Let’s face it – even if your teen grumbles about your upcoming Disney family vacation and states that it’s for “littler kids,” inside they’re gleeful! Everyone loves Disney, it seems, even the moodiest teens. Here’s how to make the most of your vacation, with your teens in mind. Let them help plan, consider more spacious accommodations, go behind the scenes, avoid long lines and get special access to rides. Here’s what not to miss with your teens and a few tips on how to make those smiles even brighter.
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Include Teens in Disney Planning
Ask … and listen. When you involve your teens in the planning of your Disney trip, they’re going to be more invested and enthused. Put their online savvy to good use by giving them items to research, whether it’s accommodations, dining options or the FastPass program. Have them read guidebooks, chat with friends they know who have been to Disney and rank their favorite attractions and activities by priority.
Ask … and listen. When you involve your teens in the planning of your Disney trip, they’re going to be more invested and enthused. Put their online savvy to good use by giving them items to research, whether it’s accommodations, dining options or the FastPass program. Have them read guidebooks, chat with friends they know who have been to Disney and rank their favorite attractions and activities by priority.
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Spend More Doing, Less Time Waiting
Likely one of the smartest programs Disney has ever offered, the FastPass allows guests to avoid long lines and make a bee line for their most anticipated attractions. Sit down with your teen and scour the website and/or park map, making a list of what they want to see and do. You can then reserve up to three complimentary FastPass selections per day, about a month before you arrive at the park (you can make reservations two months ahead if you’re staying in a Disney World Resort Hotel).
Likely one of the smartest programs Disney has ever offered, the FastPass allows guests to avoid long lines and make a bee line for their most anticipated attractions. Sit down with your teen and scour the website and/or park map, making a list of what they want to see and do. You can then reserve up to three complimentary FastPass selections per day, about a month before you arrive at the park (you can make reservations two months ahead if you’re staying in a Disney World Resort Hotel).
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Cool Off at Disney’s Water Parks
Impress the impressionable teen with a day at Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon. The latter features the largest wave pool in North America, with six-foot waves perfect for bodysurfing. Those seeking an adrenaline rush should head straight for Humunga Kowabunga, a five-story waterslide with one long chut that is completely dark inside.
Impress the impressionable teen with a day at Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon. The latter features the largest wave pool in North America, with six-foot waves perfect for bodysurfing. Those seeking an adrenaline rush should head straight for Humunga Kowabunga, a five-story waterslide with one long chut that is completely dark inside.
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Teen-Favorite Disney Attractions
Among the teen-friendly attractions at Disney you’ll find the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, behind Cinderella’s Castle in Fantasyland. Go fast and go slow during a longer-than-typical ride that will capture your teen’s attention. The mine carts whiz around sharp bends and drop down make-believe mountainsides.
Of course, Splash Mountain is a perennial favorite for all ages, and you’ll likely find your teen wanting to go over and over again. It’s the classic water coaster, with log-shaped boats, several small drops and one very large one. If your teens want to get wet, tell them to nab a seat in the front of the log.
Don’t miss Space Mountain in Tomorrowland, a fast indoor roller coast set almost entirely in the dark. It’s definitely fun for the thrill seekers with its large drops and sharp turns.
Among the teen-friendly attractions at Disney you’ll find the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, behind Cinderella’s Castle in Fantasyland. Go fast and go slow during a longer-than-typical ride that will capture your teen’s attention. The mine carts whiz around sharp bends and drop down make-believe mountainsides.
Of course, Splash Mountain is a perennial favorite for all ages, and you’ll likely find your teen wanting to go over and over again. It’s the classic water coaster, with log-shaped boats, several small drops and one very large one. If your teens want to get wet, tell them to nab a seat in the front of the log.
Don’t miss Space Mountain in Tomorrowland, a fast indoor roller coast set almost entirely in the dark. It’s definitely fun for the thrill seekers with its large drops and sharp turns.
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Explore Epcot’s World Showcase
Teach your teen a thing or two about world cultures with a stroll around the lake in Epcot’s World Showcase. Satisfy their limitless appetites with sausages and apple strudel from Germany, or authentic Italian pizza. Marvel at street performers and watch the captivating “O,Canada” film at the Canadian showcase. Check out architecture from all over the world, from Morocco, China and France, to Mexico, Norway and Japan.
