Orlando with teenager...Help!

[NTHC]

We have planned a last minute trip to Orlando with the kids...son just turned 16, daughter is 9.

We normally allow our son to take a friend, but on this trip school is still in session. Staying home is not an option and he has only his learners permit so he can't drive without an adult.

As you can see, we are probably ruining his life!

Can you guys give me suggestions as to things that might interest a teenager who really does not want to do the "disney" thing with mom, dad and the little sister. We can split up of course and do different activities, but I thought there might be something that would occupy his time, where he can feel independent but not get in trouble.

Any input would be awesome,
Cindy

 

[jancpa]

Disney Quest at Downtown Disney!

 

[JillChang]

I am in exactly the same situation this Christmas. I have a 17 yr old son who thinks that I am ruining his holidays by forcing him to spend it with his 11 yr old brother and grandparents.

I am prepare to let my son go freely inside the park if he wishes to. I am also planning an itinery where I cut out all kiddie ride and concentrate more on active/mature attractions, we will only be doing 3 or 4 rides each park. My son enjoys good meals, so lunch inside the park will be a highlight, and I plan to rest in the afternoon and go back inside the park for nightly firework/parade. I also am perfectly willing to let him stay in the resort for a day and take only the younger one to the park, or the teenager can go with grandparent for a day of golf, he is a good golfer. Disney Quest is also on my itinery as well as shopping in downtown Disney, you wouldn't believe it, but TEENAGERS LOVE SHOPPING!!! Basically, I tailor my trip to entertain him as a young adult, but I am lucky in the way that I know my 11 yr old son will enjoy the same activities as well. I am not sure about a 9 yr old girl though.

I am also going to take them to Discovery Cove. It is expensive, but from what I read is worth it.

Lastly, I hope he will make some friends in Orlando, or at least share in other teenagers' misery as well, this way he wouldn't feel he is the only one suffering, and realize at least travelling with family is still the norm not the exception.

 

[Lisa P]

Universal's theme parks are much more popular with most teens than the Disney parks, IMHO. Also, most teens really like Blizzard Beach and Wet N Wild water parks. Older teen(s) may want to go off in the parks with a cell phone to concentrate on the thrill rides and meet up with you later. If your admission passes allow for park-hopping, they may even enjoy exploring a different park from parents. The Universal parks are within walking distance of one another and the Disney parks provide transport between their parks for hopper pass holders.

Sometimes, there's more grumbling in advance than actual misery on the trip. Hopefully, this will be your experience. Discussing hopes and expectations in advance may help your teen(s) realize that you do want to accommodate their first choice preferences as possible on vacation and that everyone will need to compromise somewhat. Ours have always enjoyed their vacations with us once we get going, with or without a friend along.

 

[Jimster]

I think going to Paw Paw, Illinois for a week to watch the corn grow would be a problem for a teenager rather than going to Orlando. I can think of few better places to take a teenager. You might mention that many families drag their teenage daughters with them to Orlando. Or you could just enroll him in a course or two at the Disney Institute. Keep him out of the Magic Kingdom-send him to Universal or MGM to ride the Tower of Terror or Blizzard Beach. There's also Planet Hollywood and Pleasure Island (depends on his age what he can do there).

 

[sue0067]

I am planning a trip down to Disney again with my kids, and as you mentioned..my 16 year old is NOT excited to be at Disney. Last time he opted to stay with the laptop at the timeshare for the day instead of the parks with us. It was hard.

This time, I have planned to go to Margaritaville (he loves Jimmy Buffet) and the movies at City Walk. I also am planning to do a private charter with a Pro Bass Fisherman on lake Toho. ($200 for 2 for 4 hours) Even though everything is provided, I am bringing the fishing poles along for later in the week too. I have also figured on going over to Daytona for a couple of days to the Ocean.

I am sure ALL of those will be a hit, however any other suggestions that have worked for others would be great.

Sue

 

[NTHC]

As always you guys are an abundance of good information. I have given him the info and he has researched your ideas online and seems to be more excited. He loves the shopping idea and has chosen 2 nice restaurants at the Parks where he would like to eat. And we have also agreed to allow him a day to hang out at the resort(we are staying at Bonnet Creek) so he can check out the "scenery".

Thanks a bunch,
Cindy

 

[calgal]

Funny, I gave my teen (will be 16) the choice of Phoenix, Mexico, or Orlando for spring break next year, and he chose Orlando. He has never been there. I thought we would go to MGM/Disney studios, Epcot, Kennedy Space Center, a Disney water park, and the beach. I thought the nearest beach was Cocoa Beach. Is Daytona a better choice? How far away is it? The whole family (including sister 13 and twin brothers 7) will be together for the last spring break before big brother escapes to college, so I am focusing on activities that he will enjoy. I would try Universal Studios if the 7 yr olds would tolerate it. I have never been there, so it hard for me to guage.

 

[maiwah]

We normally allow our son to take a friend, but on this trip school is still in session. Staying home is not an option and he has only his learners permit so he can't drive without an adult....

Are you sure you want to take your 16th years old teen out of school for an entire week? My son will be really upset if I take him out of school. I can't do that since he was 3rd grade anymore. It caused him too much stress during the days I took him out of school.

 

[JillChang]

Told you! Teenagers love shopping and enjoy finer restaurants! Their taste buds are changing and they are beginning to explore different foods, as well as finding a "style" for their image!

I love to go to Universal as well, but I would only do it if I stay onsite to use their front of the line advantage. Next year I will do just that, I hate lines, and teenagers don't have patience for lines either.

 

[svoight]

Disney Quest is it. My 16 year old nephew and 14 and 10 year old son's were there from opening time 11:00 to closing - 11 hours. 5 floors of adventure.

