Older teens at WDW

[dallastxcpa]

A coworker of mine said the most absurd thing today and I wanted to get everyone's input on it:

She said, "Only the very old and the very young enjoy WDW." She then implied that older teenagers were not interested in WDW. I didn't even argue with her because it didn't seem worth it.

 

[RumpleMom]

Oh yeah, she should talk to my DD19 and DD22 each of whom is bringing a friend on our next trip. The grandparents are coming too, that makes 3 generations. So

 

[OneMoreTry]

Originally posted by RumpleMom
Oh yeah, she should talk to my DD19 and DD22 each of whom is bringing a friend on our next trip. The grandparents are coming too, that makes 3 generations. So

I think the key is "bringing a friend." In my experience they are interested in friends and not particularly WDW. Although WDW is as good a venue as any.

 

[RumpleMom]

I don't think "bringing a friend" makes the difference. This is the first time DD is bringing a boyfriend, so younger sister didn't want to make it a threesome. They have been fine with our 8 previous WDW trips with just the 4 of us. DD says DBF has to answer yes to the "Do you like WDW?" or his days might be numbered. We shall see.

 

[donmil723]

"I think the key is "bringing a friend." In my experience they are interested in friends and not particularly WDW. Although WDW is as good a venue as any."

I don't know about that. My DD, age 19, and I went to WDW last March during her college spring break and had a blast. We went again in May (DH, me, DD) and she brought a friend and we'll be going again in December at her request. DH and I usually like to take a trip by ourselves in October for the F & W Festival. She's not bringing a friend then either. However, DS, age 22, and his DGF and my niece and her family with two young kids will be joining us then too.

Donna

 

[Brian Noble]

Many folks in the mid-teens to mid-thirties crowd are thrill park junkies. Some of them also enjoy the Disney Experience, but some certainly don't. I'm one of those lucky adrenaline addicts who also enjoys, say, a leisurely cruise along the Rivers of America. However, especially amongst the teen crowd, Disney is just not "cool enough," even with M:S, ToT, RnRC, etc.

Of course, once you get them there, they will grudgingly have a good time. But, they will never admit that to any of their friends back home.

Edit: one thing teens *do* like, though, is the chance to roam around a bit unfettered by parental oversight. A few hours in a park is a good opportunity to stretch those wings a bit.

 

[ryanmilla]

Being one that has been going to Disney since he could remember, I would have to say that older teens enjoy Disney. Now, we were going when my older brother and I were around 3 yrs old (Now 30 yrs old), so we have always enjoyed Disney and knew what to expect. But we took several trips while my brother and I were in high school and college. Our parents allowed us to do our own thing, but we always had a good time.

Now, I am getting the opportunity to experience a whole new WDW. Seeing it through the eyes of my children. Now, I see why my parents enjoyed it so much. We are even taking our 3 yr old DD for her second trip this Thanksgiving. And her infant son gets to join her.

But as far as older teens, I believe that if they have been there before, then they will enjoy it again. What we noticed, was as we got older, we tended to hang out at places like EPCOT and AK more so than MK and MGM.

 

[kymi]

Disney is to be enjoyed by all ages---that is why it is the best family vacation. My DS's are 18 & 15 on our upcoming trip and they are excited as ever. They will be able to spread their wings a little and venture off on their own. We have toddler twin girls that we will be bringing for the first time and it will be a thrill for us to watch their reactions. DS's are babysitting a night or two for us so we can get some time to do adult things.

 

[BCVOwner2002]

We took DS and three of his friends as a high school graduation present this year. They had a great time. One of these teens who is now 19 has been going on vacation to Disney with us for 3 years was disappointed when I told him that we are planning a family trip next summer and there won't be enough room for him. He is trying to convince his parents to visit the same time as us! Annmarie

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We have three teen ds and it gets harder each year. I think I will have to actually think about a friend for oldest ds. His friends family owns a vacation home like 3 hours from disney and when he heard that his eyes popped open. Middle ds said the mk is for babys, gee!! I find that letting them go off on their own really helps, they mostly pick disney quest. This time I am thinking of comedy club for oldest ds and they love the water parks and now only oldest ds will be able to drive the sea raycers at the poly. They like their own charging card of having money to buy food, snacks etc. They have been asking for.....sigh,sigh a day at universal. Good luck keeping them happy! It can work, ask for their opinions about parks, restruants etc. I let them each pick one special meal for the trip, little ds 13 likes rainforest and they all want espn.

 

[Sleeping Beauty fan]

Wow! I'm 21 and my sister is 18. Our family is planning our 6th trip for July. We couldn't be more excited! Each time we go to WDW, it just seems to get better. We never brought friends along. It's always a great family trip with tons of fun at the parks!

 

[tanyacj]

It is my year to "chaperone" the senior trip. This is 17 and 18 year olds who have chosen the world as their destination. Only 2 of the students have ever been before. They seem so excited about everything...I am probably overplanning for them but noone has told me to stop!!!

 

[dzneelvr]

My DS is now 17 and DD 14 and they LOVE going to WDW. Each trip we shed some of the old and add some of the new along with personal favorites.
I think it's sad when individuals try to say that "teens" just aren't interested in anything to do with Disney...
Sure, they don't buy the character T-shirts anymore, but my DS is now into the music CDs and my DD loves the boutique clothing found in some of the shops.

Plus, it's the one time each year when our family connects and has a wonderful time just being together. That's ageless.

 

[jenbarnwell]

My sisters are joining us for our trip to Disney and they are 18 and 15. They are so excited.

 

[swilshire]

Our DD18 and DS16 skip family vacations sometimes now but they're always ready for a trip to Disney. We tend to split up and let them and DS10 do the "big" rides while DH, DS5 and I hang out in the calmer areas. Both of the older ones really like Epcot World Showcase.

Sheila

 

[NotUrsula]

Don't forget the water parks. IME, between the big slides and the eye candy, waterparks are a major fave w/ older teens.