Ahhhh, possible Disney trip could be ruined

[Lorelai]

Maybe weekly blood tests for Dole Whips?

I think half of Adventureland would be way over the legal limit.

 

[ChickieToo]

... only reply to posts when you have all OP's info to avoid long, rambling, boring dissertations that end up having nothing to do with the actual situation ...

 

[jenrose66]

I am young myself (24) and I have to say, I don't know if I would let the OP go if I were his parents. I used to consider myself pretty liberal, maybe I'm getting a tad more conservative in my "older age"

I know that the OP just asked for well wishes for the greenlight from his parents, but since everyone has been giving their opinions I'd like to share mine too, which are probably in the minority.

First off, there are many ways one can teach a teenager responsibility without sending them alone on a trip that includes a 10 hour car ride. It's just not necessary. Take a trip with your parents and maybe they'll let you drive...or take a plane to visit family...I'm talking baby steps here. Not saying that something bad is going to happen if the trip takes place, but it just seems a tad unnecessary and excessive to just let your 17 year old go on a road trip. It's a different world than it used to be.

Also, it doesn't look right to share a hotel with someone of the opposite sex at such a young age. I know that the OP says they are just friends...however, it doesn't make it anymore appropriate. My best friend through highschool and college was a guy...I didn't go on trips staying in the same room with him and we didn't have sleepovers.

The OP has his whole life ahead of him. This trip doesn't have to happen right now.

 

[DVCLiz]

I used to consider myself pretty liberal, maybe I'm getting a tad more conservative in my "older age"


Also, it doesn't look right to share a hotel with someone of the opposite sex at such a young age. I know that the OP says they are just friends...however, it doesn't make it anymore appropriate. My best friend through highschool and college was a guy...I didn't go on trips staying in the same room with him and we didn't have sleepovers.

If you think it doesn't "look right" for two platonic friends to share a hotel room with two double beds, then I'd say you are nowhere near being liberal!!!

OP, are you sure you didn't mean to say you are a junior in HIGH SCHOOL? Because if you are 17 and already a junior in college, I'm impressed that you still have such a close relationship with your parents that you'd allow them to have the final decision about your trip!

 

[Stitch65]

Hahaha, hello people. I had no idea I would get this many responses. To answer some questions, my friend and I are fully paying for the trip ourselves. Also, we have been friends for 4 years and there is absolutely no sexual attraction at all. I am a junior in college, so I wouldn't be missing some of the most important school days. My friend will be out of school by the time the trip rolls around. As I said before, I probably would say no if I was a parent, but, I'm hoping my parents will trust me. Thanks for your interest!!

OK, if you're 17 and a junior in college, can I assume you went Post-Secondary option from HS? If so, then you're college was paid for by the state? (at least that's how it is in MN) Then I'd say the $$ you saved going Post-secondary should be worth a trip to the mouse!

 

[estnh]

I'm a pretty liberal thinker, and I think it took a bit of maturity to plan a trip like this, but... Oh heck, if the parents say it's okay and they trust their kids, I say have fun. Life is so short and so full of danger, where is the happiest, safest place on Earth??? WDW would be my best guess. As for the "moral" implications, is a trip to WDW going to morally bankrupt them? My guess, if they are intimate, this trip probably wouldn't be their first time. We live in such a time where everything we do, everything our kids do is a risk, these two people could be crossing a street and get cut down in the prime of their lives. Are they trustworthy? Are they good students? Are they mature? These are things the parents have to confirm and make peace with their decision. I have a 2 yr old and a 10 yr old, we can't blanket answer that these kids don't deserve to go. I know if my daughter came to me (in seven years) asking to go to disney on a 10 hour trek, I might say NO WAY, but depending on how well I do my job, she might be able to go. It is a risky world we live in, but look at Aruba, Natalee Holoway was with "responsible" adults and we still don't know what happened to her.
Just my $.02.

Smart lady.

This is the best reply I have read on this thread. Many of us are so ready to pass judgement on hyped up moral grounds we forget to look at the individuals involved. If their parents deem they are mature enough and they have demonstrated that maturity in their day to day lives, then anyone who doesn't know these people should not condemn them or their parents for a "moral" decision that is none of their business.

