15 & 16 yr old - where can they go alone?

[pasta37]

My niece and nephew, 15 and 16 yrs old, will be staying at Swan for what may be one of the last full family vacations as they get older and less interested (my niece is already a little against the trip)
My brother-in-law wants to let them go off on their own once or twice - aside from the boardwalk area, where would you feel comfortable letting them go? He is thinking they can go to Downtown Disney alone (the part where Virgin records is), but I am a little unsure about that.

Any advice you can give would be great

Thanks!

 

[tink_n_pooh]

Where does he let them go alone when they are home? There can be a big difference in responsibility between one 15/16 year old and another. I don't see why they couldn't go to DTD (or anywhere else in WDW) by themselves if they are relatively mature. As long as you are confident they can navigate the bus system I wouldn't be afraid. My HS sent 14-18 year olds to WDW with pretty limited chaperones for chorus/band trips and 17/18 year olds for grad night. No one was walking around with them the whole time.

 

[MAGGIED]

Pasta37 - I see you are from the Syracuse area - so I am - actually sitting at my desk in Liverpool right now. My DD is 16 and my DS is 13. I let them go the the Great Northern mall, to the movies, etc. by themselves - but not to the Carousel Mall. We let our DS ski at Lab for the day... they are both very mature and well behaved. As far as Disney goes we have let me wander in the parks on their own (this will be our third trip this year). But we have not let them go to the parks by themselves. Mayber this trip. I agree with the other poster - a lot of it depends on the kids - I can happily say that I am comfortable letting my wander a bit - I trust them and know what they are capable of - as long as the stay together - I wouldn't let either of them off by themselves individually. Hope that helps....

 

[Bill From PA]

By the time my son was this age, a little younger actually, we'd been to WDW several times and he not only knew what he liked, but he knew the transportation system. The short answer is we cut him loose completely by 14 or 15. He still hit the EE park with us and joined us at the parades and fireworks but when we hit PI or spent the day at WorldShowcase, he'd go off on his own and on later trips we brought his girlfriend along so he had some company. IMHO, cutting the leash may make the trip so enjoyable for kids in this age group where WE are the embarassment, that they might decide that vacations with the old farts aren't so bad after all. To this day my three, ages 20 to 28, still join us for our 'beach' vacation and Disney trips. My daughter, SIL and grandkids will meet us at Swan next week.

Bill From PA

 

[Lives4Disney]

Pasta - I think it definitely depends on the kids maturity and their comfort level with the WDW transportation system. I have a 15 1/2 yr old son and two little girls. Last summer we did a split stay trip Dolphin/GF. When we were at the Dolphin I let my son go to MGM and Epcot on his own. During our GF stay, it was MK or the arcade at the CR. He took his cell phone everywhere. My son grew up going to WDW a couple times a year since he was 1 yr old. He knows his way around really well. We worked it out so his freedom fit both of our comfort levels This way, we all had a great trip. No whining from the girls or moaning from their older brother (well, minimal, anyway). We did a lot together, too!

Bill from PA - you crack me up. I think it is great that your older kids have come around to enjoy you again.

Lives4Disney

 

[lauran cameron]

Pasta37 - I see you are from the Syracuse area - so I am - actually sitting at my desk in Liverpool right now. My DD is 16 and my DS is 13. I let them go the the Great Northern mall, to the movies, etc. by themselves - but not to the Carousel Mall. We let our DS ski at Lab for the day... they are both very mature and well behaved. As far as Disney goes we have let me wander in the parks on their own (this will be our third trip this year). But we have not let them go to the parks by themselves. Mayber this trip. I agree with the other poster - a lot of it depends on the kids - I can happily say that I am comfortable letting my wander a bit - I trust them and know what they are capable of - as long as the stay together - I wouldn't let either of them off by themselves individually. Hope that helps....

