11 year olds alone in Disney?

[4Seasons]

I have to agree with the majority here and say at age 11 no. Now my kids are 13 (boy) and 16 (girl) and we are going to Disney in May (they will be almost 14 and 17) so we will probably allow them periods of time to themselves (together ALWAYS, that is the big thing) and they will have to be in the same park as us, no hopping alone.
We just did start letting them walk around in our mall together (without us) recently, but we don't drop them off we are there in the mall as well.
As others have said, just too much freaky stuff goes on nowadays.........

 

[julezdisney]

Ok this may sound weird but I am already looking and pricing my 1 year Anniversary trip....lol granted I havent even gone on my honeymoon trip...lol!

I don't even know what the prices are going to be...lol!

At any rate we will be bringing my then 11 year old son on our anniversary trip with us. What do you think is the best time to go and what can he do possibly independantly? He is dying to meet his best friend down ther and go off together...Is that a good idea or no? My son wants to do that because he wants to let my then hubby and me do something by ourselves...its a year or more away and I am already questioning it...lol

I know he doesnt want to do Kids Club...he says he is to "old for that nonsense" lol

I would suggest specific activities such as archery at Fort Wilderness or a tour. I think there's a new teen-specific tour like Keys to the Kingdom available-does anyone know? The water-parks might be a good option for an afternoon- or Disney Quest for the majority of a day or afternoon.

As for the parks- I'd say a great big "NO!". They're just too large, spread out, and the possiblity of them ending up at another resort or park on accident by catching the wrong bus is just too large.

Good luck w/whatever you decide.

 

[TheLittleRoo]

Epcot, May 2008, we were in the butterfly garden when my 2.5 year old got mad and left the tent, walked like 10 feet away and start kicking the dirt. My wife decided not to walk out of the tent, she was just standing there watching him.

He was quickly approached buy a couple in the mid thirties or so and they started talking to him.

When my wife walked outside and just said: Hey, I’m watching him, they took off like crazy, almost ran away…

I know WDW is one of most safe places around but still…

.

I have to say, if I were walking by and saw a lone 2 y/o in Epcot kicking the dirt, I would absolutely stop and talk to him. If no one was coming for him, it wouldn't be very long before I took him by the hand to guest services for Lost Children. It's very likely that couple was distressed to see a little boy all alone in a big park like Epcot, and it was very innocuous. Maybe they wanted to avoid a potential confrontation with his caregiver?

Heck, I've been known to turn my car around if I see a preschooler walking on the sidewalk with no adult in sight. Really. And strays too...

 

[stinkerbelle7531]

Epcot, May 2008, we were in the butterfly garden when my 2.5 year old got mad and left the tent, walked like 10 feet away and start kicking the dirt. My wife decided not to walk out of the tent, she was just standing there watching him.

He was quickly approached buy a couple in the mid thirties or so and they started talking to him.

When my wife walked outside and just said: Hey, I’m watching him, they took off like crazy, almost ran away…

I know WDW is one of most safe places around but still…

.

I figure they were just nice people checking to see if a little one was all right. You turned up, and they headed about their business. I lost my 5 year old for a few minutes once. A kind lady was talking to him when I found them. I was grateful for her, rather than suspecting she was going to grab him.

People are always looking for the worst in others. I find most people are like me. Trying their best to make the world a nicer place.

I'd let my 12 year old wander the world. He is older than many of the groups that visit WDW with few adults, and manage to survive. He is smart, and know how to get around. I don't know how the OP's child is maturity wise.

 

[MEM]

I have let my DD12 separate from DH and I at the same Disney park - even when she was 11. The point is, at the same park. She likes intense rides like ToT and RnRC so she will ride those alone and meet up with us within the same park at a designated spot. She has a cell phone and is very mature and articulate.

At no other place on Earth would I feel comfortable doing that, but Disney is different. I have experienced first-hand how they deal with "lost" children - DS14 who is on the autism spectrum was separated from us in a crowd several years ago at Epcot - three CMs stayed with him until Security was able to determine where in the park he was, based on our description of him.

I have witnessed "Mousepolice" dressed like tourists talking into their phones saying "There is an apparently unaccompanied child walking up Main Street, etc. etc."

It is a very personal decision, of course, but I feel very comfortable with it and most people would consider me OVERprotective.

 

[AshtonsMom99]

Thanks MEM I needed that. I don't feel its wrong as long as we are all in the same park. I certainly wouldn't let him hop on a ****tle by himself to go to a different park. I think giving our children these opportunities and teaching them to be responsible for themselves is a good thing. My son is an only child and most people think he is 3 years older than he actually is. Must be cause he is with adults alot. I dont know. At any rate I trust him to be responsible enough to check in with me or Fiance...

 

[stinkerbelle7531]

I'm sure he will be fine! Have a great time!

 

[ryanshana]

I don't know if you are still reading these....my kids are 2 and 1 so I don't know what to say about an 11 yo and whether or not to let him go by himself.......

