Tips for Tweens first trip!

[ErinJill]

Hello Disney Experts!

My hubby and I are taking my little sisters (ages 12 & 14) to WDW this summer (06/05-06-11). Hubby and I have been to Disney lots of times, but this will be my sisters' first trip! We want to make it extra special for them, as it is not only their first trip to Disney, but it's their first trip anywhere (first plane ride, first time being away from their folks for a week, etc).

Does anyone have any tips for taking tweens to Disney? Any fun ideas to do in the parks? We'll be there from Sunday through Saturday and have park passes for all days that we're there (we fly in early and fly out late, so our arrival/departure days will be mostly free for having fun).

What are fun places we could go for dinner?

Anything you guys can think of to help us make this a VERY magical trip would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!!!!

Erin

 

[bobcat]

What a special trip for your sisters! They will remember it forever!

I have a 12 yo DD and she is really into the hidden mickey's. You might want to get your sisters the hidden mickey book. They can cross off the one's they find, and there are even scavenger hunts with clues only in the book. My DD also liked getting her hair wrapped. It can be a little pricey depending on length of hair and type of beads they select but we managed to do it for about $20 with my DD shoulder length hair. My DD also still likes the character meals and was just asking yesterday which one we are going to do next trip. Even though they are teens WDW is an oportunity for them to act like kids again and I do all I can to encourage it. My DD also loves 50's Prime Time and SciFi at MGM.

Water parks and Disney Quest are great for kids this age. There is also a first manicure at the Grand Floridian that you could do with your sisters. That would be fun for a girls afternoon and maybe add the afternoon tea, also at the GF.

 

[mhingher]

I'm 26 and my parents took my sister and I to WDW many times as kids/teens. We always loved the thrill rides and character meals. As teens though, we also liked to sleep in a little... so maybe you should plan some AMs by the pool and then go to the park later in the afternoon or evening. My parents were somewhat strict about curfews, so staying up and out late was fun also. I'm sure everyone will have a great time!!! Let us know how it goes.

Melissa

 

[jillybeanjo]

Just because they're tweens, don't skip the "kid" stuff, like Fantasyland rides, characters, etc., especially since it's their first time. If you skip those things, they will miss a big part of the magic.

Don't worry too much about doing extras to make the trip magical - just being at WDW for the first time is magic enough! Have fun!

 

[laurabelle]

I have one tween and she likes Chef Mickey's for character meals more than the princesses now; loves shopping around World Showcase in Epcot; won't do TOT or RNRC, but loves Test track and the mountains at MK; enjoys the Pooh ride, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, CoP; loves Off Kilter, the water parks, likes DQ. The Birnbaum Teen guide book might be fun for them to browse through before they go. I'm sure they'll love it!

 

[2angelsinheaven]

How about Disney Quest, great place for Tweens. And maybe a night at PI walking around and staying for the midnight countdown... might make them feel "cool". I wouldn't miss Ohana's, nice experience, try to plan PS for the time of WISHES for a great show... a walk around the Fort Wilderness Campground is nice, have a cheap lunch at their restraunt (can't think of the name), visit the animals, shop, etc. If they like shopping be sure to plan a day at DTD, maybe before going to PI or DQ, lots of things to do there. Ummmm... make sure to do all of Fantasy Land, I'm 24 and still love it.

 

[areno79]

Great idea for a thread! I'm bringing my 2 cousins who are 9 and 11. The 11 year old I'm kind of worried about-she's definitely at the "in-between" stage. She's super excited to go to WDW, but I was hoping to do some stuff that she would enjoy too. I was thinking PI might be fun for her (we're thinking of bringing the 9 year old to one of the Kid's Clubs), and also Disney Quest.

 

[ErinJill]

Thanks you guys! These are great tips! I'm definately going to get them the Birnbaum's book (for teens)...I think it will be helpful if they at least have SOME idea of what to expect and things they'd like to see!

 

[Tinker_]

Hey Guys,
We are bringing my lil bro this year for his first WDW visit.. and we have been watching Travel channel and our planning video (also checking out disneyworld.com) and asking him what HE wants to do. Weve been to WDW many times, so this trip is for him! He is really excited about RnR and Space Mountain... and he even wants to see characters! I am so excited to get to see his face when we get there. This is also his first BIG vacation! We leave in 3 weeks and 4 days!!
Cassi

 

[rascalmom]

I have a 16 y.o. dd and a 12 y.o. dd. We have been several times now, starting when the oldest was 11.

DisneyQuest (don't miss Pirates & CyberSpace Mountain)
Rock n'Roller coaster (one morning we rode it 9 times)
Tower of Terror
Character Meals (breakfast with the Princesses at Cinderella's Castle is always a hit)
Pool time
Illuminations
Pastry shop at France
Wishes
Luau or Hoop Dee Do Review
Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club resort (can walk from Int'l Gateway of Epcot)
Hair Wraps
Face Painting
Lion King Show at Animal Kingdom
Searching for Hidden Mickeys
All the Classic Disney rides (just because they're older doesn't mean riding Dumbo isn't cool)
Taking lots of pictures
Collecting Pressed Pennies
Mission Space
Test Track
Honey I Shrunk the Audience

 

[kathyseb]

Something I read posted on the boards was get an autograph book and instead of getting the characters to sign it, ask the cast members.