Special non-park activity for 11 year old boy?

[Crl1817]

Hi! I'm planning our family's second disney world vacation for December 2014. Our son will be eleven and our daughter will be four. This will be a surprise trip for them and will be the whole family's Christmas present.

I am thinking of trying to book the princess tea party for dd, which is at the Grand Floridian. This is pricey and a very special treat and comes with a doll. I'd like to find something equivalent, not necessarily in cost, but in wow factor for ds. I'd like to avoid having park tickets that day as I'm planning to combine the tea with a downtown disney visit. Although if the best option is at a park, I guess we could buy park tickets for just the boys for that day.

Fishing with his dad is one possibility, but I'm not sure he will love that. I saw something about parasailing lessons? He would not enjoy anything that requires him to perform or anything that calls a lot of attention to him.

Suggestions? Thoughts? Thank you!

 

[Aliceacc]

How about renting a Sea Racer (is that what they're called?) at the marina?

Or, better yet, some time at Disney Quest playing video games.

 

[cinmouse]

We are also going for Christmas and I have 2 boys 4 & 11 I know my 11 always loved when we go to Disney Quest,,, so maybe a moony/daughter & son/Dad day..the boys go to Downtown Disney, Disneyquest and maybe rent. boat at the marina or hit the Splitsville lanes for bowling plus Lunch.

 

[Crl1817]

Thank you! I will consult with dh. Maybe the best thing to do would be to book something now but let him chose between that and disney quest after we get there. If the trip wasn't a surprise I'd just let him pick upfront.

 

[SmallWorld71]

I like the Sea Racer and DisneyQuest ideas.
A few others:
Horseback riding at the Fort
The Hoop Dee Doo revue
Cirque du Soleil
Ride in the Hot Air Balloon at DTD - you could easily combine this one with Disney Quest if you want to up your "wow" factor

 

[staceyrhood]

There is archery at Fort Wilderness also, along with horse back riding.

 

[imthemamahere]

Not knowing your son, I don't know if this is a good fit for him, but I've heard good reviews for the Pirate Adventure cruises. They take kids from age 4 - 12. There are 4 different ones, each leaving from the marina of a different resort... but the basic idea is that a small group of kids (in life vests) get on a boat that tootles along one of the Disney lakes, accompanied by a few cast members. There's a story that's told, and they search for clues that lead them to pirate treasure. They find the treasure, get a snack, and I think help "defeat" a particular Disney pirate... then sail back to the departure point, where you/your husband can pick him back up.

If your son could get into that sort of thing, he might have a blast.

Otherwise, I'd also suggest either DisneyQuest for video game fun or renting a SeaRacer and spending some time zipping around in the lake. I'm pretty sure it's offered at Grand Floridian as well. So if your son likes getting wet, that could be a fun activity while his sister's tea party-ing.

 

[elaine amj]

For my son, it was a toss up between waterpark and DisneyQuest. We also took him cane pole fishing and he loved that.

 

[MeanestMomEver]

I recently stayed at the contemporary and the Pirates and Pals Fireworks cruise that leaves from there looked and sounded like a ton of fun. I'd like to try that, myself, sometime. I was listening from the round pool by the water as the cruise was departing one evening and Patch the Pirate tour guide was very funny. It seemed that kids and adults were laughing and even lightheartedly helping Patch hassle Other boat skippers passing by.

I saw another tour group inside the hotel on another night, preparing to depart and they were all wearing matching pirate headscarves and maybe some other accessory. I'm not sure if it was the same cruise. They all looked to be having a good time.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/e...ary-resort/pirates-and-pals-fireworks-voyage/

 

[Crl1817]

Thank you for all the great ideas!

I think he'd like something he can do with his dad (or me) best--he hasn't gotten to the parents are totally uncool phase yet. . The fireworks might be a good fit as I don't think we will take his sister so otherwise he might not see any. There's some merit to activities that could fit into the same time slot as the tea though, just to simplify planning.

Dh seems to think they could build a personalized remote control car at downtown disney? I didn't go to ddd last time, so I wouldn't know.

 

[laughinplace199]

I know you were looking for a non-park idea, but DH took DS on the Wild Africa Trek in AK when he was 11 and they had the best time ever! DS is really into animals and this was a perfect splurge for him.

Not sure if it would interest your DS or if it's in your budget, but thought I'd mention it, just in case.

 

[DisneyLvr55]

My advice would be that kids only pirate cruise, or horseback riding at Ft Wilderness. Both sound great to me!! Good luck figuring something out!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Take him to Gatorland!

http://www.gatorland.com

 

[Crl1817]

I realized that what I think he would really like best is a day where he gets to pick the park and do what he wants to without having to accommodate his little sister. I mentioned that idea to dh and he agrees that it's a good one. So I think we will plan for the boys to have an extra day of park tickets. Completely not what I started out thinking, but really I think he will love it. I think we will plan on an ADR at our resort and we can meet back up for dinner together.

Thank you so much for all the great ideas!

 

[imthemamahere]

I realized that what I think he would really like best is a day where he gets to pick the park and do what he wants to without having to accommodate his little sister. I mentioned that idea to dh and he agrees that it's a good one. So I think we will plan for the boys to have an extra day of park tickets. Completely not what I started out thinking, but really I think he will love it. I think we will plan on an ADR at our resort and we can meet back up for dinner together.

Thank you so much for all the great ideas!

I think a boys-only day at the parks (while you two are busy being extra girly) sounds like a great idea. He'll probably welcome a day without princesses, as a change of pace.

Enjoy!

 

[imthemamahere]

I recently stayed at the contemporary and the Pirates and Pals Fireworks cruise that leaves from there looked and sounded like a ton of fun. I'd like to try that, myself, sometime. I was listening from the round pool by the water as the cruise was departing one evening and Patch the Pirate tour guide was very funny. It seemed that kids and adults were laughing and even lightheartedly helping Patch hassle Other boat skippers passing by.

For what it's worth, we did this back in 2012. Loved it! My 3 1/2 year old had a blast meeting Captain Hook + Mr. Smee (who was particularly playful with my son) and snacking before boarding our boat. The boat ride was fun and funny, with Patch as our pirate guide. And the fireworks were lovely, of course. Plus there was a surprise character waiting for us when we docked, and my son LOVED meeting that character. He couldn't have been happier - which means my husband and I couldn't, either.

So I'd say it's worth giving a try, for anyone who has a bit of pirate in their soul.

 

[elaine amj]

I LIKE what you have come up with! Sounds like a super exciting day for your son. A special father-son park day would be the gift my son would appreciate the most.

 

[Crl1817]

Thanks everyone! I think it will make him really happy! And make it easier to take when his little sister slows him down sometimes during the rest of the trip.