Things to Do in Orlando With Teens
Age range: 13-19
Full-fledged adulthood is around the corner for your kids — but that doesn’t mean they’re too old for a family vacation. Check out some of the best things to do in Orlando with teenagers, including theme parks, attractions, outdoor adventures and more.
Please note: Depending on the timing of your visit, some experiences may be temporarily modified. Learn more about healthy travel in Orlando, and check with your favorite theme parks and attractions for their current status.
THEME PARKS
By this age, your teenagers are probably ready to appreciate some of our more mature-oriented theme-park fare, including learning about other countries at the World Showcase or taking in food-focused festivals at EPCOT®, part of Walt Disney World® Resort.
Save on discount tickets: Orlando Theme Parks
Featuring fast-paced rides based on popular film and television properties, Universal Studios Florida at Universal Orlando Resort is another great choice. Universal Orlando is especially a must-visit for teens who follow the adventures of The Boy Who Lived thanks to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ at Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
You can also show your teenagers wonders of a different kind at Discovery Cove®. Here, they can have close encounters with dolphins, exotic birds and other amazing animals.
Attractions
Your kids will soon be driving for real if they’re not already, so let them take the wheel at Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, located in the International Drive Entertainment District. Close by is Topgolf Orlando, which pairs golf with a scoring system similar to darts or bowling. For games and fun food, hit up Kings Dining & Entertainment.
In the same area, iFLY Orlando Indoor Skydiving will give your teens the chance to experience flight in a safe, controlled environment. The area’s escape rooms are great for teens, too, including The Escape Game Orlando and Escapology.
Save on discount tickets: Orlando Attractions
About an hour from Orlando on Florida’s East Coast, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex presents a whole day of wonder and excitement for anyone who’s interested in a STEM career or space exploration. Back in Orlando, Gatorland has plenty to keep teens occupied, especially when you add the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line and Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure experiences into the mix.
Learn more: Things to Do Beyond Theme Parks
Outdoor Adventures
If your teens love outdoor adventure, they’ll develop a deeper appreciation for Orlando with some of our more unique ecotourism attractions. These include off-roading at Revolution Adventures (get discount tickets) and airboat tours at Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures (get discount tickets), Spirit of the Swamp Airboat Rides and Wild Florida (get discount tickets).
Learn more: Orlando Ecotourism
This is also a great age for your kids to hit the West Orange Trail. Starting in Winter Garden, just minutes from Walt Disney World, this paved, 21-mile trail is perfect for hiking and biking, with plenty of amenities along the way. You can even rent bikes for every member of the family from West Orange Trail — Bikes & Blades Co.
Dining
As kids mature, so do their palates, which means yours are now ready to experience the best of the best in Orlando dining. Take a walking tour of celebrity chef restaurants at Disney Springs®, the dining, entertainment and shopping district at Walt Disney World Resort that’s home to José Andrés’ JALEO, Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Florida Kitchen, and Guy Fieri creations at Planet Hollywood and Chicken Guy!, among others. And even without a celebrity chef, themed eateries like T-REX are another great option.
You’ll discover additional themed restaurants at Universal CityWalk at Universal Orlando Resort, and more celebrity eateries can be found throughout the area. Or, head to Winter Park to try some of Orlando’s best homegrown chefs. These include Julie and James Petrakis of The Ravenous Pig, Brandon McGlamery of Prato and Luke’s Kitchen, and many others.
More great dining that your teens more advanced palates will love can be found all along International Drive and Restaurant Row.
Resorts
Just as they have themed suite options for younger kids, Walt Disney World has some resorts with themed rooms that are fun for teenagers. For instance, Disney’s All-Star Music, Disney’s All-Star Movies, Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort have suites that are infused with music, movies and sports, as well as pop-culture icons. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort features 20 tropical luxury bungalows that sleep up to eight guests each.
Learn more: Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
Maybe your progeny are eyeing careers as world-famous musicians? In that case, book them a stay at Hard Rock Hotel® at Universal Orlando, which boasts Future Rock Star suites. Each one features iconic celebrity memorabilia, liquid flooring and lights, and a twinkling, starlight canopy over the beds.
Learn more: Universal Orlando Resort Hotels
If your teens are more interested in spending time in your hotel’s pool than in their suites, Orlando has some mind-blowing options in that regard. Margaritaville Resort Orlando has its own onsite water park, Island H2O Live!, and Orlando World Center Marriott has four heated outdoor pools and a nighttime laser show at its Falls Pools Oasis, which includes waterslides, whirlpools and a 600,000-gallon lagoon pool.
Bottom line is, there are so many unique ways to have a blast in the water at our resorts that you might have a hard time getting your teens out of the pool.
