Travel With Teens and Tweens

     When we hit  Disney’s Magic Kingdom our teen and tween have a list of 6  must do rides and many more well loved attractions that are great if the lines are short and we are waiting for Fastpass return times to arrive.  We generally stay on property and take advantage of the early openings so we get on to a lot of the top rides with little or no delay.  Our hint – head straight to Tomorrowland and  Space Mountain first thing– you might want to eat breakfast afterwards if a dark ride roller coaster is too much that early.  From there, we can usually walk right onto  Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin then make a beeline for Frontierland and some of the best rides the park offers for teens and tweens.  Jump on a log flume  at Splash Mountain  for a splendid retelling of the story of Br’er Rabbit outwitting Br’er Bear and Br’er Fox.  Be prepared to get wet on the 5 story drop at the end of the ride!!  Can you do it without closing your eyes?

Disney Magic Kingdom Splash Mountain

     Next door, the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad line is usually still pretty short before the general park opening so get there quick before the wait gets too long!  The whistle blows and you are on your way for a wild ride through a Disney imagineered gold-mining camp and cactus-covered desert.  No time for a break as you stagger off Thunder Mountain because the ghosts of the Haunted Mansion are waiting to take you for a ride in a doom buggy.  Be sure to read the tombstones on the way into the Mansion and check out the vintage hearse out front.

Beware the Haunted Mansion

    After leaving the ghosts and ghoulies you can search for Captain Jack Sparrow at the Pirates of the Caribbean.  But look alive swabby, cause “dead men tell no tales!”  When the line is short we have been known to do this one twice in a row.

Dead men tell no tales at Pirates of the Caribbean

     From here we slow down the pace, maybe stop for a snack and snag a Fastpass for a return to one of the favorites.  While waiting we love to chill out at Mickey’s PhilharMagic 3D  animation classic or take the hokey but always fun psuedo-safari Jungle Cruise .  We’ll alternate using Fastpasses to go back to the favorites, and in between check out oldies but goodies like Its a Small World, where there is often little or no line.  Grab lunch on the early side to avoid the crowds, use Fastpasses again and if its hot head to the pool for the afternoon.  If we are staying for the 3 pm parade we’ll sit down a bit and take the ride around the park on the Walt Disney World Railroad or enjoy the scenic tour of the Rivers of America aboard the paddlewheel Liberty Square Riverboat.

Disney Magic Kingdom Liberty Square Riverboat

     Teens and tweens love the Magic Kingdom but its really about getting as many rides as possible on the major attractions.  Make sure you understand the Fastpass system as you will end up with some very frustrated teens if you wait in the regular lines as the day goes on.    Many of the rides targeted at younger kids don’t hold a lot of interest for teens and tweens – and mom and dad are fine with that.  We love Disney, but the wait for Dumbo, the Tea Cups and some of the other slow loading Fantasyland rides isn’t worth it during the crowded daytimes.  Save them for a visit later at night (or even on a rainy day) when the little kids have gone home and the big kids can indulge their inner child!

     Want more Disney pictures?  Check out our Disney Archives.  And as always, thanks to Delicious Baby for hosting Photo Friday, it is a great place to connect with a wide range of family travel bloggers and see some great pictures too!