Age that kids can "tour" on their own

[collcass]

In one of the guide books (can't remember which one) it talks about allowing kids to go off for a while on their own. I was talking to a friend about it who was in Disney last month and she said she allowed her older child to do this. I was surprised she let him do this because of his age so DH and I were discussing it this afternoon. Our oldest, turning 11, would absolutely love the freedom of this, but we'd never let her.


What age do kids go off on their own. I can't imagine allowing any of ours to attempt to navigate the parks on their own.

I am not looking for a debate as to whether it is or isn't okay to let a "tween" do this, I am really just curious.

If this is one of Those questions, I apologize.

 

[brighteyes]

Well I am not going to flame you for asking a question. Last summer my DS was 11 (12 now) and when we were in the parks he was stuck to my side like glue, unless he was with my friend, also an adult. He could have found his way around fine, but did not want to lose him.

When we were at the resort, I was a little less strict. For instance, I would let him go up to the room alone if I wanted to peruse the gift shop, or one day he would not get out of bed, so I locked the room and went to get us breakfast to bring to the room.

Another night, I wanted to go have a smoke and he did not want to leave the room, so I let him stay with the door locked. The most I would leave him was 5 mins or so, and started getting antsy when he took a little longer to come down from the room if I was already downstairs. As you can tell, I am an overprotective mom, and my DS says I don't trust him. But I explained to him that just because we are at WDW, or especially b/c we are in another country that we still need to be safe.

Now he is getting older but I still think 12 is too young to go off on their own. Just my opinion. 13 or 14 maybe. That said, around home if I know where he is going he is allowed to go down the street to the park with his friends or to the store, etc but always has a time to be home by and a watch.

Stephanie

 

[Alesia]

There isn't really a "right" age. I think its something that each parent has to decide for themselves. Each child is different and you know your children best.

 

[collcass]

There isn't really a "right" age. I think its something that each parent has to decide for themselves. Each child is different and you know your children best.

Yes, of course, we do know our own children the best. For the record, I am truly only asking out of curiosity.

When we were at the resort, I was a little less strict. For instance, I would let him go up to the room alone if I wanted to peruse the gift shop, or one day he would not get out of bed, so I locked the room and went to get us breakfast to bring to the room.

Another night, I wanted to go have a smoke and he did not want to leave the room, so I let him stay with the door locked. The most I would leave him was 5 mins or so, and started getting antsy when he took a little longer to come down from the room if I was already downstairs.

We've done the same thing. (not at WDW sine we've never been but at ohter resorts). At Great Wolf Lodge last year she went on her own to do the Magic Quest. I

 

[kiteri]

I can offer you these small sentiments....

Red Cross will certify a 12 year old in babysitter's CPR. That doesn't mean that EVERY 12 year old "should" babysit. My sister is 16 and I still wouldn't trust her to babysit my children!!!

Every child is different, and if you are asking, I am betting that your child may still need at least some amount of supervision.

Some children are naturally mature at young ages. Some children don't really mature because their parents don't really "force" it on them. Some children don't mature even when their parents try REALLY hard to try to move them along!

I paid a "Mother's helper" to come to my house and keep an eye on my two toddlers while I would try to get some housework done. She was 11, but she was so mature. If she had the kids out in the back yard and a rain shower would come, she would put the toys that could rust under the porch before she came in. That is an 11 year old that could probably go off by herself for a time and not have too much trouble.

Go with your gutt. If you are apprehensive, then you would guilt yourself to no end if something happened!

 

[Schmeck]

Just remember the child molestation case at the Dolphin/Swan pool. Whenever I think of children on their own at WDW, I remember that sad situation. WDW is just as open as any other public place. If you wouldn't let your child be alone in any other public place, don't let them be alone at WDW.

 

[brighteyes]

Just remember the child molestation case at the Dolphin/Swan pool. Whenever I think of children on their own at WDW, I remember that sad situation. WDW is just as open as any other public place. If you wouldn't let your child be alone in any other public place, don't let them be alone at WDW.

