| Can teens really have fun at a place like Walt Disney | | | | Program along with the Seas Aqua Tour using a |
| World? Absolutely! Actually, be prepared to have the | | | | Scuba Assisted Snorkel unit (snorkelers swim on the |
| time of your life. It's a safe place to assert some | | | | surface with a built-in flotation device while breathing |
| independence from your parents, a place you'll never | | | | compressed air from a regulator attached to a small |
| forget. Here are some of the best experiences for | | | | tank) are two of the most exciting behind-the-scenes |
| teens at "The Most Magical Place on Earth": | | | | tours offered in all of Walt Disney World. Dives |
| Have a Splashing Good Time at Disney's Water Parks | | | | include all equipment, but be sure to bring a bathing |
| For a blast of a time, head to one of Disney's two | | | | suit. DiveQuest is open to certified divers, but those |
| water parks. Blizzard Beach has a melting alpine resort | | | | ages 14 and under need to dive along with a parent |
| theme where chairlifts carry swimmers instead of | | | | or guardian. The Seas Aqua Tour is open to |
| skiers. It's a place for daredevils to challenge wild, | | | | participants under age 18 as long as they are |
| rushing water and death-defying slides including the | | | | accompanied by a participating adult. Call |
| Summit Plummet, a 120-foot slide reaching speeds of | | | | 407-WDW-TOUR for reservations. |
| 60 miles per hour. Those a bit less adventuresome | | | | Surf's Up at Typhoon Lagoon |
| will love Typhoon Lagoon, a tropical fantasyland | | | | "Hang 10" before park opening hours in the |
| offering a wave pool with the tallest simulated | | | | 2.75-million-gallon wave pool (some waves as high as |
| waves in the world as well as a chance to snorkel | | | | 6 feet tall!) under the guidance of professional |
| among tropical fish, leopard and nurse sharks, and | | | | instructors with surfboards provided. Guests must |
| picturesque coral at Shark Reef. | | | | furnish their own transportation to the park since |
| Live it Up at Downtown Disney | | | | Disney buses are not up and running that early in the |
| After the parks close hop a bus from your Disney | | | | morning, and those under age 18 must have a signed |
| resort for a night on the town at Downtown Disney. | | | | waiver from their parents to participate. Call |
| Highlights include Disney Quest with five floors of | | | | 407-WDW-PLAY for reservations. |
| interactive games, a 24-screen AMC Theater, a | | | | White-Knuckle Riding at Richard Petty Driving |
| Cirque du Soleil show, and over 60 shops and | | | | Experience |
| restaurants. Favorite dining choices for the younger | | | | Lying next to the Magic Kingdom is this speedway |
| crowd are Planet Hollywood and Rainforest | | | | where white-knuckle rides in a NASCAR Winston |
| Café. And definitely consider House of Blues | | | | Cup-style race car are offered. If you are at least 16 |
| where teens are allowed to attend some of the | | | | you can participate in the Ride-Along Program where |
| almost daily concerts in their live music venue | | | | you'll ride shotgun at speeds of up to 145 mph for |
| next-door. | | | | three laps around the track with an experienced |
| Cool Off at One of Disney''s Resort Pools | | | | instructor (riders 16 or 17 years of age must be |
| When your parents are wondering which resort to | | | | accompanied by a parent or legal guardian). Even |
| book for your Disney vacation, be sure and put your | | | | more exciting, those ages 18 and older can drive the |
| two cents in and steer them toward one with a | | | | car themselves after an introductory class. If you |
| great pool. Disney's very best uniquely themed pools | | | | just want to observe you can do so for no charge. |
| include the Yacht and Beach Club's Stormalong Bay, a | | | | Call 800-BE-PETTY for advance reservations. |
| 3-acre mini-water park, the Swan and Dolphin's lush, | | | | Head for a Theme Parks |
| grotto-style lagoon pool, the boulder-strewn | | | | Last but certainly not least are the theme parks. If |
| wonderland at the Wilderness Lodge with its very | | | | you're staying on Disney property it's a cinch to |
| own erupting geyser, and the Volcano Pool at the | | | | board a monorail or a Disney bus and head out to |
| Polynesian Resort with its luxuriant waterfall, smoking | | | | the parks on your own. |
| peak, and perfect views of Cinderella's Castle. | | | | At the Magic Kingdom you'll find all the old nostalgic |
| Plan Some Watersport Fun | | | | favorites like Space Mountain and Pirates of the |
| Disney's Contemporary Resort is the place for | | | | Caribbean. And don't forget to head straight to |
| water-ski, parasail, wakeboard, kneeboard, and jet-ski | | | | Splash Mountain, an unforgettable ride that ends in a |
| action under the guidance of a professional instructor. | | | | plunge over a 5-story waterfall! Epcot's main |
| There's nothing better than a bird's-eye-view of the | | | | attractions for fun-loving teens are Soarin' a fun |
| Magic Kingdom as you parasail high above the Seven | | | | hang-gliding experience in front of an IMAX size |
| Seas Lagoon. And the action down below on Bay | | | | screen, Mission Space, a hair-raising rocket into space, |
| Lake is a blast! For reservations call 407-WDW-PLAY | | | | and Test Track where you'll speed through hairpin |
| up to 180 days in advance, and be sure to bring a | | | | turns and then barrel outside onto a high-speed |
| parent along to sign a waiver to participate if you're | | | | banking loop at over 60 mph. At Disney-MGM Studios |
| under age 18. | | | | you'll be floored by Rock 'N' Roller Coaster and The |
| Pilot Your Own Boat | | | | Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, both a thrill a minute. |
| What could be more fun than renting a Sea Raycer, | | | | Then there's the Animal Kingdom where a trip around |
| a 2-seater mini-power boat perfect for zipping around | | | | the African savanna at Kilimanjaro Safaris, back in |
| Disney's waterways and lakes. It's a great pastime | | | | time 65 million years at Dinosaur, and a trip to the |
| for teens with a valid driver's license (those under 18 | | | | Himalayas at Expedition Everest are quite the |
| must bring along a parent to sign a waiver). You'll get | | | | adventure. |
| the most bang for your buck at one of the resorts | | | | Super thrill seekers should plan a day at Universal |
| near the Magic Kingdom (the Contemporary, | | | | Orlando's Islands of Adventure where attractions like |
| Polynesian, Grand Floridian, or Wilderness Lodge) | | | | the Incredible Hulk Coaster, Dueling Dragons, and The |
| where you'll find miles of recreation on the Seven | | | | Amazing Adventures of Spiderman will leave your |
| Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. | | | | heart pounding. |
| Scuba and Snorkel at Epcot's Living Seas | | | | So do you still think Disney is just for kids? I bet you |
| Scuba dive or snorkel in The Living Seas | | | | can't wait to pack your bags. And don't forget to |
| 5.7-million-gallon saltwater aquarium amid a variety of | | | | thank your parents on your return home for taking |
| sharks, rays, fish, and turtles. Epcot's DiveQuest | | | | you to one of the most exciting places on the planet. |