Changes coming to minimum age requirement for unaccompanied park entry

[Disney_Princess83]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...to-minimum-age-requirement-for-park-entry.htm

Disney is making a change to the age of admission policy for all of its US parks, including all the gated attractions at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. Locations included are Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Blizzard Beach, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, DisneyQuest, Disneyland Park and Disney's California Adventure.

Starting March 23 2013, guests under age 14 will need to be accompanied by a guest age 14 or older. Currently, the policy is that guests under 7 years of age must be accompanied by a guest age 14 or older.

 

[RunningWithScissors]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...to-minimum-age-requirement-for-park-entry.htm

Disney is making a change to the age of admission policy for all of its US parks, including all the gated attractions at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. Locations included are Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Blizzard Beach, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, DisneyQuest, Disneyland Park and Disney's California Adventure.

Starting March 23 2013, guests under age 14 will need to be accompanied by a guest age 14 or older. Currently, the policy is that guests under 7 years of age must be accompanied by a guest age 14 or older.

Am I reading the OLD rule correctly that a child 7 or OVER could go to the park alone? The 14 year old and up supervisor is for under age 7?!

 

[ghtx]

Am I reading the OLD rule correctly that a child 7 or OVER could go to the park alone? The 14 year old and up supervisor is for under age 7?!

I know that the rule for riding an attraction was that you had to be at least 7, or accompanied by someone at least 14, to ride. I didn't know that there was a park entry rule.

I think this rule could make some people upset. My kids aren't that old yet, but I could imagine wanting to let a 12- or 13-year-old into the parks by herself (or with her siblings). Now (apparently) that's not allowed.

 

[WDSearcher]

I'm not sure why that puts so much fear in you. When I was 14, I was certainly responsible enough to take my 5 yo sister (had my parents decided to do that) to the parks alone. And that was in the days before cellphones and texting. But in reality, it's pretty unlikely that parents are going to dump off the 14 yo with two infants and say, "Have fun!"

It obviously depends on the kid (since I know some 25 year olds who aren't capable of handling a 5 yo on their own), but 14 is pretty typical baby-sitting / child minding age.

 

[DisNikki]

Meh...I was with a friend on our own for hours in MK at age 9. But those were different times...or something

I think lots of locals will be upset about the water parks being included in this new restriction. It seems lots of them drop their kids off after school and pick them up around dinner time....

 

[Turk February]

I think we just shouldn't let our kids out of the house until they're 18

 

[mom2rtk]

Doesn't seem like a big deal to me either way. But if we stay at the Grand Californian on our next trip, it's sort of disappointing I couldn't send my daughter back into that (adjoining) hotel to grab something one of us had forgotten. She'll be 13 and apparently would be too young to re-enter on her own under the new rule.

 

[lurkernj]

Frankly, I think the age should be 10 since Disney considers them Adults at that age

 

[RunningWithScissors]

I'm not sure why that puts so much fear in you. When I was 14, I was certainly responsible enough to take my 5 yo sister (had my parents decided to do that) to the parks alone. And that was in the days before cellphones and texting. But in reality, it's pretty unlikely that parents are going to dump off the 14 yo with two infants and say, "Have fun!"

It obviously depends on the kid (since I know some 25 year olds who aren't capable of handling a 5 yo on their own), but 14 is pretty typical baby-sitting / child minding age.

I guess I should have clarified that a child BETWEEN 7 and say, 10-11? A couple of 13+ kids should be fine but I'm just not comfortable with children being alone in such a wide open public place. And, it is my prerogative to feel that way. I'm sure all people won't agree, but that is okay. I rather prefer safe than sorry. The reason why this alarms me is that on one of our Disney trips, a child was almost abducted at CS by a child molester. Luckily for the child, the man was arrested before he could snatch the kid. That particular year (summer to be exact) it had happened several times at Disney. Newsflash--creeps frequent theme parks because KIDS are there.

I have a 15 year old daughter who has been babysitting since she was 10, but there are some places that I do not think certain age kids should go without an adult in the same vicinity. Personally, because NO PLACE (not even Disney) is completely free from people who prey on kids, I choose not to even risk it. If others see no risk, then that is their business.

The old age limit was probably fine decades ago--but in 2013, I agree with Disney raising the age limits.

 

[Turk February]

Frankly, I think the age should be 10 since Disney considers them Adults at that age

Hahaha seriously! They consider them old enough to pay full price, they must be old enough to come in by themselves, right?!

