What do your teens like to do at Disneyland?

[DisneyJewel]

Hi all! We usually go to Disneyland every year, but we didn't go in 2014, and when we go in April both my kids will be teens (13 & 16). We know Disneyland pretty well, and I know they will have a great time (they are both excited to be going) but I would love to know if I am missing anything that teens particularly like. So what do your teens like to do at Disneyland? We will be staying at the Paradise Pier, club level.

Thanks!

 

[HopLow1968]

.. missing anything that teens particularly like.

Thanks!

Other teens.

At least thats what I remember from going to Disneyland as a teen.

 

[corinne76]

Other teens.

At least thats what I remember from going to Disneyland as a teen.

OMG! LOL! winning answer right there!

 

[DisneyJewel]

Other teens.

At least thats what I remember from going to Disneyland as a teen.

LOL!

 

[asunutgirl]

All the big rides that they didn't like doing when they were little. Screamin', Soarin', RSR, Splash Mt, Thunder Mt, Space Mt, Matterhorn, Indiana Jones, Pirates, Haunted Mansion. Autopia has lost it's thrill for my teen who now drives. Ha Ha. They also love the food - turkey legs, corn dogs, pizza, burgers, ice cream sandwiches etc.

I have girls so they also love shopping. And believe it or not, they still like the characters.

 

[nikkislaght]

Last couple of years we have been , our friends niece has enjoyed a lot more freedom.. so telling her we would meet her at a certain time and place and leaving her to do her ride ... she still enjoyed the characters too.. and the shows... shopping of course. a sit down meal , rather than counter service..

 

[Congo Queen]

My kids are 12 and 17 and they like to ride the rides: Space, Splash, Indy, Screamin, GRR, Soarin, BTMRR, TT. Not so interested in parades or the shows at the new Fantasyland Theater next to the castle. They want fun rides. Not so fond of the Mark Twain anymore (which my husband and I love) nor do they want to hang in Toontown (which is fine w me). I thought they were really going to like the dance party in DCA, but actually they thought it was too loud and too many girls screaming at the band. They also like to eat and shop and sleep by the pool midday.

 

[mom2tinkandmickey]

DS is 16 and DD is 13. They love being able to go off on their own (together) for an hour or two without mom and dad. We find the nearest glass of wine or Margarita and relax at DCA, or go shopping at DL. Both of mine are into photography, so they enjoy wandering around taking pictures. They also both collect pressed pennies, and they go find the machines we wouldn't normally see. They ride the stuff DH and I don't, like the awful not so Fun Wheel and the SS Swings at DCA, or they go over to the island at DL (DH and I have bad knees, and it's not fun for us anymore). They dump about $10 a piece into the Shooting Gallery in Frontierland each trip.

We love the night time dance party at DCA, although none of us were fans of the Freeze the Night version last month. Drawing at the Animation Academy, and seeing Aladdin are always on their must do lists. Mine enjoy eating.... A LOT! Have a magical trip.

 

[hjgaus]

OMG! LOL! winning answer right there!

yes I agree most teens especially my kids enjoy Disney more with their friends than us lucky most of their friends have passes as well

 

[RemainSeatedPlease]

I agree with others who say teens like to have some time away by themselves. My youngest sister is still a teen and when there is a family trip that is one of the first things she asks - "Can me and ___ go off on our own for a while?"

They are big into the rides, not so much the shows. And junk food.

 

[carrierael77]

when I was 15 and went it was all about going off on out on our own for chunks of the day so parents didn't cramp our style. And by our style I mean checking out guys.

 

[DisneyJewel]

Thanks all -- I am fine with them going off together without a parent, and I'm sure they will enjoy that! We won't be able to bring friends, but they will have each other, and last time we were there we actually ran into friends from home which was nice. I remember them being underwhelmed with the dance party 2 years ago, but we will check it out again this time. We have never made it to Animation Academy -- I'm going to make a point to check it out! Thanks!

 

[Indiana Scott]

They like to look board and be embarrassed by their dad.

 

[rentayenta]

Mine love the rides, big or small, but getting them to see a parade or show is like pulling teeth sometimes. They do love the fireworks though. They also love their freedom and shopping and pool time and naps.

 

[l4dyj8]

Independence and the big rides

Honestly, don't over schedule. Sitting around waiting for a parade or a show can be tiring. It's fine to meet up for some meals, etc

 

[cmpeter]

Mine love the thrill ride and my teen dd loves the meet and greet with Thor.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

My boys are 19 and 16 and still love going to DL. They both like all of the rides, big or small. DS16 is more of a thrill seeker and loves Screamin' and TOT. DS19 has mild autism and does not enjoy going upside down or being dropped, so he skips those. Both guys want to see Aladdin on every trip because the Genie riffs on something or someone new every time we go. One thing they really enjoyed on our last trip was lunch at ESPN Zone. While DH and I finished up our drinks and paid the bill, the boys went upstairs to play the games. It was a nice mid-day break from the parks. Our guys haven't asked to go off on their own much at all. We ended up with an extra TOT FP on our last trip, so DS16 went alone while the rest of us rode Monsters. Sometimes we split up, each with a boy, and do different things. DS16 usually runs for FPs because he's quick and can get through a crowd easier by himself. We took two trips last year and have another one planned for August. Can't wait!

 

[helenb]

My kids are 12 and 14 now, and they still enjoy all of the rides they did at preschool age. They love Fantasyland and the teacups and Pirates and HM and Buzz... and of course they also like the 'thrill' rides like Space Mountain and Screamin' and Indiana Jones. The only things they don't really like are the ones they have never liked (DD has a problem with the Small World theme song and a bad mental association with TT; DS pretty much likes everything; none of us have ever really been character people, so we don't line up to see characters). The big difference is that the 'repeat' rides tend to be more on the 'thrill' side, and less on the Fantasyland side. But to this day they'll still have a blast running around Pirates Lair/Tom Sawyer Island.

To me, one of the best things about Disneyland is how people of *all* ages enjoy the rides. Where else would I see my kids enjoying Peter Pan and teacups? They won't go near the kiddie rides at Universal, but at Disney, it's all part of the experience.

 

[backinoz]

Mine still enjoy the characters - but they have a lot more fun with them now. At various parks/resorts/hotels they're been taught to crow by Peter Pan, done push-ups and sit-ups with Buzz, been 'squeezed' by Gaston showing off his muscles, taught to surf by Stitch, had the Mad Hatter take 'selfies' on their camera, been 'kidnapped' by tweedle dee & dum, and had a whole conversation about kangaroos with Chip and Dale (mimed of course - they liked the idea of a pouch to store their nuts)... I think there might even be a thread on "What to say to characters..." if they're stuck for ideas.

I think my favourite from our last trip was at a buffett breakfast when Piglet came over and my then 13yo daughter said to Piglet "I had bacon for breakfast today... (dramatic pause)... and I liiiked it!". Poor Piglet walked off visibly shaking, you may think from terror, but I have a feeling he was withholding laughter rather well.