Disney Parks banning unescorted kids under 14

[com_op_2000]

See this article:
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifesty...ids-younger-than-14-banned-from-disney-parks/

 

[Chuck S]

I'm going to assume that there were some problems at Disneyland, more so than Walt Disney World. Disneyland is kind of of a local draw park, and if some accident were to happen parents may not be anywhere around. Disney World is more of a family vacation destination where people tend to go in groups, but local kids did tend to hang out at Downtown Disney. I understand wanting a consistent entry policy for all domestic locations. Given WDW is more of a destination, and requires that at least one person in every room (including DVC) be 18+ years old, probably minors were mostly with an older sibling/friend or their parents anyway.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

If a child who appears to be younger than 14 tries to enter the park without someone who appears to be older than 14, Disney cast members will engage the guest in conversation. The employee will then verbally try to determine whether the guest is too young.

It should be interesting to see if and how they actually police this! My son at 10 was taller than the average 14 year old!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I'm going to assume that there were some problems at Disneyland, more so than Walt Disney World. Disneyland is kind of of a local draw park, and if some accident were to happen parents may not be anywhere around. Disney World is more of a family vacation destination where people tend to go in groups, but local kids did tend to hang out at Downtown Disney. I understand wanting a consistent entry policy for all domestic locations. Given WDW is more of a destination, and requires that at least one person in every room (including DVC) be 18+ years old, probably minors were mostly with an older sibling/friend or their parents anyway.

Having spent a lot of time in that area, all you have to do go by the "drop off" parking area (where you can't leave your car) It's TONS of "tweens' being dropped off or picked up. Why would Disney want roaming bands of tweens creating havoc?

 

[DenLo]

Based on the article, it appears this policy will apply to both DLR and WDW. And I wouldn't be surprised that it affects some families at WDW as well at DLR, whether they are local children or ones on vacation and staying at a resort. Although I would think the majority of families go to the parks to be together, kids do go to the parks on their own or in groups. In this day and age where a 6 - 8 year old has a cell phone, parental guidance is changing or becoming flexible too. I think Disney is seeing these changes and is taking steps now.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Just like the movies, be prepared for some parents to get their kids in and then leave, or separate once they are in the park to do their own thing! Thankfully, not something that I need to worry about!

 

[BillPA]

Once a child turns 10, Disney calls them an adult for the price of tickets, character meals... Sound like they need to change those prices to 14 and up, not 10 and up.
This 14 to get in a park is just going to start trouble.

 

[tjkraz]

Once a child turns 10, Disney calls them an adult for the price of tickets, character meals... Sound like they need to change those prices to 14 and up, not 10 and up.
This 14 to get in a park is just going to start trouble.

Meh. They also charge full price to elderly and disabled guests who have no opportunity to partake of certain attractions.

This is likely to be a deterrent more than anything else. Guests probably will not be "engaged" unless there is another reason (poor behavior.) And if the park can identify the offender as being under the age limit, they have immediate justification for contacting parents, revoking AP, etc.

A news outlet may try to stir up some trouble but I cannot envision any national outcry when a parent is told they cannot use Disneyland as a day care center for his/her 12 year old.

 

[Sammie]

I think it was pretty much a year round problem at Disneyland and at WDW in the summer months.

I agree with TJ, I see no problem with this policy.

We had two young girls follow us around one day at the MK, I mean everywhere we went they are in line behind us. Finally I decided they were following us, so decided to ask them if something was wrong.

They admitted they had been dropped off and were not really comfortable after some older boys had said some nasty things to them in line. So they said we looked safe and starting keeping us in view. I really felt sorry for them and they spent the rest of the day with us. They did not get picked up until closing and this was during the summer and that was midnight.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Like I posted on the other thread about this, some parents use Disney as day care for their kids too old for day care and too young to get a job during the time when schools are closed. Disney probably doesn't want the responsibility of these kids.

 

[luckyman_apd]

Like I posted on the other thread about this, some parents use Disney as day care for their kids too old for day care and too young to get a job during the time when schools are closed. Disney probably doesn't want the responsibility of these kids.

I wish I had disney as my day care. I had some mean lady with a paddle when I a kid

 

[bwvBound]

We had two young girls follow us around one day at the MK, I mean everywhere we went they are in line behind us. Finally I decided they were following us, so decided to ask them if something was wrong.

They admitted they had been dropped off and were not really comfortable after some older boys had said some nasty things to them in line. So they said we looked safe and starting keeping us in view. I really felt sorry for them and they spent the rest of the day with us. They did not get picked up until closing and this was during the summer and that was midnight.

