hey, it's vacation. Enjoy...

 

[rickydean]

I was thinking about skipping any priority seating at Epcot and just nibbling at various stands all day. Is this a good idea or will we get tired of standing in lines to eat?? My kids are not picky eaters at all, but niece is

 

[disneybabii]

I was thinking about skipping any priority seating at Epcot and just nibbling at various stands all day. Is this a good idea or will we get tired of standing in lines to eat?? My kids are not picky eaters at all, but niece is

i dont think youll get tired of the lines, but you and youre kids will definetly just want some substantial food by the end of your trip.
even kids get sick of the popcorn and chicken strips. so i would leave at least one or two of your reservations.