Park Spotlight: 10 Things TEENS will Love at Walt Disney World

Disney is truly a magical place for all ages. There is so much to do and see! Even teenagers enjoy being a kid at Disney! When traveling with a teenager as well as younger children, it can be a bit challenging to make everyone happy. Some teenagers are not going to be excited about meeting characters and riding “kiddie” rides. However, there are some activities that teenagers might enjoy more than other age groups.

RIDE ALL 3 MOUNTAINS AT MAGIC KINGDOM!!!

Many teenagers enjoy the thrilling rides! The three main mountain rides at Magic Kingdom are some of the top rides on a teenagers list. Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain. These rides can have long wait times so it is best to have fast passes for these rides.

Space Mountain is in the dark so many teenagers will think this ride is cool! Who doesn’t love riding in a rocket blasting through outer space??? And if you purchase memory maker, you can make some great pictures!

Then head on over to Splash Mountain and ride on a log plume and listen to Disney’s classic film Song of the South. Even though this ride has several fun characters to see throughout the ride and some Disney songs to listen to along the way, teenagers love this ride because of the big drop at the end. This water ride will also get you wet, especially if you sit in the front!

(photo credit: Disney)

After you get off of Splash Mountain, go straight to Thunder Mountain Railroad. “It’s the wildest ride in the wilderness!” Hop aboard the runaway mine train for a bumpy and fast ride! Teenagers will love riding Big Thunder at night! It seems to go even faster at night!!!

(photo credit: Disney)

2. VISIT ALL 4 PARKS IN ONE DAY

Make a list of your top rides at each park. Then begin at the park with Early Magic Hours and end at park with the latest park hours. Ride as many of your favorite rides as possible. Many people enjoying doing this. Teenagers are up for the challenge and can get more accomplished than with families with younger children. Also, you will need to be very strategic with your fast pass planning and be ready to park hop til you drop! I am going to try this one day! I did park hop to 3 of the 4 parks last year on opening day of Pandora at Animal Kingdom! It was so much fun!!!

3. CLOSE DOWN THE PARK!!!

Many teenagers will enjoy staying out until the park closes. At Magic Kingdom you can experience Cinderella Castle’s Kiss Goodnight 30 minutes after the park closes. Sometimes that can even be 1:30am!! Many teens would rather sleep in and stay out late, so closing the park sounds like something they would like to do!

Photo credit: Disney

4. FREEDOM TO EXPLORE PARKS WITH A FRIEND OR SIBLING OF SIMILAR AGE

Disney World is a reasonably safe, environment that older kids can navigate and feel comfortable if they stay within one park. Some parents may even be willing to let older teens travel by themselves between parks using the Disney transportation system. However, be sure to establish rules for keeping in contact and staying safe. Set specific times and locations for meeting up again. A simple text every couple of hours will allow parents to know their teenager is safe. Being able to explore Disney with friends allows teenagers the responsibility of being treated like adults. Teenagers must be at least 14 years old to enter a park by themselves.

(photo credit: Disney)

5. SCHEDULE DOWN TIME AT DISNEY

Teenagers enjoy going to the theme parks, but they also enjoy doing other things as well. Take time out of the day and go to Disney Springs for some shopping or go to one of Disney’s waterparks for part of the day, or even just relax at your resort by the pool. Having some down time built into your vacation is always helpful and encouraged when travelling with teenagers.

Photo credit: Disney

6. LET KIDS BE KIDS!!!

Even though some teenagers will act as if they are way too cool to meet characters or ride some “kiddie” rides, many teenagers will still want to be a kid, especially if this is their first Disney trip. There is nothing wrong with eating character meals and riding Peter Pan and Dumbo. Disney is for everyone!!! Everyone deserves to act like a kid at Disney!!! Eating with Cinderella and the Wicked Stepmother and Stepsisters at 1900 Park Fare is a wonderful character meal experience. Even though some teenagers may say they don’t like eating with characters, some dining options offer fun and exciting experiences.

Photo Credit: Disney

A few character dining options teenagers may find exciting include 1900 Park Fare, Chef Mickeys (everyone must eat with Mickey and his friends) and O’hana. Some other dining options teenagers might enjoy include Sci Fi Diner, Be Our Guest, Rainforest Café and 50’s Prime Time Café’. Sit down with your teenager and let them help make a few of the dining reservations. Ask for their input when deciding on which restaurants to dine at.

7. ENJOY EPCOT AND ITS COUNTRIES

Teenagers will enjoy Epcot because it seems to be the most grown-up park. They will enjoy some of the major attractions like Test Track and Soarin’. There is also Mission Space as well as Spaceship Earth that older children might enjoy. Teenagers may also love visiting the countries at the World Showcase. They can also be more apt to try some new dining options in the World Showcase. You can also walk over to the Boardwalk and Beach and Yacht Club and enjoy some dining opportunities as well. The Food and Wine Festival is from August to November with great dining opportunities as well as popular bands take the stage with great entertainment. There is fun for all ages!

Photo credit: Disney

8. MARINA RENTALS

Teenagers will enjoy renting a boat and taking it out on one of the waterways. They will LOVE renting a Sea Raycer from one of the Magic Kingdom resorts and racing around the Seven Seas Lagoon as well as Bay Lake. You must be 12 years or older and at least 5 feet tall to drive the Sea Raycer. Another fun option is the Sammy Duvall Watersports Centre where you can rent jet skis, go parasailing, tubing or wakeboarding. It is a perfect adventure for teens! You will need to call Disney to make a reservation.

Photo credit: Disney

9. RIDE IN THE FRONT OR LAST SEAT OF A COASTER

Everyone wants to ride in the front row of Expedition Everest as you think you are going off the cliff of the mountain and suddenly it stops and takes you backwards! ABSOLUTELY THRILLING!!! And a little frightening for some! Teenagers love thrill rides! Some of Disney’s favorite thrill rides include Rock N Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Expedition Everest and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

10. WATCHING THE FIREWORKS

Fireworks at Disney are magical! There is nothing like it! Even teenagers will want to watch fireworks, especially Magic Kingdom’s Happily Ever After. There is just nothing more satisfying that watching the fireworks and listening to the Disney songs and watching Disney images portrayed off the castle. Teenagers will also enjoy riding the roller coasters while fireworks are going off above them. Riding Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and seeing the fireworks above you is simply amazing! Definitely a must do on a teenagers bucket list! Really anyone’s bucket list!