Tips for Teens?

[amym2]

Staying at GCH and have 3 days in the parks. Our last visit was 8 years ago, and our kids are now 16 and 14. Unfortunately, we'll be there before the Incredicoaster opens. I used to be quite the travel planner (WDW pro) but since going back to teaching don't have the time. Anyone have any advice on things not to miss with teens? Restaurants that won't break the bank for big eaters? Special things about GCH?

 

[PHXscuba]

1. Let them do some of the planning by downloading the app and looking at the rides and restaurants.
2. Plenty of pool and chill-out time, especially since you are so close.
3. Snacks. ALL the snacks. Some days that's all we eat if my kids get to pick.
4. Carnation Cafe has good-sized portions for barely more than CS food.
5. My teens' favorite rides: all the coasters, Guardians of the Galaxy, Grizzly River Run (right by GCH for changing after).
6. My 15-year-old daughter surprised us -- wanted to meet Spiderman, Captain America, and Mickey. My 12-year-old Star Wars lover also surprised us with no interest in launch bay or meeting the characters there. Moral: you never know til you ask.

PHXscuba

 

[azdisneylover]

White Water Snacks in the Grand Californian Hotel is a great place to have a bite to eat and plan, especially after MM/EE.
We love spending quiet time in here while eating/snacking. Once you enter the parks, you can pull Max Pass ticket even back at your hotel room, at a restaurant in DTD, in WWS, etc, so planning the afternoon, or evening while having a late breakfast, early lunch, etc is great. Something for everyone here and the price is decent.
There are a lot of Pixarfest foods/snacks/treats that you might want to check out to try. There are a few threads with pictures and prices. Have fun planning and on your vacation.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Skip award wieners and bengal bbq for small food portions. But they’re a good snack.

Boardwalk pizza & pasta have good portions.

They have whole pizza for not bad at the Disneyland pizza port.

Plaza inn you can add extra chicken pieces for a small fee.

French market has good portions.

 

[amym2]

1. Let them do some of the planning by downloading the app and looking at the rides and restaurants.
2. Plenty of pool and chill-out time, especially since you are so close.
3. Snacks. ALL the snacks. Some days that's all we eat if my kids get to pick.
4. Carnation Cafe has good-sized portions for barely more than CS food.
5. My teens' favorite rides: all the coasters, Guardians of the Galaxy, Grizzly River Run (right by GCH for changing after).
6. My 15-year-old daughter surprised us -- wanted to meet Spiderman, Captain America, and Mickey. My 12-year-old Star Wars lover also surprised us with no interest in launch bay or meeting the characters there. Moral: you never know til you ask.

PHXscuba

Thanks for the suggestions! DD14 has the app and frequently checks wait times just for fun! Both kids have already mentioned Grizzly River Run before heading to the resort to swim/relax. Sounds good to me! Thanks for the food ideas. Neither kid has had any interest in character greetings during our recent WDW trips, but DH and I had a blast on our Disney cruise at Christmas getting character photos without our kids!!!

 

[amym2]

White Water Snacks in the Grand Californian Hotel is a great place to have a bite to eat and plan, especially after MM/EE.
We love spending quiet time in here while eating/snacking. Once you enter the parks, you can pull Max Pass ticket even back at your hotel room, at a restaurant in DTD, in WWS, etc, so planning the afternoon, or evening while having a late breakfast, early lunch, etc is great. Something for everyone here and the price is decent.
There are a lot of Pixarfest foods/snacks/treats that you might want to check out to try. There are a few threads with pictures and prices. Have fun planning and on your vacation.

Good to know, thanks! Will definitely check out White Water Snacks. We've been spoiled by great quick service resort food at the Poly and Wilderness Lodge at WDW. We've definitely learned to enjoy down time at restaurants instead of always being go, go, go!

We won't be doing MaxPass (will be using paper FP). DH does not go for spending money on such things!

 

[azdisneylover]

We also like to schedule an early lunch at Carnation Cafe after MM/EE to plan the rest of the day and to enjoy a great meal. Everyone in my family has their favorite from here and we must eat here at least once. Everything we have ever ordered here is delicious and good sized portions too.

 

[Geemo]

Staying at GCH and have 3 days in the parks. Our last visit was 8 years ago, and our kids are now 16 and 14. Unfortunately, we'll be there before the Incredicoaster opens. I used to be quite the travel planner (WDW pro) but since going back to teaching don't have the time. Anyone have any advice on things not to miss with teens? Restaurants that won't break the bank for big eaters? Special things about GCH?

When I take the grandkids my food budget can be through the roof. So I know what you mean.
The Plaza Inn Character Breakfast Buffet I see as a two for one. While it seems a little expensive, not only can the kids FILL UP but they get to have time with 8 to 12 characters in and hour and half or so.

