Fear of teens that are just too cool...

[Zipadeelady]

I hope this is the right place to put this thread all seem to be about toddlers and babies but I hope someone has some ideas.

It's been 3 years since our last trip and I now have 2 teenage daughters 16 and 13. My big fear is not broken down rides or chipped paint but of 2 girls that are too cool to admit that they are having fun and won't be silly. Anyone have teens that their inner child resurfaced for that week at Disney? Any ideas...... threats? Ipod confiscation?

 

[DDuckFan130]

Well I can only offer my experience with my 8th grade students. In my school we reward students who get high scores on the FCAT (state test) by taking them to a theme park in Orlando/Tampa. For the first time, the kids (ranging from 4th-8th grade) voted for MK. Some of my kids were very skeptical, and they also know I love WDW. I told them there's plenty for them to do that they'll enjoy, including the 3 mountains which they were excited about. When we got there, we ended up doing such rides as Buzz Lightyear also and even Philharmagic which they enjoyed. And since I go so much I only guided them through the park and let them figure out what they wanted to do. Turns out they enjoyed shopping at the candy store, taking pictures in front of the castle, and just soaking everything in aside from the rides. They had no problem acting silly

I guess the point of my incessant rambling is let them know what's available to them and don't force them to do anything they don't want to. Also, if possible, maybe give them some time to themselves to explore. The parks are safe enough and if they have a cell phone, even better, and you'll give them some independence. Epcot and DHS will probably be the biggest attractions, Epcot for the food and DHS for the biggest thrill rides.

So yeah, kinda let them figure it out and they'll enjoy it I'm sure. If they want to act like they're too cool, well they're teens. It's normal lol

 

[Calvin Coolidge]

I'm not a parent, but as someone who was a teenager fairly recently, my advice would be to build in away from the parks to do other things - shopping at Downtown Disney if they like shopping, maybe hanging out by the pool if you're staying on property. 13 in particular seems around the age where there are social incentives to act like they don't like Disney.

Other advice: When I was that age my ride preferences skewed towards rides like Space Mountain and Tower of Terror. Giving them choice on what to go on, where to eat, etc. could make them feel like they have more responsibility in making the vacation fun.

Hopefully, they'll see other kids their age having fun with their families and take that as social permission to do the same.

Good luck...

 

[dopeylover]

I went back in the day (not THAT far back!! ) as a teenager, and short of feeling like leaving my boyfriend for a week was the end of the world, I had a great time. It's about embracing the spirit of where you are, no matter where it is! I had a few eye rolls thrown in here and there, but I think you lose points as a teenager if you don't roll your eyes at least once a day. Threatening a child to have fun is the best way to ensure they WON'T! Hoping you have a great trip!!!

 

[Figgy1]

I hope this is the right place to put this thread all seem to be about toddlers and babies but I hope someone has some ideas.

It's been 3 years since our last trip and I now have 2 teenage daughters 16 and 13. My big fear is not broken down rides or chipped paint but of 2 girls that are too cool to admit that they are having fun and won't be silly. Anyone have teens that their inner child resurfaced for that week at Disney? Any ideas...... threats? Ipod confiscation?

o
MY ds was about 17 and embarresed to be seen with me at all too cool for words! Well besides going on almost every ride with the unmentionable parents he danced with me in PUBLIC at the dance party thing in tomorrowland. They may not admit they are having fun all the time just look at their faces when they think your not looking.

 

[Monty]

I've been taking my almost 18 year old to WDW since he was 5. He loves going and just following me around the parks. He gets some park time on his own and manages to enjoy himself as well doing that.

On a bus headed to the parks last August, an older couple asked him if he ever felt that Disney wasn't "cool"... He was confused by the question and answered "It's Disney! Of course it's cool."

 

[alexxturnerr]

I'm 19 (still classes as a teen right?) and I LOVE going to Disney, can't get enough, I act like I'm 6 years old again but I do anyway even when I'm not at Disney. Anyway, point i'm making is that Disney is cool and anyone who says otherwise is lying!

 

[popcenturylover]

We took our oldest kids in 2009, when they were 15 & 17. They said that they'd rather be at the beach!? So, we started young with our youngest. She was 8 months old on her 1st trip & hopefully she'll love it forever! Anyway, the husband & I had a great time on that trip despite what the kids thought!!!

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

I hope this is the right place to put this thread all seem to be about toddlers and babies but I hope someone has some ideas.

