UPDATED JUNE 2024. As your little ones grow older and become teenagers, family theme park vacations may start to look a little different. While Universal Studios Orlando offers rides and attractions for guests of all ages, older children and teens will love the more thrilling roller coasters, interactive experiences, and immersive rides at the park.

Universal Orlando has a vibrant atmosphere, upbeat music, and lively street performances. Teens will feel free to enjoy themselves, while parents can feel safe letting their older children explore.

Discover Universal Studios Orlando

Universal Studios Orlando packages with tickets are available for three different theme parks. These include Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay Water Park. At Universal Studios Florida you’ll find attractions, including Hollywood, New York, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley, and World Expo. Teenagers will love the exciting rides like Transformers 3D, Revenge of the Mummy, and Escape from Gringotts. At Islands of Adventure, explore Marvel Superhero Island, Jurassic Park, Skull Island, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts. Thrilling rides include The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, and The Incredible Hulk Coaster. For the complete family vacation with teens, consider Universal Studios tickets Orlando deals that also include Volcano Bay. At Volcano Bay you’ll find water slides, hair-raising drops, a wave pool, beach, and rip-roaring rapids.

Best Attractions for Teens

As one of the coolest theme parks in Florida, Universal Studios Orlando offers thrilling roller coaster rides, wizards, superheroes, movie attractions, and seasonal events. What more could a teenager on vacation want?

Thrill Rides and Roller Coasters

Universal Studios Orlando has theme park rides for every age group. Less intense movie simulator rides can be an excellent introduction for teens and tweens and can ease older kids into the bigger roller coaster rides. Despicable Me’s Minion Mayhem, or Transformers 3D, could be a great place to start.

Thrill seeking teens and tweens will love roller coaster rides that include drops, dips, and loops like The Incredible Hulk Coaster, and Jurassic World VelociCoaster. Those with the need for speed will not want to miss the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit which reaches 65 mph.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

You’ll find attractions from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Many teenagers have grown up watching Harry Potter movies and reading the books. Attractions like Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade, and Hogwarts are a huge draw for teens and tweens.

The park has more than just themed rides to offer. Harry Potter fans will appreciate the attention to details, such as Moaning Myrtle in the bathrooms at Hogsmeade. And what teenager wouldn’t want to take home a new wand?

Special Events

Depending on what time of year your family purchases Universal Studios Orlando tickets, consider planning your vacation around seasonal and special events. If your teenager loves horror movies, Halloween Horror Nights might be right up their nightmare alley. Keep in mind that this event is not suitable for children under 13. For Spring Break trips, Mardi Gras at Universal includes a night parade and party beads. If you’re visiting the parks around the holidays, Christmas in the Wizarding World is not to be missed.

Fun and Satisfying Treats

Teenagers are typically easy to please when it comes to theme park foods. You’ll find the standard pizza and cheeseburgers at Universal Orlando, but you will also be able to chow down on Homer Simpson’s favorite pink donut, Bangers & Mash at the Leaky Cauldron, and minion-themed caramel apples.

A can’t-miss is, of course, Harry Potter’s Butterbeer. Through the Universal Orlando app (have your teenager help you download it), you’ll be able to order food ahead at many park restaurants.

For more dining options, explore CityWalk just outside the parks. Here you’ll find fun restaurants, boutique shops, and a movie theater. Teenagers will love being able to hang out here with new and old friends. The layout offers a great little taste of independence.

Peace of Mind for Parents

A theme park vacation offers more safety and peace of mind to parents of independent teenagers. If you decide to let your teens explore or go on rides without you, go into the adventure with a plan. Choose an agreed-upon meeting spot, check in every half hour or so, give teens identification information to carry, and let them use a cell phone.

Portable phone chargers are a great addition to your park packing list to ensure no disconnections. For parents, plenty of great restaurants and shows cater to adult enjoyment and offer the perfect chance to relax.

A theme park family vacation will be different if you are going with teenagers versus little children. Universal Studios Orlando tickets allow teens to explore their independence, test out their enjoyment of thrill rides, explore attractions featuring favorite movies, and indulge in unique fun treats.

Why Universal Orlando Is The Perfect Park For Teens (And Their Parents) || Get Away Today