Hi Citlaly! Thanks for visiting planDisney.
I have a bonus teen that we often travel with to Disneyland Resort, so I asked her how she'd prefer to divide up her time. I think her advice was solid! Both parks offer Attractions and Entertainment that will appeal to all ages, but sometimes teens prefer thrill rides and sometimes they love the nostalgia of the Attractions they remember from when they were younger. Planning for a 3-day
ticket for my family with a teen along, I would probably plan two days at Disneyland Park and one at Disney California Adventure Park. Your other option would be to select the
Park Hopper ticket option. That way you can park hop between the two parks and you'll only be selecting which park you want to begin your day in.
Over in Disney California Adventure Park, my teen loves Avengers Campus, not only for the cool Attractions but also for the Characters you can meet there. On our most recent trip, she loved posing for Disney PhotoPass photos with Spider-Man and Iron Man, and Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT! is a thrill ride you don't want to miss. The Incredicoaster in Pixar Pier is another thrilling Attraction, and right across the way is the Pixar Pal-A-Round. Choose the swinging version for a surprisingly intense experience.
The dining choices in Disney California Adventure Park are also ideal for teens from the festival booths during certain celebrations to table service locations with great vibes like Lamplight Lounge in Pixar Pier. Check the
Daily Events Schedule for Parades and Nighttime Entertainment schedules you can hope to enjoy on your preferred park days: These appeal to all ages.
Disneyland Park is an iconic park with so much to explore that two days is a good idea if you want to experience it all. Be sure to check out Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, which features some of my favorite Attractions in either park. Both my little ones and my teen would agree with me! It's also a great place to grab a snack or a cold beverage and wait for your favorite Characters to wander by. Who wouldn't want to meet the Mandalorian and the Child or Chewbacca? Hopefully, your favorite surprises you!
Otherwise, there are thrill rides aplenty throughout the park. I recommend Indiana Jones Adventure in Adventureland, Pirates of the Caribbean in New Orleans Square, and Space Mountain in Tomorrowland. Those are always must-dos for our group. After a long day of fun, your teens might appreciate the Mexican-inspired cuisine at Ranco del Zocalo Restaurante in Frontierland for a quick meal. They probably will want to grab a DOLE Whip at The Tropical Hideaway in Adventureland, where you can also order some incredibly tasty snacks to go with your cool treat.
Did you know you can filter the Attraction page to show
thrill rides, which might be right up your group's alley? But if thrills aren't your group's cup of tea, there are lots of filters to explore to tailor the day to your preferences.
I hope this helps!
Elizabeth