7 Pro Tips for Taking Tweens and Teens to Disneyland in 2020
I lived in San Diego for 28 years. Ever since I can remember, we went to Disneyland. I even got to perform there with my middle school Choir. Now my kids are in middle school and Disneyland is still a top destination for us.
As kids get older, you might think they will lose interest in the parks but that is incorrect! If anything, they like it more! Here is how to keep them excited, engaged, and involved while traveling to Disneyland with teens.
1. Focus on the “Cool” Rides
By the time your kids reach teenager land, they are generally tall enough to ride all the scary and fast rides so that is all they want to do! Last time we went, we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel so got the “Magical Morning.” Magical Mornings allow people to get to the park an hour before the majority of families. The result…we rode “Guardians of the Galaxy” four times in a row first thing in the morning! I should say that I rode it twice before my stomach wouldn’t allow it again so my husband took them for the final two. If you go to the Disneyland website under attractions, you can filter rides based on thrill and speed. See below for
The Top rides teenagers want to go on in Disneyland Park in order include… Indiana Jones Adventure, Space Mountain, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Big Thunder Railroad, Splash Mountain, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, and Pirates of the Caribbean.
***The newest Star Wars ride , Rise of the Resistance opened January 17 so decide early if you want to add it to your top list. It will be a whole process that I will explain in another post.***
Top rides for tweens and teens in California Adventure in order are... Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission BREAKOUT!, The Incredicoaster, Radiator Springs Racers, Grizzly River Run, Goofy’s Sky School, and Soaring Over the World.
2. Let Them Be Involved in Planning the Trip
Tweens and teens are teetering on adulthood. They want to have a bit of control and a say when it comes to family vacations. I let them help plan when we want to go to the parks, what part to go to first between Disneyland and California Adventure, where we want to eat, and when they want some time to themselves. It can feel frustrating letting go of some control as a parent but honestly, teens have great ideas and seem to make trips more exciting.
3. Bring Phone Chargers and Portable Battery Packs
The fact that your kids now probably have cell phones is actually a good thing as long as they know how to properly use them at the parks. Phones allow parents and kids to separate and do their own thing. This can be a gift to both your teens and you.
The biggest piece of advice I have for you here is bring phone chargers and battery packs for each person with a cell phone. Make sure these are with your kids in a sealed gallon size ziplock bag (so they don’t get wet). Many attractions go underground (Pirates of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones…) so your phones are searching constantly for a signal and loose charge quickly. Also, there are a ton of people in the park so service gets interrupted at times. The Disneyland app and Disney MaxPass also uses a lot of juice. (More on that below.) We got the kids this waterproof solar charge battery pack with 2 usb ports so they could charge at the same time and not ruin anything with rides.
4. Get the Disney MaxPass, It’s Worth It!
The Disney MaxPass found on your Disneyland App is a game changer for your trip. It currently (as of January 2020) costs 15 dollars per person per day. I usually do all MaxPasses on my phone for our group but if you have teens who want to separate from adults, you may consider picking the most responsible one and allowing them to have passes for all teens.
MaxPass allows you to get fastpasses without having to run to the attraction and scan your ticket. It keeps track of all fastpasses for all members of your group and tells you when you can get your next one. Also, it grants you free access to all photos taken of you and your crew in the park including those taken with characters, through the park, and on rides. (We actually got our engagement photos done for free basically by a cast member using our MaxPass!)
We didn’t realize how worth it the MaxPass is until we got to Disney Paris last summer and they didn’t offer this service! Not having the MaxPass doubled the steps we took in a day.
5. Separate Sometimes but Plan to Meet Up
It is obviously important to meet up with your kids and do check-ins periodically if you decide to separate. Call me old fashioned but I think it is important to eat meals together and maybe see a parade or show. What I love about meeting up is that you get to share all the adventures you are having and catch up.
6. Set Rules but Bend Them
You don’t want the happiest place on earth to end up a land of argument. This is NOT the time to stick to bedtimes and limit sugar intake. This is time to make memories and choose your battles wisely. Let your teens know what to expect but if they are stuck in the middle of an hour line and they call to let you know, maybe cut them some slack.
7. Bring Extra Food
Nobody wants a hangry teenager running around or moping around making people miserable. In Disney parks, you are allowed to bring in food. My kids take this very seriously (especially when they see the price of some snacks). Packing reusable water bottles is a must. Teens are really into Hydro flasks. You can get the one my kids love in whatever size or color you want HERE. Also pack granola bars, crackers, fruit, even sandwiches in case you get stuck in a long line and need fuel. A good backpack is essential for both you and your teens. I love this one by The North Face because it is great for travel, school, or hiking.
Using these tips, your adventure to the happiest place on earth with teens or tweens should stay happy. Remember above all, you are there to have fun and in the words of Elsa, Let it go!” Did these tips help you on your trip? If they did or if you have anything to add, please leave me a comment below. Have a magical adventure!
