Originally Posted By momof4boys My friend's husband died suddenly 3 months ago. She and her 13 year old daughter are having a hard time. She decided maybe a vacation would help them- they've never been anywhere but she's heard me talk about Disneyland so much, she has decided to go there. She wants me to help them plan their trip. I only have boys, so I need some help with planning magic for a girl. I think they are going to fly in May 20th and go to the park the 21st-24th. I've never been that time of year- how will the crowds be? I think they are going to stay at DLH or Grand Californian- which do you think would be better? Money isn't too much of a worry- she has been saving for years for vacations never taken. This will probably be their only time to go to DL. Grand is "fancier" but DLH has more magic. What are some special things a fairly immature preteen girl might like? Looking at the DL schedule, Fantasmic won't be going, right? What about Fireworks? Tara still likes stuffed animals, I'm thinking she might even enjoy Build a Bear. Fancy restaurants are out because Tara is pretty much a pizza, chicken nuggets, mac and cheese girl- but I thought maybe Goofy's Kitchen- her mom thought she might actually enjoy a little character interaction and not be embarrassed by having to wait in line to see them. I was also trying to think of some "getting to be a young lady" type of things they might do. If they stay at the Grand are there any Spa treatments she is old enough for? Any other ideas on must do things for a 13 y.o. girl? I want to help make this trip magical for them!
Originally Posted By stagemomx3 There is Club Libby Lu in DTD if she is not to mature for it. My mature 11 year old likes it, but I'm not sure about a 13 year old. I vote for staying at The Grand, you just can't beat being right at the park! Storytellars for breakfast is great!
Originally Posted By SoThisIsLove I'm not the expert here, but having taken my barely 14 year old daughter there last October, here are my humble offerings: We LOVED the GCH. Loved it. It was quite magical for us, and having the entrances so handy was even better. There are lovely little details in the rooms... The #1 hint I have (I was going to keep it a state secret, but this is for a good cause) is for her to wear a tiara. Just the cheapies from a discount store will do. That's if she's a fan of the princesses or any feminine character (my daughter's preference is Alice in Wonderland and Cinderella). Anyway, on MANY rides and attractions, she was treated like royalty (thanks, cast members!) and Cinderella herself waved and blew kisses to her during the parade. Beyond anything else, it was the true highlight of her trip. How lucky is your friend to have someone like you in your corner. I hope they simply have the trip of a lifetime. xoxo
Originally Posted By kaoden39 I have two daughters 12 and 13 years old. They both love the Disneyland Hotel. Partly because of the theming. As well as Goofy's kitchen which is a kick' they really enjoy Ariel's Grotto. They also have the hair wrappings which are fun too. My daughters are really excited for our upcoming trip and seeing Jack Sparrow, that might also be a consideration too. I send my condolences to your friend and her daughter. I hope they have a magical trip to Disneyland.
Originally Posted By velo hair wrapping is very popular with the young teen girls. My girlie also liked the henna "tatoos" from DCA. (really nice designs).
Originally Posted By momof4boys What is hair wrapping and where do you do/get it? Thanks everybody so much for the suggestions so far!
Originally Posted By kaoden39 Hair wrapping they take a portion of the girls hair and wrap it with thread. You pick what color thread they use and then they also can get beads and charms. My oldest daughter got her hair wrapped in 2003 and it lasted for months. The hair actually fell out and she got to keep it and because it is done underneath the hair where it came out you never saw it. They do it in Downtown Disney near the DLH. It is kind of a fun thing to do. The tatoos are fun too and they last for a little while. Even when they swim or shower. Michele
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<< Spa treatments >>> I assume she probably wouldn't like this yet. I have 5 boys and only 1 girl so what do I know? But you say she is immature for 13 so I'm thinking in terms of a 9 or 10 year old girl.
Originally Posted By nemopoppins My thirteen year old daughter wouldn't be caught dead in Libby Lu. But my seven year old loves it and my sixteen year old loves to take her (her excuse). My thirteen year old would like to be more childlike at Disneyland, and you think of all places she could, but it's a little disappointing when CM's think she's too old for certain things. I think she was just 11 or 12 when they wouldn't let her do the junior chef. They wouldn't let her do the smoke jumpers in the RC Challenge Trail even though she was still under their limit (their stick was wrong-she was wearing flat Converse so I know it wasn't the shoes). I have to guide the characters to give her some time when a lot of them just gush over her younger sister. I think her mother might have to see how she reacts and what her wishes are when they are there, and if she wants to be spoiled like a child, Mom will have to help, because sometimes the CM's don't understand. Like, if she would like Build-a-Bear, her mom might have to make sure she gets the full treatment, without embarrassing her, of course. (I'm just using that as an example, because the only time I've been to Build-a-Bear was with a much younger child and I actually have no reason to believe they wouldn't be good to a teen.)
Originally Posted By momof4boys I say she seems immature, but maybe I don't know what I'm talking about- girls are so foreign to me. They go to our church and she is exactly a year younger than my son, but seems SOOO much younger than him- and I thought girls were supposed to mature faster than boys. She still collects stuffed animals and has no interest in boys. Right now,I can't think of any other examples of how she seems immature. She just seems so young to me- maybe some of that is because she isn't very independent. Her parents have always done everything for her- maybe because she was an only child. I don't know. She is at that age where she just doesn't feel like she fits in anywhere. I thought I'd tell her mom about all the activities that she might enjoy- the "younger" ones and the "older" ones and she can let Tara decide what sounds fun. Tara was starting to be moody before her father died and now she is just so unhappy. It is so hard for my friend to deal with because she is so full of grief also. They did just start therapy, so I am hoping that helps. She said Tara is excited about the trip ( I was worried that Tara might be so unhappy right now that she wouldn't allow herself to have any fun)and she is going to let Tara choose between the Grand and DLH. I got them several books on DL and put sticky notes in them on hints I know and rides they might like. For instance, Tara is very artistic, so I really think they would like the animation studio. Thanks for all the ideas, let me know if you have any more.
