DD 17 and friends (18) staying at different resort than parents?

[dfularz]

So, my daughter and several of her friends are going to Disney for their hs graduation trip. My husband and I said we would pay for their rooms and the girls want to stay at Pop Century, my daughter's favorite resort. My husband and I are going with them to celebrate our 20th anniversary, but will be staying at Beach and Yacht Club. We figured we would just combine the trips for the same time so that the girls aren't at the airport and traveling alone since some have never flown before. Also that way we are there if they need us for anything, but pretty much they will be doing their own thing other than us taking them out to dinner one night. (DD has been there so many times she can find her way around blindfolded so I am not worried about leaving them on their own.) Has anyone done this before? Most of them will be 18, except of course our daughter who doesn't turn 18 til the following week. I know I have to book it under the lead name of an 18 year old and that won't be a problem. Just wondered if anyone did anything like this before and if I should expect any issues?

 

[LilyWDW]

Like you said, you will have to book the room under the name of someone who is 18. Other then that, as long as the girls follow the rules and don't cause problems themselves, then there shouldn't be any issue. Please don't take that like I am saying they will cause problems LMAO... just pointing out that there should be no issues just like any other "normal" guest.

 

[cruiser21]

It sounds like a great idea. What a fun graduation present.

 

[KittyKitty]

The resort will request a credit card for incidentals or to be able to charge on Magic band.

 

[cedricandsophie]

Having kids that are in their 40s now and grandchildren 21and 16, and having been a teenager, I can say without hesitation that I would never allow a group of teens to stay in a hotel without an adult checking in on them frequently..on premises and in person,not over phone or via text.

 

[VAfamily1998]

Having kids that are in their 40s now and grandchildren 21and 16, and having been a teenager, I can say without hesitation that I would never allow a group of teens to stay in a hotel without an adult checking in on them frequently..on premises and in person,not over phone or via text.

But in just a few months, those same teens/their peers will be in college, living in dorms, with no adults checking on them.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

But in just a few months, those same teens/their peers will be in college, living in dorms, with no adults checking on them.

I agree. They’re 18. Not 14.

 

[dfularz]

I understand cendricandsophie's point. But, these are also all honor students, in the top ten in their classes. I realize that they still can get into trouble, but the idea that they are going off to college right after that is the only reason we are allowing them to stay alone. Many of their other friends drive are going to the beach for their trips, where trouble is much much easier to get into. It is also why we are going to be there as well, as I would not want them to be there all alone. We just are not staying at the same resort with them. We will be taking them to several meals and meeting up with them at times.

 

[cruiser21]

Having kids that are in their 40s now and grandchildren 21and 16, and having been a teenager, I can say without hesitation that I would never allow a group of teens to stay in a hotel without an adult checking in on them frequently..on premises and in person,not over phone or via text.

I moved out when I was 18. I got an apartment went to school, worked and traveled all over the country showing horses and stayed in hotels by myself. My parents helped me financially, but never did they check up on me they were in a different state. Parents cannot tell a 18 year old what to do. If your 18 year old is in the hospital they sign their own consents and make their own descisions. As a healtcare provider I don't have to tell their parents anything. I know it's hard for some people to swallow, but an 18 year old is an adult.

 

[Marthasor]

As others have said, you just need to put one of the 18 year olds down as the lead guest. I recently helped plan a graduation trip for 6 girls (4 18-year olds and 2 17-year olds). They stayed at a value (All Star Music suite) with the dining plan (which made it a little easier - their food was pre-paid and they didn't all need to rely on cash or cc's for food purchases). They had a blast. If they are responsible and are safety conscious, all should be fine. I think the fact that you will be seeing them periodically throughout the trip is a bonus.

 

[bumbershoot]

The resort will request a credit card for incidentals or to be able to charge on Magic band.

With online checkin, sure. But not otherwise. If you don’t put down a cc you simply cannot charge to the room.

But in just a few months, those same teens/their peers will be in college, living in dorms, with no adults checking on them.

Exactly. I was off to college cross country from my mom at 17.

My mom was married at 17 and moved cross country.

I understand cendricandsophie's point. But, these are also all honor students, in the top ten in their classes.

