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.