The other price saving measure I have found is ordering from Marris. They deliver to all the DLR area. Their prices are so easy on the budget.
For $25 or less I can have a large Pizza delivered and it will fill up three teens. We often place our order when we're about 45minutes to returning to the room. The kids change and head to the pool and snack on pizza and burn off the last little bite of energy they have for the day

Check out Marris menu online. https://www.marrispizza.com/
I like to have a meal delivered when I'm headed to the airport for the trip home.

Geemo

 

[Mamato4boys]

The other price saving measure I have found is ordering from Marris. They deliver to all the DLR area. Their prices are so easy on the budget.

Geemo

I'm so glad to see this as a suggestion, as we are planning on ordering pizza from them for the first time this trip.

I have a question for anyone who has eaten Marri's pizza before... I was planning on ordering an extra large Matterhorn and a large cheese for our family of 6, but now I'm wondering if it will be WAY too much food.

My 15 year old is a big boy (5'10" 200 lbs, he is very athletic, into sports and weight lifting, has a high metabolism, and is trying to put on weight). He wouldn't have any trouble eating a whole pizza (family size at Papa Murphy's, whole pie at Pizza Planet size) to himself. Other kids are 2, 4, and 12. DH is a big eater, but nothing like DS15.

We will have a fridge, so leftovers are ok, but I don't want to majorly over-order if I can help it.

 

[lalasmama]

Single rider lines! My 14yo loves the SRLs--she can get several rides done in a row without a long wait usually. Honestly, we're taking our eldest grandson forhis first trip, and while he is old enough for SRLs, I'm hesitant since its his first trip. (Maybe I'll be okay with it by day 3 or 4?) At any rate, I expect to really miss those SRLs while we aren't using them!

And as others have mentioned, oh, the snacks. Like, seriously, you can fill up on snacks every day and still not try them all!

 

[Whistlebee]

When I take the grandkids my food budget can be through the roof. So I know what you mean.
The Plaza Inn Character Breakfast Buffet I see as a two for one. While it seems a little expensive, not only can the kids FILL UP but they get to have time with 8 to 12 characters in and hour and half or so.

The other price saving measure I have found is ordering from Marris. They deliver to all the DLR area. Their prices are so easy on the budget.
For $25 or less I can have a large Pizza delivered and it will fill up three teens. We often place our order when we're about 45minutes to returning to the room. The kids change and head to the pool and snack on pizza and burn off the last little bite of energy they have for the day

Check out Marris menu online. https://www.marrispizza.com/
I like to have a meal delivered when I'm headed to the airport for the trip home.

Geemo

I just want to say that you’re an awesome Grandparent! My Grandparents took us on a trip or two every year and they are very special memories that I hold close to my heart. Your grandkids are lucky to have you!

 

[Geemo]

I'm so glad to see this as a suggestion, as we are planning on ordering pizza from them for the first time this trip.

I have a question for anyone who has eaten Marri's pizza before... I was planning on ordering an extra large Matterhorn and a large cheese for our family of 6, but now I'm wondering if it will be WAY too much food.

My 15 year old is a big boy (5'10" 200 lbs, he is very athletic, into sports and weight lifting, has a high metabolism, and is trying to put on weight). He wouldn't have any trouble eating a whole pizza (family size at Papa Murphy's, whole pie at Pizza Planet size) to himself. Other kids are 2, 4, and 12. DH is a big eater, but nothing like DS15.

We will have a fridge, so leftovers are ok, but I don't want to majorly over-order if I can help it.

The first time we ordered a Pepperoni pizza. When we opened the box it looked like a plain cheese pizza. To our surprise the pepperoni was buried under a layer of cheese. Oh so good..

Here are my 2017 notes for two pizza types, haven't updated them for 2018.
Marris Pizza
Ex-LG 18", 8 slices, Pepperoni $19.13, Meat Lovers $25.86
LG 15", 8 slices, Pepperoni $16.70, Meat Lovers $22.63
Medium 13", 8 slices, Pepperoni $14.28, Meat Lovers $19.39
Small 11", 6 slices, Pepperoni $11.85, Meat Lovers $16.16

 

[DLfan4]

https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...-episode-index-live-show-sundays-7pm.2855816/

checkout the 5/30/2016 Dis unplugged podcast for thier episode "Disneyland is my land: tweens and teens"

 

[Malcon10t]

The first time we ordered a Pepperoni pizza. When we opened the box it looked like a plain cheese pizza. To our surprise the pepperoni was buried under a layer of cheese. Oh so good..

I actually called them and said "I ordered pepperoni and this is only cheese", they said look under the cheese....

 

[Geemo]

I actually called them and said "I ordered pepperoni and this is only cheese", they said look under the cheese....

All the cheese on top does mean you can't pick off a slice or two of pepperoni when you open the box.