 

[RunningWithScissors]

Frankly, I think the age should be 10 since Disney considers them Adults at that age

Hahaha seriously! They consider them old enough to pay full price, they must be old enough to come in by themselves, right?!

I definitely agree with this!! Haha!

 

[spodie]

I like that they're raising the age to 14. I couldn't imagine a 7 year old walking around the park alone (or even in a group) in this day and age. I think that 14-year olds would be a little smarter about making the right choices when it comes to the not-so-good-people in this world.

 

[lugnut33]

I would have no problem sending my 12 year old into a park on her own if she wanted to. Of course, I'd take her to the gate and then meet her as soon as she comes out.

 

[kymom99]

How could they enforce this? It would seem to be next to impossible to prove the age of a child under 16.

 

[iheartdisney]

Reading the link, it seems as though it will apply to attractions as well?!? If so, that is going to suck! My 10 and 9 year old have been riding attractions by themselves since they were 7, because their little sister is a total chicken.
Is this a war on solo parents?

 

[tjmj9801]

Frankly, I think the age should be 10 since Disney considers them Adults at that age

How could they enforce this? It would seem to be next to impossible to prove the age of a child under 16.

If they stick with 14, hopefully they will also change the ticketing age so it's obvious. Not agreeing or disagreeing, just saying that'd be one way to enforce it.

 

[anorman]

Reading the link, it seems as though it will apply to attractions as well?!? If so, that is going to suck! My 10 and 9 year old have been riding attractions by themselves since they were 7, because their little sister is a total chicken.
Is this a war on solo parents?

I agree with you. They couldn't possibly mean attractions too?!?! There are plenty of rides that younger ones should be able to go on without an adult. I can see less than 7 not so much but from 7 to 14 they certainly should be able to ride without an adult.

Personally we haven't done this at Disney yet but with my DDs being 10 and 12 on our upcoming trip, I was thinking they might be able to do some things without us hovering over them. Last year they rode Simpsons at US and Dr. Dooms Fearfall and Dragon Challenge at IOA and loved the bit of freedom it gave them. Of course, me and DH waited anxiously at the exit of each ride for them to appear but they are another year older again this year. Does anybody have any specifics as to ride alone ages????

 

[ghtx]

I agree with you. They couldn't possibly mean attractions too?!?! There are plenty of rides that younger ones should be able to go on without an adult. I can see less than 7 not so much but from 7 to 14 they certainly should be able to ride without an adult.

Personally we haven't done this at Disney yet but with my DDs being 10 and 12 on our upcoming trip, I was thinking they might be able to do some things without us hovering over them. Last year they rode Simpsons at US and Dr. Dooms Fearfall and Dragon Challenge at IOA and loved the bit of freedom it gave them. Of course, me and DH waited anxiously at the exit of each ride for them to appear but they are another year older again this year. Does anybody have any specifics as to ride alone ages????

The age rule for rides has always been this: you must be at least 7, or with someone at least 14, to ride. I don't know if this rule will be changing or not.

 

[RunningWithScissors]

I agree with you. They couldn't possibly mean attractions too?!?! There are plenty of rides that younger ones should be able to go on without an adult. I can see less than 7 not so much but from 7 to 14 they certainly should be able to ride without an adult.

Personally we haven't done this at Disney yet but with my DDs being 10 and 12 on our upcoming trip, I was thinking they might be able to do some things without us hovering over them. Last year they rode Simpsons at US and Dr. Dooms Fearfall and Dragon Challenge at IOA and loved the bit of freedom it gave them. Of course, me and DH waited anxiously at the exit of each ride for them to appear but they are another year older again this year. Does anybody have any specifics as to ride alone ages????

My thoughts exactly. Our older kids accompany the younger ones on rides like dumbo or magic carpets, etc... We travel with my sister and her family so even if the kids are in line alone, we have 4 sets of adult eyes on them at all times. Last time we were there, we had DD14 and her DBF14 and they would ride with cousins age 9 & 11 on SM and EE--in fact they rode both over and over and over again while we waited outside the rides.

Enforcement will be difficult, though. Kids come in all shapes and sizes so sometimes it is quite difficult to tell how old they are.

I don't think this has anything to do with targeting single parents, it just puts the burden back on the parent to stay in close contact with their kids.

 

[Tormania]

Basically this keeps the locals (for the most part) from dropping their kiddos off at the parks for the day. More space for me!

I can see how for some folks they will NOT be happy with this though. I'm sure there is something that happened that has brought about this change though.