WDW Lovin' Parents of HS Teens About This Page:

[Bert & Sully]

DH's nephew graduates from highschool next year (2003) and will turn 18 in May. We are investigating the cost of taking him to the World for a (seven day) week ; because he had started putting a trip together with two friends of his for July that fell through. He lives in Needham MA so this would entail UPH, airfare, and he'd stay with us in a Deluxe resort (most likely AKL [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] or WL).

How expensive [img]graemlins/ukid.gif[/img] is it to feed a teenager at the World?

Ok, so we are hashing through this idea and a few minutes ago DH says what about a land/sea package but put together seperately (by JEAN of COURSE [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] ). I rather like this idea as WDW in the middle of June is NOT on my top 10 (let alone top 40) things to do............I wonder though, would a 17 or just turned 18 year old be interested in a cruise? DH's nephew teased us about doing the World at Christmastime and then turning around and going right back down this month....then we found out he was attempting to plan.

[img]graemlins/ears.gif[/img] I'd love any and all input, suggestions, etc.

Thanks,
Elaine

[WildForWD]

Good luck Elaine!!!
Yes....feeding a teenager can be a bit daunting, but is doable!!
Our kids are 11 & 14, and our 14 year old is always hungry!! [img]graemlins/ukid.gif[/img]
The cruise is a good idea because I've heard there is almost always something to eat at any time of day or night!!
If he is outgoing and makes friends easy he should have a blast as there is an entire section of the boat just for teenagers!!
Once at Disney, try for the buffets or other all you can eat options, (like whispering canyons skillets!) This will help to fill up your always starving teen!! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
Good Luck!!
Tim

[wheatenwalker]

I have 2 teenage boys (15 and 17 now, 14 and 16 last trip). I spend alot on food and snacks, last year I bought the Connection vouchers, the quick and casual ones and that helped alot. I gave them each a voucher and $20 every day for food and snacks and I bought dinner. Some days they had money left, and they never ran out, somedays we just got quick food for dinner and they could pay for their own with their money or a voucher. I found giving them money made it easier than having them ask for a snack every hour, they had to think about what they were spending. Your nephew is VERY lucky to have such a nice aunt and unlec!

[Bert & Sully]

BUMP! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[tikibird]

We have found feeding our sons (18 and 21) quite manageable.

They are not big breakfast eaters, and usually prefer to have breakfast in the room, so we pack bagels, peanut butter and pop tarts.

We plan one sit down and one counter service meal each day, and have had most success with the buffets in filling them up. However, we have found most portions, including the counter service, to be fairly large, so having a chicken sandwich, fries and a drink, with a Mickey Bar for dessert, usually fills them up. In Epcot, the chips at San Angel Inn and the breadsticks at LeCellier are also wonderful in making them feel full! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

As for a cruise, I would say anywhere with teenaged girls would be ideal for a teenaged boy!

What a great aunt and uncle you and DH are! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Bert & Sully]

Thanks for sharing how you plan meals with teen males at the World. We're just trying to get a ball park idea of cost to be sure we can do it comfortably and have a good time. (I want the Cheap Police to understand in dollars and cents what he's suggesting so if he "starts" I can remind him [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] whose idea it was and that we DID know what we were getting into here! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[rescuesk]

Tiki is right...breakfast in the room saves a bundle! We did cereal, donuts (I know, In know [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] ) and juice for Mike (17) and Joey (13) this last time and it helped out. Another way to start to plan now is to have any of your relatives give him Disney Dollars instead of $$$ or gifts for upcoming holidays, etc. Then he will have those to use when he is out on his own. As far as other meals, definitely buffets! Cape May Clambake kept them full. We also got very generous portions in Teppanaki (Japan).
My boys loved DisneyQuest, make sure it is part of your itenary (sp.?). As far as information for kids on the cruise goes, I can help you after October [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] (Unfortunately, Mike will miss this one due to college, but I'll look around.)

Sue