Welcome to planDisney, Amanda! As a mom to two teenage girls and a high school teacher, I spend my days (and nights!) literally surrounded by teenagers, so I know how important it is for them to feel connected to other teens and explore their independence even when on vacation! I'm glad you brought your question to us today and I'm excited to chat with you about some suggestions for where your teens might be able to connect to others their age while at the Walt Disney World Resort!
Amanda, while there aren't specific or dedicated hangout spots for teenagers at the theme parks or Disney Resort hotels, I've got a few ideas I can share:
- At Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort, there are a variety of recreational offerings that might attract other teens close in age to yours. I'd encourage them to spend some time at Community Hall participating in the activities offered or visiting the arcade. The nightly campfire, resort pools, and Movies Under the Stars are other recreational offerings where your teens might make connections with other teens during your stay! Sometimes the pools offer poolside games where they could form a team (and a magical friendship!) to compete together!
- Disney Springs is one of my teens' favorite destinations while at Walt Disney World. We often find groups of teenagers shopping together or enjoying the entertainment offered at various locations. With popular stores among teenagers like Lululemon, Kendra Scott, and The Lego Store, your teen is sure to be in good company while exploring this area! And as a bonus, Disney Springs is walking distance from Saratoga Springs Resort!
- Attraction queues are great places to connect! My girls love to play trivia games like Headbands on their phones while in line, and we often connect with other guests around us to help pass the time. Especially when the wait times are a little longer for the thrill rides that they love so much, it's a great chance to make some new friends and helps to pass the time quickly!
Amanda, I hope this helps and that your teenager has a wonderful vacation experience filled with thrills, new friendships, and magical experiences! There's no place quite like Disney for feeling like a kid again, no matter how old you are! If you have any other planning questions or tips for
traveling with teens, come on back and
let me know! We hope to see you again real soon!
Magic Awaits,
Alison