How old for on their own?

[Desert Dwellers]

When I was setting up my package thru Disney, I told the CM my kids' ages - 12 and 9. His suggestion was to get the dining vouchers for when my kids were on their own. His reasoning was if I gave them cash for food, they might blow it on stuff, and then not eat properly. So if I gave them the vouchers, I could be sure they would be eating.

I told him I was not in that space yet where I would allow them to go off on their own. My husband and I want to ride all the rides the kids want to, and it's fun for us to do it together. But between reading the leash (yikes) thread and the lost child tag thread, I am wondering, what age is appropriate for kids to explore DL independently? What have other parents done?

 

[Tasscrapper]

We let our 13 year old go off on her own in the same park with a cell phone. Every time she left an area she called to say where she was headed.

 

[Canyon girl]

I don't really think that you can put a definitive age on that. It would have to depend on the maturity of the child. I have a hard time thinking that my dd(9) will be able at 12 to go off by herself.

 

[anotherdisneygal]

i don't really think that you can put a definitive age on that. It would have to depend on the maturity of the child. I have a hard time thinking that my dd(9) will be able at 12 to go off by herself.

+1

 

[AliceinHalloweentown]

At 12, when I had a cellphone, my mom let me go off with a friend at the MK at WDW. I called her more than she said I had to!

Disneyland (the Kingdom parks in general), are very easy to navigate due to the hub-and-spokes layout, and at a certain age, it's pretty difficult to lost, and with a cellphone you can make sure she's okay.

I'd just let kids know that they can always go to a castmember if they can't get a hold of you..

 

[mystic_path]

I think that at 12 or 13 you at least have most skills and to know better not to talk to strangers, stay together or in groups and stay where there are other people, Do not leave the park, do not steal etc. I think if they had a cell phone they can use to call you its OK. Even if its just letting them off the leash for an hour or so, so they can go do their own thing. At that age they are going to start wanting even more independence anyway. Giving them a bit more but while on the end of a leash so they cant wander too far never hurt anyone.

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

I agree w/ you Mystic Path & I think mostly bc I DON'T go to DL regularly (like when I was a teen we did Metro's Castle & Coasters free of parents) - it's a BIG deal & I want us to be together as a family. Also, it's NOT common ground - a different state, different than home.

I do remember however at about 13/14 being embarassed to be seen w/ family, trailing behind - pretending I didn't know them

At 13 we went to DL, I was w/ my family. At 16 when we went they let me bring a friend & we went off together, I actually really respect that my g-ma understood how important it was for a teen to NOT be w/ family always.

The next time we go the kids will be 5 & 11 - they are SO staying close by. Whe they get older (if they'll go) I'll try & implement the friend thing is we can afford it.

 

[kkmcan]

Our kids (12, 9) have been allowed to go through Bugs Land while Dh and I have a glass of wine at WCT. They get 20-30 minutes and they take a cell phone. Thats about the extent of which I would let them go by themselves. Otherwise we do all the rides and shows together.

I has worked well and they have showed that they can handle it. They come back on time, they behave and don't argue with each other and they stay together.

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't know how old DS will be, but I know I was wandering Great America (amusement park in San Jose CA) by 10 (with friends).


However, you've read up on what the dining plan is and, more importantly, is not, right???

 

[JadeDarkstar]

when i was 12 an my older friend was 14 or 15 my mom an dad let us go around the park mostly alone. but it wouldn't have happened with out my friend there

I say with a phone 12 or 13 is good age but make sure they know not to leave the park an call you or scream if some stranger tried to take them. You scream stranger or Fire an it usely gets any ones attrition

 

[mystic_path]

I agree w/ you Mystic Path & I think mostly bc I DON'T go to DL regularly (like when I was a teen we did Metro's Castle & Coasters free of parents) - it's a BIG deal & I want us to be together as a family. Also, it's NOT common ground - a different state, different than home.

I do remember however at about 13/14 being embarassed to be seen w/ family, trailing behind - pretending I didn't know them

At 13 we went to DL, I was w/ my family. At 16 when we went they let me bring a friend & we went off together, I actually really respect that my g-ma understood how important it was for a teen to NOT be w/ family always.

The next time we go the kids will be 5 & 11 - they are SO staying close by. Whe they get older (if they'll go) I'll try & implement the friend thing is we can afford it.

