Have the recent goings on...

[snowman]

changed how much freedom you are willing to let your young Teens have?

We are leaving in 33 days (but I'm not counting) for Wilderness Lodge. The boys are 13 (almost 14) and 14.5. Originally we had intended to let them split from us (within the same park) and to drop them off at Disney Quest while we shopped at DTD.

They are reasonably responsible boys - both are Scouts, have attended Cub Camp as leadership (responsible for younger boys), etc. So we weren't really worried about them wandering away. But with things like the alleged mugging at DTD, pipebomb at DTD, and now the Tea-Cup, line cutting match we are rethinking our stance.

Have you had second thoughts about how far you let your teens go alone?

 

[kpk89]

I must be living in a cave, as I haven't heard of these incidents. And though I don't (yet) have teenagers, I still believe that of all places to give them a bit of freedom, Disney seems like the place.

 

[Hannathy]

No they haven't affected how I would act at all. I would still do what you were planning, seems fine to me and I have a 15 yr old DD, who was 14 on our last trip and we gave her lot's of freedom. She stayed at EPCOT herself and came back to POP on the bus when she remembered she just had to have something from Japan and we were at the front gate! No way I was walking that far again. She also took her little brother to the arcade, pool, and places with in the parks by themselves.

The incident at DTD with the abduction has pretty much been ruled a made up incident as far as I have read so I wouldn't worry, but DTD is probably the last place I would allow complete freedom because of it's openness to the public.- This doesn't include remaining inside DQ by themselves.

 

[Tinker74]

What have I missed?? ...Whats the tea cups line cutting match?
It sounds interesting.....

 

[snowman]

The incident at DTD with the abduction has pretty much been ruled a made up incident as far as I have read so I wouldn't worry, but DTD is probably the last place I would allow complete freedom because of it's openness to the public.- This doesn't include remaining inside DQ by themselves.

That's what I thought I had read too. However, I figured I'd err on the side of caution when I included it in my list of recent, unpleasant Disney news items.

What have I missed?? ...Whats the tea cups line cutting match? It sounds interesting.....

I just meant the 2 women who got in a brawl over one cutting in front of the other in line at the Tea Cups. If that still doesn't sound familiar check out the Theme Park forums - they have several posts about it.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Next time I go to Disney I'm wearing a tee shirt that says:

"I got beat up in the Tea Cup line"

I know it's not funny in a nice way, but it sure is in a mean one. And of course, one of the participants was from Alabama. Which just makes it funnier. In a sad, demented kinda way.

Seriously, unless you're worried about your kids actively participating in mayhem, let 'em loose and relax.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I just meant the 2 women who got in a brawl over one cutting in front of the other in line at the Tea Cups. If that still doesn't sound familiar check out the Theme Park forums - they have several posts about it.

OMG...how sad. I haven't read the story and quite frankly I probably won't, but it does sound like somebody was wound a little too tightly that day. I wouldn't be too happy about a line cutter, but to have a brawl over it. Wow...hope it wasn't a Dis'er.

 

[darlak]

None of the recent events on have changed my opinion on the topic. I wouldn't let my almost 14 y/o daughter go off alone or with a friend anywhere in WDW before and I won't now. Maybe it's because I work in the field of child welfare, but unfortunately, I know there are perverts everywhere, but especially choose to frequent places where children like to congregate.

 

[Camping Griswalds]

We are going in Jamuary. We are planning to let 15 yo son and best friend "roam" the park we are in by themselves if they so wish. Meet up to eat etc. They both have cell phones too. Nice responsible boys. Now my 11yo and his best friend, we will let them go on say Space Mtn by themselves, and wait for them outside the exit. We are not as trusting of them. We probably won't be when they are 15 either, they are ALL Boy, mischevious and devious! But charming in their own younger brother ways. Last trip our boys were 13 and 9. My mom and I went to the movies and they stayed in Disneyquest. They were not with friends on that trip though. I think youngest gets in more trouble with a friend along, but he is always happier, so we are letting each bring a friend for first time to Disney. I feel Disney is pretty safe. Probably a lot of stuff goes on that we (the public) don't know about, but I do think the teenagers if they are not the "trouble seeking " kind will be fine!