We have a 13 yr old son, 7 yr old
daughter and 6 yr old son. do you
think the 13yr old will be bored
entirely with disney? it will be
our 1st family vacation in 5 years
and we want to spend time together
as a family, but at home we end up
splitting up in different
directions, going separate places
due to the age differences between
youngest and oldest. can this
family trip work?
Hi JenniferAnn,
My fiancée (age 39)
&
I (age 40)
are annual passholders for Walt Disney World (Florida)
for several years now.
Which Disney are you going to?
I will assume either CA or FL (I have been to both &
Tokyo as well).
Growing up with a dad that traveled for a living made me bitter because he never wanted to travel when he came home.
I vowed that when I got older things would be different.
Now I don't have kids of my own,
but my fiancée has 3 (the girls are now 21 &
18 and her son is 17),
which at times feels like they are mine (i.e.
like going to Metallica &
Godsmack concerts with her son although now that he is older he is more like a best friend).
We first took them to the four Disney parks in Orlando back in 2002 for Spring Break.
Taylor,
the baby,
was very mature for a boy of 12.
We didn’t think he would go in for the entire "autographs &
photographs from the characters"
but he did...
There were rides there that freaked him out a bit (the 3D stuff and Dinosaur)
and many we had a blast on (Rockin’ Roller Coaster &
Space Mountain).
About the parks:
If you count visiting two parks in one day,
2 visits… then last year I made 83 visits to the 4 major parks (there are also two water parks,
Disney Quest and two mini-golf courses).
So,
I would say I know the parks well.
I am also a wanna-be writer and I am actually putting together a 3 year study on the Disney Parks.
Let me get right to the grist of this ANSWER,
so now allow me to cover the parks for your 13 year old.
I am sure someone will help me out if I miss something.
THE MAGIC KINGDOM
MAIN STREET USA – No thrills here for him,
but the train is a nice way to get around thick crowds,
so he may appreciate that.
ADVENTURELAND:
a classic ride has been revamped and is now a must see,
of course I am talking about Pirates of the Caribbean.
The Jungle Cruise is fun for the very young,
but most of the corny jokes will not entertain the average teen.
FRONTIERLAND:
Two of Disney’s best side by side.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (If he isn’t laughing like a silly baby throughout this ride something is wrong.
We laugh mostly at the reactions by others from all the jerky,
quick fun wrapped into this very tame roller coaster… Even little kids love it!)
Also there is Splash Mountain…
(The story of Br’er Bear &
Br’er Rabbit from the Uncle Remus tales set to a fun log flume complete with all the Disney touches you would expect.
This ride feels dated,
but the splash is ever so refreshing…
NOTE:
Don’t do this when it is cold out unless you are headed back to the hotel or have a change of clothes locked in the lockers in the front of the park).
I have soft spot for the Country Bear Jamboree (especially at Christmas when the show is changed completely!!!)
even the kids will love it.
LIBERTY SQUARE:
The Haunted Mansion was a worry for Tara (Then aged 13)
because she spooks easily – although she kind of enjoys it (Hey it’s Disney!).
This place was described best by one of the Disney Cast Members working at The Hunted Mansion as being “Scooby Doo scary”..
It is awesome!
Kids into U.S.
History,
robots,
&
electronics may also love the “Hall of Presidents”
FANTASYLAND:
Everyone deserves to go up inside the castle - it is a restaurant,
even if you aren’t eating there.
Just tell the host (between meal hours)
that it has been your life dream to see the inside and you are in.
I can recommend Mickey’s PhilharMagic.
I sometimes drive (1 hour)
just to watch fireworks and go to this attraction.
Spinning Teacups …
You don’t have to spin like a nut.
Let the 13 year old go by himself…
Once seated it is you that controls the speed &
direction.
MICKEY’S TOONTOWN FAIR:
Goofy’s Barnstorming coaster is pretty cool but very short.
Don’t wait a long time for this one.
Try it during either the nightly parade or late during the fireworks.
TOMORROWLAND:
Stitch’s ride is not as good as a similar ride that was here before.
This ride is dark and can freak out some kids.
Space Mountain is our family’s reason for visiting this park.
Be sure to ride the Tomorrowland Transporter.
It really does look like a lame ride and just for your information it goes into a loop that enters what – on a hot day - feels like a very air conditioned Space Mountain – Be sure to LOOK UP when inside because the Space Mountain rockets/cars have glow in the dark striping on them!)