 

[dwkwootton]

I'm surprised that a couple of you were able to stay on site at 17 with other young adults and without the note! When I made the room ressie, the rep had me put it in one of the 18 yr old's names (since my kid was 17) and told me that she would have to have a notarized slip! Maybe because it was DVC? Don't know.

For whatever its worth on some of the other stuff, both of my kids are in college and I can attest to the fact that no matter how close the school, how academic the school is, no matter what basically ~ whoever said you can tell who has been held in too tight shows, is right. Please don't rule out platonic relationships either. My younger daughter has been best friends with 2 guys since elementary school and they have travelled alone together not only to Disney in '04 but to the shore many times and their last trip was to Toyko in '05 (all three are majoring or minoring in Asian Culture and/or Japanese).

I would think that if the OP and his friend were looking for a great spot for an intimate getaway, they wouldn't drive 10 hrs to be somewhere that is better than (or almost anyway) intimacy LOL!

 

[Micca]

Take me along and I'll buy you beer.

 

[D'Family]

Just putting my two cents in. Personally, if my teenager wanted to go stay in a hotel with a member of the opposite sex(which trust me that is all your parents heard and most others) it would be a flat out NO!

A better choice would be to ask your parents for a family vacation to Disney which could include your girlfriend. You and her could go off to do your own thing at the parks, no need to stay clued to your parents. But this will make them feel much better about the whole situation. And I would also include telling your parents that you can cover the expenses for yourself and your girlfriend. This way everyone wins, you get to take your girlfriend around disney and have a blast, your parents get to feel that you are safe and not "falling to temptation" and they also get their own vacation.

Everyone wins!

If it doesn't work out, just remember Disney will there next year.

 

[MichelleChell]

Never Never Never in a million years would I let my 17yr old go on a road trip. I don't care if the girl is just a friend. I would tell my kid to wait untill he is 18 then he is legal.

Not that I still wouldn't worry!

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

Personally I don't think this trip sounds like a very good idea. But this can be such a touchy subject between parents and kids right on the verge of adulthood that, frankly, I think we should all butt out and let this be between the poster and the parents. Sorry, but IMO it's hard enough to parent teenagers without a bunch of strangers potentially weighing in on a family discussion.

 

[FigNewton]

I am young myself (24) and I have to say, I don't know if I would let the OP go if I were his parents. I used to consider myself pretty liberal, maybe I'm getting a tad more conservative in my "older age"

I know that the OP just asked for well wishes for the greenlight from his parents, but since everyone has been giving their opinions I'd like to share mine too, which are probably in the minority.

You might be surprised. I've been largely arguing on his behalf, but not on whether or not he should be allowed to go. I'd likely not allow him to go either, were I the parent. I'd probably say he could wait a little while for his first 'adult' trip to the World.

 

[Kath2003]

Am I missing something here? Is 18 the age for heterosexual sex to become legal in the US or something? Why shouldn't he sleep with whoever he wants to so long as he's careful?

 

[TimothyG]

Well, I guess I get to post a dissenting opinion so I will don my flame proof suit.

You are 17--you are a minor. Your parents are 100% responsible for your care and well being until you are 18. They are also responsible for making sure you attend school--in some districts parents can be put in jail if their child has unexcused absences. You live under their roof, and they take care of you financially--you live with their rules. If they tell you you can't go, then the mature thing to do is to respect their decision and wait until you are 18 AND living on your own, AND completely supporting yourself to do things they don't agree with. Unless you turn 17 today, that is less than a year to wait. Learning to delay gratification is a sign of responsibility and maturity. Disney will still be there--not sure if the girl will, but another one will come along.

I won't even go into the moral aspects of a 3 night hotel stay with a member of the opposite sex and the possible future complications of that. Yes, it seems fun and cute now to play "grown up" and get a hotel and go on a vacation and all that, but you aren't grown up. And when you do grow up you will find out that you can't just "skip" work (right now school is your work) for a few days because you REALLY want to go and have fun instead of living up to your responsibilities as a man. Perhaps your parents are trying to teach you this valuable lesson.

