Need unique Disney experience for a 16 yr old girl

[brianjk777]

Heading down to Disneyland in November with the family and I was looking for a special Disney related activity for my 16 year old daughter that is outside of the parks. Our family will be in the parks for a few days however on one of the nights prior I am taking my son to a Rush concert at the Honda Center as a special treat and I want to find something special for my daughter.

She loves all things Disney and wants to be an imagineer when she grows up. I tried lookng at the Disney Youth education program but it is not being offered on the days we are visiting.

Any ideas? The availible times would be either a Saturday night or a Tuesday day.

Thanks.

Brian

 

[SomeDude78]

If she's a hardcore Disney fan and Tuesday ends up being the day, maybe a tour of Disney's animation studios/office in Burbank? I think there's some 3rd party company that conducts tours of the place. I've never done the tour personally but used to work with animation software so I've visited their facilities a few times. I've seen groups of people there whom I'm pretty sure are neither employees nor business visitors so there must be some way to get a tour, not sure about costs and scheduling though. The office itself is pretty neat if you're a Disney freak, lots of Disney memorabilia and stuff inside right alongside people's offices and what not.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Heading down to Disneyland in November with the family and I was looking for a special Disney related activity for my 16 year old daughter that is outside of the parks. Our family will be in the parks for a few days however on one of the nights prior I am taking my son to a Rush concert at the Honda Center as a special treat and I want to find something special for my daughter.

She loves all things Disney and wants to be an imagineer when she grows up. I tried lookng at the Disney Youth education program but it is not being offered on the days we are visiting.

Any ideas? The availible times would be either a Saturday night or a Tuesday day.

Thanks.

Brian

If you have a spare ticket to the RUSH concert I volunteer to go with you.

Jack

 

[kayleigh83]

I just have to butt in here (with nothing to contribute to your actual question ) and say that I am JEALOUS of this week you'll be having! A Rush concert and a trip to Disneyland?! Pretty much my dream week! Have fun, not like you'll need to try though!!

 

[lcasa]

Not sure if it fits with your dates but D23 has tours of the Disney studios on Nov 11 and 12 - I've done one and am planning to go again - it's amazing! You need to join d23 and can only take 1 guest - it doesn't look like those dates are on sale yet.
http://d23.disney.go.com/events/

oh - and I have a cute about to be 16 year old son that I want to be an imagineer - maybe they can hang out together and it will rub off on him (almost bought him Rush tix since he's a drummer )

 

[brianjk777]

I got lucky with the Rush dates. They never come to Sacramento and I about fell out of my chair when I saw that they would be near Disney of all places...almost as good as winning the lottery.

The tour of the facility sounds neat however we will not be their during D23. If anyone knows the name of a company that does tours that would be helpful. I will try a web search.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

What about the 1-day Adventures By Disney "Lights...Camera...Magic" tour?

http://www.wdwinfo.com/adventures-by-disney/index.htm#lightscameramagic

 

[owensamo]

What about the 1-day Adventures By Disney "Lights...Camera...Magic" tour?

http://www.wdwinfo.com/adventures-by-disney/index.htm#lightscameramagic

This would be a good option - and it runs on Tuesdays (we're doing it in July!)

Alternatively, look for tickets for tapings of a show she likes. Many of the shows with studio audiences make tickets available about 30 days out (so I hear). Do a search for tv show audience tickets - there are a few places that have tickets to different shows online.

 

[brianjk777]

How about any activities at Downtown Disney or one of hotels? Do you know where to find out if they offer any Disney related cooking or other classes, etc.

 

[NiceOneSimba]

Have you thought about the spa at the Grand Californian? They have teen services available. I know it's not specifically Disney, but it would be a special treat, for sure!

And, it looks like there might actually be some of the disney youth programs while you're there. The animation one might be cool, and the leadership one might not be bad, either. You just need to keep scrolling down the page. http://www.disneyyouth.com/individual-enrollment/catalog/

 

[pixiewings71]

I'm going to take DD to Sephora to get a "make-over" for her 16th birthday. What about simply doing a Disney tour? Walk in Walt's Footsteps is pretty popular.

 

[Shananana]

I know this is going to sound weird... but why don't you call the City of Anaheim?
I wanted to be an imagineer when I was younger, too. (I think I still do!) I ended up as an Environmental Engineer, but I still get excited about the new rides and designs.
Anyway, someone down in the engineering/planning department can show her old photos, park layouts, permitting, etc. It would have to be on a Tuesday. Here's the engineering department:
http://www.anaheim.net/title/Public+Works/
Here's planning:
http://www.anaheim.net/title/Planning+and+Building/

And just ask for a "shadow" or "mentor".

Good luck! The trip sounds great!

 

[brianjk777]

Thanks for all the great suggestions.