For most people, the thought of a Walt Disney World vacation conjures images of wandering the parks with little ones. But in many ways, your theme park vacation can be even more fun with teens and tweens. There is no need to stop mid-day for naps. They have no trouble staying out late for fireworks. And mom and dad can enjoy those thrill rides too, since everyone meets the height requirements. If you are ready to visit this best family travel destination, check out how you can enjoy your vacation with teens.

Don’t want to tackle the Walt Disney Parks? Check out a few destinations that inspired areas within these theme parks instead. 

Vacation with Teens? My Top 3 Tips for Walt Disney World

Here are our top 3 tips for your Walt Disney World vacation with teens and tweens…

Embrace Their Schedule

One of the top recommendations I give my clients to avoid the long lines in the parks is to arrive early. This will allow you to get as much done in the first hour the park is open as you can. A plan like this works great with young kids who are often up at the crack of dawn anyway.

But as any parent of teens knows, the older they get, the later they want to sleep! It’s setting your family up for frustration and arguments if you plan to be at the park gates before they open every morning. So, take your teen’s advice and “chill out”. It will make your vacation with teens go much smoother!

Let the families with little kids enjoy their time at the morning extra magic hours. And plan to enjoy time with your teens staying late at the parks at night.

Evening extra magic hours mean that one of the theme parks will remain open for onsite resort guests a few hours past its regular closing time. The lines and crowds will thin out dramatically as the night wears on. So, it is the perfect time to enjoy the parks with your older kids. You can easily enjoy a meal at one of the incredible non-character restaurants at Disney before going on the rides.

Lots of Fun Available Outside the Theme Parks During Your Vacation with Teens

While you’ll spend much of your time in one of the four major Walt Disney World theme parks, including the souvenir stores inside, the fun doesn’t stop there.

Hanging out and relaxing at your hotel pool can be the perfect way to spend an afternoon (especially if you need a chance to recover after your late-night adventures at the theme parks). I recommend giving the kids some time to explore the resort and its family friendly activities. Or grab lunch on their own and meet you at the pool.

Looking for even more water-based fun during your vacation with teens? Take time to check out Disney’s themed water parks. The kids will love the thrill rides and wave pools. And it’s the perfect opportunity for you to send them off on their own while you relax and enjoy some downtime (maybe with an adult beverage or a good book).

Disney Springs is full of restaurants and activities that are sure to be a hit for an evening of family fun. You can plan on bowling at Splitsville or taking in a concert at the House of Blues. I recommend grabbing dinner at one of the food trucks or the T-Rex Cafe. Then enjoy some ice cream from Ghirardelli or cupcakes from Sprinkles, as you spend the rest of your night wandering through the family friendly shops.

After all, teens love shopping while on vacation. Especially if you keep buying them what they ask for! Keep an eye out for these amazing Disney World souvenirs.

Plan a Tour or Two During Your Vacation with Teens

When you visit Walt Disney World with young kids, it’s hard to plan for all of the fantastic tour options Disney has to offer. But they are just perfect to experience with your teens or tweens. What teenager wouldn’t enjoy zipping through the trails of Ft. Wilderness on a Segway or getting a peek backstage at how all the magic happens?

Want to really WOW your teens? Check out the options such as the Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour or the Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour. If you’d like a more flexible VIP tour experience, we can even hook you up with a private VIP tour guide!

This is just a small sampling of how to enjoy your Walt Disney World®️ vacation with your teens. Planning the perfect experience begins with working with an experienced travel advisor to plan the vacation of your dreams. I can turn all your Disney dreams into reality!

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized family vacation with teens at Disney for your next trip?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session with me. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

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