This is exactly my reasoning. My DS is VERY responsible and I do trust him. It is just things like this that do happen, even at WDW. And my son is friendly and might let his guard down at WDW. My son says I worry too much. Maybe he is right, I am slowly letting go. I know we can't live by the bad things that MIGHT happen, but it just seems so much worse than it was when I was young.

Stephanie

 

[NHdisneylover]

As a pp said, it depoends greatly on the individual child.

Here in NH the redcross offers the babysitting course to 11 year olds (DD took it at barely 10 by request of the instructor who knew her and got the age requirenment waived--neither DD nor I asked for this). Redcross also offers a staying home alone course for 8 year olds (seems young, but for some kids they are ready--I went home to an empty house after school at taht age but I am glad my kids do not have to). DD began babysitting at 10 (while I was home and readily available--though she has never needed me). She is one of those ultra mature kids who was just bron responisible (BTW the little girl she babysits ahs older sibling who are 14 and 18 and hte paretns do not trust those siblings with the girl but do trust my younger kid--they are radically different personalities).

So, I have a kid who is 11 going on 25 and a 9 year old who is pretty responisible and very safety conscious as well. These two have been to WDW lots and lots and know their way around. I am not comfortable with allowing them to go off for the day alone (or together). However, I will let them go together for a few minutes up to a half hour (always with a cell phone). They may head over and ride the teacups while DH and I ride BTM (they are not coaster enthusiasts), or have an ice cream while we walk a trail, etc.

 

[collcass]

Every child is different, and if you are asking, I am betting that your child may still need at least some amount of supervision.

Actually, I was asking because of a reference made to "older" kids (but not yet teens) touring on their own in a guide book.

The question, as I stated in my original post, has nothing to do with my children. I did use my child as an example, stating that I couldn't imagine allowing them to tour on their own. This has nothing whatsoever to do with the maturity of my dd. I would have no problem whatsoever trusting her. It's the 100,000 strangers there at 4th of July I wouldn't trust.

So, I have a kid who is 11 going on 25 and a 9 year old who is pretty responisible and very safety conscious as well. These two have been to WDW lots and lots and know their way around. I am not comfortable with allowing them to go off for the day alone (or together). However, I will let them go together for a few minutes up to a half hour (always with a cell phone). They may head over and ride the teacups while DH and I ride BTM (they are not coaster enthusiasts), or have an ice cream while we walk a trail, etc.

That would pretty much sum up my older two also. I don't think I'd have a problem letting them do the same as your two.

Once again, for the record, I really was just curious :O)nothing more than that.

AS far as an incident at the Swan/Dolphin, sounds like a very sad situation. I never heard of it, though.

 

[Darcy03231]

My children are 16 & 14. Last summer was the first year I let them tour the parks alone as long as they stayed together. They also had to stay in the same park we were in. We kept in touch by cell phone and it worked out fine. In fact, they frequently met up with me as they were hungry or thirsty and didn't want to spend their money on food or drink, just mine!

 

[vellamint]

a side note...

Now that mine are old enough to go off on their own... I DONT WANT THEM TO!!!

It isnt as fun without them....how sad am I?

 

[dpayne1969]

my son was 14 last year & I allowed him to go on his own but he was at the same park as me and my daughter who was 11.I will not let her go off by herself it has to do with maturity level in my opinion at least for me.He has always been very mature & can handle himself.Not to mention mom was calling him every hour on the hour,if he did not answer i allowed him like 20 minutes to call me back, because he may be on a ride or fixing to board a ride & cannot call me.So i gave him leadway for that,but it worked out fine & I will let him go on his own this year as well he is now 15!

I agree with the maturity thing.

 

[teachingmykids]

This year is the first I'm letting mine go. They are 15 & 17, we are also taking same age friends. My only requirement is that we're all in the same park and eat lunch together. We'll see how I survive it. They will be fine ~ it's ME I'm worried about......

