Walt Disney World For Teens
by: Cara Goldsbury
Can teens really have fun at a place like Walt Disney World?
Absolutely! Actually, be prepared to have the time of your life. It’s a
safe place to assert some independence from your parents, a place you’ll
never forget. Here are some of the best experiences for teens at "The
Most Magical Place on Earth":
Have a Splashing Good Time at Disney's Water Parks
For a blast of a time, head to one of Disney’s two water parks.
Blizzard Beach has a melting alpine resort theme where chairlifts carry
swimmers instead of skiers. It’s a place for daredevils to challenge
wild, rushing water and death-defying slides including the Summit Plummet,
a 120-foot slide reaching speeds of 60 miles per hour. Those a bit less
adventuresome will love Typhoon Lagoon, a tropical fantasyland offering a
wave pool with the tallest simulated waves in the world as well as a
chance to snorkel among tropical fish, leopard and nurse sharks, and
picturesque coral at Shark Reef.
Live it Up at Downtown Disney
After the parks close hop a bus from your Disney resort for a night on
the town at Downtown Disney. Highlights include Disney Quest with five
floors of interactive games, a 24-screen AMC Theater, a Cirque du Soleil
show, and over 60 shops and restaurants. Favorite dining choices for the
younger crowd are Planet Hollywood and Rainforest Café. And definitely
consider House of Blues where teens are allowed to attend some of the
almost daily concerts in their live music venue next-door.
Cool Off at One of Disney’s Resort Pools
When your parents are wondering which resort to book for your Disney
vacation, be sure and put your two cents in and steer them toward one with
a great pool. Disney’s very best uniquely themed pools include the Yacht
and Beach Club’s Stormalong Bay, a 3-acre mini-water park, the Swan and
Dolphin’s lush, grotto-style lagoon pool, the boulder-strewn wonderland
at the Wilderness Lodge with its very own erupting geyser, and the Volcano
Pool at the Polynesian Resort with its luxuriant waterfall, smoking peak,
and perfect views of Cinderella’s Castle.
Plan Some Watersport Fun
Disney’s Contemporary Resort is the place for water-ski, parasail,
wakeboard, kneeboard, and jet-ski action under the guidance of a
professional instructor. There’s nothing better than a bird’s-eye-view
of the Magic Kingdom as you parasail high above the Seven Seas Lagoon. And
the action down below on Bay Lake is a blast! For reservations call
407-WDW-PLAY up to 90 days in advance, and be sure to bring a parent along
to sign a waiver to participate if you’re under age 18.
Pilot Your Own Boat
What could be more fun than renting a Sea Raycer, a 2-seater mini-power
boat perfect for zipping around Disney’s waterways and lakes. It’s a
great pastime for teens with a valid driver's license (those under 18 must
bring along a parent to sign a waiver). You’ll get the most bang for
your buck at one of the resorts near the Magic Kingdom (the Contemporary,
Polynesian, Grand Floridian, or Wilderness Lodge) where you’ll find
miles of recreation on the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.
Scuba and Snorkel at Epcot’s Living Seas
Scuba dive or snorkel in The Living Seas 5.7-million-gallon saltwater
aquarium amid a variety of sharks, rays, fish, and turtles. Epcot's
DiveQuest Program along with the Seas Aqua Tour using a Scuba Assisted
Snorkel unit (snorkelers swim on the surface with a built-in flotation
device while breathing compressed air from a regulator attached to a small
tank) are two of the most exciting behind-the-scenes tours offered in all
of Walt Disney World. Dives include all equipment, but be sure to bring a
bathing suit. DiveQuest is open to certified divers, but those ages 14 and
under need to dive along with a parent or guardian. The Seas Aqua Tour is
open to participants under age 18 as long as they are accompanied by a
participating adult. Call 407-WDW-TOUR for reservations.
Surf’s Up at Typhoon Lagoon
"Hang 10" before park opening hours in the
2.75-million-gallon wave pool (some waves as high as 6 feet tall!) under
the guidance of professional instructors with surfboards provided. Guests
must furnish their own transportation to the park since Disney buses are
not up and running that early in the morning, and those under age 18 must
have a signed waiver from their parents to participate. Call 407-WDW-PLAY
for reservations up to 90 days in advance.
White-Knuckle Riding at Richard Petty Driving Experience
Lying next to the Magic Kingdom is this speedway where white-knuckle
rides in a NASCAR Winston Cup-style race car are offered. If you are at
least 16 you can participate in the Ride-Along Program where you’ll ride
shotgun at speeds of up to 145 mph for three laps around the track with an
experienced instructor (riders 16 or 17 years of age must be accompanied
by a parent or legal guardian). Even more exciting, those ages 18 and
older can drive the car themselves after an introductory class. If you
just want to observe you can do so for no charge. Call 800-BE-PETTY for
advance reservations.
Head for a Theme Parks
Last but certainly not least are the theme parks. If you’re staying
on Disney property it’s a cinch to board a monorail or a Disney bus and
head out to the parks on your own.
At the Magic Kingdom you’ll find all the old nostalgic favorites like
Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean. And don’t forget to head
straight to Splash Mountain, an unforgettable ride that ends in a plunge
over a 5-story waterfall! Epcot’s main attractions for fun-loving teens
are Mission Space, a hair-raising rocket into space, and Test Track where
you’ll speed through hairpin turns and then barrel outside onto a
high-speed banking loop at over 60 mph. At Disney-MGM Studios you’ll be
floored by Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster and The Twilight Zone Tower of
Terror, both a thrill a minute. Then there’s the Animal Kingdom where a
trip around the African savanna at Kilimanjaro Safaris and back in time 65
million years at Dinosaur are quite the adventure.
Super thrill seekers should plan a day at Universal Orlando’s Islands
of Adventure where attractions like the Incredible Hulk Coaster, Dueling
Dragons, and The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman will leave your heart
pounding.
So do you still think Disney is just for kids? I bet you can’t wait
to pack your bags. And don’t forget to thank your parents on your return
home for taking you to one of the most exciting places on the planet
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