Do you allow your teenager to go it alone???

[Disneydreamer5]

Ok here is my question. We have only been to Disney once. We had an awsome time and so did all the kiddiecats. We will be going again this year but we would like this trip to be alittle more laid back. That said we have 5 children ages 10,13,14,15, and 17.
The kids aren't as thrilled with the idea of relaxing around the resort.(caribbean Beach)
I am considering letting the 3 oldest go it alone here and there. I figured the hubby, myself and 2 youngest could hang around the resort by the pool and just enjoy what the resort has to offer while the other 3 can catch a bus and hit a park.
I am just wondering how nerous I will be. They all have cell phones and I figured we could keep in touch that way and have a set place and time to meet up for dinner.
Does anyone think this is bad or dangerous idea? I haven't even mention it to them yet as I don't want to put this thought in their heads unless you all really think it would be ok. I have heard from my children that many of their friends go it alone most of the time when they are in Disney and we even ran into a few of them on our last trip and parents were no where to be found.
I am an extremely over pretective mom, so they tell me but I know they are all good kids and they always make sure to keep in contact with me when ever they go out anywhere with friends.
I just think perhaps this way we can all really get what we want out of this vacation and come together at the end of the day and talk about all we did.
We ,ofcourse will be spening most of the time together. I am just thinking a day or 2 max.
So what is all the mom's out there thought on this. Will I be a nerouse wreck the entire time they are away from me? Should I be?
They would never even ask if I didn't offer, so should I give them alittle freedom to be kids and have a free for all or just keep my mouth shut and keep them right next to me the whole time.

 

[DVCLiz]

I think they will be fine. I let my daughters, 13 and 18, go by themselves all the time. You could even let all five of them go to a park together, as long as you think the older ones would look out for the younger 2.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I wouldn't have an issue with letting them go. I have two in their teens and shockingly, they never have asked to go off by themselves-for some weird reason they like hanging with us old farts! But if they asked, I would allow it. I'd just want them to keep a cell phone on so we could stay in contact and make sure to designate a meeting place and time.

 

[blanq]

I just have one child. DS is almost 14, and I definately think he could handle the parks solo although he has never asked. I imagine it might not be as fun to go to the parks on his own but, I think if he had siblings he might be asking. I think you would be fine letting the three oldest head off to the parks on their own. I think they will be safe. Since you have been to WDW only once, maybe it might be good to review the transportation system with them, so you can feel comfortable knowing they know how to get to/from places. Also, I think it is a great idea to use your cell phones to keep in touch.

 

[HannaBelle]

Do they get along? Is there a chance they would argue and split up?

I personally would be more inclined to send an even number together. Even as a teen, you still have to watch out for pervs...especially girls. I would not want my teenager sitting next to a stranger on a dark ride where they could not immediately move.

If you feel that they would stick together, I would say yes...especially if they have a cell phone.

 

[rrobin3051]

I would let them. We are going with a 17 year old , 15 year old 2 9 year olds and an almost 2 year old. WE are letting the two older ones go off by their selves. I remember going at 15 with a friend and we went alone the whole trip. Did the buses ourselves and everything. We stayed off property too.

 

[Disneydreamer5]

My girls are 15 & 17 and my son is 14. They all get along fairly well, most of the time and I have to say everyone is in the best spirits while in the world. We are the Disney freak family! So as long as they are there , there will be no fighting. My 13 year old however can be alittle nasty at times and the older girls and her do fight and she is very small for her age so I would not feel comfortable letting her go off with them. As I said they haven;t really made any real request to go off alone as they to enjoy hanging with us all but I just wanted to see the general thought you all had on this subjest incase it does come up.
I mean they go to Six Flags with friends on class trip for the day, I am not with them and they have all been great so I thought what difference would it make to let them lose in Disney. I am glad to hear no one thinks I am crazy , I have to say,lol.
Thanks for all the input.

 

[auntie]

I'm sure they have a cell phone..and you have a phone. Let them go. If they have a problem..they'll call. Give them info they should need..their resort and room number...and where you will be. Meet up in the parks for meals. They'll have fun..and so will you.

 

[Hannathy]

I would let them without a second thought. We left our DD 14 alone at EPCOT this last trip when she wanted something from Japan and we were at the front leaving. WE left and went back to POP she went to Japan and then caught the bus herself back to POP. If it makes you feel better think about the thousands of highschool freshman in marching bands that go to Disney alone for a week let alone a day. The only place I wouldn't let a young teen (under 18) go alone would be DTD at night. Any of the parks or resorts or inside Disney Quest no problem.

 

[checkwriter]

Given the ages, the cell phones, and the environment, I don't think you'd be wrong to let them go. In fact, under the right circumstances maybe all five of them could go together. It's interesting how kids will bond and stick together when they're on their own . . . and then start in on each other once parents are present.

 

[Chelley00]

We let our 13 year old and 11 year old go off on their own last year. The requirement was they had to call and check in every 30 minutes (via cell phones) and let us know where they were and that they were still together. We ran into them a few times in the park, and they were having a great time....more so than had they been with us and their younger 2 siblings We got time with the little ones, they got to do what they wanted to do. We just made sure they were back with the family group before dark.

 

[hollyb]

Nope no way, think Aruba. Why do parents think Disney is so safe and there is no crime? I can't imagine a parent letting their children wander around in a strange place as big as Disney. Their are people from all over the world there.