Teach your teen a thing or two about world cultures with a stroll around the lake in Epcot’s World Showcase. Satisfy their limitless appetites with sausages and apple strudel from Germany, or authentic Italian pizza. Marvel at street performers and watch the captivating “O,Canada” film at the Canadian showcase. Check out architecture from all over the world, from Morocco, China and France, to Mexico, Norway and Japan.
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Let Your Teen’s Taste Decide Where to Eat
From dinner in an aquarium, with sharks and sea turtles gliding past your table, to the Sci Fi Dine in Theater with tables designed to look like classic cars parked at an outdoor drive-in movie, your teen will appreciate Disney’s many themed restaurants. Consider the all-you-can-eat dinner show at Fort Wilderness or Whispering Canyon Cafe, the riverside San Angel Inn in Epcot’s Mexico pavilion, the 50s Prime Time Cafe and the outdoor Biergarten in Epcot’s Germany pavilion.
From dinner in an aquarium, with sharks and sea turtles gliding past your table, to the Sci Fi Dine in Theater with tables designed to look like classic cars parked at an outdoor drive-in movie, your teen will appreciate Disney’s many themed restaurants. Consider the all-you-can-eat dinner show at Fort Wilderness or Whispering Canyon Cafe, the riverside San Angel Inn in Epcot’s Mexico pavilion, the 50s Prime Time Cafe and the outdoor Biergarten in Epcot’s Germany pavilion.
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Let ‘em Drive!
Even if your teen doesn’t have their driver’s license yet, they can check out the Test Track by Chevrolet at Epcot. They’ll digitally design a concept car – customizing the body, tires, spoiler and more to their liking – then take a ride in one of the attraction’s own designed cars through extreme driving conditions. The car they’re in will be ranked against the one they designed, comparing for handling, maneuverability, efficiency and power. Finally, they’ll put the car to an exhilarating speed test, accelerating to more than 60 miles per hour in just seconds.
Even if your teen doesn’t have their driver’s license yet, they can check out the Test Track by Chevrolet at Epcot. They’ll digitally design a concept car – customizing the body, tires, spoiler and more to their liking – then take a ride in one of the attraction’s own designed cars through extreme driving conditions. The car they’re in will be ranked against the one they designed, comparing for handling, maneuverability, efficiency and power. Finally, they’ll put the car to an exhilarating speed test, accelerating to more than 60 miles per hour in just seconds.
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Go on Safari
Animal-loving teens can’t miss the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction at Animal Kingdom. This is their chance to get up close and personal with zebras, elephants, giraffes, rhinos, lions, hippos and more in their natural habitat – and a lot easier for you than taking the whole family to Africa! Your family will ride in an open-air safari vehicle through the 110-acre Harambe Wildlife Reserve, all the while learning about the 30 animal species found in the reserve.
Animal-loving teens can’t miss the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction at Animal Kingdom. This is their chance to get up close and personal with zebras, elephants, giraffes, rhinos, lions, hippos and more in their natural habitat – and a lot easier for you than taking the whole family to Africa! Your family will ride in an open-air safari vehicle through the 110-acre Harambe Wildlife Reserve, all the while learning about the 30 animal species found in the reserve.
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Climb Mount Everest
Your extreme-sport-loving teens will want to get in line early for a ride aboard Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom. This train/coaster ride climbs a replica of the massive mountain, stopping at the summit then careening backwards for a wild journey back to base camp. The ride is mainly in the dark and features drops of up to 80 feet.
Your extreme-sport-loving teens will want to get in line early for a ride aboard Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom. This train/coaster ride climbs a replica of the massive mountain, stopping at the summit then careening backwards for a wild journey back to base camp. The ride is mainly in the dark and features drops of up to 80 feet.
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Go Behind the Scenes
Take your teens on a behind-the-scenes guided tour that gives them special access to the wonders of Walt Disney World Resort theme parks – many of these tours are actually restricted to guests aged 16 and older. Check out the artistry, technology and hard work that creates the magic of Disney by going backstage either in Walt Disney World or with the animal-tenders at Animal Kingdom. Spend a few hours with a Disney guide who will take you straight to the best attractions of the parks. Meet dolphins at Epcot or take a Segway all-terrain vehicle tour of the Fort Wilderness Resort. This is the ultimate way to make Disney feel like an awesome, personalized experience for the whole family, not just your teens!
