Do you have to be 18+ to ride ME?

[drinkme]

I'm thinking of flying into Orlando & heading to WDW a day or 2 before my 2 teens can take off from school. My kids would then fly into Orlando by themselves and use the ME to get to our WDW resort.

I looked on the WDW website and I couldn't find anything on an age restriction.

 

[crashbb]

I believe that it is 16 years old - though I also cannot find the link backing that up.

 

[Bronte]

I was told last year when my DD was 16 that she could not use magical express by herself ... that she needed to be 18 years old. We ended up not flying sepratly anyways but I thought it was odd that Airtran was ok with her flying by herself but that Disney would not alow her to get on the bus by herself.

 

[crashbb]

This isn't officially from WDW, but the DIS information says:

IMPORTANT: Guests must be 16 or older to travel unaccompanied on Disney's Magical Express.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/transportation/magical-express.htm

 

[02bBarbie]

I was told last year when my DD was 16 that she could not use magical express by herself ... that she needed to be 18 years old. We ended up not flying sepratly anyways but I thought it was odd that Airtran was ok with her flying by herself but that Disney would not alow her to get on the bus by herself.

Not at all surprising since I'm sure Disney is very wary of possible issues of liability with kids getting off at the wrong hotel, which could then lead to issues of child endangerment, molestation, etc. Not a fun thing to think about but it's possible and WDW I'm sure wants to avoid any culpability with that if at all possible. Airlines don't have the same issues - they are pretty much dealing with children in a secure area. Bus service, even going to WDW hotels, not so much.

 

[goofy4tink]

Disney does not say anything on their site. They do say that children under the age of 18 must have a parent's permission to make the call to reserve.
I would imagine that if the young person looks, and behaves, maturely, then it won't be an issue...especially if they are at least 16.
I would call DME directly to see what their policy is.

 

[goofy4tink]

This isn't officially from WDW, but the DIS information says:


http://www.wdwinfo.com/transportation/magical-express.htm

I prefer to go directly to WDW's official site...where it says nothing about age, at least that I can find.
In addition, wdwinfo has some incorrect info there. Hate saying it as I am a moderator but it is what it is.

 

[magicaldisney]

I was told 18 a few years back.

 

[drinkme]

OP here.

I also posted this question on WDW's Moms Panel website. They replied back saying it was 16 years.

Oh well. I was going to make 2 trips this fall, but it looks like just one trip.

Thanks!

 

[crashbb]

OP here.

I also posted this question on WDW's Moms Panel website. They replied back saying it was 16 years.

Oh well. I was going to make 2 trips this fall, but it looks like just one trip.

Thanks!

Mom's panel is very often wrong. Shockingly often, to be honest.