But here is my thought......

If you are asking because you'd like some alone time on your anniversary trip....what about doing one of those kids programs. I know I did, gosh I forget (it was in 1992 lol, I was 12 at the time) but it was SOOOOO neat. I will never forget it. I made friends, it was awesome to be away from the parents, and you got to do all this behind the stage stuff. I remember asking my mom (later in life) and she loved the alone time w/ my dad

Happiness from all people LOL

 

[nd5056]

I have to say, if I were walking by and saw a lone 2 y/o in Epcot kicking the dirt, I would absolutely stop and talk to him. If no one was coming for him, it wouldn't be very long before I took him by the hand to guest services for Lost Children. It's very likely that couple was distressed to see a little boy all alone in a big park like Epcot, and it was very innocuous. Maybe they wanted to avoid a potential confrontation with his caregiver?

Heck, I've been known to turn my car around if I see a preschooler walking on the sidewalk with no adult in sight. Really. And strays too...

You’re right. I would do the same thing.

Yet I’m sure Me, You and anyone that cares would somehow acknowledge, look at or somehow respond, confirm when spoken to, in this kind of situation.

If someone turns around and quickly leaves, trying not to reveal their faces… You know, they did look around before they approached my son. Why wouldn’t they look around to see who’s talking to them??? And why run??? They didn’t seem to hurry anywhere right before then…

.

 

[stinkerbelle7531]

Maybe they walked quickly away because they didn't want to deal with some crazy parent who would think that they would harm a child.

 

[mom2febgirls]

I don't see a problem with it if you feel he is responsible. We were just there 2 weeks ago and we split up in Magic Kingdom with my 12yodd (13 next week) and 10 yo nephew riding rides in Tomorrowland while the rest of us hit Fantasyland.

I also let her sleep in one morning at the resort.

If you think your child is mature enough to handle it then he probably is.

 

[nd5056]

Maybe they walked quickly away because they didn't want to deal with some crazy parent who would think that they would harm a child.

"Crazy parent", huh?

Just wait 'till I let my wife read this, you're in trouble, BIG TROUBLE!!!

Just kidding, all my wife did say was like: Hey, I'm watching him, he's not lost.

Trust me, she didn't over react on this one. It’s after they left she realized what possibly could have happen…

.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Just wanted to add another thought...It wouldn't be my lack of faith or trust in my 11 year old...It would be my lack of faith and trust in the rest of the world.

 

[westjones]

Have you thought about the Disney Cruise? I have been more comfortable giving my kids freedom on the ship than I have in the parks. This year my twins are going to be 15 1/2 and I am considering allowing them to go off by themselves for awhile (we have never let them do that yet), but on the Cruise we have had freedom to go off together since they were 12. That is one of the reasons we love the cruise.

 

[TupperMom7]

Okay, here is my idea. I would let them on their own in a limited area. If they were in Epcot, they would have to stay in one area - Mission to Mars or something, but for a certain amount of time. Believe me, when I was in a hurray to move on to something else, my kids could easily have spent at least an hour there. Then again, I would probably be so worried that something might happen to them, I would not enjoy my "free" time anyway!

 

[hearts8701]

would you let him walk around any other place alone crazy people are everyway as stated earlier
predators lurk everywhere especially where children are
besides the fact there are signs stating no one under 12 permitted in parks without an adult

 

[stinkerbelle7531]

would you let him walk around any other place alone crazy people are everyway as stated earlier
predators lurk everywhere especially where children are
besides the fact there are signs stating no one under 12 permitted in parks without an adult

Yes, I would. The parks are well staffed, lit, etc. Exactly how many children have been kidnapped or assaulted in Disney parks? Seems with those millions of predators lurking about there would be huge numbers.

 

[Mom of three]

While everyone here has a different perception as what they feel is "safe" and what they would allow their own children to do or not to do for that matter, YOU and YOU alone know your child best and if they are mature and responsible enough to handle a situation or be left unattended.

I personally think that if your DS is with someone that is 14, assuming you know this person well enough to trust them....I would not have a problem if I were in the same predicament.

Best of luck and have a great anniversary trip!

 

[stinkerbelle7531]

Have you thought about the Disney Cruise? I have been more comfortable giving my kids freedom on the ship than I have in the parks. This year my twins are going to be 15 1/2 and I am considering allowing them to go off by themselves for awhile (we have never let them do that yet), but on the Cruise we have had freedom to go off together since they were 12. That is one of the reasons we love the cruise.

Why are they safer on a cruise ship? I'd think there'd be a lot more places to make a quick grab in a virtual hotel. Not that I believe a cruise ship to be filled with predators, either, not do I think you put your kids in danger.

 

[prncess674]

Oh and he does have a cell phone! I guess that doesnt matter though and his best friend is 14

I would let an 11 yr old and 14 yr old explore a land of the park while you were in the same park. Also what does the other parent think?