My son was graduating from high school and turning 18 all within the same week. It called for a major celebration, but didn't require a lot of thought on Aaron's part. He had been planning this since he and his buddy took early morning surfing lessons at Disney World's Typhoon Lagoon and learned that you can rent the surfing experience for 3 hours, 100 waves, and up to 25 people.

Landmark occasions in our kids' lives call for a party they'll never forget -- and what better place than Central Florida?

Here are three options for different age groups.

SURFING SAFARI

''This is the coolest thing I've done in my life,'' Aaron's friend Nick told me half-way through the 100 waves that night at Typhoon Lagoon.

Even the first-time surfers were thanking me and exclaiming ''awesome!'' and ''cool'' throughout the party, a bash particularly suitable for Sweet 16 and high school graduation celebrations.

Our gang of 12 surfers plus various moms arrived as instructed a half-hour before the park closed, with consent forms filled out and signed. (Kids under age 18 must have a parent sign the form.) Because we were prompt and organized, Doug, our host, let the kids in early to experience the slides before the park closed down.

Then, we had the wave pool to ourselves. The waves average five feet and we had the choice of right break, left break, or A-frame, which breaks right and left and allows two surfers at a time. You can change your break every 25 waves. Staff was affable, and even threw in a few extra waves for the kids.

Aaron handed Doug his choice of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sublime, and Damian Marley CDs, and the party got going.

Lifeguards supervise the 2.5-acre pool that churns out the waves. We brought in snacks and soft drinks as no concessions stay open (no alcohol or glass). We also brought our own boards -- a requirement for surfing. Body boards are also allowed.

My son's assessment? In a word, ''Gnarly.'' (You were thinking ''priceless,'' right?)

Details: Cost is $1,200 for weeknights, $1,400 for weekend nights, or $1,100 for morning sessions before the park opens. Typhoon Lagoon Surfing Party, 407-560-4025 or 407-939-7873.

We rented a five-bedroom house for the night through Premier Vacation Homes in Windsor Hills Reserve, less than 20 minutes from the park. 407-396-2401, www.pr-vacation.com. Rates for a five-bedroom home start at $176 per night; various sizes available.

GET RACY

If you're looking for an adventure to celebrate bar or bat mitzvah, confirmation, or any birthday between the ages of 7 and 14, Daytona 500 Experience -- a companion attraction to the famed Speedway -- has designed a special package for 12 or more participants.

Guests get their hands on race-car simulators, work the pit stop and feel the thunder of Daytona 500 in the 3-D IMAX theater. It's as close to NASCAR racing as you can get without a helmet.

For $15 each, the Daytona 500 Experience Party Package includes for each participant a 30-minute tour of the speedway aboard a special tram, admission to the Experience -- including one go on Acceleration Alley, dubbed ''the most realistic car racing video game ever'' by my 15-year-old son -- IMAX admission, a hot dog and soda, plus a discount voucher for the gift shop.

Don't think this place is only for boys. The Experience draws a lot of return birthday partiers, and plenty of them are girls, says Mandy Wyrick, who arranges the parties.

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