Do you let your kids go to the parks alone if you are on site?

[tfletcher1]

I am just wondering about if anyone lets their kids go to the parks alone if you are staying onsite. My kids have mentioned wanting to go by themselves, but I know that the hubby isn't gonna go for it. Does anyone do this? We have been to UO MANY times before, but never stayed onsite and my kids were younger. They have their own cell phone and all, but just wondering. We are staying and the Royal Pacific.

 

[lindalinda]

How old are your kids? I let mine go part of the time by themselves, with a cell phone and instructions when and where to be, etc. My son is 13 tho, so I dont think I,d let them if he was younger, or atleasthave one older child in the group.

 

[krdisneybound]

This is a tough question call. How old are the children and are they sort of self sufficient and able to check in at certain times?? You and DH have to make that call

My children started going into the park alone at about 12 and 13 BUT I would go to that particular park and sit and wait for them in a certain location and they had to check with me every two hours or the times would be taken away from them. It worked out very well for me and it gave them a little independence.

Good luck

 

[Motherfletcher]

Mine go by themselves all of time. They are 17 and 12. They have gone together without adult supervision for 3 years. It really makes them feel grown up and helps them learn/remember directions and responsibilty. I remember my son returning to PBH from IOA in tears and he never cries. His sister had made a scene and publicly cussed him out. I had to take DD for walk and long talk.

 

[robvia]

Stayed at the HRH in 2004. Report of that trip is here.
http://www.nogodforme.com/IOA.htm
We let our daughter (13) go with a friend (15), to IOA in the morning. But we were in constant contact with cell phones and we were also in the park. They just wanted to do their own thing, so we let them. We met at the HRC for lunch. They did go to the pool by themselves a few times, but agan, they had cell phones and we told them to be careful.

I'd say that 13 is the age when they are big enough to go with a friend.

 

[sha_lyn]

we've let 16 DS go on his own with us in a park starting about 4 yrs ago. Started letting him go alone to a park9ie us in US wiht im in IOA), or come back to the hotel (onsite at universal) about 2 yrs ago. We have 2 way radios with us that reach all over universal, and this yr he will also have his cell phone. We always set up a meeting time place just in case somethign goes owrng with the radios (had that happen in 2002 at WDW with my family. Lost contact with DH andc couldn't find him and my sister for several hours after they went and transferred us from one hotel to the other) Last jan we actually lost contact with DS for a few hrs because the batteries died in his radio. He ended up being about 30 minutes late meeting us because Shrek had tecnical problems and he didn't realize how long he ended up being in there. Now we will have the phones as a back up.

 

[minijeanie]

if kids teen with cell phone..let them go! they are more interested in seeing attractions then anything else.

guess it really depends on how old theyare?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Depends on the age of the child, my boy is 9 so definitely not.

 

[webray]

Yes, when our kids got around 11, 12, 13, we started letting them go to the parks alone. The only rule was, they had to stick together. We made sure they had money for lunch/souveniers etc and let them go. It was very hard the first time, but we easily got over the nerves when we saw how great they did together and how much fun they had. After that it was a no brainer, they looked forward to their alone time and we looked forward to ours. We always had a specific meeting time/place later in the day, like for dinner or back at room. They didn't have cell phones but they knew if there were any problems to get ahold of the nearest park employee or security person for help.

 

[mickeymousemommy]

I let my boys go alone when we are in the park. They are 13 and 15. They also had a friend who was 15 with them. They had a cell phone and at the time we had the all-you-can-eat wrist bands so they were covered for food. We were also staying at the Royal Pacific. We were in the park at the same time and we checked in with each other often. They've also been allowed to separate from us at Disney World. I think as long as you have a way to keep in contact and they are responsible it's okay.

 

[ksdave]

My kids are now 16 (DD) and 14 (DS), both with cell phones, so we have no problem with them going alone. They are smart, mature individuals and have spent quite alot of time away. Both have been away at Space Camp, sports camps, and my son was away most of last summer marching in a drum corps.
It really depends on how much life experience your kids have had, and what their "normal" behavior is. I know some of my daughter's 16-year-old friends that I wouldn't leave alone for ten minutes. Others I could see going to Europe without "senior" supervision.

 

[DeirdreTours]

Yes! We let our son, starting at age 10 go around the parks alone (although he usually prefers to have someone to share the experience with). Our daughters are 7 and 2-- not quite ready for that much independance. Our son is now 14 and will take one sister or the other off to ride little rides for an hour or so.

Related note: When my son attended Camp Watonka (a pricy boy's science camp), the camp field trip was to Hershey Park. ALL the boys (ages 8-15) were set loose in Hershey Park on their own for the full day. They have been doing this for years without incident.