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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 Happiest 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 since anyone over the age of 12
is allowed to drive without adult supervision as long as a
parent signs 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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