Friend-Focused Trip for Teens

[JoeyPeligroso]

I’m a frequent traveler to Disney World. My next trip will be new to me in several ways, and I’d really appreciate some advice from those with experience in MDE and Genie +. I’d also love to hear strategies for managing a party as the adult with 4 teenagers who want a bit of appropriate independence. Here are some basics of the planned trip:

• I’ll be staying onsite in a DVC accommodation (CCV) – 2-bedroom villa.
• We are planning for 3 consecutive days in the parks over Memorial Weekend with park days on Sat, Sun, and Monday (busy times I presume).
• In addition to my two teen boys, I’ll be taking two of their friends (total of four boys 13 or above in age).
• The boys would like some exploring time with “less” supervision in the parks (I’ll be in the same park with them but will let them make choices as to rides/activities and may not ride with them all the time).
• My boys have been to the parks many times, their guests/friends have far less experience.
• Though I’ve used MDE many times, I’ve never use Genie + (my last trip was July 2021)
• I have no issue in paying for Genie + or other paid options for rides for the entire party. My goal is fun and flexibility – not necessarily cost savings…. I don’t want to waste money, but hey I’m going to Disney World!
• The friends/guests may or may not have their own MDE accounts – likely they don’t
• All five members of my party are listed on my DVC reservation which I will link to MDE on the Disney World Website.
• I presume that I’ll create new profiles for the two additional guests after I link the DVC accommodations.
• I’ll be purchasing tickets for the whole party (parkhoppers despite the limitations with park hopping currently) and assigning those tickets to the individuals in my party on MDE after I have all 5 profiles.

My Questions:

• Because I’m buying tickets for the whole party is it appropriate to make profiles and assign tickets as above?
• I presume that while I am able to manage rides for the party that the boys and/or friends may want to manage rides on their own from time to time, is the setup above good?
• Because my boys and their guests may wish to use MDE and/or play a role in booking rides, do they use my account on their phones or create new ones? I’d like to keep it simple…..
• What is the best method to buy Genie + and/or other options for my party, is the above setup of profiles and ticket assignments ok?
• Is there a better way to manage park days?
• Are there any teenager specific activities that you have experience when taking guests of you children?
• Are there resort specific or non-park activities that you have enjoyed with a group like this? I’ve done fishing, bowling, golf, Disney Springs with my own kids in the past.
• Any survival tips for the single adult (me) on this trip?
• Do Genie + or the other new paid options benefit my party in comparison to the old Fastpass?
• What is fun to do on your own at Disney when you are supervising your teens from a distance while in the same park with them?
• Are there any specific plans that are good for a partly like mine; anything that I should bring other than typical things that I would otherwise bring for my family?

Thanks for your advice and answers!!