Enforcement of 14 yr old restriction

[Magpie]

Yes, I know what the rule is, and yes, we are thinking about breaking it. I am not asking for advice how to circumvent the rules, as the above poster indicated, we either let them go in alone or we don't. I was just wondering what people's experience has been with the rule's enforcement since they increased the age a couple years ago. I appreciate everyone's input, even those who say we shouldn't for whatever reason.

That said, criticizing someone for "breaking a rule" is a pretty unstable high horse to sit on. Everyone breaks rules. Everyone assess rules and laws, weighs the consequences of breaking them both to themselves and other people it may affect, against the potential benefit to them, and then decides whether they should follow it. Everyone. Unless you have never driven over the speed limit, always make a full stop at every stop sign, etc., you aren't coming from a position of moral authority.

This is a rule almost everyone believes came out of crowd control efforts at DL, trying to reign in the practice of locals using DL as an all day or after school "day-care". Even Disney has all but admitted that. From what I have gathered, they don't even try to enforce it, particularly at WDW. Possibly breaking this rule on our 7-day vacation to WDW does not affect anyone else, I am not harming Disney or inconveniencing other guests. If my children were untrustworthy, unruly (yes, I see the irony of using this word), and inconsiderate, I wouldn't even be considering it. Honestly, my children are more considerate, mature, and capable than many of the adults I encounter in the park. They have been going for years and certainly know the parks and overall WDW resort better that most. And in this day of cell phone, wifi, and GPS, kids are never "alone" anymore anyway. So, in my evaluation of whether we should follow this rule, I have decided its not important to follow it.

I'd just warn your kids, when they head off to the park, that they might be asked their age and denied entry. As long as they're cool with that, it's all good!

FWIW, I am very glad my mum wasn't too strict about following rules either, when I was a kid. I still have very happy memories of seeing the local planetarium many times when I was four. It was my favourite show, and I practically had the script memorized, but some reason there was a rule saying no one under the age of six could enter the planetarium. I remember my mother saying to the staff, "Of course, she's six! I should know, I gave birth to her!"

And inevitably, when my son was a great hulking oversized four year old himself, I found myself buying a Mars simulator ride ticket for him and crossing my fingers they wouldn't ask his age, because the sign said, "Not appropriate for children under the age of seven." They didn't ask, and he loved it! (As I knew he would.)

The one time I don't break the rules is when it has anything to do with physical safety (ie, height limits, weight limits, etc.) or impacts other people in some way. For example, given how popular the Jedi Training Academy is, I probably wouldn't try to sign up an underage kid, no matter how mature they might be. Too many other kids want that spot!

 

[whiporee]

I think ages might be on the MB (if not now, then soon) so there might be an underage flag at the entry, where the kids get blued if there's no parent in first. Then they'd be asked where their folks are.

I don't know how big a deal this is to WDW, but if they wanted to enforce it, that's how I'd do it.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

But since 10 years old is old enough to ride by themselves, why would the CMs have asked if they were in the park by themselves? I'm sure they just assumed the parents were nearby and just didn't want to ride.

We have gone with our kids and I understood the rule to be that children UNDER 7 had to be accompanied by someone over 14. What rule are they talking about?

ETA: NM. The rule about entering the park.

 

[Pixie Dust ✨]

I think ages might be on the MB (if not now, then soon) so there might be an underage flag at the entry, where the kids get blued if there's no parent in first. Then they'd be asked where their folks are.

I don't know how big a deal this is to WDW, but if they wanted to enforce it, that's how I'd do it.

This won't work because families aren't always on the same MDE account, some families don't have MDE accounts or MBs at all (those not staying on property, etc), parents take cousins/other relatives/friends without their parents being present, etc. Too much work for the CMs for something that's not a major issue anyway.

 

[maxiesmom]

The Moderators must not have seen this post, because if they had it would be shut down. The Dis frowns heavily on people asking how to get around Disney's rules.

 

[Hibiscus]

The Moderators must not have seen this post, because if they had it would be shut down. The Dis frowns heavily on people asking how to get around Disney's rules.