Are you willing to live with your choice if anything happens to them?

 

[Chelley00]

Nope no way, think Aruba. Why do parents think Disney is so safe and there is no crime? I can't imagine a parent letting their children wander around in a strange place as big as Disney.

I think there is a huge difference in the safety issues between teenagers walking around in broad daylight at a place filled with people compared to a 4 year old and 2 year old left alone at night in a hotel.

You can't even compare the two situations.

 

[Disneydreamer5]

Nope no way, think Aruba. Why do parents think Disney is so safe and there is no crime? I can't imagine a parent letting their children wander around in a strange place as big as Disney. Their are people from all over the world there.

Are you willing to live with your choice if anything happens to them?

I could never live with myself if anything happened to my children I assure you. I am in contact with them every minute of the day when they are not with me. I have been told more times then I can tell you that I need to let them go alittle. They are all honor roll, sport nuts, they would prefer to hang in the yard with the famiy on a weekend then be anywhere else.
For that reason I was thinking, they go on class trips with their school, calling me whenever they are suppose too and never cause me to worry.
Due to the fact that my husband and I are looking to do alittle more relaxing this time around, I was just thinking MAYBE I would allow them to attend the parks, during the day while we chilled out at the resort.
I am not foolish enough to think bad things don't happen in Disney cause I know all too well, bad things can happen anywhere.
I just wanted to see what the general thought on this subject was. I was not looking to get flammed.
The final discision will be made when we are there and the situation arises, if and when it even does. I just wanted to see how other parents felt about it and thank you to all of answered me without judgement.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Nope no way, think Aruba. Why do parents think Disney is so safe and there is no crime? I can't imagine a parent letting their children wander around in a strange place as big as Disney. Their are people from all over the world there.

Are you willing to live with your choice if anything happens to them?

Lol, so should she head off to college with them, too? You know, they let people from other countries into college, too... Some cities and towns actually have them too.

Op, I wouldn't think twice about it. If you and your sweetie (and the kiddos) are comfy with the idea, then go for it.

Also, remember, some people only post when they are going to flame...take it with that grain of salt...

 

[DVCLiz]

Actually, Aruba is a reference to the Natalie Holloway story. That teen was drunk and unsupervised late at night, and left the premises with three teen boys. I think those circumstances are far different than your teens with cell phones wandering around a Disney theme park and catching a direct bus back to the resort.

The 4 and 2 year old story I believe you are referring to is the missing child in Portugal. Those parents left preschoolers ina hotel room alone while they had a meal about 50 or 100 yards away in an on-site restaurant. Again, far different circumstances.

As far as letting your children wander around in a strange place with people all over the world, remember that there is also a very well organized security operation in place on all Disney propertry. Again, far different than just letting them off at the major intersection of a foreign city and telling them to fend for themselves.

OP, if you are really as protective as your posts make you sound, it's time for a little practice in letting go, and Disney is a good place to try it. If you are that uncomfortable, practice by going to the same park together as a family, and then letting the teens go and ride one ride away from the rest of you. Plan a meeting time and ask them to check in by cell phone when they arrive at the ride. You'll gain some confidence in them and they'll enjoy the trust and freedom.

 

[hematite153]

The final discision will be made when we are there and the situation arises, if and when it even does. I just wanted to see how other parents felt about it and thank you to all of answered me without judgement.

I'm not a parent yet so I cannot really comment on your decision.

However, as a high school teacher, I would advise you to make the decision in advance. Teens often take longer to make good plans than adults. If your vacation plan has a day for them to go off by themselves from the get-go then they will be able to decide which park(s) to go to, what they want to do while there, etc. Instead of standing at a bus-stop arguing about different preferences and being tempting to split up they would have a chance to discuss all of this in the family living room. Then, on the day in question, they'd just have to implement.

Just a thought.

 

[Hannathy]

Nope no way, think Aruba. Why do parents think Disney is so safe and there is no crime? I can't imagine a parent letting their children wander around in a strange place as big as Disney. Their are people from all over the world there.

Are you willing to live with your choice if anything happens to them?

Give me a break! So I guess that rules out all the marching bands that go to Disney and all The field trips to EPCOT. Disney is about as safe a place as you are going to get in this world. probably safer than most High Schools.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I think they will be just fine and everyone calls me overprotective!! Set the rules, the boundries and let them go. A great bonding day for them. I might be a little uneasy with them out at night but I am sure they would even be ok there too.

17 year olds go off to college and walk alll over a huge campus alone day and night!

It is hard to let go but so important to start a little bit at a time.

 

[Disneydreamer5]

WDWINFO.COM - (5/29 - 12pm) While details are still sketchy, it appears there has been a major accident at Animal Kingdom this morning that sent several guests to the hospital, and forced an entire section of Animal Kingdom to close down.

According to unconfirmed reports, a piece of equipment being used by workers on a bridge over the ride collapsed, and struck a raft full of guests. According to one eyewitness, the water at Kali River Rapids was "red with blood". Several ambulances and emergency personnel were on the scene. There are no reports of fatalities, but some on the ride were severely injured

Now tell me, does it matter if the parents were with these children or not?
I am a true believer that what is meant to be will be.
I want them more then anything to be safe but I also want them to have fun.
My prayers go out to all these poor people. I prayer they are all ok.