Disney Cruise Line Releases Summer 2024 Itineraries!
Disney Cruise Line announced the inaugural dates and select itineraries for its new island destination in The Bahamas, headlining a season full of new and guest-favorite itineraries around the world in summer 2024.
Request a No-Obligation Quote

Letting Your Teens Explore Walt Disney World

Astro Orbiter 07



Walt Disney World is most commonly known for being a place where the young and the young at heart can have fun together. Walt Disney World for me has a very different meaning, because in many ways it is where I learned the responsibilities of being an adult. As a teenager I came to Walt Disney World with my family many times. The increased responsibilities and freedoms that I took on with each trip are what taught me what being a functioning adult is all about. Building a bond between a teenager and parent is critical. While I’m not a parent, I do remember being a teenager, and the built up trust between me and my parents is what kept me in line and out of trouble. Walt Disney World is a place where I learned how to be responsible for myself, and by proving my parents right I gained their trust.

Toboggan Racers 3

I believe that Walt Disney World is a great laboratory to experiment your ability to trust your teen. Here you can allow them the freedom to explore the parks themselves, and learn some basic life skills about being in public without your parents. Obviously not all teenagers are ready for this step. You know what’s best for your child and so I am in no way telling you what’s best for them. I am just here to share my story only for parents who believe their teenager is ready and prepared for the next step in learning the responsibilities of being by themselves.



WDWINFO Epcot Flower Garden 2014 002

In my early teens, about 13 or 14 years old, my family came to Walt Disney World while my dad was here for a work conference. It was on this trip that my brother and I went off to explore Epcot by ourselves. While my brother is older than me, being without my parents made me realize that this was an opportunity. I remember feeling that I couldn’t screw up my opportunity to show them that I could act appropriately without them.

All Star Movies 061



By gaining the trust of my parents each trip to Walt Disney World meant gaining even more responsibility. In fact my next trip to Walt Disney World was actually a field trip without my parents at all. With just teachers and fellow students I had the chance to take advantage of the Disney Youth Education Series. Being able to have this fun educational experience, and be able to explore the parks with just my friends I realized that I had only achieved this by gaining the trust of my parents. Although the teachers were on Walt Disney World property they did not monitor us every moment of being in the parks. Not wanting to disappoint my teachers, or my parents I was always back to the Disney’s All Star Movies by midnight, which was the time we had to be back. Having my parents trust me to go to Florida without them was a huge boost of confidence that I wasn’t a child anymore.

Expedition Everest 06



At the very end of my senior year of High School my friends and I decided that as a graduation celebration we would go to Walt Disney World. Without parents, without teachers, this trip was on us. My gaining the trust of our parents meant we now could fly to Florida by ourselves. The moment we landed in Orlando International Airport was the first moment I felt like an adult. I was in a different state without my parents or a teacher to watch over us. We were here alone, and we were in charge of ourselves.

Main Street Electrical Parade 08



If you have a young teenager and you aren’t sure if they are ready to face being in Walt Disney World alone I completely understand. I feel so fervent about this because in many ways Walt Disney World is where I learned to be an adult. It sounds very weird, but it’s Walt Disney World where I learned the importance of responsibility and maturity.

+ posts

Stephen "Steve" Porter started going to the parks with his family in 1996. Since then he hasn't looked back! Steve was a cast member participating in the Disney College Program in 2013. Most recently he graduated from Penn State University!





















REQUEST A NO-OBLIGATION DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Our agents will assist you in booking the perfect Disney getaway, all at no extra cost to you. Get the most out of your dream vacation by letting us assist you with dining and park reservations, provide expert advice, answer any questions, and continuously search for discounts to ensure you get the best deal possible.

CLICK HERE!