The Best Walt Disney World® Resort Activities for Teens

Teenagers are discerning connoisseurs of fun who know just what they like, so coming up with a family vacation that satisfies their high standards can be a challenge. Good thing Walt Disney World® Resort is up to it. With tons of exciting activities, the resort has something for every interest, from sports and gaming to art and adventure. Read on for some highlights that will intrigue teens and leave your family with memories that will last a lifetime. And as you plan a dream getaway for your crew, you’ll be glad to know that your Disney® Visa® Credit Card can help you take advantage of special vacation financing to make it happen.¹

For the thrill seekers: Ride Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain®

Teens with a thirst for adventure should race to Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain® in Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. This thrilling attraction combines a journey to a remote Tibetan village, ascents up an imposing Himalayan peak, high-speed plunges down the mountain and a run-in with the legendary Yeti. It even features a plummet into total darkness… backwards! The expedition isn’t for the faint of heart, but daring teens will walk away with their pulses racing—and get right back into line to do it all over again.

For the night owls: Go on a Starlight Safari

If your teen is an animal lover, or if they’re the type who perks up after the sun goes down, they’ll love the Starlight Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. The animals that call Disney’s African savannas home are especially active after dark, making nighttime a wonderful time to see them. On the safari, you and your teen will ride across the grasslands in an open-sided vehicle and use night-vision devices to keep an eye out for zebras, wildebeest, giraffes and more than 20 other species. Bear in mind that all Starlight Safari Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and don’t forget that you can redeem Disney Rewards Dollars toward the cost of the tour.²

For the artists: Check out the Animation Experience

The essence of Disney is animation, so you can be sure that artistic teenagers will find all sorts of activities to fire up their imaginations at Walt Disney World® Resort. One of the best is the Animation Experience at Conservation Station, where young artists can follow in the footsteps of Walt Disney himself. In this 25-minute class, your teen will learn how to illustrate a Disney Character from a real Disney animator, using animals as inspiration. Who knows? It could be their first step on the way to illustrating a future Disney classic!

For the vintage fans: Have dinner at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

Designed to look like a drive-in, the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant transports you back to the fabulous ‘50s, making it the perfect pit stop for teens obsessed with all things vintage. Slip into a booth resembling a classic car and chow down on burgers and hot fudge sundaes as you watch clips of old-school sci-fi flicks on the big screen. And remember that you can redeem Disney Rewards Dollars toward the meal as well.²

For gamers: TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise

Lots of teens are avid gamers, but what if they could put down the controller and put themselves inside the game? At TRON Lightcycle / Run, they can. In this immersive attraction, they’ll leave our world behind and enter the Grid, the dark, computerized realm of the classic Disney film TRON, where there are no horizons and no limits. Once inside, they’ll ride their very own Lightcycle on a high-speed race through eight Energy Gates. Will they be able to outrun the Grid’s menacing Programs, or will it be game over?

For the adventurers: Experience Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Teens can rock out on an intergalactic chase through space and time when they ride the first-ever reverse-launch Disney coaster. Head over to EPCOT® to experience this innovative attraction, which is also one of the largest fully-enclosed coasters in the world, with 360 degrees of rotation so you can see tons of action. Join Rocket, Groot, Gamora and Star-Lord on an awesome quest across the cosmos to help save the galaxy and nourish your teen’s adventurous spirit.

For the athletes: Dive in at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

If your teenager lives and breathes sports, make Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort home base during your vacation. Featuring décor like giant football helmets and baseball-playing Disney Character figures, it’ll have every sports fan cheering. Young athletes can satisfy their competitive streaks in the hotel’s Game Point Arcade and tackle insatiable appetites at the End Zone Food Court, a quick service eatery that’s perfect for a fast refuel before they hit the court again. Your whole family will want to spend plenty of time at the hotel’s two pools: the baseball diamond-shaped Grand Slam Pool and the 242,471-gallon Surfboard Bay Pool, where it’s always a day at the beach.

For the souvenir collectors: Shop around Disney Springs®

Sophisticated teens will love the mature feel of Disney Springs®, an entertainment wonderland with more than 60 places to eat and more than 100 shopping destinations. In between long brunches and outings to catch live music, spend time making memories with your teenager as you shop together. No matter what your teen is into, there’s sure to be a shop that’s right up their alley. Devoted Disney fans will find their happy place at World of Disney®, which has the world’s largest collection of Disney merch, while budding fashionistas can hit up UNIQLO, lululemon and Ron Jon Surf Shop. Be sure to use your Disney Visa Card at checkout so that you can save 10% on select purchases of $50 or more at select locations, including World of Disney® and DisneyStyle.³⁴

Now that you have some ideas for what your teen will like best, it’s time to start planning your next Walt Disney World® Resort family vacation! If it’s going to be an all-ages trip, make sure you check out our article on the Best Attractions to Ride at Disney Parks for Any Age. And no matter who’s going, taking advantage of your Disney Visa Card’s special vacation financing perk will make your financial planning easier.¹