Son's 18th Birthday...help!..SIGH

[SereneOne]

My son turns 18 just before we go to Disney. I had emailed about the diver, but Debbie says they do not do that at 8pm. We are still doing the personal menu though. I was going to book the Illuminations cruise for Dec 12th and have it bday decorated and a cake on board...$300 plus the cake. I called today but they say I have to call tomorrow...my son saw my planning..I had left my ideas up while I cooked dinner. He said he was glad I did not do the diver thing cause that would have been embarrassing and he says he does not want me spending $300 plus on a cruise...he can watch it from land that is too much. At the risk of making my son sound horrible...he wants to go to a strip club ...NOT happening! He also said just going to Disney was enough present for him...we are staying onsite for the first time, added the dining plan, and staying for 9 nights/ 10 days..planning on doing MVMCP...park hoppers...little sis is doing BBB...have any ideas on something a teen would consider cool?

 

[SereneOne]

Maybe Disney Quest? Never been...

 

[cglaura]

Are you going to have a car? If so, how about a hot air balloon ride or one of those paragliding from the back of a boat things. Not sure if "cool", but definitely something different! Good luck.

Just my $0.02 on Disney Quest...my dd was 13, so may be different for an 18, but we were very disappointed. Alot of money, we really only spent about a half day there. Some things you had to pay more for once inside. The one very cool thing was the design your own roller coaster, then you rode it in a simulator. Wish you could just do that at a separate entrance! The pirate game and water rapids were ok, but not worth the wait or DQ pass price.

We are going for DD sweet 16 this year, all I had to do was make an ADR at the Garden Grill in EPCOT. She's easy to please and a great kid for "that age"

ETA: LOL I just realized I think we'll be there at the same time!

 

[Renysmom]

Does he have a digital camera? I would take the money you would spend on the cruise and buy him a camera so he can record all the special memories.

I agree on the stip club but maybe you can take him to Hooters. The food is actually pretty good and he will still get his tean thrill

 

[SereneOne]

I can't believe he asked me that! I told him, "I am your Mom, I can't believe you asked me that!" and he replied to me, "And I am a red blooded American man, Mom!" I don't care is he is 6'1" he will always be a baby to me.

 

[Feralpeg]

I know this is going to sound strange, but you might want to take him to Universal for a day. If he likes rollercoasters, Universal has great coasters and seems to be a big hit with older teens. There are some teen clubs on Universal City Walk that he might enjoy.

 

[SereneOne]

He loves Universal. So does Meghan...she loves DR SUESS land. We went last year and she rode the OnefishTwoFishRedFishBlueFish a dozen times! In hindsight, I should have split up our vacation between Disney and Universal, but I wanted to do Disney for once and not be in a rush and exhausted. We arrive Fri night the 7th offsite and leave Sunday night the 16th. Four days at MK, three at Epcot, one at MGM and one at AK...also DTD. I was just so excited staying on property the first time and the DDP...also, though we like Universal, no place has the magic of Disney. If h can get another day off, we will go to Universal, great idea!

 

[momocay]

What about a surfing lesson at typhoon lagoon. I would have enjoyed that at 18.

 

[Pakey]

My sons, although a bit older (now in their 20's) LOVED the parasailing at Sammy Duvall's watersports at Contemporary Resort. When you are up there, you have a great view of both the Magic Kingdom and Epcot and the boat ride itself was very fun. You don't get wet so we just went over from MK for a few hours and did it and then returned to the park. Everyone loved it.

 

[50 years Too!]

What about a surfing lesson at typhoon lagoon. I would have enjoyed that at 18.

I agree. My 18 year old son and husband did the surfing lesson. They loved it.
Or how about the Richard Petty Driving Experience? My husband did that and really wants my son to do it next time.

 

[SereneOne]

Dis'ers have the best ideas! I will run these by him, thank you!

 

[lpizzuro123]

We have done this twice. First time April of 2005 with our then 16 year old son and then this past July 4th with now 18 year old son and his 18 year old girlfriend (We are in our mid 40's). You must be 16 to go on the tour. We did the 2 hour Around the World Epcot tour. You go into Epcot before it opens - have about 30 minutes of training time and then you go into WS in Epcot for driving time. You must stay with the tour and they take you to each country and give you a few minutes history and then on to the next country. When you get to Italy they give you about 20 minutes of free touring time where you can just rest (your ankles do start to hurt) or you can ride around Italy. This is a great picture taking spot and they put up cones that you can ride around. They were also offering a test tour at Fort Wilderness but i am not sure if this is still in testing phase or if they have added it to their tours.

We were in Washington DC this past weekend and they also have a Segway tour but we were just there for the weekend and did not have enought time but DS saw this advertised and wanted to do it. We saw them later the next day touring around the monuments.

Linda

 

[disneykibbes5]

We have done this twice. First time April of 2005 with our then 16 year old son and then this past July 4th with now 18 year old son and his 18 year old girlfriend (We are in our mid 40's). You must be 16 to go on the tour. We did the 2 hour Around the World Epcot tour. You go into Epcot before it opens - have about 30 minutes of training time and then you go into WS in Epcot for driving time. You must stay with the tour and they take you to each country and give you a few minutes history and then on to the next country. When you get to Italy they give you about 20 minutes of free touring time where you can just rest (your ankles do start to hurt) or you can ride around Italy. This is a great picture taking spot and they put up cones that you can ride around. They were also offering a test tour at Fort Wilderness but i am not sure if this is still in testing phase or if they have added it to their tours.

We were in Washington DC this past weekend and they also have a Segway tour but we were just there for the weekend and did not have enought time but DS saw this advertised and wanted to do it. We saw them later the next day touring around the monuments.

Linda

I have also heard a lot of good things about this tour. It is something different.
The surfing and Petty Driving experience are also really good ideas.

 

[WClancysbro]

Also a cool thing to do that would make him feel older and more well... legal is going to a club at Pleasure Island. He's obviously not old enough to get into the 21+ clubs but there are some that are 18+.

 

[AnneMT]

Disney Pleasure Island - Comedy Club could be alot of fun for an 18 year old. They have changed how entrance to this area is managed, so now you see famlies in the clubs. (One would be amazed at some of the young kids there late at night - although I suppose some families are just more of a night owl than mine...) They won't serve him alcohol, however they have a lot of fun non-alcohol drinks.

Another idea could be the diving experience at the Living Seas at EPCOT.
My sister and brother-in-law did this and really liked it.

Have a great time!

Anne

 

[serendipity]

I was in Disney plenty as a teen ager. Definitely go to Universal's Islands of Adventure. It's more teen friendly. Also, Pleasure Island would definitely be fun. I like the idea of the comedy club or also the adventurer's club!