Will Disney be an enjoyable vacation for a 13 year old?

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CJ S

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.

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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!

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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)

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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"

aloevera

Definitely!
Disney is for everyone
I cant imagine other places that the kids want, other than Disney.
We went there few months ago , and it was a blast !

Its time for them to see Disney. Because everybody talk about Disney,if you dont go now they will be curious all the time.And you will have to plan a trip to Disney in the couple of years.
Thats what happen to our kids.
So: Go there and have fun ! And make a unforgetable memory

Beach Gal

Oh absolutely. Disney truly has something for everyone. She might enjoy the thrill rides Disney has to offer. Check out Disney's official website at: http://www.disneyworld.com and click on "something for everyone" followed by the link "teens." It will show you all of the activities, rides and entertainment that has been geared for her age.
Enjoy your family vacation!

techy2k2

Definelty YES! Disney is designed for families of ages, thats whats so unique and exciting about a Disney vacation, EVERYONE in your family will have something to enjoy. I highly recommend you get your family together and browse through the official Walt Disney World website (link below) where you will find tons of exciting info and special pages for all age groups (make sure you click on "view high bandwidth site" at the top of the page for audio and visual effects). I also recommend you order the free Disney vacation planning guide from the same website. Here is the link:
http://www.disneyworld.com

DSMUFFIN

My 15 and my 22 year old year old love Disney. Especially when they have friends along. It makes it much more enjoyable for them when they have friends to ride the rides with. They don't want to be stuck with their parents the whole time in the park. Also, because your 13 y/o is much older that his siblings, he may not have a lot of fun in the park with them. The age difference will really be apparent.

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I was about 13years old with siblings about the same age as your children the first time I came to Disney and when you're 13, alot of the disney things seem "young and childish", yes some things are really cool and she WILL definately have fun but the whole Mickey/Minnie thing can get a bit uncool. My advice would be to have her help with planning the days like "We get there on Monday, which park should we go to first? Look at this book with me so that we can decide where to eat" It's MUCH more fun when you have a say in planning.
Don't worry though, you will all have a great time!

Natterjack9

You will absolutely have a great time. There are tons of things to do with all ages of kids, from 1-99! My daughter is 12 and son is 7. We are taking them to Disney in 2 weeks and everyone is bouncing off the walls. The best thing I would suggest, and this is what we did, was have each kid go through and make a list of things that they want to see and do.
I would suggest two resources for this. First of all, I would pick up two guidebooks, Birnbaum's Guide to WDW, and the Kids version of that book, Birnbaum's Guide to WDW for Kids by Kids. Your 13 year old can go through both books, while the younger ones go through the kids version and they can read about the attractions and rides, as well as decide on some of the "must see" attractions for them. Also, the disneyworld website is a must. You can look at pictures and read about all of the things Disney has to offer. The website also has different settings depending on who is looking at it, including a "Big Kids" and "Teens" setting. Your 13 year old will get a ton of info this way, knowing how that age is about computers.

The books and website are for you too. Use the resources to decide where to stay while visiting Disney. I recommend staying on property. The Disney resorts all are priced pretty comparably to anything else in Orlando, and the perks reserved for Disney guests are worth any additional cost. You can read about all of the resorts, do a resort comparison, and even get a quote for your vacation right there on the web. Also, make sure to get the Park Hopper option on your passes. If you don't you will be stuck going to one park per day. If you have the park hopper option, you can go to and from any park you want to, and pretty much come and go as you please. It makes everything easier and the flexibility is a must.

In terms of your son being bored, I say not a chance. Sure, there are rides like It's a Small World and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. However, there is also Pirates of the Caribbean, Test Track, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Aerosmith Rock 'N'Roller coaster, Space Mtn., and many more for him to do. He will have a blast.

I think a Disney vacation is a great idea. If you want any more info or have any questions, please feel free to ask, I would be glad to help!

Have a great trip!

allie

I think everyone has everything else covered, but just something to make the bigger rides more fun for him since the younger kids will not be able to ride some of the rides that you and your 13 year old will want to ride. Disney will let the entire family stand in line for a ride. When you get to the first castmember tell them you need to swap off. They will let mom ride with 13 year old (dad waits with younger siblings) and then let dad ride with 13 year old (mom waits with younger siblings) without having to stand in line twice. This means two rides for the 13 year old back to back.

U B Happy

Let him have lots of freedom in the park if he wants, don't push being together too much. Plan some family things, but everyone trying to do Disney in a group doesn't work. Good luck.

Cuan W

YES! Both Disney land and world are targetted at all age groups- old and young. Also, if you're going to Disney Land, don't forget to go to Sea World- it's amazing! Hope this helps, have a great vacation.

Amba

Disney is a wonderful place for anyone. Just don't spend too much in the little kid areas and your 13 year old should be fine. Let him get his fun in too and it should be a fun time for everyone.

Pam R

Absolutely!!! My husband and I were just saying that Disney is a lot of fun for any age...adults included! There are a lot of rides there that will be perfect for your 13 year old and some that you can all you on together! Space Mountain, Splash Mountain to name a few. Disney does a great job of catering to all ages. We have been there 3 times and will go back again...this year we are going to visit Universal Studios.
Have a great time and I think that you will all truly enjoy Florida!

EYES WIDE OPEN

I'm 41 and when my family goes again(and we will)we'll put our kids in day care if they are bored. My wife and I will have the time of our lives. The kids are all in their late teens and still enjoy Disney.

Ms.Hockey!

Oh there is so much for all your kids to do together, it should be a great vacation. Let your 13 yr old look and read all the info so he can pick out stuff he wants to do and let him be more involved with that kind of stuff. Also make sure you let the younger ones know a head of time there are a few rides they may not get to go on because of age and height so maybe the older boy can go do that stuff with dad or Mom while the other parent takes the younger kids on rides the older one isn't interested in. That way the younger kids feel special on there rides while the older one is able to still do his own thing ( with a parent)! Good luck and have fun!!

jenny

Yes! Its fun for everyone!

Bonzai07

uh yeah...duh...

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