Would you leave your 12 year old in the gift shop...

[joxer1014]

IMHO I found Disney World to be a great training ground on how my daughter could cope on her own and also how I was able to handle it. We started at the age of 9 in Epcot, being separated but within eyesight 15-20 minutes at a time. When she was 13 and wanted Chinese food instead of Norwegian we sent her off to the next country to order on her own and bring it back. I considered this practice to when I had to send her off to high school this year taking public transportation, which had me in a panic. I still worry a little bit but the practicing in WDW helped alot.

 

[Love Tink]

I never get why people ask questions like this on the Dis - you will obviously get answers as varied as can be, and never a consensus. You have to go with what your own parenting style dictates.

I have a 12 year old. I, frankly, can't even wrap my brain around the perspective of someone who would not leave their 12 year old alone for a little while in a Disney gift shop. But I know those people are out there (and according to the teachers I know, becoming more and more prevalent).

 

[twocat]

This will work for Tower of Terror and minimize the time your daughter is alone.

Have both of them go through the entire line queue together. When you get to the front of the line, ask the CM where the chicken exit is located. She'll be escorted to an elevator and ride down to the exit area where people that have already ridden the ride come into the gift shop. There is even a bench there where your daughter can sit while she waits.

Her alone time will probably be no longer than 5 minutes.


I know this from experience

I don't know about RnRC because I was convinced to go on that one. I kept my eyes closed the entire time and had no idea we were upside down at some point.

 

[WizardLarz]

Yes, I would.

Another idea is to have them wait in line together & have your DD use the chicken exit. She could then simply wait at the off-load point. It would, at least, minimize time she spends alone.

All rides have a Chicken Exit and the ToT Que theming is awesome to see! Maybe if she walked through with you she might change her mind. Also let her know that RnRRC is over so fast she'll never even realize that she was ever Upsidedown!

 

[Selket]

I'd also only do it if I had FP's for the ride because the wait could be too long - but otherwise your daughter is old enough to hang out in the gift shop. If you don't have FP's I'd take her through the que and let her do the chicken exit which will go to the gift shop.

The exit of ToT has a place to sit and wait near the gift shop (indoors) but I think at RnRC there is no place to sit except to go outside.

I wouldn't even ask this question here because eventually it will turn nasty! :-(

 

[ginnygi]

My DD 12 is checking out babysitting courses for this summer. So can watch OTHER people's kids.

So yes, I would and did. On our last trip. She also did a few fastpass runs for us. And LOVED it.

No place is completely safe, including Disney. But it is a great place to let them spread their wings a bit and try out a little independence. But I agree with making sure they have a phone.

I woudln't leave her at the local mall, but for a little bit at Disney? Definitely.

Yes, I agree completely with this

 

[kstrough]

We have 13 year old and have been splitting up for a couple of years for short periods of time. My only suggestion is set a meeting place- cell service can be really spotty in certain buildings/shops, so always know when and where you'll meet.

 

[finbait]

Long story short, few years ago, my daughter and a few other kids were molested in the pool at CBR, with people everywhere. WHen we found out and called cops, they said more pedophiles visit and hang out out disney, then anywhere else! Knowing this now, my now 12 year old daughter and 8 year old son will be in eyesight at ALL times on our visit in 3 weeks.

 

[seven dwarfs]

I would not leave my child at the age of 12 alone anywhere in Disney. I know Disney seems so friendly and full of workers and that bad things can't happen there. I also know we have made many trips to Disney and never had anything bad happen with a stranger. Until this past summer trip.

I would like to share that my daughter (12) was touched in an inappropriate manor while on the stitch attraction. She was sitting by her sister who was 8and I was sitting next to the eight year old. There were many empty seats as it was not that busy. The gentleman was sitting behind her and did not allow his harness to tighten. I noticed him alone on the ride and that his harness was not down but just thought maybe he doesn't like space mountain and his family is riding that and maybe he doesn't like the idea of a harness. During the dark parts he slipped out of his seat. At first she was not sure what it was, and I think she was in such shock. But then once she processed what was going on, she took her hand with her nails and dug into his hairy hands. (I hope she drew blood!)

I have talked to my children about strangers, and the "what ifs". I have also told them over and over what to do in a situation like this. Even after many talks, my daughter froze up and by the time she was able to tell me what had happened, the man was gone. It was for his best because he would have taken his last breath had my husband and I found him. My daughter said she now understands why I have a 2 person rule. She used to think it was silly. I have six kids so we do everything in two's. It was an awful situation that has forever changed my family.

I believe this man knew what he was doing and that it wasn't his first time and won't be his last until he is caught. He knew the ride well. Since there is no video in the ride they were unable to locate the man. I believe had there been just a touch of light during the dark parts, this would not have happened.

