Taking a young 8 year old

[snowman]

DW and I are taking our new son to Disney next year. He will be turning 8 while we are there. It's been a long time since I have taken a little person (my last little person is now 21) so I'm not exactly up to date on things through the parks for them to do.

Is Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom age appropriate for him? How about the Agent P adventure at Epcot or the wilderness thing at AK? Is a young 8 too old to do the Kidcot stations? Are there any park wide activities at Hollywood Studios? Any other ideas or things that I am missing? I'm looking for things that are free to low-cost and that we can just stop when he tires of them, so group tours are really off the table for us.

We will be staying DVC at GF next January, for 13 days, so we can accommodate a child's pace.

Thanks in advance for any help and input.

 

[BlueFairy]

I have an almost 8 year old. I'd call her pretty young. She would like all that you listed. Although I have not seen enough of Sorcerer's to say for sure on that one.

Character meets everywhere. She loves to window shop. DHS will be a lot of shows and meeting characters. She'd even still enjoy Disney Jr. Also Jedi Training. The park doesn't currently have any scavenger hunt-style activities, but they all seem to be popular. Lots of new coming out for Star Wars, so maybe they'll come up with something before 2017 for you.

AK now has Wilderness Explorers AND the new Lion Guard, as far as I understand.

You used to be able to collect transportation cards from the bus, boat and monorail drivers. Dunno if they still do that. And pin trading, but you'd need a starter supply of pins.

 

[figmented]

I take my 7 year old brother to play Sorcerer's every time we go on a trip! There are also pirate adventures in Adventureland that we love doing together, Agent P is a blast for my whole family, and the Wilderness Explorers at Animal Kingdom is something we love doing together too. I think the kidcot stops are still fun and I'm 17 so I think a 8 year old would probably love it too. We liked trading with the Jawas at Hollywood Studios last year and are going to bring some little stickers and toys to trade with them this year. We also like looking for hidden mickeys everywhere we go and competing to see how many we can find.

 

[onenursebrandy]

My son was 7 on our last trip, he loved Wilderness Explorers at AK, really didn't enjoy Agent P....although my DD17 did!!! He did Jedi Training at HS and loved it (it was his second time) We are doing Sorcerers this time and hope he will enjoy it.

We also went to AKL for dinner at Boma one evening, and went out to the lookout and viewed the animals with the night vision goggles. It was free, there was a native story teller who gave us a bit of additional entertainment/information, and we all enjoyed it. (both kids have asked to repeat on the next trip). We got a quick geology lesson in at Wilderness Lodge while waiting on our Whispering Canyon table to open up. The fireplace there is a replication of layers of earth, cast members are eager to give you the information, and its quite stunning. We also took a walk out to watch the geyser blow. Another afternoon we took the boat from MK to Fort Wilderness and visited the Horses, and came back for the Campfire sing along and Movie (also Free, except for the $7 smores kit).

 

[aretha30]

Our youngest was 7 in August for our last trip and loved Sorcerer's when we finally tried it, he can't wait to do it again! He also likes Agent P in Epcot. He loves all the character meet and greets.

 

[Mainemama]

My just turned 8 year old loved Agent P! We still haven't tried the other activities you have mentioned, but other than Kidcot, they are all likely to engage him if he is in to solving puzzles/ a challenge. My son would no longer be interested in Kidcot, but he has never been a colorer. Eating around the world is more his style! Swimming is also huge still at this age, and it sounds like you will have a nice long trip to build that in. Other fun options (some with fees, but worth the cost): Sea Racers, bike rental at a resort that rents them, exploring Fort Wilderness for fishing, bike ride, or to see the stables if he likes horses. My son loved Hoop de Doo. Have a great trip!

 

[bucky1023]

In Epcot you can also pick up a passport (you can find in most of the shops in World Showcase (I believe it is less then $15). As your walking around the showcase you can have someone from each pavilion write a little message in the book and there are sticker to decorate it. My niece and nephews loved doing this since they got to talk interact with the different people and they were excited to got from country to country and makes a cool souvenir

 

[danceteachermom]

My son was almost 8 on our last trip. He loved Agent P and enjoyed Sorcerer's as well. A HUGE favorite for him is Tom Sawyer's Island in MK. He can spend over an hour there and never wants to leave. The Epcot Kid its have been hit or miss. He has enjoyed them when the weather was rainy but shows no interest otherwise.

He also just loves the arcade at the hotel and I always hate putting money down for that but we have come to realize that despite all the great stuff to do at Disney, playing in the hotel arcade is something he really looks forward to doing. So in his Easter basket this year he will get a gift card to buy an arcade card on spring break.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

I am sure you realize- but what we have LOVED the most about becoming DVC members is knowing that we will be back time and time again- it has let us plan much more down time- or at least allow all the hours spent preplanning go out the window. My 7 yr old LOVED Sorcerers and the kidcot stations. (Haven't tried AgentP yet). You can take him to Top of the World Lounge for fireworks- sure its kind of a grown up spot but my kids loved being so high up with a fancy kid-drink. They really love pool time- we typically go to the parks from rope drop till around Noon- then spend time at the resort swimming. I always bring a beach ball and they make friends by starting a big pool game. Sometimes we make it back to the park- sometimes we just swim all afternoon.

