How old to let child ride by themself?

[plutoNme]

My DS and I will be going in September for my 40th birthday.(DH does not have anymore vacation time). There are some rides that he would love to go on that I know I dont enjoy. Especially Mission Space and Star Tours. He is 11 and does stay at home by himself for a few hours(never at night). At want age would you be comfortable in letting a child ride by himself? Will the CM let him get on? Should I go thru the line and then go thru a chicken exit? When we went ion March DH and I rode Rock and Roller coaster and he waited for us in the store and he did well. Any thoughts?

[Tissa]

I think 11 is old enough, official policy is 8? I would walk him through though and take the chicken exit.

[Kimberle]

It really depends on the ride any your child's maturity. 11 should be fine for many rides. Id stay in line w/ him/her and use the chicken exit and meet him at the end.

[Hannathy]

My son went on things by himself at 7! That was a great trip, we also used the single rider line for TT,EE and RNC and got on many more times than we would have as a family.

I would wait with him in line if it was going to be a long wait , only cause it can be boring by yourself but if it was short I'd find a meeting place and sit down and wait.

[tefrench]

When we went in July, our 8 year old and 9 year old did a few together - Primievel Whirl, Aladdin's Carpet, the Carrousel, Swiss Family Robinson, and Tom Sawyer's Island. We waited next to the exit or told them exactly where we'd be. They did fine, although Mom was a little nervous!

[NYDisneyKid]

i know single rider line on EE age is 7

[dancin Disney style]

Last year there were a few things that the 3 of us used the single rider line. My DD was 9 at the time but she is mature and responsible. We always had her ride second so that there was an adult waiting at the exit and an adult still in line with her. I made it very clear to her that while she was riding alone no other people were allowed to touch her in an way. If this should happen she needed to tell me immediately.

[Guest-expert]

we're not there yet, but i would consider it at 8 years....

[junderwood7]

I think 11 is old enough. We are letting our 10 year old ride some rides by himself if he wants.

[dimimi]

I would let him ride the ride by himself, but I would wait in line with him. If at all possible, I would ride the ride with him...it is more fun to have someone on the ride with you. Just a suggestion, could you bring a friend with you that is your child's age? If you have someone, then I would allow the 2 of them to be in line together...it would be fun.

[whitneyNC]

He'll be fine. Disney's policy is under 7 must be accompanied by an adult. I think that's only on the "big" rides! Have a great trip.

[Cheshire Figment]

Disney's rule is that a child must be at least seven to do any rides (other than kiddie rides) alone. Of course the child must also meet any height requirements. If you wish to, you can go through the queue with the child and then take the "chicken exit" at the load area, or, if load and unload are at the same locaiton the CMs might allow you to stay in that area until the ride vehicle returns.

[Wendynat]

11 is plenty old enough. Just wait at the exit area for him to come off, so he's not searching for you in a crowd outside.

Our 7 year old rode Expedition Everest by himself on our last day - a nice person gave us one Fastpass to use, and he desperately wanted to ride again (regular Fastpass return at the time was after we planned to leave WDW). We watched him enter the queue, hand his fastpass off, then we went to wait where they get off the ride in the shop. Perfectly fine, and he was so proud to do it "all by himself" .

[arielsleepingbeauty]

We went with 4 children ages 11-7. I get sick on rides with alot of jerking around like Mission Space and Star Tours. I decided that I would stand in line with them until they get on. Anything could happen while they are in line (one having to go to the bathroom, etc) and we wanted to be there in case somethign should come up. We were able to wait until they got on the ride and then waited at the exit door. They were told to wait for each other to get off the ride and hold hands leaving. It wasn't a problem and I felt ok about it. I would never let them just stand in line by themselves. I would have gone on if I had to.

We were in line for Splash Moutain for well over 45 minutes. I saw a little girl creeping through the line. We had 5 kids with us and 2 adults. She just stood there and watched out interaction for about 5 minutes. Everytime I looked her way she put her head down. I wasn't sure if she was with the group in back of us. I ended up involved with a conversation with my nephews and when i turned i noticed that she crept past me. The people in front of me were a party of 6 and they were in their mid 20's. I looked over at one of the guys and asked if she was theirs and he said that he thought she was one of ours. I then started to ask her questions. She said that she was 6, she was from China and that her parents were waiting for her at the end of the line. WHAT???? A 6 year old in line for over 45 minutes with strangers in a different country???
That is insane to me!!

[Lynne G]

I'd let him ride by himself. My son is also 11, and even last year, I let him ride things by himself. If I was worried, I'd wait in line with him and use the chicken exit, (yes, I am for the motion sickness mom I am) and then wait for him at the exit, scanning everyone who comes out until I see him. For other rides, we agree on a meet location, and then I wait for him there. It's usually near the exit. I go to many parks with my kids by myself since DH is working and away alot. Since my son is usually tall enough to ride, and I have to stay with little one, I have let him go by himself many times since about 8. I think you will be fine. It's the comfort level for you and his willingness that is the only issue.

Have fun!