Has anyone let their hs grads use their DVC?

[TimeforMe]

or any of their kids of similar age?

For my dd's high school graduation, I've always told her that she could stay at WDW in our DVC for a week. Well, she's graduating this June, but now I'm having second thoughts. I thought she'd be so much "older" by then . She's a pretty responsible kid, but I worry about her.

Has anyone else let their kids use DVC and how did it work out?

 

[Pluto4Pres]

My 19yo DS just spent spring break week at VB & BWV. He said they had a great time and so far we haven't had any phone calls from DVC or the police.

 

[CarolMN]

I sent my daughter and two of her cousins to WDW alone (1 Bedroom at BWV). My daughter was 20 at the time and the cousins were 18 and 20.

My daughter also went to WDW (stayed at CB) with a friend when she was 19 and the friend 18. I made the arrangements, which included towncar transportation between MCO and WDW. My daughter was/is an experienced WDW visitor, though.

Of course I worried until she returned safe and sound, but there are a lot of places that are much more worrisome than WDW for a first trip without Mom & Dad.

Best wishes -

P.S. I think you're pretty much stuck letting her go. I'd hate to be at your house when if you decide to break your promise, LOL.

 

[caskar]

I too have promised my daughters a week at BCV with friends when they graduate. Of course, I also told them I would be down the hall if they need anything!

 

[TimeforMe]

I too have promised my daughters a week at BCV with friends when they graduate. Of course, I also told them I would be down the hall if they need anything!

LOL! Yes, I'm trying to talk her into letting me come (mostly because I REALLY want to go to WDW) as long as I don't bother her. So far she's not biting.

CarolMN: I'm afraid you're right. I am committed; reservations made, etc. I do feel a little better knowing it's WDW. I do have to find transportation from the airport to the resort (Boardwalk) for them. Any suggestions?

 

[DVCLiz]

This just came up at our house this week, because my daughter (17 and a senior in high school) is spending spring break at the beach with three friends. It's the first time they've been allowed anywhere without a chaperone. So far it's going well - no rule breaking that I see yet!!! I told her that when she's 18 she'll be able to use our DVC points on her own or with friends - IF she chooses to take friends who are there because they want to have fun at Disney. I told her I wouldn't let her use them if she took friends who just wanted to party!!! She seemed really excited about the idea of being able to go to Hilton Head for spring break with a group of girls, so I think we'll do that in the future!!!!

I wouldn't hesitate to let her get on a plane to Orlando. She knows her way away the airport and WDW, since we go often. We could easily arrange transportation from the airport, and the bus system would be fine for her. I think it's a great idea as long as you have a pretty responsible teen!!!

 

[CarolMN]

...(snip).... I do have to find transportation from the airport to the resort (Boardwalk) for them. Any suggestions?

I'd probably go with Magical Express - especially if your daughter has been to WDW several times already. She should be able to figure out where to go at MCO - or be willing to ask someone for directions if necessary.

Otherwise, the towncars are a good way to go. Someone to meet them at baggage claim, help with luggage and deliver them to their WDW resort. Might be worth the $100 or so just for the peace of mind.

I'm sure you'll survive - even if she won't let you go along. Have you tried offering to stay at a different resort? You'd still be there for her to call on (just in case), but you couldn't really "stalk" her, LOL. She wouldn't even have to tell you her room number. (All the teens worry about parents hovering even if they don't say so directly).

Best wishes -

 

[snowbunny]

I too have promised my daughters a week at BCV with friends when they graduate. Of course, I also told them I would be down the hall if they need anything!

 

[travlnman1]

This is happening for us next year.
I am THRILLED that they are planning DW instead of some place like Cancun!
But, I will tag along with another mother just because we will have girls and boys traveling together. If it was just my DS with his buddies, I'd say "have fun" and send him on his way.

 

[pouncingpluto]

I'm not a parent yet, but when I was 15 my parents let me go to Germany for a year as an exchange student. So... I guess I think 18 sounds like a perfectly reasonable age to travel to Florida on one's own!

 

[DVCLiz]

This is happening for us next year.
I am THRILLED that they are planning DW instead of some place like Cancun!
But, I will tag along with another mother just because we will have girls and boys traveling together. If it was just my DS with his buddies, I'd say "have fun" and send him on his way.

Just curious - is this because there are girlfriend and boyfriend couples in the group, or just for general "boys and girls together" purposes?

I wouldn't want DD to room with established couples, mostly because I remember how awkward it was in college when my roommate and her boyfriend were in the room next door in our apartment, but I wouldn't have a problem if it was just a bunch of friends going together.

DD has 2 girls and 1 boy with her this week - the boy is gay, so no worries there!!!