I'm so excited for you to have your new son go on a trip with you both! Hope you have an awesome time!!!

 

[BlueFairy]

Most all of the deluxe resorts have a Movie under the Stars and Campfire with marshmallows schedule. And pool games led by the resort staff all afternoon.

Ditto on the Hidden Mickeys. DD's love building things, and Lincoln Logs in the lobby of WL were such a draw that I had to beg them to leave the lobby more than once. Even though we have them at home. Go figure.

 

[DisneyOma]

DW and I are taking our new son to Disney next year. He will be turning 8 while we are there. It's been a long time since I have taken a little person (my last little person is now 21) so I'm not exactly up to date on things through the parks for them to do.

Is Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom age appropriate for him? How about the Agent P adventure at Epcot or the wilderness thing at AK? Is a young 8 too old to do the Kidcot stations? Are there any park wide activities at Hollywood Studios? Any other ideas or things that I am missing? I'm looking for things that are free to low-cost and that we can just stop when he tires of them, so group tours are really off the table for us.

We will be staying DVC at GF next January, for 13 days, so we can accommodate a child's pace.

Thanks in advance for any help and input.

I'd say leave it up to your 8 year old to see what he likes or dislikes. There are no rules saying he has to do a complete session of any of the free games, etc.

 

[Kerrio929]

We just did Wilderness Explorers with my almost 8 (in May) and 10 year old daughters. Both loved it. They took their time, mixed doing WE activities in with rides and we spent 10 hrs at AK bc of it. It was honestly one of our best Disney days bc it was so relaxing and fun

 

[a742246]

Eight years old IMHO is probably the best age to be at WDW, whatever you do he will love it! The best free thing to do with him is to make time and play in the pool with him.

 

[oceanmarina]

Eight years old IMHO is probably the best age to be at WDW, whatever you do he will love it! The best free thing to do with him is to make time and play in the pool with him.

I agree, my son is older and the pool time is always one of his favorite things to do.
If you are staying on Disney property I know the deluxe hotels have a free campfire every night & give out free roasted marshmallows.
(Chip and Dale has one at Ft Wilderness and I think it's 10.00 for the bag to make the s'mores)
Also, I know when we stay on site the recreation department has free poolside activities every day around 2:00 o 3:00

 

[Amanda999]

...Movie under the Stars and Campfire with marshmallows schedule. And pool games led by the resort staff all afternoon.... Lincoln Logs in the lobby of WL....

+1. My two DS have always enjoyed all of these things. (FYI All resorts now have movies; all mods and deluxes have both movies and campfire w/marshmallow roasting; all resorts have pool games approx. 10am to 6pm (changes depending on month). In fact they only want to be at the parks until lunch - we go back to the resort, rest, then get to the pool, then in the evening marshmallow roast and movie - they have never wanted to go back to a park in the evening.)

FWIW Neither DS was ever at all interested in Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, Agent P at Epcot, or Kidcot. But of course every child is different - I'm sure tons of kids do like them.

 

[msmama]

My (almost) 8 year old likes SOTMK but we don't take away ride time to do it.

Loves Agent P and kidcot though told me he'd like to get a passport next time instead of the Duffy bear to color. We take a picture in every country too.

Wilderness explorer was a huge hit but really hard to do in one day (we didn't finish but will take it with us next time to do so). Also someone mentioned the lion guard thing (which I don't think is permanent). It's just finding statues of the characters but my son was still really into it.

Nothing project like at HS but my guy LOVES the Indiana Jones show and if you're there before it closes, he also loves lights, motor, action.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

DD was 7 on our last trip (she's been many times beginning at 19 mos). Besides obviously rides and character meets, this most recent trip she really enjoyed SOTMK, tea at the GF (Garden View Tea Room), pool time, Typhoon Lagoon (we had the water parks & more option on our tickets), kidcot, and animal watching at AK Lodge (deck right outside Sanaa).

 

[DisneyOma]

The last place my kids wanted to be was in the pool - there was soooo much stuff to do at the parks that you couldn't do it all in one week, and they said "Mom, we can swim in a pool at any old hotel".

 

[snowman]

Thank you all for your help, insights, tips and suggestions. We plan on taking our time and also taking most of our cues from him. I'm really excited for this trip, in a way I haven't been before.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

My DS8 LOVES the pirate adventure in MK! He also enjoys Sorcerer's. He absolutely loved completing the Wilderness Explorer's booklet in AK and loves doing the kidcot stations. Another place he loves is Innoventions in EPCOT. The Boardwalk at night is also a lot of fun - he loves to watch the jugglers and magicians.