It's been 3 years since our last trip and I now have 2 teenage daughters 16 and 13. My big fear is not broken down rides or chipped paint but of 2 girls that are too cool to admit that they are having fun and won't be silly. Anyone have teens that their inner child resurfaced for that week at Disney? Any ideas...... threats? Ipod confiscation?

I took a then 16 year-old and 18 year-old in June. It was the 18 year-old's first time. The 16 year-old, my daughter, had been umpteen times. The friend is a serious, peer conscience girl who wouldn't even wear her foot brace she needed for recent surgery because of the way it looked. She would rather be in pain. However, within a day, she was acting like a goofball and having the best time of her life. They even sat in Sunshine Seasons coloring while we waited for a storm to pass. Once they see others their age not caring what others think and just being kids at heart, they usually come around. It helps that they know they'll never see these people again .

 

[BigRedDad]

They are going to have fun. However, you are probably going to have to give them their own time to go off on their own at the parks, stay at the resort pool, meet boys, and all the other stuff.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Thanks everyone! Great ideas and examples. I do believe that the girls will have a great time and not be to...typical teenage girls. Although they are currently giving each other the death stare while supposed to be doing homework.

I have thought about letting them go off by themselves as long as were all in the same park...actually I will I don't see any problems with that as long as were all in the same park.

 

[Zipadeelady]

meet boys, and all the other stuff.

UH NO!! Not till they're 27.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Threatening a child to have fun is the best way to ensure they WON'T! Hoping you have a great trip!!!

Thanks for the well wishes!

I wouldn't threaten them or take away stuff. Just my obnoxious sense of humor. I guess I should have added a winky or smiley face.

 

[TDF]

I’m 18 and I’ll admit I shed a manly tear at the fireworks during NYE (when we went.) I can’t get enough of Disney but if they are a little hesitant let them be involved in booking the trip. Ask them where they want to eat, ride, etc...
- Justin

 

[l4dybu6]

Im 15 and I LOVE Disney! Seriously, I go like once every few months, yet I STILL get excited when entering one of the parks
And the fireworks show makes me grin like an idiot.....
I was there tonight and realized that I was as happy to be there as my 2 and 4 year old siblings
Then again, I'm not what you would classify as normal....

 

[ImagineerDude]

I'm a teen. I cry during Wishes and the Good Morning show. I get goosebumps during Fantasmic and Illuminations. I eat lollipops and cookies daily on every trip. I collect disney snowglobes and memories. I also basically plan our vacations. I guess you could say in unique, but some of my friends wouldn't be caught dead watching Dream Along with Mickey. It just depends how "Disney" you are. I was raised on Disney which makes a huge difference, and as they say, everyone is different. I honestly don't know how you can't enjoy WDW

 

[TDF]

I'm a teen. I cry during Wishes and the Good Morning show. I get goosebumps during Fantasmic and Illuminations. I eat lollipops and cookies daily on every trip. I collect disney snowglobes and memories. I also basically plan our vacations. I guess you could say in unique, but some of my friends wouldn't be caught dead watching Dream Along with Mickey. It just depends how "Disney" you are. I was raised on Disney which makes a huge difference, and as they say, everyone is different. I honestly don't know how you can't enjoy WDW

A man after my own heart. I just basically booked our whole DCL trip coming up, planing our June WDW trip and a trip by myself in many years to come. I also collect various items… I love those stupid little Mickey heads with different graphic on them. Definitely have them come in on you booking it and let them be involved it will make them feel like it is their vacation while it is yours to.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I am going to be blasphemous here, but would you consider a day up at Islands of Adventure? It is a teen Mecca. I have 2 daughters (12,16) and we have Uni APs as do all their friends. It is not uncommon to go to IOA and have them meet up with friends and they have a blast. Between Potter, Spider-man, and the big boy coasters. No one is too "cool" for it.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Thanks to all you teens that have posted....You have given me hope

 

[Zipadeelady]

I am going to be blasphemous here, but would you consider a day up at Islands of Adventure? It is a been Mecca. I have 2 daughters (12,16) a we have Uni APs as do all their friends. It is not uncommon to go to IOA and have them meet up with friends and they have a blast. Between Potter, Spider-man, and the big boy coasters. No one is too "cool" for it.

We are actually planning on going to UNI for one day of our vacation. My 13 year old is a Potter fan and we thought it might be neat to see (it will be our first time there). My girls who will be 14 and 17 when we go love coasters but my DS (10) only likes the big rides at Disney. We live near Cedar Point in Ohio and he won't go on any coasters there.