I'm sure it's been reported multiple times by busybodies with nothing better to do. The thing is, there's no discussion of "how to break the rules." It must really be getting under some people's skin.

 

[whiporee]

This won't work because families aren't always on the same MDE account, some families don't have MDE accounts or MBs at all (those not staying on property, etc), parents take cousins/other relatives/friends without their parents being present, etc. Too much work for the CMs for something that's not a major issue anyway.

They'd just ask who they were with when the circle went blue. No longer a question than asking their age.

I agree they don't seem to make this a priority, but that's just a lawsuit away.

 

[Pixie Dust ✨]

They'd just ask who they were with when the circle went blue. No longer a question than asking their age.

I agree they don't seem to make this a priority, but that's just a lawsuit away.

Can you imagine how many kids they'd have to ask? What about those that just happen to "tap in" before Mom & Dad? No way will this ever be implemented.

 

[Nancyg56]

Yes, I know what the rule is, and yes, we are thinking about breaking it. I am not asking for advice how to circumvent the rules, as the above poster indicated, we either let them go in alone or we don't. I was just wondering what people's experience has been with the rule's enforcement since they increased the age a couple years ago. I appreciate everyone's input, even those who say we shouldn't for whatever reason.

That said, criticizing someone for "breaking a rule" is a pretty unstable high horse to sit on. Everyone breaks rules. Everyone assess rules and laws, weighs the consequences of breaking them both to themselves and other people it may affect, against the potential benefit to them, and then decides whether they should follow it. Everyone. Unless you have never driven over the speed limit, always make a full stop at every stop sign, etc., you aren't coming from a position of moral authority.

This is a rule almost everyone believes came out of crowd control efforts at DL, trying to reign in the practice of locals using DL as an all day or after school "day-care". Even Disney has all but admitted that. From what I have gathered, they don't even try to enforce it, particularly at WDW. Possibly breaking this rule on our 7-day vacation to WDW does not affect anyone else, I am not harming Disney or inconveniencing other guests. If my children were untrustworthy, unruly (yes, I see the irony of using this word), and inconsiderate, I wouldn't even be considering it. Honestly, my children are more considerate, mature, and capable than many of the adults I encounter in the park. They have been going for years and certainly know the parks and overall WDW resort better that most. And in this day of cell phone, wifi, and GPS, kids are never "alone" anymore anyway. So, in my evaluation of whether we should follow this rule, I have decided its not important to follow it.

You get to do whatever you want to do, we all understand that. O will not speak for anyone else, but my concern with breaking this rule in particular is for the CM's who allow your children entry. Disney holds their CM's accountable for their decisions. In the event one of your children gets hurt y ou can take it to the bank that the employee responsible for allowing your child entry will be held accountable. The kid will be tracked from the time he or she enters the park until the time he or she leaves, the cm that overlooks an under age child who will be discovered.

Now, if I break a rule and I alone am responsible that is on me. If I break a rule and someone else is accountable for my behavior, well shame on me. Please do not try to compare your kids sneaking in to a park and taking a chance that no one will be fired because of it with sliding through a stop sign and me getting the ticket. They are apples and oranges arguments. Your argument is similar to the ones people used to use when they were able to get CM's to make changes on the DDP. There had been a time when Disney did not enforce the rules but then they did. And CM's were reprimanded if they got snookered. IMO, this is the same thing. Snooker the CM and hope no one finds out or nothing happens that implicates an innocent employee who let one slide.

You said you did not want validation, and I believe you. You are providing your reasoning why your rules breaking is acceptable and I am not on board. I am pretty much a rule follower in my life, but in the event I choose to break one, I know that I alone will pay the price. I never ever put anyone else in employment jeopardy.

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm sure it's been reported multiple times by busybodies with nothing better to do. The thing is, there's no discussion of "how to break the rules." It must really be getting under some people's skin.

This is no different than a post asking if Disney really checks how many people are in a resort room. It is pretty clear what the intent is. Let's not split hairs.

I really don't care much what the OP does, and only to the extent of wondering who would be held accountable if something did happen while the kids were in the park without an adult along. I mean, would they care enough to punish the OP and their family by banning them from the parks? Would they just give them a stern talking to? I've seen people get hurt in the parks, so it does happen.

