DME for 15yo traveling alone

[RedSonya]

We have a trip planned for the end of July. My DS15 will be arriving a day later than the rest of us. He doesn't land at MCO until 11:37pm. Will they let him ride DME without an adult to OKW. He hasn't been to MCO/WDW for several years and never by himself, but I think he can figure it out.

TIA

 

[seashoreCM]

I suggest that you be in the resort lobby at the time he arrives and that he just try to get on the DME like everybody else. In the event he runs into problems, you can then ask the concierge for advice.

You can give DS hints and coach him and answer his questions anytime from right now until just after he gets off the plane and before he gets to the DME welcoming area. Remind him that at that hour everyone has to collect checked baggage from the carousels.

He, like every party arriving at a different time, should have a copy of the DME instruction book and vouchers, and room reservation papers.

 

[Tozzie]

We have a trip planned for the end of July. My DS15 will be arriving a day later than the rest of us. He doesn't land at MCO until 11:37pm. Will they let him ride DME without an adult to OKW. He hasn't been to MCO/WDW for several years and never by himself, but I think he can figure it out.

TIA

Things may have changed but you last I knew you have to be either 16 or 18 to ride DME without a parent/guardian. You need to call and find out.

 

[clkelley]

Only you know your child, but at age 15, I would have had no problems letting my boys fly on their own and board DME on their own. They had been to MCO many times by then and knew how to read signs and get where they needed to be. My boys were also over 6 ft tall by then, so there would have probably been no questions by the DME folks on their age.

If your child appears confident and acts like he knows what he's doing then he'll be fine. However, if he tends to be timid and would act unsure in this situation, it might be better for you to plan alternate transportation.

If your child does get questioned by DME about his age upon arrival and denied boarding, then instruct him to ask the DME agent about a taxi and then pay for it upon arrival at the resort.

 

[seashoreCM]

Taxi?

I beg to differ. In case of difficulty DS should first call you. THe combination of you, the resort concierge, him, and the welcoming agent CM should be able to work out something better.

Complimentary admission tickets are not a suitable reimbursement for awkward situations unless they are actually standard (upgradable) ones.

 

[goofy4tink]

Park admission tickets??? Where did that come from? And why?? Nothing whatsoever to do with this scenario.

In any case...I 'think' DME prefers that passengers be at least 16 in order to travel alone. But, if your ds acts like an adult and isn't all nervous, he should be fine. Be sure he has a copy of his travel voucher with him.
If he runs into any trouble, have him call you and then you and DME CMs can come up with an alternative solution.

 

[mamapajama]

The alternative to not letting him board because he is under 16 then is what? Leaving him at the airport alone? I'm sure there will be no problem. I would tell mine to just act like he knows what he's doing and call me as soon as he gets outside of the security area and stay on the phone with me until he is in lkine for DME.

 

[clkelley]

The alternative to not letting him board because he is under 16 then is what? Leaving him at the airport alone? I'm sure there will be no problem. I would tell mine to just act like he knows what he's doing and call me as soon as he gets outside of the security area and stay on the phone with me until he is in lkine for DME.

Exactly, I figure that would go without saying. After your son can turn his phone on, have him call you, then proceed to the DME area. If there is problem with boarding, he could call you again, then either you or he could talk to the DME agent and arrange alternate transportation. The easiest would be to have the DME agent point him in the direction of the taxi stand.

 

[RedSonya]

Thanks for all the info. My DS15 has travelled extensively and travelled by himself so I'm not too concerned other than if they'd let him on the bus. He is 6ft tall, and fairly confident. He will have his phone, as will we. He won't have a bag, so we will send him to DME his DME ticket stuff. If they don't let him board, I guess we will pay for a taxi to go get him and then back. I'm more uncomfortable with him in a taxi by himself. I will also verify with DME the age limit to be unaccompanied.