Awwwww ... what a story.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

It is certainly their park and their rules. I get that. I can also see our DD (now 7) who has already been probably 30 times in her young life, wanting to get on the monorail from BLT and head on over to MK while the wife and I are still getting ready in the morning, especially after she's 11-12 years old. I don't see anything wrong with this, as long as the parents are confident of the maturity of their child.

I guess it ain't my call but that's my $0.02. That and $4 more will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

Very disappointed. Very disappointed indeed.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I think it was pretty much a year round problem at Disneyland and at WDW in the summer months.

I agree with TJ, I see no problem with this policy.

We had two young girls follow us around one day at the MK, I mean everywhere we went they are in line behind us. Finally I decided they were following us, so decided to ask them if something was wrong.

They admitted they had been dropped off and were not really comfortable after some older boys had said some nasty things to them in line. So they said we looked safe and starting keeping us in view. I really felt sorry for them and they spent the rest of the day with us. They did not get picked up until closing and this was during the summer and that was midnight.

How kind of you! I have to admit, that makes me rethink my prior post, although I contend that in my scenario, we would be, at most, an hour behind her, and would know where she was and what she was up to. She already has an iPhone.

Would I let her go to Epcot or MK on the monorail from BLT? Oh heck yea. At 11-12. You betcha. At the rate she's maturing emotionally, maybe even 10. The point is, the bus from AKL to HS. No. No way. Even I have boundries.

I guess it's a moot point, huh?

 

[lilpooh108]

I think 11/12 is too young. I was a latchkey kid and was alone a lot after school. More weirdos come up to 11 year olds than you'd think.

 

[rentayenta]

Once a child turns 10, Disney calls them an adult for the price of tickets, character meals... Sound like they need to change those prices to 14 and up, not 10 and up.
This 14 to get in a park is just going to start trouble.

Excellent point. They're *adults* when it's convenient for Disney.


What about those of us who allow our kids to spilt and do their own thing for a while? I wouldn't allow them on their own if I didn't trust them; they're 16, 14, and 11. I'll kick their little behinds if they cause an ounce of trouble. They know this. *


* I actually wouldn't kick them but yes, they'd get a talking to about behavior and respect

 

[sweetdana]

Once a child turns 10, Disney calls them an adult for the price of tickets, character meals... Sound like they need to change those prices to 14 and up, not 10 and up.
This 14 to get in a park is just going to start trouble.

I like that logic!!!!!! Ddp too.

I think some 15/16 yr olds should not be left alone, and I think some 9 yrs old are probably responsible enough. .. But Disney can't know which, so their rule makes sense.

 

[Sammie]

How kind of you! I have to admit, that makes me rethink my prior post, although I contend that in my scenario, we would be, at most, an hour behind her, and would know where she was and what she was up to. She already has an iPhone.

Would I let her go to Epcot or MK on the monorail from BLT? Oh heck yea. At 11-12. You betcha. At the rate she's maturing emotionally, maybe even 10. The point is, the bus from AKL to HS. No. No way. Even I have boundries.

I guess it's a moot point, huh?

Sadly even at Disney there are those that would take advantage. My niece and best friend when they were 15 had a CM approach them and solicit them. Of course they immediately called us on the phone and we got security. He was a street sweeper. It was very upsetting.

I know that he was the exception and I am sure they could have found a responsible CM near if they had needed to, but his spiel was very tempting, offering them free tickets and behind the scenes access to the front of the line. It was scary. All I could think about was the much younger girls I had seen that day.

And yes he was fired.

 

[lilpooh108]

Sadly even at Disney there are those that would take advantage. My niece and best friend when they were 15 had a CM approach them and solicit them. Of course they immediately called us on the phone and we got security. He was a street sweeper. It was very upsetting.

I know that he was the exception and I am sure they could have found a responsible CM near if they had needed to, but his spiel was very tempting, offering them free tickets and behind the scenes access to the front of the line. It was scary. All I could think about was the much younger girls I had seen that day.

And yes he was fired.

This --- is exactly why I still think 11/12 is too young to go around alone. Disney is not a real bubble, and they don't exactly screen people that come in and out (guests or otherwise).

 

[Sammie]

This --- is exactly why I still think 11/12 is too young to go around alone. Disney is not a real bubble, and they don't exactly screen people that come in and out (guests or otherwise).

No they don't. He was a part time worker and sometimes they are even more lax with them.

It made us all physically sick.