If you are tired this ride is worth two rides or 1 nap!
A bit goofy but rich in Disney history is the Carousel of Progress – if it is hot outside remember this is something you sit in… and it is air conditioned… Then,
go grab a smoothie over by the Indy Speedway!
WORDS FROM MY FIANCEE:
Adults need to blaze the trails and set the standard for their children when it comes to becoming a kid again.
Let them know that it IS ok to drop your love for the office,
the 9 to 5,
the family routine.
Embrace your vacation;
embrace all that is Disney.
We watched our kids go off on their own and come back having done a few things,
but was incredible watching them witness our enjoyment of the parks which relaxed them and dropped any “I have to do this” or “act this way to be cool”…
Don’t come away with regrets.
*****************
EPCOT
SOARING:
Very cool fun for ALL ages.
The kids loved it and my 79 year old mother requests to go on it.
MISSION SPACE:
One of the best rides ever designed…
It messes with you perception completely!
By the way… Which way IS up,
anyway?
TEST TRACK:
Get a FastPass…
Don’t wait an hour of longer…
You’ll be bitter We were twice.
See if your son can master the “Devil Sticks” over in the China Pavillion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil_sticks
I had to buy a set!
**************************
ANIMAL KINGDOM:
The newest,
the biggest and the baddest is… EXPEDITION EVEREST:
Do you like roller coasters?
Hmmm the real question is will the Yeti get you?
… and of course… Are you brave enough to try this ride?
NOTE:
not for those who get dizzy easy (it corkscrews a lot)
DINOSAUR:
This is a shake ‘em up and scare ‘em ride that takes a photo of you precisely when you should be the most scared.
Bring you digital camera and shoot your photo from the monitor when you get back to the lobby (have you camera ready and in text or flower/macro mode)
KALI RIVER RAPIDS:
Not scary because this is a flume ride.
A must do at the END of a HOT day – be sure you are headed home.
In fact bring swim bottoms and a tank top for this ride (lockers are located at front of park)
*****************
DISNEY MGM
TWILIGHT ZONE TOWER OF TERROR:
After a zillion times on this it is still fun to be on a wack-o elevator capable of dropping you up to 13 floors (it is on a random program – so no two ride experiences are the same).
LIGHTS,
MOTORS,
ACTION!
Is your son into cars?
Cars &
motorcycles doing stunt jumping with pyrotechnics and a lot of fire?
Then bring him in.
Want a cool arcade (good games and air conditioning)
&
a good Pizzeria
…
Look for the gigantic WOODY from Toy Story atop… what else… the Toy Story Pizza Planet Arcade!
(ATTENTION!!!!
THE MEAL DEAL DOES NOT INCLUDE THE DRINK…
THIS IS PROBABLY THE ONLY PLACE IN THE COUNTRY THAT DOES THIS.
Yo!
Walt!
Change this!)
If your son is interested in Walt’s life be sure he doesn’t miss “One Man’s Dream”
I have saved my family’s favorite overall Disney ride for last:
AEROSMITH’S ROCKIN’ ROLLER COASTER.
0 to 60 m.p.h.
in something like,
less than 2 seconds.
It launches you like a jet off the deck of an aircraft carrier… and yes more wacky scared photos of your faces that will be on a monitor in the lobby area.
Disney Quest is a 30 dollar plus ALL DAY pass for an arcade over at Downtown Disney.
Will you be staying at the "on property"
resorts?
They can be pricey...
We have enjoyed 7 day stays at the following resorts:
Animal Kingdom (2007),
Contemporary Resort (2004),
Wilderness Lodge (2007),
New Orleans Riverside (2007)
and the Polynesian Resort (2005).
If I had to put one of those in last place (for adults &
teens both)
it would have to be the lack of valet service at the New Orleans Riverside for the adults and the overall wow for teens...
is just not there.
Animal Kingdom was the best by far with animals right outside your window...
We were 2nd floor (think a giraffe's head height)...
Most of the resorts have arcades for the kids and a pool with a waterslide,
with the Contemporary Resort boasting the longest water slide (and a great 24 hr arcade as well).
Want or need more info?
Contact us via "questions that are asked fromthis user name - just answer any question with "NEED HELP WITH DISNEY"
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