 

[PlaneJoy1]

CarolMN: I'm afraid you're right. I am committed; reservations made, etc. I do feel a little better knowing it's WDW. I do have to find transportation from the airport to the resort (Boardwalk) for them. Any suggestions?

Sorry to barge in your conversation.... I've been 'lurking' on the DVC boards for a couple of weeks and just returned from WDW and got the SSR tour.

We heard great reviews before our trip about Sunray for transportation and used them last week. They were fabulous! The cost was $90 plus tip and included a grocery stop if you want to pick up some things for your stay.

Just wanted to give you an option.

 

[Poohs Pal]

I would say STAY DOWN the HALL . We didn't belong to DVC when DD was in high school. I let her go to Disney with her science class(chaperoned trip) when she was in the 11th grade. She is a smart girl graduated with honors.I new she'd be well behaved. Now that she's older I just cringe at the stories my sweet little girl tells me about her trip to disney and daytona beach . She survived but i'll never be the same again after hearing the stories . I know she'll go on to college and won't have a parent to keep tabs on her but go on this trip and keep your distance. Have your own fun, let them have their time alone knowing you are there if need be. Let her know you plan to keep your distance and for her to have fun and you won't MOM them but it may keep them from doing something stupid knowing you are there. Susan

 

[Tiggerfan40]

We told DD (now 15) that her Senior year (she will be 18) we will reserve 1 studio for her and 3 friends (girls) and we will reserve another studio for us at the same resort!! They will be on their own, but we will be checking in on them! Depending on our funds at the time - we will use our points for the studios and pay for ALL airfare! They are on their own for park tickets and we will pay for some of their meals (when they are eating with us). This trip will be her "graduation gift" if she choses to do this! She was thrilled to hear about our "plan" now, but then again... she still has 3 more years of high school ahead of her!!

 

[Jen D]

Well, look at it this way, of she is 18 and a hs grad, she's probably going to start traveling on her own soon no matter what (and probably going away to college, perhaps?) WDW is a great place to travel alone for the first time because it is easy, relatively safe, and hard to screw up transportation-wise. You're pretty much in the Disney bubble.

Sounds like a great graduation gift-- what nice parents you are!

 

[TimeforMe]

Wow! Such mixed opinions. She'll be 18. I reserved a one-bedroom and I think she'll be bringing two other friends with her. Both are very nice girls. She's been to WDW enough to know her way around pretty well. I do know, however, that she plans on going to the dance clubs at PI. What are the age requirements for these places? Anyone know? Do they let minors in only up until a certain time?

JenD--that's what I was thinking. She'll be going pretty much 2 weeks before she's off to college and living on her own. I'm sure college will have many more temptations than WDW, right?

 

[Jen D]

JenD--that's what I was thinking. She'll be going pretty much 2 weeks before she's off to college and living on her own. I'm sure college will have many more temptations than WDW, right?

You don't even want to think about it!

(ETA a smiley-- didn't mean to sound scary.)

I really do think this is a great first trip alone.

 

[CarolMN]

...(snip)..... I do know, however, that she plans on going to the dance clubs at PI. What are the age requirements for these places? Anyone know? Do they let minors in only up until a certain time?.....

Drinking age is 21 and they do enforce it so no worries there.

She and her friends (assume they are all at least 18) will be able to get into all of the PI clubs except on the weekends when two of them are 21 and older only. The 21+ clubs are BET (on Friday and Saturday nights) and Mannequins (Thursday - Saturday).

Here's some more info on PI & the clubs -

Disney's Pleasure Island

Best wishes -

 

[Sammie]

Wow! Such mixed opinions. She'll be 18. I reserved a one-bedroom and I think she'll be bringing two other friends with her. Both are very nice girls. She's been to WDW enough to know her way around pretty well. I do know, however, that she plans on going to the dance clubs at PI. What are the age requirements for these places? Anyone know? Do they let minors in only up until a certain time?

JenD--that's what I was thinking. She'll be going pretty much 2 weeks before she's off to college and living on her own. I'm sure college will have many more temptations than WDW, right?

Oh definitely college will have more temptations that WDW. Dorms are coed now with little restriction to having opposite sex visitations. Coed sleepovers are quite the norm. Alcohol and worse is very easy to come by, regardless of your age. If your daugher does not know right from wrong by now, she won't learn it before she leaves home.

As to comments ranging, that is with all things. Parent's have to do what they are comfortable with. If you are comfortable with your daughter, don't give it another thought.

The main concern my parent's had at this age was not about my behavior, but more was I going somewhere we could have fun and be safe too. WDW is the perfect place for that.

Tell her to enjoy her present and give you a big hug for giving it to her.

 

[Boston5602]

My 19yo DS just spent spring break week at VB & BWV. He said they had a great time and so far we haven't had any phone calls from DVC or the police.