4 Things to Remember When Taking Your Teens to Disney World
Even if you’ve taken your kids to Disney World a dozen times, their first trip as a teenager will be a different beast entirely. The folks at All Ears wrote an interesting article that includes 7 great points about a teen’s trip to Disney.
That said, it likely shouldn’t be their first experience going off on their own. Use your best judgment, but remember that even though you want to have a family trip with shared memories, it’s OK to let them go off on their own once in a while.
1. Staying in larger accommodations can make a huge difference
Taking younger kids to Disney World is often a reason parents choose to rent vacation homes, as they allow them to put the kids to bed and then stay up watching TV and relaxing without fear of keeping the kids up. These large accommodations are just as important with teens, but for a different reason – teens need their privacy.
2. Don’t assume older kids will want to go on scarier rides
If you’ve taken your kids to Disney World before and they’ve been afraid of the scarier rides, don’t assume that just because they’re older they’ll like them all. Likewise, if you’ve never taken your kids before, remember that they may indeed be afraid of some of the thrill rides. It’s always a good idea to encourage them to try something new, but there’s no need to push the issue if they’re not comfortable.
3. Don’t discount bribes
You may not use bribes in your day-to-day parenting style, but they can be an effective tool when you’re on vacation. Parents especially find success with this method when it comes to getting teens to go on “kiddie” rides. Some of the vintage, classic rides may elicit an eye-roll from teens, but once they’re in the queue they’re likely to be enchanted. Promise them extra time by the pool or a Mickey premium bar if they go along with the touring plan for the day.4. Consider letting the kids venture out on their own
Your kids are going to want to venture out on their own. This can be a complicated situation that you’ll have to carefully consider. Do you let them go off on their own at home? If so, then it’s likely reasonable to let them do so at Disney World. With so many people around, and so many Cast Members with their eyes on what’s going on, it’s a relatively safe place.That said, it likely shouldn’t be their first experience going off on their own. Use your best judgment, but remember that even though you want to have a family trip with shared memories, it’s OK to let them go off on their own once in a while.
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