Have a Splashing Good Time at Disney's Water Parks

For a blast of a time, head to one of Disney’s two water parks. Blizzard Beach has a melting alpine resort theme where chairlifts carry swimmers instead of skiers. It’s a place for daredevils to challenge wild, rushing water and death-defying slides including Summit Plummet, a 120-foot slide reaching speeds of 60 miles per hour. Those a bit less adventuresome will love Typhoon Lagoon, a tropical fantasyland offering a wave pool with tallest simulated waves in world as well as a chance to snorkel among tropical fish, leopard and nurse sharks, and picturesque coral at Shark Reef.

Live it Up at Downtown Disney

After parks close hop a bus from your Disney resort for a night on town at Downtown Disney. Highlights include Disney Quest with five floors of interactive games, a 24-screen AMC Theater, a Cirque du Soleil show, and over 60 shops and restaurants. Favorite dining choices for younger crowd are Planet Hollywood and Rainforest Café. And definitely consider House of Blues where teens are allowed to attend some of almost daily concerts in their live music venue next-door.

Cool Off at One of Disney’s Resort Pools

When your parents are wondering which resort to book for your Disney vacation, be sure and put your two cents in and steer them toward one with a great pool. Disney’s very best uniquely themed pools include Yacht and Beach Club’s Stormalong Bay, a 3-acre mini-water park, Swan and Dolphin’s lush, grotto-style lagoon pool, boulder-strewn wonderland at Wilderness Lodge with its very own erupting geyser, and Volcano Pool at Polynesian Resort with its luxuriant waterfall, smoking peak, and perfect views of Cinderella’s Castle.

Plan Some Watersport Fun

Disney’s Contemporary Resort is place for water-ski, parasail, wakeboard, kneeboard, and jet-ski action under guidance of a professional instructor. There’s nothing better than a bird’s-eye-view of Magic Kingdom as you parasail high above Seven Seas Lagoon. And action down below on Bay Lake is a blast! For reservations call 407-WDW-PLAY up to 90 days in advance, and be sure to bring a parent along to sign a waiver to participate if you’re under age 18.

Pilot Your Own Boat

What could be more fun than renting a Sea Raycer, a 2-seater mini-power boat perfect for zipping around Disney’s waterways and lakes. It’s a great pastime for teens with a valid driver's license (those under 18 must bring along a parent to sign a waiver). You’ll get most bang for your buck at one of resorts near Magic Kingdom (the Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, or Wilderness Lodge) where you’ll find miles of recreation on Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.

Scuba and Snorkel at Epcot’s Living Seas

Best Deluxe Resort On Disney property it’s Grand Floridian with its upscale Victorian atmosphere and lagoonside setting facing Magic Kingdom. Off-property, hands-down, it’s Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes where you may never even feel need to leave property. At Universal, go for Portofino Bay Hotel with its unsurpassed ambience of an Italian seaside resort.

Best Resort Pool * Disney's Yacht and Beach Club’s Stormalong Bay, a 3-acre mini water park * The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin’s lush grotto-style lagoon pool * The Volcano Pool at Disney's Polynesian Resort with its luxuriant waterfall, smoking peak, and perfect view of Cinderella’s Castle * The boulder-strewn wonderland at Disney's Wilderness Lodge with its very own erupting geyser * The lush fantasyland pool at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress cooled by twelve waterfalls

Best Home-Away-From-Home Property The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge with its Bay Lake frontage and national park character or Disney's Beach Club Villas conveniently located next door to Epcot.

Best Resort Atmosphere Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge where hundreds of animals roam savanna and air is pulsating to beat of African drums. Running a close second is Universal’s Portofino Bay Hotel where guests are transported to a romantic, seaside Italian village.

Best Resort Lobby How to choose? Three of Disney's resorts make cut: Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, and Animal Kingdom Lodge, all eye-popping in their grandeur.

Best Access To The Parks The Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian with monorail access to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Ticket and Transportation Center. At Universal, Hard Rock Hotel is just a 5-minute walk or boat ride away to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and CityWalk.

Best Resort For Romance Disney's Polynesian Resort whose lush tiki torch-lit grounds and white-sand beaches with views of Cinderella’s Castle are simply dreamy or Universal’s Portofino Bay Hotel where an evening stroll along bay with Italian arias playing in distance can’t be beat.

Best Resort For Nature-Lovers Disney's Wilderness Lodge, a nature-lover’s dream of rushing waterfalls, spouting geysers, and bubbly creeks, all surrounded by stately pine trees and beautiful Bay Lake.

Best Resort Lounges * California Grill Lounge found on 15th floor of Disney's Contemporary Resort with unrivaled views of Magic Kingdom and Seven Seas Lagoon, great for cocktails, sushi, and a view of Wishes fireworks display. * Disney's Grand Floridian's lobby. Pick up a cocktail at Mizner’s, then head down to this magnificent oasis to relax in cushy seating while listening to sounds of a big band orchestra or live piano music. * Tambu Lounge at Disney's Polynesian Resort’s Great Ceremonial House. Sip on tropical drinks amid lush foliage and views of Seven Seas Lagoon. * Territory Lounge, a rustic retreat in Disney's Wilderness Lodge. * bluezoo’s bar at Walt Disney World Dolphin, coolest place around. * Velvet, ultra-hip cocktail lounge at Universal's Hard Rock Hotel. * Bar America, Portofino Bay Hotel’s sophisticated lounge overlooking romantic piazza. * Top of Palace Lounge, a sophisticated bar with best views around high atop Wyndham Palace Resort near Downtown Disney.

Best Italian Palio at Walt Disney World Swan where Tortellini con Aragosta topped with enormous amounts of lobster is amazing, or Portobello Yacht Club at Downtown Disney for a fantastic, thin-crusted pizza followed by Rigatoni with Italian Sausage, crimini mushrooms, plum tomatoes, black olives, and escarole.