Take your teens on a behind-the-scenes guided tour that gives them special access to the wonders of Walt Disney World Resort theme parks – many of these tours are actually restricted to guests aged 16 and older. Check out the artistry, technology and hard work that creates the magic of Disney by going backstage either in Walt Disney World or with the animal-tenders at Animal Kingdom. Spend a few hours with a Disney guide who will take you straight to the best attractions of the parks. Meet dolphins at Epcot or take a Segway all-terrain vehicle tour of the Fort Wilderness Resort. This is the ultimate way to make Disney feel like an awesome, personalized experience for the whole family, not just your teens!
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Consider Accommodations Wisely
After long days in the Disney parks, everyone is going to want some space to rest and rejuvenate – particularly your teens. So, if possible, go with more spacious accommodations – again, have your teen research the options and offer their opinions on what they would prefer and why. Consider a suite or condo instead of a regular hotel room, so there is more than one bathroom and a kitchen.
After long days in the Disney parks, everyone is going to want some space to rest and rejuvenate – particularly your teens. So, if possible, go with more spacious accommodations – again, have your teen research the options and offer their opinions on what they would prefer and why. Consider a suite or condo instead of a regular hotel room, so there is more than one bathroom and a kitchen.
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Let Teens Catch Their Zzzzzzs
As excited as everyone may be, if you have teens with you, don’t rush out the door every morning. Let them sleep in instead of coaxing them awake and you’ll have a more pleasant experience all-around! Plus, with your night-owl teens, you can stay in the parks late and see it all lit up after dark. If you’re staging at a Disney resort hotel, you’ll automatically have access to “extra magic house,” when only resort guests are given access to the park.
As excited as everyone may be, if you have teens with you, don’t rush out the door every morning. Let them sleep in instead of coaxing them awake and you’ll have a more pleasant experience all-around! Plus, with your night-owl teens, you can stay in the parks late and see it all lit up after dark. If you’re staging at a Disney resort hotel, you’ll automatically have access to “extra magic house,” when only resort guests are given access to the park.
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Let Teens Spread Their Wings
Give your older kiddos freedom at the Disney parks by pairing them up with a buddy or a similar-age sibling. The park is a closed environment and as long as they follow standard safety precautions, they can navigate the park easily. Have rules for checking in and set meeting times and locations. And keep phones charged!
Give your older kiddos freedom at the Disney parks by pairing them up with a buddy or a similar-age sibling. The park is a closed environment and as long as they follow standard safety precautions, they can navigate the park easily. Have rules for checking in and set meeting times and locations. And keep phones charged!
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Consider Other Activities
Instead of feeling like you have to maximize every minute of your vacation by visiting every single attraction in every single park, build in down time. Your teens will be thankful for a couple hours by the pool or to just relax and watch a movie or play video games in your hotel room. Visit Disney Springs, Disney’s Boardwalk or any of the many other activities throughout Orlando and Kissimmee.
Instead of feeling like you have to maximize every minute of your vacation by visiting every single attraction in every single park, build in down time. Your teens will be thankful for a couple hours by the pool or to just relax and watch a movie or play video games in your hotel room. Visit Disney Springs, Disney’s Boardwalk or any of the many other activities throughout Orlando and Kissimmee.
More Teen-Friendly Attractions to Check Out
Fighting Storm Troopers at the Void, Disney Springs – a VR experience transporting your teens to the planet Mustafar
High Tea, Grand Floridian – have a proper bonding experience with your teen with high tea in typical British Style (complete with scrumptious scones and sandwiches) at this elegant resort
Attend a Pearl Ceremony – Choose an oyster and watch it split open to reveal the pearl inside at the Japan pavilion in Epcot. It’s then sized, polished and presented to your teen.
Drive a Car on Water, Disney Springs – Drive a classic (aquatic) car right into the lake, then zoom around for 20 minutes. Now, that’s something they can’t do at home!