Hello neighbor! Good to see there's someone else around here from Sunshine Central USA *sarcasm*
Oooo the days of going to the mall; how I live for them
Speaking of Carousel wonder when they'll get that Destiny USA underway

BUT ANYWHO!

I'm 17 years old and I must say that I agree with the fact that it all depends on the kids maturity level.

I think when I was 15 was the first year a friend and myself were allowed to go as a duo around the parks. Do they have a cell phone they could possibly carry around with them? That is deff. a thing that helps my DM & DD be reasured that all is well. And maybe give them a check up time with you if you let them go solo. Like have them either call or meet you somewhere every couple hours or so. That way it gives them the freedom they appear to want and the confidence in them that you need to set them free for the day

GOOD LUCK!

 

[NMAmy]

Just a couple of weeks ago, dd and I went to WDW with a friend of hers. They're both 15. Since DH wasn't able to go along, they felt bad about not hanging out with me during the day. I let them go to the nighttime EMH's since I'm not good at staying up late. They went to the MK, Epcot, and MGM by themselves. We stayed at the Dolphin. It was good for them to have some alone time and even better for me! I did tell dd I wasn't really comfortable with them going to DTD by themselves at night--mainly because of Pleasure Island. DD's been many times and knows the transportation system like the back of her hand. They took their cell phones and checked in with me every hour or so.

 

[Legend of Odon]

I agree with the above posters that it really depends on the kids and what they are used to in terms of freedom, etc. Last year was our first trip ever to WDW (with DS21,DD 18, DD16, DS15) and I felt very comfortable, after the first few days, letting the younger ones spend some time on their own as long as at least 2 of them were together at all times. The stipulation was we had a definite meeting time and place. I can be a bit over protective as my DH died 2 years ago of cancer but know they have to "find their own way" too. This trip was our fun family get away after a pretty sad year. It was the best thing we could have done as a family! So much so we are heading back in August 2006. This time were are even bringing Grandma along.....maybe we'll even let her go out on her own too!! (As long as she meets us at the agreed time and place! ) So have a time and place to meet and also have an idea of which area of the park your kids are going to be in, in case you need to find them before your meeting time. Another precaution we took whether we were altogether or not was we had a meeting place set at each park in case we got separated unexpectedly throughout the day somehow.

 

[pasta37]

Thank you all so much for your words of wisdom! And special thanks to the two locals that responded - who would have thought so many people from right here would have had time to read this today - given that it is 20 degrees out, we could have been playing outside!

I would say that my niece and nephew are fairly mature, but definitley NOT very wordly in the sense of having been allowed alot of freedom. I agree with you all that I definitely know kids that blow me away with their maturity and comfort level. That, however, is not them....

When we were at Downtown Disney, West Side at night in December, we noticed ALOT of kids that were clearly locals that I would have a concern about them hanging around. My brother-in-law would freak out (he is a teacher so certainly not sheltered from the kids of today .....but overall the family has not traveled much or ventured out of Buffalo to speak of much at all )

I want them to have fun, but.......not too much!

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Legend of Odon]

I agree 100% with you Pasta37.........I would draw the line about the kids being on their own at night in the parks or at Downtown Disney, West Side etc. I think like many of us parents, follow your instincts and if you aren't comfortable with it, then don't be persuaded to do otherwise. I would clarify your "rules" on this with the kids before you set foot at DWD so everyone has the same understanding before you get there so there aren't any unhappy conversations brewing when you are all set for a great time. Then with everyone on the same wavelength you can't help but have an amazing time together.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

I'd let them go just about anywhere on property except for maybe Downtown Disney at night. And that's only because it's the most "unsheltered" part of WDW. Otherwise I'd let them have at it!

