Welcome to planDisney, Ben!
Oh, you all must be so excited for your upcoming trip to
Walt Disney World. It's just around the corner!
When traveling with a group--be that family, friends, or even coworkers--we've often found it helps to use the divide and conquer method when interests vary. As long as each person has their
MagicBand+ linked to an account that includes their theme park tickets, your teens will be able to enter a park that's different than the one you'll be touring.
I also chaperone large high school trips to Walt Disney World (think 300-400 teens at once!) so I know from experience that your plan to tour apart that day will work beautifully. The teens will get a little independence while you get to enjoy a different park at your own pace. Now that's magical!
A few things to consider for that day of separate touring: if your teens have a technical difficulty getting into the park, you'll want to be sure that you can contact each other via cellphone. While Cast Members can usually help fix any issues, it's always a good idea to be available, too. Have them text you once they are through the gates and starting their own magical day of adventure or use one of several cellphone methods to check their location (especially helpful if they are in the magic of the moment and may forget to text). For me, that lets me relax knowing that both sets of plans are successfully underway. Let the fun begin!
Next up:
Lightning Lane Multi Pass. If you will have purchased these for your teens, your spouse can secure the next one for them, just like always. I like to get a list of rides and experiences that are most important to others in my group; when I see that someone is eligible for another Lightning Lane Multi Pass, I choose one from their list of must-dos. This is an easy way to keep the magic flowing as they enjoy a stress-free day in one park while you enjoy yours.
One fun thing to consider is purchasing
Memory Maker if you haven't already. One of my favorite things about a day my kids spend in the parks without me is checking out all of the fun that's recorded with the help of those super-talented
Disney PhotoPass Service photographers. Remind your teens to tap those bands after each iconic photo op--both via those photographers and at the end of several rides--and you'll have a blast watching them create their own fun all day. (Makes me feel as if I'm right there with them, even though I'm a park away.)
As you plan the rest of your visit to The Most Magical Place on Earth with teens, Ben, be sure to send additional questions our way. We love to help!
Andrea H