 

[disalver]

We allowed our daughter to go totally on her own at 14. Key questions:

1) How many times has the child been in that park? Are they familiar with the layout?
2) Do they generally know where they are and how to navigate in public settings?
3) Do they get lost easily?
4) Are you in the same park with them?
5) Do they have a cell phone (and do you have your cell on)
6) Do you trust them alone in a controlled public environment?
7) Do you trust the people they are with?
8) Do they know to find a Disney cast member if they need quick help (be it unwanted attention or a mishap)?

We have chosen to allow small freedoms as we have gone along so that each new freedom is a small step. To a great extent, you will be able to read if they really want to do what they are asking, and if they are up to it.

You can always negotiate. For us, that usually works better than "no".

I'm sure there are lots of other criteria and creativity.

Still earning my Mousing privileges.

 

[Rora]

We allowed our daughter to go totally on her own at 14. Key questions:

1) How many times has the child been in that park? Are they familiar with the layout?
2) Do they generally know where they are and how to navigate in public settings?
3) Do they get lost easily?
4) Are you in the same park with them?
5) Do they have a cell phone (and do you have your cell on)
6) Do you trust them alone in a controlled public environment?
7) Do you trust the people they are with?
8) Do they know to find a Disney cast member if they need quick help (be it unwanted attention or a mishap)?

We have chosen to allow small freedoms as we have gone along so that each new freedom is a small step. To a great extent, you will be able to read if they really want to do what they are asking, and if they are up to it.

You can always negotiate. For us, that usually works better than "no".

I'm sure there are lots of other criteria and creativity.

Still earning my Mousing privileges.

I agree with all of this. I think I was allowed to go by myself (with friends, siblings, whoever) at 12 or 13. Good luck!

 

[Aliceacc]

My kids are WAAAYYY too young for this to come up.

But, in addition to all that's been mentioned, I see a huge difference between touring ALONE and touring with a friend or sibling close in age.

Two 14 year olds without parents (but with cell phones) are much less at risk than one.

 

[disney[xo]sweetie]

i have a dd13 who is going on 23. she is very mature, and has been places on her own. i would definetly trust her to take the twins to fantasyland while dh and i go ride Splash. shes always got a cell phone on her, and could check in with us if shes stuck at a long line. but, being all by herself in the parks is something she probably wouldnt like to do, i would trust her. but you know your child best. and if they want to, and have a cell phone turned on and with them, im pretty sure they will be alright. i think 11 or 12 is the age where you can let them have a little bit of independence. and remember, this is SO fun for them. i remember going to the mall by myself when i was oh, 14 or so, for the first time and just having a blast all for the fact that i was all by myself!

 

[DevilDuckie]

This one varies wildly from kid to kid. I would stick with "not below 12" as a general guideline and then determine whether the kid is responsible enough. Some kids are more reliable in groups, others are less so.

I would definitely start with short bursts and see how that goes before turning them loose for hours on end.

 

[all4fun]

My ds is only four so also way too little for this to even be an issue yet, but I have been in situations where there were 'tween age children that were not chaperoned that were being disruptive. One instance was on Soarin', the children sitting in our row literally screamed bloody murder through out the entire ride (as in barely stopping to take a breath) which really took the enjoyment out of it for me. I wonder if they would have done that if their parents had been there? For the record, if it had been a thrill ride that would have been entirely different. Just another aspect of this that I don't think anyone has brought up.

I remember the story about the molester at the Swan, it was not quite a year ago...very sad indeed. Lets also not forget that Disney has had to let some people go after finding out that they had child porn or other suspicious activities. I mean it makes sense that a place like WDW would be attractive to people like this, which is why just because we're at a "family" destination I still don't feel like I can let my guard down when it comes to my ds.

 

[lntsmom]

which totally freaks me out! Who sends a 10 year old to a major theme park alone? JMO....

In my opinion, to take off alone, at least 15. If there was a group of kids with at least one who was 15 I'd let my 11 or 12 year old tag along.