As a parent I would be really angry to find out that total strangers are encouraging my minor child to disobey my household rules. In fact, in my home, it would result in loss of all computer privileges for that child at the very least.

Cancel your plans, stay in school and after you graduate go to college or get a job. Go to Disney with your family (current or future) or after you are completely self sufficient. I waited 33 years for my first trip to WDW (and whined and cried and schemed for years before that to try to get to go). Sharing my "first time" with my husband and 2 children was WAY more gratifying than a "quickie" trip with just anybody would have been. And it sounds likely you have been before so it isn't your "first time". You can wait.

That is the sign of a true man worthy of his parents trust and respect.

I have to disagree with your post.

First off, he mentioned in his post that his parents are completely informed of this trip. He isn't sneaking out nor disobeying his parents. He is merely asking for good luck in getting his parents to change their mind.

Secondly, it depends on maturity level. There are many people out there that are well over 18 and are far more irresponsible than I am. The same may go for this guy.

Thirdly, as far as moral aspects go, there isn't anything that you can do at WDW that you couldn't do on any college campus or even in your own home. At some point, parents do need to trust their children -- I mean, heck, what is going to happen in a few months or so when the child goes to college out-of-town?

I think it is a little harsh to say that a teenager can't go to Disney World with a friend until they are out of college and in the "real world." That is like saying, "Don't go on any trip by yourself until you have a job -- even if your paying and have permission for the entire thing."

The point I'm trying to make is that not every teen is irresponsible and you can trust teenagers to do the right thing. Will mistakes ever be made by teenagers? Sure, but that can happen at any age and by anyone. Not exposing someone to the world can be far worse and the best lessons are learned from mistakes. I agree that school shouldn't be skipped for it since education is more important though. But since New Orleans gets out of school in May, I don't see how the trip can't be rescheduled to the summer.

 

[Linzybrooke]

I say go if your parents allow it. However, I would try to fly and take Magical Express than drive. Since Disney provides all on-site transportation this will be easier in the long run.

I went on a similar trip when I was 18 and it was wonderful.

Be safe and smart about life in general and you will have an incredible journey.

 

[kaytieeldr]

OK, if you're 17 and a junior in college, can I assume you went Post-Secondary option from HS? If so, then you're college was paid for by the state? (at least that's how it is in MN) Then I'd say the $$ you saved going Post-secondary should be worth a trip to the mouse!

IF that's the case (education paid by the state), then I think the OP has an obligation to attend classes and delay the trip until school break. In fact, as a college student the OP should be attending classes no matter who's paying tuition.
Is there a reason the trip can't be delayed until the end of the semester?

 

[FigNewton]

Am I missing something here? Is 18 the age for heterosexual sex to become legal in the US or something? Why shouldn't he sleep with whoever he wants to so long as he's careful?

Well laws vary by state.. probably not the right subject matter for the DIS even though it's topical for this thread so I'll leave it at that. A lot of times though it's not about legal age of consent, they just mean that at 18 you are legally considered an 'adult'.

 

[MyZoeJane]

I think that parents too often forget that by showing their children that they trust them in real and tangible ways, they build a CLOSER relationship. This is not to say that a parent ought to give in to every whim that their child expresses... but as parents, we build mature, responsible, independent children when we show them that we have faith in their ability to make wise choices.

That being said, there is no way for any of us to know if this young man's parents ought to let him go or not. It depends on the level of freedom that he has been given in the past and it depends even more on how he's lived up to his responsibilities and his parents expectations of him.

 

[FigNewton]

IF that's the case (education paid by the state), then I think the OP has an obligation to attend classes and delay the trip until school break. In fact, as a college student the OP should be attending classes no matter who's paying tuition.
Is there a reason the trip can't be delayed until the end of the semester?

People work out leave from classes all the time. And I've never known anyone who went to college that could honestly say they've never cut a single class.

 

[dzorn]

I did not have time to read all 6 pages. I assume that the orginal poster has quite a bit of money saved up. To be able to afford all the expenses he will have for a college education and Disney World he must have won the lottery. If I were his parent I would not be forking out any dough for tuition and books in the fall if he could afford a trip to Disney.

Denise