Hi, Kristy!
I am a ‘boy mom’ of 8-year-old and 11-year-old boys, with a 12-year-old nephew. All three absolutely love visiting the Walt Disney World Resort!
Even though my boys are older, they still enjoy interacting with the characters. Instead of simply posing for a picture with them, ask them a question or tell them a funny joke. My oldest asked King Louie at Animal Kingdom Theme Park if he could have some of his bananas - he offered him an apple instead. Goofy seems to think it is funny to wear my youngest son’s baseball hat on his nose. You can warn Chip and Dale you saw Donald Duck heading over! We usually discuss how we are going to interact with each character while we are waiting in line. It helps pass the time and we crack each other up with some of our crazy ideas!
According to them - the rides are awesome! They enjoy not only the ‘big kid’ rides, but classic rides as well. One thing not to miss is The Sum of All Thrills located at Epcot in the Innovations building. Here the boys design their own thrill ride and are able to ‘ride’ it inside a 4D robotic simulator!
My oldest son looks forward to eating the food - all of it. We usually spend an entire afternoon at Epcot sharing different dishes and snacks from around the world. It is also an easy way for me to get some time to duck into some shops.
Lastly, my boys also can't wait to jump into the pool at our Walt Disney World Resort hotel. If I ever forget to pack the goggles – I would be in trouble! They would spend an entire day swimming if I would let them.
My boys have also mentioned how much they enjoy spending time together as a family. It is a week without work, chores, and errand running. We simply get to all act like kids together, enjoy each other's company, and make memories they will remember for years to come!
Wishing you and your family a magical vacation, Kristy!
~Rachel