Hi Amanda! Your 14-year-old is going to have a thrilling experience at the Walt Disney World Resort! My fellow planDisney panelist, Heather, and I recently recorded a podcast all about bringing teens and tweens to The Most Magical Place on Earth! I’ve linked it to this answer! I hope it is helpful with your planning!
That time of year will also make for a special first visit! The Most Magical Place on Earth is very popular during the most wonderful time of the year! The Christmas decorations around the resort hotels and theme parks make it a perfect time to visit!
Magic Kingdom Park is the place to be on New Year's Eve! In years past, Magic Kingdom Park has reached capacity as Guests want to begin their new year at Mickey and Minnie’s Florida home! For that reason, I recommend entering the park early in the day and remaining in the park through the midnight celebration! If you leave the park, and it reaches capacity, you might not be allowed to re-enter the park.
Bringing teens to the Walt Disney World Resort is such a fun experience! Amanda, my three teens love the rides at the Disney Parks! I asked for their top recommendations to share with you! Here they are for the parks you plan on visiting…At Magic Kingdom Park they recommend TRON Lightcycle / Run, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Pirates of the Caribbean, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, The Haunted Mansion, and Space Mountain. An honorable mention goes to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure which isn’t open yet, but should be open by the time you arrive in December! Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the “must ride attractions” are Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Slinky Dog Dash, and Toy Story Mania. An honorable mention goes to the nighttime spectacular, Fantasmic! This is a family favorite! Finally, at EPCOT they all recommend Guardians of Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Soarin’ Around the World!
Have a great visit with your teen, Amanda! Be sure to check out the podcast! Heather and I had a great time offering our top tips for visiting with teens!
Dreams do come true!
Jonathan