At what age would you allow....

[my3kids]

At what age would you allow a pair of children to be in the park without an adult with them?

 

[GailT]

I think 18...but in reality I would say 30.

 

[kuusimo]

It would depend on the children. I know my parents let my sister and I go for 30 minutes at a time when we were 13 and 11. If we were back by the appointed time we were allowed another 30 minutes. If not then we had to stay with the family. Things are easier now though with cell phones and walkie-talkies in the park.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

My kids are nowhere old enough for me to consider this for them. That being said, I think around 8th/9th grade (age 13/14) assuming the children are responsible and have a cell phone and the parents are nearby.

 

[CHOPR]

I'm with Gailt -30!

 

[mdburd]

When I was a kid, my parents let me go alone by the time I was going to 7th grade (summer before the school year began). Of course, we always took my best friend along with us, as well, so there were two of us at all times.

When I was younger than that, I complained that they were treating me like a "child"; however, now that I am older, I would agree that right around middle school is about right--especially if there will be two or more going out alone.

And, like other posters said; with a cell phone or a $30 walkie-talkie with a mile or more range, parents can have their sons/daughters check in every hour or so...

I do have a question for kuusimo... with 30 minute in-person check-ins; how did you ride anything?? In the 80's and 90's when we'd go at least once a month, the lines were at least that long...

In any case; to the original poster, you know your kids best of all. Objectively speaking, can they go it alone???

Michael...

 

[wideeyes]

14 with a mobile phone to keep contact.

 

[All American]

My parents let my sister and I go off by ourselves when I was about 12/13 and she was 14/15. This was before cell phones, so we just had to check in with our parents at a designated place each day and at certain times.

 

[mystic_path]

I would say 18 or 19 years of age, because at that age, your pretty much leagal to do a lot of things, and also you should be old enough to respect those around you, not to shove, swear at little kids cause your a little older to know better how rediculous that is, and also at that age, your old enough to know not to talk to strangers, and its more unlikely that someone is going to kidnap you.

So as long as the 18, or 19 year old is in a group of friends, and they all have a cell phone, I think that should be alright.

 

[disney-super-mom]

I think 13 is a good age to start, as long as there is at least 2 of them together, they have cell phones, and it's during the daytime.

 

[autumnbaby9]

I would say 18 or 19 years of age, because at that age, your pretty much leagal to do a lot of things, and also you should be old enough to respect those around you, not to shove, swear at little kids cause your a little older to know better how rediculous that is, and also at that age, your old enough to know not to talk to strangers, and its more unlikely that someone is going to kidnap you.

So as long as the 18, or 19 year old is in a group of friends, and they all have a cell phone, I think that should be alright.

This just makes me laugh because at 18 or 19 I wouldn't even have asked my parents permission. I would have just told them I was going and left.

To the OP I would say it depends on the child. My parents let me go off on my own in big crowds when I was around 11 or 12 because they knew they could trust me to check back in when told. However my brother never got this privledge(SP?) until he was 18 and could make the choice himself. If you have a responsible child that you feel you can trust to be on there own for a short time give them a trial run and see how it goes. If you don't even trust them to be on their own at home I wouldn't do it.

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

Well it depends on the kids I guess but personally, this is a family vacation and my kids belong with me. Once they get to the age where they hate their parents (14 & up) I might consider it.

 

[The Maughan's]

We just got back and we let our sons age 11 and 14 go off on their own for short periods of time. We always sent one of the cell phones with them and they were great about being back right on time. There were no lines for anything......so they could check back really often. We spent alot of time together....but about the 4th time my 5 year old wanted to ride It's a small world....my 14 year old had had enough and wanted to go ride some other rides.

 

[littleteapot]

Once they get to the age where they hate their parents (14 & up) I might consider it.

But, I thought they were going to love/respect/honor me forever because I'm taking them on this crazy expensive WDW vacation.

For mine, I'd say 14/15 or so.

 

[dizzyami]

Once they get to the age where they hate their parents (14 & up) I might consider it.

...so then on any given day I should let DD5 and DS3 off on their own????

 

[spazzyjazzy]

I let my son and my best friends daughter go get on Mullholland Madness while me and DH went to the shop in Paradise Pier. They had their walkie talkie with them. They were 10 and 9. I wasn't too worried about it. I told them to call us as soon as they got off of the ride. They did and I told them where we were.
I would probably let DS go off on his own now that he is almost 13. But, he would have to keep constant contact with me.

 

[maberlyne]

When I was in 8th grade, my middle school band went to DL to play (yeah, we actually got to play in Disneyland!!). So, obviously, we were also let free. Chaperones were in the park, but not technically with us. We would have been 12-13 then. That would be a good age, if not within a year or so, if the child was mature.

 

[got2travel]

Wow, I'm totally in the minority here. But my son just turned 11 and since he was about 9 I've let him head over to a ride without me. He knew exactly where to meet me after the ride. But sometimes it would be in another 'land'. We do go to DL pretty often and he knows the parks inside and out, better than some cast members.

I wouldn't let him go to the park alone, but I don't have a problem with running to get fastpasses or riding something without me. As long as we have set a specific place to meet up after.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I went with a girls group that I belonged to for a day when I was 15 (in town for a conference). Because I can't handle the hard rides I was left alone most of the day. I was fine, I rather enjoyed it. My Mom on the other hand was pretty upset when she found out I was alone! LOL I guess it could have been scary, in those days there was no cell phones, and I really just got lucky that I would find the group when I did. Especially when it was time to drive the 8 hour drive home that night! LOL

I'd say 16/17, with a cell phone. After 17, well they are an adult and can obviously do as they please! At 18 I was already married to my husband and we were having trips to Disneyland together alone already anyway! LOL

 

[EEYOREMAMA]

My kids are nowhere old enough for me to consider this for them. That being said, I think around 8th/9th grade (age 13/14) assuming the children are responsible and have a cell phone and the parents are nearby.

You read my mind. My boys are 13 and 14, but they have grown up in the parks. They could give tours and they are definitely streetwise. They have cell phones and are in constant communication. I can be an umbilical cord mom and still give them their "freedom." As long as they follow every rule to the letter, they are allowed to roam free.