Orlando with teens: Go for big rides, high-tech

ORLANDO, Fla. — Raising teenagers is not always easy. But as I walked around Walt Disney World recently, observing crying babies, melting-down toddlers and whining 6-year-olds — not to mention stressed-out parents — I felt lucky that my only challenge in visiting Orlando with two big kids — ages 12 and 17 — was to find the fastest, craziest rides.

We spent two days in theme parks, one day at Disney's Epcot and Animal Kingdom, and the other at Universal Orlando, and I can honestly say we had a blast. And in the end, not all of our favorite attractions were fast or scary; my kids gave points for interesting shows (including "Flights of Wonder" at Animal Kingdom) and high-tech design as well. Here are some of the best attractions, in their opinion, for the middle- and high-school set.

Universal Orlando: Many attractions at Universal Studios Florida and its sister park, Islands of Adventure, seem tailor-made for the teenage mindset. Like "Disaster! — A Major Motion Picture Ride . Starring YOU" or Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, a 65 mph coaster, 17 stories tall, where they get to customize their own soundtrack, choosing from classic rock/metal, club/electronica, country, rap/hip-hop or pop. Visiting this park was more fun than staying home from school to play video games (not that such a thing would ever happen in my house).

I did not personally experience Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit — no way could this mom handle it! — but I did spring for the $35 DVD, a personal video of my kids screaming their heads off and laughing hysterically as the coaster shook them silly. Every time I watch the tape, I start cracking up, too — it's that funny.

Their No. 2 favorite at Universal was Dueling Dragons, which consists of a pair of inverted roller coasters, each with its own unique design, one called Fire, the other, Ice. Dueling Dragons goes 55 mph, 125 feet in the air, and riders on one coaster pass within inches of riders on the other. The kids liked it so much, they did it twice so they could experience both coasters.

I skipped Dragons, but I did join the boys on other rides. We aren't big fans of "The Simpsons" show, so for the first few minutes of The Simpsons Ride, as the story line was laid out in an anteroom, we weren't all that engaged. But once we were strapped into our seats for the high-tech ride, we loved it. You feel like you've stepped right into the cartoon and are part of the animation.