tips for 12 and 14 y/o boys?

[disneyplanningdad]

Does anyone have tips for my trip next May with my wife, and sons (12 and 14 years old)? We will be staying at the Yacht club for five nights. I really blew the budget last time we went (Backstage Safari at AK, Aqua Seas tour at Epcot multiple character meals and more) and I would like to do something special this time also but I'm a little nervous now that they are older and tougher to impress.

 

[nanceliz]

If you have a chance, take them to Disneyquest
They are a good age for it. When my boys were about that age, we went the first time and they had a blast!

 

[disneyplanningdad]

Thanks. That's a good idea. How much time should we spend at Disney Quest?

 

[disneyplanningdad]

Does anyone else have any idreas?

 

[kellyg403]

My boys were 11 and 13 when we went in Dec 07 and they had a ball at Disneyquest. We had the water park plus option and ended up not using them for a water park once...every night after dinner we ended up over there at DQ. Anything interactive in the parks...like in Epcot.. was a big hit for them. On average we stayed at DQ about 2 hours each night. DH and I sat at the Cheesecake Factory on the top floor and they did their own thing. It gave us 2 hours of peace without them (yes we love them just needed a break too!). In the past we have done Typhoon Lagoon in Dec and they have also loved that. The wave pool and swimming with the sharks.

Kelly

 

[Redbudlover]

I would take them on the little searaycers! Great, great fun and not very expensive - or rent a little bigger boat - not very expensive either and take the whole family. I would rent out of the MK resorts so you have more room to play and explore.

The YC also has pool games and contests that they would probably enjoy. There are other backstage tours that are fun - the half day backstage MK one is great! Maybe research some countries and let each of them pick a country with their favorite food. Or let them be your FP volunteer to run and get more family FPs! Or rent bicycles and explore the Wilderness trails by bicycle. they are old enough to go by themselves which they might really enjoy. And you might consider letting them have 2 hours or so by themselves in a park. My boys at that age were thrilled with that kind of autonomy. I let them know what a big responsibility it was - and suggested to them that they watch out for people who might need help they could provide. And how important it is to be back on time! Give some suggestions on how to ride the rides they want - maybe pick up FPs for them earlier in the day to use while they are alone. they will have a blast!

 

[Nie0214]

Mini-golf is fairly cheap (and you get one free ticket in your coupon packet when you arrive), and I've heard Winter Summerland is pretty fun!

http://allears.net/btp/golf2.htm

 

[disneyplanningdad]

Great suggestions. I was considering Searaycers at YC but you make a good point about seven seas lagoon and Bay Lake being bigger and more interesting. We did the searaycers when we were at the poly and it ws great fun. I appreciate your other ideas. I printed your response and I'm taping it into my trip notebook. Thanks.