Originally Posted By LuLu My daughter is 16 and would love to get a job at Libby Lu! We have lots of fun going thru there and checking out the oh-so-pretty things. If she feels it's too "girly" she may like Sephora! My daughter absolutely adores that place! If she's artistic, don't forget the Disney Gallery. They have mother-daughter treatments at the Mandara Spa. I've emailed them to see the minimum age (usually it's 16...). I hope your friends have a fabulous time. I'm alo glad to hear they're getting therapy, I'm sure that will help. What a difficult season of life for them. I'm sure this will be a great bonding time for mom & Tara tho!
Originally Posted By lynnet1 even though they want a "bonding time", maybe it would be fun to invite a friend? Maybe you have a girlfriend and her daughter that could join you. Would be more relaxing for both of you, possibly.
Originally Posted By kaoden39 I say she seems immature, but maybe I don't know what I'm talking about- girls are so foreign to me. You know it's funny but my 12 year old likes boys. Especially Jack Sparrow. My 13 year old is embarassed to admit she likes anyone. The 13 year old tries to be sophisticated and pretends she doesn't like things so that no one will know. Every child is different. Your sons may be nore grown up. In a lot of ways my son is more to grown up than his older sisters. And he is 10 to their 12 and 13. So who knowa. Sorry had to add my thoughts to yours. Incidently my 23 your old would love the Libby Lu thing while my 13 year old would pretend not to. Michele
Originally Posted By LuLu >>I've emailed them to see the minimum age<< BTW, the spa never emailed back. So give them a phone call if your friends are interested.
Originally Posted By fidoprincess Since they are going to stay on site, I highly recommend doing early entry to Build-a-bear. We have seen all ages in there from the very young to teenagers to even 20-somethings with their boyfriends making animals. Early entry lets you in at 9 instead of store opening at 10 and you practically have the whole store to yourself and very special attentions from the clerks with a few extra perks. You make reservations through the guest services desk at the hotel. I would also think anyone would love lunch or dinner at Blue Bayou. I know the reviews are mixed but we have been there since the changes and still loved it. Best to go to early lunch(11:30) and ask specifically for a waterside table. If she liked High School Musical, that is a short cute show/parade in CA that we all thought was good too. There is so much to do at DL, they will have a great time. They don't really need to go out of their way to find "special" things because it is all pretty darn special for all ages.
Originally Posted By momof4boys fidoprincess- thanks for the info about early entry to Build a Bear- I think she will like that. Can you do that when staying at DLH or just the Grand Californian ( didn't know whether she had to do it the first part or the end of their trip.) We have been discussing Blue Bayou- I would really like them to experience it but there was nothing on the adult menu that Tara would eat- would they let her eat a kids meal?
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains The Blue Bayou has a kids menu - I don't remember what was on it- but they could just go for dessert. I would also book Ariel's grotto it has basic food (Ursula's mac n' cheese w/hot dog) and all the princesses are in there and personally come to your table to say hi - so maturity level doesn't have to play into it.
Originally Posted By ImNotAllThereMyself Given the choice between Blue Bayou and the Character Breakfast at the Plaza I would the Character Breakfast. The characters come right up to your table, the food is really good, and you can take pictures. Things to do with a teen, I would deffinatley say to spend the money to get Fantasmic Balcony Seats (714-781-4400) Through the DLR hotels you can contact trip planning and have a gift put in the room before you arrive. You can even have this customised to what your kid likes.(sorry I don't have the # on that. But talk to trip planning, not room service) I am a fairly immature adult and I still like to pose with the characters. Tig and the princesses are my favorites. They have autograph books with photo pages now, so that might be an idea. I know that they have a party with the princesses thing at Ariels Grotto, and that the princesses come by. (another idea, and the food isn't too foofy) If it is any where near her birthday, they can get the birthday button, and there's more special attention. I would reccomend giving them as much information as possible and letting them try to figure it out, there are links for alot of these things with pics on the Disney.go.com site. My heart goes out to your friend, I hope this can be a special time for them. (fair warning, the remember fireworks might be too much, so soon. There have been many posts here about how it made us cry with nothing like your friends reason) Cheshire Cat
Originally Posted By fidoprincess momof4boys, Yes! You can do the early entry to Build-a-bear if you are staying at any of the 3 Disney Hotels. Try to make reservations ahead of time if they can through the Hotel's Guest Sevices but I have seen people get in by asking the day before. I am not sure if they will let her order off the kids menu at BB. I heard people say yes and others were told no. My ds was 11 and did order the kids meal. (My kids thought it was terrible but were able to order pasta with red sauce and liked it okay.) A character meal is always fun too! We like the one in the Plaza and also Goofy's for either breakfast or dinner. We like to do the ee bab on our check out day and then do goofys for breakfast right before we leave. The ride home is always much nicer with a new toy and full bellies and kind of extends the magic since we generally don't do the parks on our going home day. You can order bday party bags at almost every character meal through Disney Dining too. We always see them at Goofys.
