13 Yr Old Alone at Disney Quest?

[Toadi]

Would you leave a 13 yr old boy alone at Disney Quest for a couple of hours? I say no, but then I'm a little over protective sometimes ...

 

[CRCrazy]

It would depend upon the circumstances. I would let my 13-14 year old daughter go to DisneyQuest for a couple of hours alone, since I know that she is extremely responsible. However, she would have to bring a 2 way radio with her, and I would check in with her at regular intervals.

I probably also would be in Downtown Disney at the time, enjoying the shops. While DisneyQuest is a self contained building, fairly easy to navigate, I wouldn't want her riding the buses to/from the resorts by herself - I don't even like riding the Downtown Disney bus!!

So - only you know the maturity level and capabilities of your 13 year old. My 13 year old daughter is 5 ft 9 in and looks like she is 18. Her best friend is tiny and looks to be about 9 years old. I would be leary of letting her friend be by herself in a public place - she is much more of a target.

That said, I have never let my girls go off by themselves - they can go off, but they have to stay together!!

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

DisneyQuest is a multi-story building, it is very noisy, and kind of dark inside. I personally would not let our 13 yr old DS alone in DQ. Also, the fact that DisneyQuest attracts a lot of local residents means that you are no longer in an atmosphere where the vast majority of people are on vacation like in the theme parks.
We too are somewhat over-protective, but given society today you really cannot take chances.
If DQ was within one of the theme parks I might consider letting DS go alone. But definitely not the way DQ is currently constructed and since it is a stand alone attraction.

 

[idontknow]

Ds and I went last May and I let him stay at DQ by himself. We went as soon as they opened in the morning and checked out the place. I made sure he had his bearings and then we went and ate lunch. We went back in for about an hour and I made sure he knew they layout and how to find out where he was if he got disoriented. (there are maps by the stairs as to what level you are on) Then we went to the exit and talked to the guy in the gift shop about DS staying there. (If he thought it was safe, about the buses and any questions DS had) I left about 4pm and DS was told he had until 11pm. Then he was to catch a bus to the hotel and be back by 11:30. Before I get flamed, DS is 5'10 and looks like he is atleast 16. (He played adult softball when one of the guys didn't show up on time and the Blue's didn't know the difference) He also has been going to WDW since '98 and has been there roughly 13 times, so he knows the layout. We have slowly let him do things on his own (testing him) and I thought he could handle DQ. He said he didn't have any problems, so next time he will probably be allowed to take the bus from the hotel by himself. Of course, we will cross that bridge when we get to it. Like others have said, it all depends on your child.

 

[Kaycee]

I really does depend on the child. I would let my 12 y/o old DS stay at DQ for a short period of time by himself if we had two-way radios to keep in touch. I wouldn't be comfortable letting my 14 y/o DS stay alone though. The 12 y/o is physically bigger and handles responsibility better than his older brother.

If you have any doubts, I think it's always better to err on the side of safety.

 

[Toadi]

Thanks much for the insight ... DS is quite tall, responsible, handles himself well in different situations, has been to DQ before and to Disney several times. We always use our radios. We'll have to wait and see, but maybe we'll let him stay for a bit at DQ while we go to Adventurer's Club or shopping.

 

[magicmouse2]

My DS age 13 soon is allowed to go to DQ himself. We stayed at POR so it was handy for the boat transportation. This time we are staying in OKW - again the transportation is by boat. I trust him to behave and I trust the Disney CMs to keep an eye out whilst he is in there. He knows the DD area well now, and takes the cell phone with him. He really enjoys the freedom.

 

[Toadi]

magicmouse2 ... good point on the "freedom" comment. It's amazing how much those "freedom" experiences can help them grow in their self-esteem, etc.

 

[Eeyore2U]

We let DS go to DQ alone at younger then 13. We know are DS and what he can handle. I think you should base your decision on your child and not what others would do since comparing others children to yours is like comparing apples and oranges.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

I don't know that I would. We went there recently, and I found the place to be out of control. People would just keep continuing their games over and over, even when there was a line behind them. I posted a vent about the Wonderland Cafe on the Rest. Board, because my family, that bought food, never got a table because of all the internet surfers hogging them, even though they didn't have food. And I don't mean just for a few minutes. Some of these people were still there hours later when we left. One girl was laying on the "couch" reading a book, another guy was taking a nap. So as far as trusting the Disney CM's to handle it--ain't gonna happen. The only ones I saw were at the virtual ride type games. This place DID NOT feel like Disney to me.

 

[dgaston]

Our DS went to DQ alone when not quite 14. He too has been to WDW many times, and we often play the "give me at least two transportation methods to get from here to there game." His solo visit to DQ was very important to him in terms of self-esteem, and accomplishment. This fall he wants to do AK; I think he will be able to with cell phone for contact. We have built up to this by allowing him to travel from parks to resorts somewhat ahead of us, and meeting at specified times in the parks if he wants to do something without us.

I whole-heartedly agree it depends on your comfort with your particular child.

 

[jeannej]

Last year I would have said no. That was until my daughter went to Sea World on a 6th grade class trip and was let loose will all the othe 6th graders in our middle school who went. No, I realize it wasn't a huge tragedy and she was fine. So, yes, if you feel your child is mature I say drop them off. You can always equip them with walkies that have great range.

Jeannej

 

[CalGal]

Two way radios are useless at Disney Quest unless they have some sort of vibration mode. It's way too noisy. I separated from my DS when he was just a couple of days shy of 13. I didn't have any concern about his safety, but it took me over 1/2 hour to find him. He couldn't hear me on the radio. It was mid week in the middle of the day (not the busiest time).