 

[pepe of ohio]

By the time my son was this age, a little younger actually, we'd been to WDW several times and he not only knew what he liked, but he knew the transportation system. The short answer is we cut him loose completely by 14 or 15. He still hit the EE park with us and joined us at the parades and fireworks but when we hit PI or spent the day at WorldShowcase, he'd go off on his own and on later trips we brought his girlfriend along so he had some company. IMHO, cutting the leash may make the trip so enjoyable for kids in this age group where WE are the embarassment, that they might decide that vacations with the old farts aren't so bad after all. To this day my three, ages 20 to 28, still join us for our 'beach' vacation and Disney trips. My daughter, SIL and grandkids will meet us at Swan next week.

Bill From PA

Our kids were cut loose in their early teens, heck, by 14-15, in another year they can drive. If they were brought up right, and responsible for themselves, letting them roam Disney is no different then letting them go to the mall. And I know they go there alone or with friends. Hardest thing going for a parent is cutting the strings. We've done it more than twice. First car, going away to college, 2 kids, daughter doing Disney College Program, daughter moving to Florida, yes, we've been there and done that and both kids are fine respectable adults in the "real" world and doing fine, its just hard on us parents.

 

[snugglepeas]

when I was 16 my 15year old cousin and I went off all over disney property by are self. the only thing my parents told us was to stay together. this was 11 years ago so it was pre cell phones( well atleast before every 12 year old had them.)

 

[ReninDetroit]

Disney is such a safe place that as long as you're confident in their navigating skills there's nowhere that's not appropriate for them to go alone, save perhaps Pleasure Island (of course they couldn't get in there anyway).

 

[Feralpeg]

Please remember that anyone can just walk into or out of DTD/PI/Westside.

 

[PinMan]

my son brought a friend when he was 16, we let them go back to the room around mid day,and then meet us later, ( we also had our 15 yr old daughter and her friend ) . this year is graduates, so we're sending him and 5 friends to our dvc resort. 1st time completly off on thier own,i think they'll be fine.

 

[WDW LOVR]

By the time my son was this age, a little younger actually, we'd been to WDW several times and he not only knew what he liked, but he knew the transportation system. The short answer is we cut him loose completely by 14 or 15. He still hit the EE park with us and joined us at the parades and fireworks but when we hit PI or spent the day at WorldShowcase, he'd go off on his own and on later trips we brought his girlfriend along so he had some company. IMHO, cutting the leash may make the trip so enjoyable for kids in this age group where WE are the embarassment, that they might decide that vacations with the old farts aren't so bad after all. To this day my three, ages 20 to 28, still join us for our 'beach' vacation and Disney trips. My daughter, SIL and grandkids will meet us at Swan next week.

Bill From PA

You crack me up as usual Bill. We turned our kids loose around the same ages as you did. Ours are old pro's now also. Our 17 yr old is bringing his girlfriend on our trip in June and they are already scheming on how they can ditch us and the little brother so they can be alone.

Bill,

My wife and I will be at WDW Wed - Sat (leaving early Sun) this week. We'd love to buy you a cold one at the Rose and Crown if you're interested. PM me if you'd like to share a pint and we'll pick a time.

Scott

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

i wouldn't see why DTD would be a problem. they have DisneyQuest there which is a huge indoor virtual reality game place. there's tons of video games and even a few rides and things, it's a lot of fun

 

[BlindTyldak]

What might be a safe rule is "only go places you'd have to pay admission to if you didn't have a pass". That knocks out the other hotels, DTD, and anywhere else where they might be encouraged to leave and get in a car, and also keeps them effectively in sight of the most cast members. but it depends on the kids, of course.

 

[Schmeck]

If your at the Swan, definitely let them go to EPCOT and MGM by themselves. I'd agree that I don't think DTD would be a good idea, unless the kids have been told not to leave that area (except by Disney transportation back to the resort). I'd also want them to have cellphones, and have them check in every hour if they were to go to DTD.

We let DD14 go her own way at EPCOT last summer - she managed to lose her brand new cellphone on Mission Space so she couldn't contact us. Luckily, we had a meeting spot and time set up as well, and we took her to Guest Services to retrieve her phone...