I am sad to have to share such an awful experience my family had during the happiest place on earth. But, I believe it is important to share to prevent others from going through what she did. I would never leave my 12year old daughter anywhere alone in Disney. You can not put a price on a childs safety. This has forever changed my daughter and I am very sad that it has changed her thoughts of Disney. I also know it can happen anywhere.

 

[mad madam mim78]

I trusted my 9 year old to sit on a bench outside haunted mansion while we rode it. Twelve is plenty old enough. Just have a plan if you get separated and cant find each other. Some people need to cut the cord a little. This bologna of women taking their 10 year old sons in the women's bathroom bothers the hell out of me. Flame me all you want. It's ridiculous!!

 

[jennyjinx3]

Seven dwarfs: I am so sorry this happened to your family. There are some sick people out there.

 

[Lehuaann]

Yes. It also depends on maturity. When our DS was 12 he roamed MNSSHP for part of evening without us since all he wanted was candy. He took his cell phone of course.

Now a couple of years ago a family left their child (4?) alone in the SM gift shop alone...we couldn't believe it. The child was extremely chatty with strangers and by the time we realized he was alone - CMs had already called security. They just watched over him and made sure he was picked up, from what we saw. As the family exited the ride and came looking for him, the father must've immediately picked up on the group of us glaring/staring...cause he was looking over his shoulder at us as they were walking out the door.

 

[tzolkin]

The only real guidance Disney offers is that children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by someone 16 or older. So you're two years past that limit.

I thought it was 7 and 14.

That's what we were told by CMs during our trip last August. (Our youngest was 6 and our oldest 13, so DS6 needed an adult but DDs 8 & 13 were allowed to ride without us.)

Maybe that's just while in the parks/riding attractions and the 10/16 is for entering a park?


As for the OP: Last trip we did leave our DD in the gift shop at Everest while we all went back on for a second ride (she didn't want to ride again). It was walk on and we were gone less than 5 minutes. This was honestly the first time I had left a child out of my sight and I was a bit nervous but I think it was good for her independence. She traded a pins with the CMs and was waiting right at the ride exit to look at our pictures with us.

 

[DisneyLvr55]

I wouldn't have a problem doing it, but I would only do it if I had FPs for the rides. This goes for anyone waiting for me to ride. Some of those lines can be over an hour, and if the person waiting has to wait in one little store, that could get incredibly boring for such a long time.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I would absolutely leave a 12 year old in the gift shop while we went on a ride.

 

[lucifie]

My DD is now 13, but I would have had no problem leaving her in a gift shop alone at WDW when she was 12. In fact, I know I did! What is going to happen to your DD? She won't be raped or otherwise sexually assaulted by some pervert, dragged away and killed by a passing murderer, propositioned or groomed by a pedophile or knocked upside the head and have her iPod taken by a bandit.

Make sure she has a cell phone so you can text when you're off the ride in case she wanders away.

YES! Of course, it depends on a child, but if she will follow instructions and stay where she's supposed to be I'm sure she'll be fine. It's unlikely anyone will do anything to her when there are lots of witnesses.

 

[Mom2six]

I am super over-protective and a worrier. I would definitely leave a 12 year old girl in the gift shop, if I knew she would not leave and go do something else. 3 of my girls would have been fine waiting for me...one would have run off and tried to do something fun while I was gone. I think the gift shops are safe, and there are CMs working there so if she screamed, someone would notice! As long as she stays where she is supposed to be, no problem. I'd even leave an 11 year old there...I think 10 is a bit young though.

 

[seven dwarfs]

Seven dwarfs: I am so sorry this happened to your family. There are some sick people out there.

Thank you, yes there are. I have been so obsessed with teaching my kids and trying to be cautious of those around us. You just never know. You can not stop sick people. There was a horrific crime of a little girl in town at Christmas before my daughters incident. I had to talk to them about it because it was all over the news etc. So it is not like my kids don't know what can happen. She said she just froze up and it took time to respond.

It was an awful experience and to this day my daughter is unable to ride that attraction. I was worried she would never want to go back to Disney. I just want to share with others because if you told me this would have happend to my daughter in Disney, I would have never believed it. I know 12 seems mature (and she is for her age), but there are sick people everywhere. You can't trust others.

 

[WantToGoNow]

I would and I have. My ds11 is not a rider. He walks through the line and then takes the chicken exit and waits for us - has been doing this for several years.

 

[robinb]

Seven dwarfs: I am so sorry this happened to your family. There are some sick people out there.

I too am very sorry! What a horrible thing to happen to her with you right there on the attraction with her!