Walt Disney World Resort is the “most magical place on earth” and connotes images of princesses, characters from animated films and tea cup rides. A place where families can immerse themselves in a fantasy world and create wonderful memories. But when a member of your travel party is a thrill-seeking teenager, you may be thinking there is nothing for him or her to enjoy. Well, we’re here to tell you that there are attractions that will entertain your tweens and teens and maybe even put a smile on their face, temporarily at least!
Stormtroopers at the ready at Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
In our opinion, the Disney World park that has the most for the 12+ age group is Hollywood Studios. First, there’s the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge which resonates with any pre- and adolescent youngster whose dad and mom forced - scratch that - encouraged them to watch the Star Wars films. They’ll find the details cool in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, but to get their heart rate pumping you’ll want to hit Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™.
Rollin’ with the inversions in Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Located in the Sunset Boulevard area, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster defines thrill ride, and the story is fun too. The legendary band Aerosmith is late for a concert, and you’re hopping in their limo to make it in time. To do so, the coaster goes from 0 to 57 mph in a whopping 2.8 seconds. Quite the take-off! As you speed past Hollywood landmarks, you’ll swoop into three exhilarating inversions—two rollover loops and one corkscrew. It’s the only upside down roller coaster in Disney World. Of course, you’ll be jamming to Aerosmith’s biggest hits which your kids may have heard as they secretly tune into your pre-set 80s and 90s satellite radio stations!
Height requirement: 48 inches
Ride at night to experience incredible views from Tower of Terror
Also in Sunset Boulevard, you’ll find Tower of Terror whose ride vehicle is an elevator car. We recommend visiting at night because the storytelling and detailing are heightened. The cast members really stay in character as they lead you into an abandoned hotel frozen in time. One stormy Halloween night in 1939, hotel guests were riding the elevator when lightning struck the building and they were never to be seen again. Spooky – not so much. But the ride itself is terrifying. After strapping yourself in the rickety, metal shaft, you’ll be propelled up and down suddenly and violently – dropping 13 stories. Because the drop sequence for each elevator car is selected at random by the attraction’s computer system, it’s a different experience every time you ride. Not that your stomach may be able to hand it more than once!
Height requirement: 40 inches
After Hollywood Studios, walk or take the Skyliner to Epcot, home to the fastest of the Disney World rides. Test Track allows guests to “design” a virtual concept car and take it for a spin. You’ll maneuver the car through straight roads, curves at 50-degree angles and hills up to three stories high. You’ll also reach speeds up to 65 mph!
Height requirement: 40 inches
Ascending 199 feet on Expedition Everest
Next up is Animal Kingdom. Not just a paradise for animal lovers, the park features attractions which will get your adrenaline pumping. The tallest of the four “mountains” in Walt Disney World at 199 feet, Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain located in the Asia area starts at the base of Mt. Everest. There, you’ll board a train which steadily climbs to the summit then accelerates into darkness. As a fun surprise, you’ll stop at a broken, twisted track then proceed backwards into darkness again.
Height requirement: 44 inches
Kids, even big kids, love getting drenched on rides. While you’re still in Asia, check out Kali River Rapids where you’ll board a circular raft which spins its way through fast-moving rapids. You will surely get wet, if not soaked, as you plummet down a 20-foot slope. Be sure to bring a poncho and wear shoes that can withstand water.
Height requirement: 38 inches
Finally, in DinoLand, you’ll find one of the most underrated of thrill attractions, Primeval Whirl. We get it – DinoLand isn’t anyone’s favorite land because it feels like a small town carnival found its way in a premier theme park. The attraction is loud, colorful and garish. But man, Primeval Whirl takes you on a ride with sudden dips and turns. It’s made just for teens! Be aware that the ride operates on a seasonal schedule.
Height requirement: 48 inches
Not just for littles, your big kids can also find some heart-pumping action at the Magic Kingdom. Here, you can conquer three of the four “mountains” in Walt Disney World. In Frontierland, on Big Thunder Mountain you’ll board a neglected mine shaft and speed along a rickety track with unexpected twists and turns. You can get an amazing view of the nighttime fireworks if you time your ride just right!
Height requirement: 40 inches
Adjacent to Big Thunder in Frontierland, Splash Mountain starts off as a peaceful journey into the whimsical world of Br’er Rabbit. The more than 100 animatronics serenade you with classic tunes likes “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” as you glide by. Before you get too comfortable, you’ll drop five stories and take three dips. You’ll likely get wet. If you sit in the front, you will get SOAKED!
Height requirement: 40 inches
Last but not least, Space Mountain in Tomorrowland is the granddaddy of all of Disney’s coasters. An indoor coaster, you’ll experience big drops and sudden turns in complete darkness. For extra fun, ride it during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party when the soundtrack morphs from futuristic tunes to heavy metal!
Height requirement: 44 inches
After enjoying these attractions, the only complaint you’ll hear from your tween/teen is that the thrills didn’t last long enough!