First Time for Granddaughter

[dhgifford]

Hi all

I am taking my 11-year-old granddaughter to DLR for her first time Aug 6-10. We are staying at the GCH. It has been almost ten years since I have been to DL myself.

She's still kind of in between being a "kid" and being a "preteen." Any suggestions on which attractions we can't miss? We have parkhopper tickets and basically have three full days plus whatever time we have Sunday after we get settled into the hotel which should be by about 3 PM.

We do have reservations for the balcony for Fantasmic on Monday.

Is Early Entry worth it or are the Fantasyland rides too kiddish for an eleven year old? (*sob* I LIKE some of those rides but this is her reward trip for all A's so.....................) What about the Early Toontown Entry? Again, is it worth it for her age?

[wwe_wordlife619]

i think the cant miss atraction are space mountain, indiana jones, splash mountain, btmrr, pirates of the carribean, haunted mansion, buzz lightyear astro blasters, and the matterhorn. i dont think the fantasyland rides are too kiddish for an eleven year old. I am almost 15 and i still enjoy going on the fantasyland rides. Hppe you have a great time!

[dhgifford]

Thanks! It helps to hear from someone closer to her age!

[Tink60]

The type of ride that your granddaughter likes will really depend on her personality. If she likes thrills and the coasters than she will love the e-tickets. But if she is a bit more quiet and sedate person than the fantasyland rides will be more her speed.

I took my 15 year old neice for the first time a few years ago. While she loved all the rides in the park, in the end her favorite turned out to be Alice in Wonderland.

So take her on all of the rides she wants to go on and let her decide what she likes the best.

[disneylover]

I think because she has never been before, take her on everything! Sure, she may like some attractions more then others, but she should experience everything! I remember being her age, and loving the fantasyland attractions along with the more big thrill attractions. She'll probably really enjoy the new Space Mountain, and Splash Mountain as well. I suggest trying It's tough to be a bug 3D show at DCA. It is really fun, something I think you will both get a kick out of! Have a great time, and fully take advantage of fastpasses!I wish my grandma would have taken me to the DLR for getting all A's, what a cool grandma you are

[Pixie]

My 11 year old daughter loves DCA as much as DL and since you will be staying at the GCH you will have a private entrance to DCA. My daughter loves Grizzly Rapids, Soaring over Calf plus all the rides on Paradise Pier. She still loves all the characters - she's not interested in autographs but she still loves to have her picture taken with her favorites. The great thing about DL is that you can still enjoy being a kid - hey, I still do! My family loves the GCH - great choice. Have a wonderful trip - she will remember it always.

[Ezra]

I remember going to Disneyland at 11 and I loved Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and Peter Pan's Flight. So if you have the opportunity to do the early-entry to Fantasyland, I would say to take it. You won't be sorry.

[dhgifford]

Thanks to all for your help. I have her looking at some of these sites and letting me know her top choices but I think we will basically try everything at least once!

[wallace3103]

We just got back a few weeks ago and we took our 12 year old for the second time. She was mostly into shopping and the big rides like tower of terror, California Screamin, Space Mountain, Matterhorn, Splash Mountain, Sorin over California, Grizzly river run, Indiana Jones ect. She said she would only go on the little rides for her sister, shes 3, but deep down she truely enjoyed all the rides down to Its a small world even though she would never admit it. I think that any early entry is worth it if you can get up and out early enough. We had every intent to do so but it never happened and we were there 6 days. I think that "Its tough to be a bug" is worth it along with "Honey I shrunk the audience". And Alladin is excellent! Have so much fun anddont forget the hat, sunglasses and sun block.

[Smeecanada]

My son was just about 11 when we went last September. He was game to go on all the rides except some over in DCA - in a bug's land.

[princessmommy]

My girls are about your granddaughter's age. They love everything about DL. If she's girly, try the princess meal (I think it's at Ariel's Grotto now). The great thing about DL is that kids who are stuck in that weird not-a-baby, not-quite-a-teen age can act like kids and not feel embarrassed. And by the way, I hope to be the kind of grandma you are one day! How sweet to take her on this special trip!!!

[dhgifford]

Thanks for the tips. I think we are going to have a great time. And my motives for the trip aren't entirely altruistic. She is about to start middle school and has all A's. As an educator I want to reward the idea that getting good grades is worthwhile! I talked to her on the phone (she is across the country from me) yesterday and she is just so excited about this trip. I think she is going to enjoy both the kid rides and the exciting rides. She has both on her list!