What I WOULDN'T Miss...

[BostonDisneyKid]

Buckeye - I agree with many of the things noted previously [thrill rides at parks, DQ, waterparks, illuminations, wishes, fantasmic, etc] but I would also suggest looking in to the excursions available (if the finances would allow, some are quite expensive) and also look in to some of the dvc resort activities and ammenties.

• An illuminations Cruise - we take most 1st timers and newbies on these and all have been amazed. If you consider this, also consider trying to get the breathless II if it is avaiable (wow, what a ride!)
• Parasailing - amazing views of wdw and just an incredible experience in general.
• Fishing Tours - guided tours yield incredible fishing as the catch and release program allows for some large fish to be caught.
• Segway (think you need to be 16, so not a suggestion for the kids) - both tours are incredibley fun and exciting. I would send the kids off and the adults go do this tour.
• Boat Rentals from the OKW marina are always a fun time. I wouldnt recommend the peddle boats for a 13 year old as they would be more interested in the mites and speed boats
• Touring the Boardwalk - eat at ESPN Zone (teen boys love sports), boardwalk bakery for desert, cocktails for the adults, watch some of the entertainers and play a few carnival games
• MK scavenger hunt - fun for any/all ages
• Dolphins in Depth Tour - fun for any/all ages

No matter what you end up doing, I am sure the child (and all of you) will have a great time !!!

 

[dgaston]

My youngest son always loved anything to do with cars -- so the "speedway" in MK, and the car stunt show at HS were huge hits through his teens. Disney Quest is great fun and my now adult kids still love to visit there.

 

[pennst8r]

Even if the lines are long, Toy Story Mania is worth it. DSs 13 an 12 were skeptical the first time last year, but kept wanting to go back afterward.

 

[pennst8r]

oh, and Lights! Motor! Action! is really cool--lots of fast cars and explosions.

 

[goofy4mykids]

Make them drink Beverly?

I faced the same thing last year with DD and DDBF. They sat down with some web sites and DD’s experience of many trips to WDW to answer a question I asked DDBF. “What is the one thing you want to do?” They decided on Tea at the Grand Floridian. Maybe that is what you should do. Oh wait, 13 YO boys and tea? Never mind.

How about make them drink Beverly?

Where/What is this Drink Beverly? And what happens at rope drop? TIA

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

Even if the lines are long, Toy Story Mania is worth it. DSs 13 an 12 were skeptical the first time last year, but kept wanting to go back afterward.

Absolutley!!! This will be the best ride in all of wdw to a teenaged boy. I would recommend being there at rope drop specifically for this attraction. Map out the fastest way to the attraction before hand (around the wizard hat, past the GMR and take a sharp left) and head straight to TSM. I would recommend getting fast passes immediately before riding so you can do it at least twice before the crowds/lines come in to play.

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

Where/What is this Drink Beverly? And what happens at rope drop? TIA

"Beverly" is a flavor of coke (Italian maybe?) at the coke a cola coolspot exhibit at Epcot. It is very bitter and watching somenoe drink it for the first time is a usually quite comical. I would have the camera ready for this...

Rope Drop - There is a ceremony before the park opens out in fron on top of the train station which "officially opens" the kingdom. At the rope drop is usually two distinct crowd movements - they are known as "dash to splash" and the "race to space". Although when the Op is going, space mountain will be closed for refurbishment.

 

[cj9200]

Where/What is this Drink Beverly? TIA

Please forgive me but I was in an especially silly mood that day when I posted. As the OP mentioned, it is a very bitter drink in the Club Cool spot at EPCOT. On our last two visits, DD wanted to go there because she likes some of the other drinks from around the world. Talked her into trying Beverly both times.

Here is an excerpt from our NYE TR and her last encounter with Beverly.

Bev, the drink of champions

Come on, you can do it.

Sucker

While my first post was tongue and cheek, thinking about it, it might make for a memorable moment. I think I will talk DD into getting her and DDBF to try it. Buckeye Fan maybe you should make them do it. Boys drinking yucky stuff? They may love it. But then again, your sense of humor may not be as warped as mine. If you do, we want pictures.

Thanks for starting this thread; I am getting some ideas for our upcoming trip. One other hint. When I had them go online to decide what to do, I was in a nearby room taking notes on their comments as they explored. In addition to the Tea, it gave me a lot of other ideas of things to do to surprise them.

 

[hakepb]

Tollhouse ice cream cookie (if they still have them)

You got me thinking of an ice-cream sandwich made by those huge (at least 6"), fresh Tollhouse cookies they sold at the Electric Umbrella (and others?) before the DDP cheapened up the desert selections to Canadian-made, smaller cookies

But I do remember the sandwiches at the ice-cream carts. A few weeks ago at DAK I got a new Pineapple juice bar (refreshing and low calorie even compared to the strawberry bars, although I am usually on several diets on vacation as I do not get enough food in the first 2 ) and do not recall seeing that tollhouse sandwich offered....

I will say, mickey ears ice cream bar is still a must..

And for the opening ceremony, make sure the kid is an OK early riser, especially if this is an earlier timezone. early may ruin his vacation, not make it.. Don't force a kid to "have fun" when it is for them!

 

[clutter]

Mini-golf! Nothing says Disney like Winter/Summerland. Listening to christmas carols in the heat with the frogs singing in the background. That's special.

 

[ssawka]

For a 13 year old boy, I would add the Lights, Camera, Action! Extreme Stunt Show! at DHS.