 

[Hibiscus]

Can you imagine how many kids they'd have to ask? What about those that just happen to "tap in" before Mom & Dad? No way will this ever be implemented.

You know people don't listen to rules and would never follow "adults swipe in first." It's also a nightmare from an IT perspective. And what would you do, question a toddler? Just a bad idea all around.

 

[maxiesmom]

You know people don't listen to rules and would never follow "adults swipe in first." It's also a nightmare from an IT perspective. And what would you do, question a toddler? Just a bad idea all around.

Families usually stay together. It would be easy enough to make an adult claim their child at the tap styles before getting into the park.

 

[MinnieMSue]

Since your kids are responsible I don't see any problems. If someone let their rotten brats who decided to act up go alone when underage I can see CM or security asking about parents and holding them until parents show up to take them out of park. That is really the only instance Disney would care I would imagine.

 

[Hibiscus]

Families usually stay together. It would be easy enough to make an adult claim their child at the tap styles before getting into the park.

They are not going to risk what will amount to EXCESSIVE delays at the entrance for something that affects virtually nobody. It's a (bad) solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

Yes, this means that other people might get away with things.

 

[maxiesmom]

They are not going to risk what will amount to EXCESSIVE delays at the entrance for something that affects virtually nobody. It's a (bad) solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

Yes, this means that other people might get away with things.

I'm not seeing that it would case excessive delays. But I agree, they won't do anything about it. At least, not until something happens that makes it a priority for them.

 

[mjkacmom]

You get to do whatever you want to do, we all understand that. O will not speak for anyone else, but my concern with breaking this rule in particular is for the CM's who allow your children entry. Disney holds their CM's accountable for their decisions. In the event one of your children gets hurt y ou can take it to the bank that the employee responsible for allowing your child entry will be held accountable. The kid will be tracked from the time he or she enters the park until the time he or she leaves, the cm that overlooks an under age child who will be discovered.

Now, if I break a rule and I alone am responsible that is on me. If I break a rule and someone else is accountable for my behavior, well shame on me. Please do not try to compare your kids sneaking in to a park and taking a chance that no one will be fired because of it with sliding through a stop sign and me getting the ticket. They are apples and oranges arguments. Your argument is similar to the ones people used to use when they were able to get CM's to make changes on the DDP. There had been a time when Disney did not enforce the rules but then they did. And CM's were reprimanded if they got snookered. IMO, this is the same thing. Snooker the CM and hope no one finds out or nothing happens that implicates an innocent employee who let one slide.

You said you did not want validation, and I believe you. You are providing your reasoning why your rules breaking is acceptable and I am not on board. I am pretty much a rule follower in my life, but in the event I choose to break one, I know that I alone will pay the price. I never ever put anyone else in employment jeopardy.

Why would the CM be responsible? If they are supposed to ask proof of age, sure. It seems like WDW doesn't care if younger kids are there, since they don't police it at all. I see no harm.

 

[ellie05]

I understand that op has her mind made up and honestly if kids are well behave I don't see a problem, but I can't get pass a parent telling their kids to lie. What kind of lesson does that teach?

 

[ellie05]

Why would the CM be responsible? If they are supposed to ask proof of age, sure. It seems like WDW doesn't care if younger kids are there, since they don't police it at all. I see no harm.

If wdw didn't care they would have not made the rule. I think the problem is that CM don't enforce the rule which could be lack of training or they just don't want to do it.

 

[mjkacmom]

If wdw didn't care they would have not made the rule. I think the problem is that CM don't enforce the rule which could be lack of training or they just don't want to do it.

How would they enforce it? Kids don't carry ID, kids under 14 can be on the parks far from their parents. It would be nuts trying to make sure every 13ish kid was entering with a parent. They just wanted fewer parents using DL as a daycare center.

 

[maxiesmom]

How would they enforce it? Kids don't carry ID, kids under 14 can be on the parks far from their parents. It would be nuts trying to make sure every 13ish kid was entering with a parent. They just wanted fewer parents using DL as a daycare center.

If they wanted to they could easily enforce it via magicbands or a park pass.