At what age is it safe for the kids to be "on their own"?

[ruthies12]

I think you've gotten some great responses and I too agree that I think it would be fine at those ages.

Just wanted to add one thing to think about regarding the hotel room. There was recently something in the news about a possible child molestation by a worker on a Disney cruise ship, apparently the worker entered the room with his universal key and the child was alone in the room at the time. Never heard any more about it so I don't know what panned out on all that. I would not let that stop me from leaving children who are old enough to watch themselves, just make sure they know that they are allowed to tell worker's to leave if one comes in the room for any reason, like housekeeping or what not. Make sure they know how to call the front desk for security if for any reason they encounter a worker who refuses to leave or does anything that in any way makes them uncomfortable. I would think this scenario would be highly unlikely, especially at Disney, but better safe than sorry, as long as they know how to call the front desk for help which would arrive faster than you would they should be fine.

 

[supertinyluckycat]

I'm the definition of a helicopter parent and I think even I would be fine with both ideas. If you're staying onsite I would feel fine with leaving them at the hotel but offsite- i dont know. I'm even nervous staying at the condo we booked offsite because people are crazy these days. I feel like florida has a lot of crime but I would feel ok with it at a disney hotel.

 

[momimouse27]

I would have no problem with the park roaming. If they are in possession of a cell phone, that is essential. You can have check in times and that will let you keep a handle on it.

I am in agreement with the poster who said stay in the same hotel to eat dinner. I have a thing about hotels, they can be dangerous places and the only way I'd do that is if there were strict instructions not to open the door under and circumstances and it would be better if you were in the same resort for dinner.

 

[happymommy]

We did that much younger; my kids were fine at the hotel! Matter of fact, they wanted an evening to chill out and watch TV (or play on their Nintendo DS things). Got them dinners, and they relaxed at the BWI while we went over to Epcot for the evening.
We separate at parks at that age; they have their cell phones, so long as they're together it's fine. My nephew was 13 when he took the bus to theme parks from the AKL by himself to meet up with friends.

 

[Jmarie76]

Thank you everyone for your advise!! It's made my decision making process a lot easier. My DD13 has a cell phone and for the first day I plan on seeing how it goes letting them wonder in the parks for a bit and meeting back up. I never really thought about the dangers of the hotel pool, so in that aspect I would probably have them just stay in the room for our "night out". I'm grateful to not receive any "backlash" for asking the question as some parents might find it crazy to even consider leaving tweens unattended for even minutes. This will be our 4th visit and my children have proven to be very responsible, so Yay!!! Can't wait to have some Disney alone time with my husband for the first time!!

 

[Jmarie76]

Will the 10 year old obey the 13 year old if it's necessary? The sibling relationship is a big part of the decision.

Agreed, they seem to bond better when we do give them more freedom. Thankfully!!

 

[eeyoreandtink]

I think you've gotten some great responses and I too agree that I think it would be fine at those ages.

Just wanted to add one thing to think about regarding the hotel room. There was recently something in the news about a possible child molestation by a worker on a Disney cruise ship, apparently the worker entered the room with his universal key and the child was alone in the room at the time. Never heard any more about it so I don't know what panned out on all that. I would not let that stop me from leaving children who are old enough to watch themselves, just make sure they know that they are allowed to tell worker's to leave if one comes in the room for any reason, like housekeeping or what not. Make sure they know how to call the front desk for security if for any reason they encounter a worker who refuses to leave or does anything that in any way makes them uncomfortable. I would think this scenario would be highly unlikely, especially at Disney, but better safe than sorry, as long as they know how to call the front desk for help which would arrive faster than you would they should be fine.

All this plus have them throw the security lock on the door. I think Disney still has them? If so, even with a key hotel employees couldn't enter the room without some serious force. My DH is paranoid, and we always throw them while sleeping at a hotel.