 

[Lee B]

At the resort, he may find a similar-aged girl suffering the same fate. If they can do stuff together, it will solve many problems, including being stuck with family.

A girl, rather than another boy, would be less likely to get them into trouble from poor judgement in a "wrong" crowd. They would have a relatively safe and low-expectation experience of spending time with the opposite sex, which will help both their confidence. They might become friends enough to stay in touch later. Finally, they could be more okay with all or parts of their two families getting together for a joint "family activity" if they can be a little apart to share the misery.

 

[NTHC]

Maiwah,
I know that some kids don't like to miss school. With us that has never been an issue. We travel quite a bit and have always taken the kids out for trips since they both started to school. They are in small private schools and the teachers are wonderful when it comes to making up work or sending things along.

Cindy

 

[Texas Traveler]

calgal - Cocoa Beach is the closest beach. Daytona is just a little further, we haven't been there, so I can't say exactly how far. My now 15 year olds loved Cocoa Beach two years ago (Ron Jon's is a must). There are also kayak trips if that interests your group of kids.

 

[timetraveler]

Maiwah,
I know that some kids don't like to miss school. With us that has never been an issue. We travel quite a bit and have always taken the kids out for trips since they both started to school. They are in small private schools and the teachers are wonderful when it comes to making up work or sending things along.

Cindy

Same here....the girls are 4.0 students. Have been thruout. One is 15 and the other is 17. Teachers have always sent them with their scheduled work for the week, and even give them a bonus credit for coming back and doing some sort of a report. For instance, Hayley the youngest, did a "live eye" weather report on tape when Hurricane Dennis hit Kissimmee. That was a huge hit with the class!

 

[spiceycat]

you just want to be on Disney property?

firework cruise - expensive
fishing - you can fish on Disney property without a license - offsite you will need one
another vote for Disney Quest

will you have a car? then drive over to Pop (it is almost next door) and see how it likes their arcade....

go to BW at night - earlier go by the big pool at YC/BC - for the views....

PI - they now allowed teens to enter the walk around area. - NO BARS, or any place that services liquior without an adult. (notice adult not parent):annoyed:

 

[JillChang]

you just want to be on Disney property?

firework cruise - expensive
fishing - you can fish on Disney property without a license - offsite you will need one
another vote for Disney Quest

will you have a car? then drive over to Pop (it is almost next door) and see how it likes their arcade....

go to BW at night - earlier go by the big pool at YC/BC - for the views....

PI - they now allowed teens to enter the walk around area. - NO BARS, or any place that services liquior without an adult. (notice adult not parent):annoyed:

Sorry, I don't get it. What is POP, BW, YC/BC?

I figure out PI is Pleasure Island, right? So teens are allowed in a bar with adult? Are you sure? I seemed to remember there were some comedy club, if my teenager can get in, I wouldn't mind taking him there.

 

[Breezyone]

Wish I had found TUG prior to our first trip to Florida this April, we didn't take the teenagers (girl 14 and boy 16) with us they stayed at home with their Aunt, and we went with the 9 and 11 year old girls plus our 30 year old son, his wife, and 2 grandson(4 and 6). Yes, I gave birth to the 9 and 30 year old. The teenagers didn't want to come, now all we are getting is grief that we didn't take them. It would have been easier to go to a different park then my son and his boys as we wasted a lot of time on the kiddy boy stuff that the girls weren't interested in. Next time, we will only see each other at the end of the day, too much time waiting on each other. It was not during March Break and they didn't want to miss school but when they heard what a great time we all had, they were very upset with us that we didn't make them come. Now that we own a timeshare, we will take them and hopefully we wont have any issues. They only have a few more years at home(at least I hope so, been a Mom for the last 30 years with kids at home. Boy, am I making myself feel old. Still have 4 graduations to attend, proms to come, and hopefully lots of memories on vacation.
All the best on your trip, the resort should have activities for teens as well as the children. At least ours does.

 

[Detailor]

Sorry, I don't get it. What is POP, BW, YC/BC?

Pop is the Pop Century Resort - a Disney value hotel property.
BW is BoardWalk - generally timeshare units.
YC/BC is Yacht Club/Beach Club - a deluxe Disney hotel property that's in the BoardWalk area.

I there are only a couple of clubs at PI that are limited to 21s and older, Mannequins and one of the others. For all other clubs the age is 18 unless accompanied by an adult or guardian.

Dick Taylor

 

[JillChang]

Pop is the Pop Century Resort - a Disney value hotel property.
BW is BoardWalk - generally timeshare units.
YC/BC is Yacht Club/Beach Club - a deluxe Disney hotel property that's in the BoardWalk area.

I there are only a couple of clubs at PI that are limited to 21s and older, Mannequins and one of the others. For all other clubs the age is 18 unless accompanied by an adult or guardian.

Dick Taylor

I think my 17 year old son will be very happy to hear that he can go to the club on PI (unfortunately with me in tow).

Just did a little research, it seems Adventurers Club and Comedy Warehouse are appropriate. Is there an entrance charge for PI?

 

[NTHC]

Happy to say that son is very excited.....he is now thinking we haven't allowed enough time for him to do all the things he wants......teenagers, lol!


Cindy

 

[Detailor]

Is there an entrance charge for PI?

There's a charge of around $20 pp to allow access to the clubs, though I've seen discounted tickets offered - maybe from ticketmania.com - for $17 or $18.

Dick Taylor

 

[JillChang]

Happy to say that son is very excited.....he is now thinking we haven't allowed enough time for him to do all the things he wants......teenagers, lol!


Cindy

Cindy,

Please post your son's experience after your trip. I am going in December and would love a feedback from another teenager to finalize my plan.

Jill