A quick start planning guide for doing Disney World with teenagers, straight from a Disney World expert.
Disney World is truly a destination for everyone. No matter how old or young you are, or what your interests are, there is plenty to see and do. In this series, we’ll share tips and recommendations on how to plan a magical vacation for all ages and stages of life.
Disney World With Teenagers
One of my fondest memories from my teenage years is when our high school band got to perform in the nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom. Not only was that a unique experience, but I had an absolute blast hanging out with my friends as we park hopped across Disney World. I especially remember ride lines being very short, allowing us to repeat popular attractions with little to no wait.
Just because your kids are no longer little doesn’t mean your family can’t have fun together at Disney World anymore. In fact, there’s a plethora of fun things to do for your older children. Read on for some tips on planning a Disney World with teenagers.Â
Hotels to Consider
If you think your teenager will prefer to spend most of the time in the parks and really just need a room for sleeping, I would opt for a cheaper Value resort. My pick in this category would be Pop Century, which has Skyliner access to both Hollywood Studios and EPCOT.
Photo by Morgan Flaherty
However, if you are planning to hang out a decent amount at the resorts, spending more on your hotel may make sense. If that’s the case, a great choice would be Caribbean Beach. This hotel serves as the Skyliner hub, which again means quick access to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. Port Orleans can also be a great choice in the Moderate resort category, as it provides convenient boat transportation to Disney Springs.
On the high end, my pick would be Yacht & Beach Club. These sister resorts are home to Stormalong Bay, one of the largest and best pools in all of Disney World. This 3-acre waterpark features a sand-bottomed pool, a shipwreck waterslide, and a lazy river. Along with the dining options and the convenient location near EPCOT, the Boardwalk, and the Skyliner, this resort has so much to offer. But really, you can’t go wrong with any Deluxe resort.
Disney World Parks With Teenagers
When I visited Disney World as a teenager, there was just one thing I really cared about: rides. I can’t even remember sitting through any shows. It was all about getting on as many rides as I could.Â
If your teenagers are the same way, I would first recommend Hollywood Studios. This park has some of the most thrilling attractions at Disney World, such as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror. But it also has incredibly immersive rides such as Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and Rise of the Resistance in Galaxy’s Edge. While any age can enjoy the Star Wars experiences, older children may appreciate the details and references much more.
Photo by Laurie Sapp
While Magic Kingdom may have a reputation for being geared towards little kids, there are plenty of thrills to be had here, from TRON Lightcycle Run to Big Thunder Mountain. Depending on your teen, they may love the nostalgia of the older, slower-paced rides like Peter Pan’s Flight or Pirates of the Caribbean.Â
If you choose to visit Magic Kingdom, I would highly recommend checking out when they have After Hours events for that park. This special ticket gets you into Magic Kingdom at 7 PM, but then after 10 PM until 1 AM, only After Hours, guests are allowed, which means short lines, even for the most popular attractions. So, this is a great way to squeeze in a ton of rides along with some free snacks and drinks if your family is able to handle staying up that late.
Lastly, EPCOT has several rides that can appeal to teenagers, such as Cosmic Rewind and Soarin’. And depending on your kids’ interests, World Showcase can be an exciting way to explore cultures and learn about different countries.
Disney World Food for Teenagers
Traveling with older children whose tastes have broadened means food can be an attraction in itself. If your teenagers love trying a variety of food, Disney World is a perfect destination.
I mentioned EPCOT above, and World Showcase may be the best place to experience food in all of Disney World. Within walking distance, you can dine across 11 countries, ranging from snacks to high-end dining.
Photo by Laurie Sapp
Great food isn’t just available in the theme parks. Across the resorts and Disney Springs are all sorts of restaurants that cover a full range of cuisines and prices. Some of my favorites include:
- ‘Ohana at Polynesian Village Resort (Polynesian)
- Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge (African/Indian)
- Sebastian’s Bistro at Caribbean Beach Resort (Latin/Caribbean)
- Topolino’s Terrace at Riviera Resort (French/Italian)
- Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ (Southern American)
- Morimoto Asia (Pan-Asian)
- The Polite Pig (BBQ)
Other Activities to Consider
Whether you are a toddler, an adult, or somewhere in between, I always recommend taking a day (or more) off from the parks to enjoy all the other things Disney World has to offer. Here are some of my recommendations to do with a teenager:
- Check out some of the unique experiences available at Fort Wilderness, such as archery, fishing, or boat rentals.
- Catch a movie, see a show, or go bowling at Disney Springs.
- Resort hop around the BoardWalk area and enjoy the carnival games, ice cream, and relaxing atmosphere.
As you can see, if you think your teenagers are maybe too old for Disney, I would heartily disagree. No matter what your age is, there is a Disney trip that can be planned for you. In fact, visiting Disney World with teenagers might be one of the best times to do so, as you’ll be able to experience a larger variety of attractions, dining, and recreation than you would with little kids.