Well now I take back my support lol. My brother was one of those and his buddies (the rest of the top ten in their graduating class) were very naughty.

 

[HopperFan]

Sounds like a great plan and lots of fun!

PS Both my kids have stayed at Disney at age 14, 15 etc in a room with kids the same age. There were a couple coaches in other rooms but they were able to travel to parks and Disney Springs on their own in buses. They, like your DD, are very familiar with "the world" and I never worried for a second, and I was in another state.

 

[Sue M]

Sounds like they’ll have a great time. The only thing I’d be concerned about is the noise level in the room. Having 2 girls and working in a high school I know teen girls can be noisy! Especially when excited. The walls at Pop are thin. I just came back from a stay and my friend was in the next room. We had adjoining rooms, and when I was on the phone with my family one night she said she could hear every word. I wasn’t speaking loudly. Just a conversational tone.

 

[paradesintherain]

Sounds like a wonderful idea! My friend and I went to Disney after we graduated high school and stayed at Pop Century, and we had no problems and a fantastic time!

 

[disneyvoice]

Having kids that are in their 40s now and grandchildren 21and 16, and having been a teenager, I can say without hesitation that I would never allow a group of teens to stay in a hotel without an adult checking in on them frequently..on premises and in person,not over phone or via text.

Totally depends on the kids. We took our son and two of his friends for a weekend at WDW when they were 13 and 14 years old. They all stayed in one room and my DH and I stayed in another. We got lucky and had adjoining rooms but they were on their own the whole time, we were already fast asleep by the time they got back to the room each night. These kids have a somewhat unique life and have all been traveling on their own and living in dorm/apartment situations without parents since they were 12. They had absolutely no problems. We communicated with our son via text the whole trip.

The OP is talking about kids who are basically college age. Kids that age live in college dorms without any parental supervision. Having lived in dorms myself at that age, while there are Resident Assistants in dorms they are only a few years older than Freshman and do not actually check up on the residents. They are only there to take care of any problems or if residents need some kind of help. It doesn't sound like these are "problem" kids at all.

They will have a great time. I actually think WDW is the perfect place for kids to experience a vacation "on their own" for the first time. Have fun!

 

[Simba's Girl]

Having kids that are in their 40s now and grandchildren 21and 16, and having been a teenager, I can say without hesitation that I would never allow a group of teens to stay in a hotel without an adult checking in on them frequently..on premises and in person,not over phone or via text.

I disagree. We are talking high school graduates that are mostly 18 years old! Old enough to buy tobacco (for the most part), old enough to vote, old enough to be in charge of their own medical care...the list goes on and on. They are a group of mostly adults.

 

[Kimberle]

As the Mom of an 18 yo, they'll be fine! You're around if they need something.

 

[AngiTN]

Having kids that are in their 40s now and grandchildren 21and 16, and having been a teenager, I can say without hesitation that I would never allow a group of teens to stay in a hotel without an adult checking in on them frequently..on premises and in person,not over phone or via text.

Having a kid in their 30's, grandchildren and been a teenager myself, I can say without hesitation that I would allow a group of teens to stay in a hotel without an adult checking in on them.
Granted, I think OP is "checking" on them by being there too.
I did for that matter. Both myself, when we went to WDW and DL on Band Trips, where the kids well out numbered the adults. (band of nearly 300 members)
And DD went on several trips with school where they were not in the eye sight of an adult 24/7.
I'm sure DGD will too

 

[fbb]

Just wondered if anyone did anything like this before and if I should expect any issues?

Yes. They will run out of money regardless of how much they have. And your spouse will likely be in on the caper, too.

But that's no different than everyday life in my house

 

[KenHutch]

Having kids that are in their 40s now and grandchildren 21and 16, and having been a teenager, I can say without hesitation that I would never allow a group of teens to stay in a hotel without an adult checking in on them frequently..on premises and in person,not over phone or via text.

I moved out of my home at 18 and was on my own. I did pick up some bad habits as I immediately picked up 60 room mates and partied at a resort called Paris Island. You have to trust at 18 I was old enough to defend my country so kids should be trusted unless they give you a reason not to.