Well its healthy for everyone to split up for awhile. I mean its wonderful that you can do things as a family, but everyone does eventually need their space. Just last year me being the youngest at 25 yrs of age went to DL with my parents and brother. It was about 6 days into the trip and we hadnt separated once. We get along so well and we love each other dearly, but we were in Toontown about to have it out with each other. We all said ENOUGH and ended up splitting for about 6 hours, but still met up for dinner later that night.

That kind of independence starts at around 12/13. Its true, kids at 13 dont want to be seen with their parents, and want to do their own thing anyway. Its so healthy for them to experience things on their own. Its the only way they are going to get skills. But kids remember this time too, and they do appreciate it.

My mom always said "When you kids were teenagers, I gave you just enough rope to throw yourself off that cliff, but I was always there to pull you back up".

 

[pixiewings71]

I have 2 kids, 12 & 9, we do let them go off on their own but only to ride a ride that DBF and I don't want to do. We usually stay in the same "land" they are in, the exception to that rule is if we are pin trading and the kids want to ride Space w/FP, then we give them a phone and tell them to go have fun. They use the FP, we do some pin trading and a good time is had by all. Works for us and we are comfortable with our girls maturity levels and the knowledge they have of the park. But it's up to each family to determine if your child is mature enough to do that. I know that with some of the girls' friends no way would I let them go off alone.

 

[avalon451]

There was a thread about this a few months ago. Some people were appalled that anyone would let their kids go off on their own at age 12, others said that it was ok. I think it's completely subjective depending on the maturity of the kid. Everybody knows their own best. Mine were 11 and 13 and would have been fine with a cell phone and a time limit, although it never ended up that we split up.

Like Bumbershoot said, though, don't get the dining vouchers, they're a ripoff. If you want to get something for $7.50 and you use the $10.00 voucher, you won't get change back. It's nothing like the WDW vouchers. If you want to get your kids something to carry around, use gift cards-- they're good most anywhere in the parks for food or souvenirs.

 

[Monica D]

My kids are the same ages, and at this point I wouldn't let them go off on their own. If my 12 year old were with a friend the same age, I might let them do a ride or two. He has a cell phone so we could keep in touch that way.

 

[Desert Dwellers]

Our kids (12, 9) have been allowed to go through Bugs Land while Dh and I have a glass of wine at WCT. They get 20-30 minutes and they take a cell phone. Thats about the extent of which I would let them go by themselves. Otherwise we do all the rides and shows together.

I like this idea verrrry much, kkmcan. It gives the kids some independence, which I know they crave, but in a controlled, limited area. And my husband and I can have a mini-date. I started a pre-trip report, and I'm adding this tip to my plans for a wonderful visit.

I know each child is different, and I tend to be a worrier. That's why it's nice to have other people's perspectives. I can gauge if I'm being reasonable or need to adjust my thinking. A good compromise like kkmcan suggested is terrific.

Oh, I'm staying away from the dining vouchers. No one loves a bargain more than me, and if you got $200 worth of dining for $150, I'd be all over it. But only Disney wins with this little scheme.

 

[PinkBudgie]

It's funny, but what bothered me the most was his suggestion that the dining plan would be good for kids off on their own. Like they know it isn't a good deal and they are trying to figure out a way to sell it. Especially since a gift card with what ever amount you wanted would be much easier and and the unused amount stays on the card.

My boys were almost 15 when they went off on their own for the first time- with cell phones last summer. I think them being twins makes it easier for me because they are the same age and watch out for each other.

 

[mystic_path]

It's funny, but what bothered me the most was his suggestion that the dining plan would be good for kids off on their own. Like they know it isn't a good deal and they are trying to figure out a way to sell it. Especially since a gift card with what ever amount you wanted would be much easier and and the unused amount stays on the card.

My boys were almost 15 when they went off on their own for the first time- with cell phones last summer. I think them being twins makes it easier for me because they are the same age and watch out for each other.

What I think is the worst about this guy mentioning that your young kids run off on their own is the fact that he has obviously heard about this or seen someone let their underage children do this or he wouldnt have mentioned it.

 

[Desert Dwellers]

I know every industry encourages their employees to up-sell, whether it's pushing dessert at a restaurant or the extended warranty at the electronics store.

I gave the CM the benefit of the doubt that he was just reading off the "suggested further services" script and lost track of the kids' ages. I've never spoken with a booking CM when they didn't say, "Have you ever experienced a character meal?" So I blew off his idea about the vouchers, but the idea of the kids going it alone stayed with me.

 

[Zoemakes5]

We let the boys go off on their own, and have for a couple of years. They've had cel phones, and had rather specific guidelines about what we would allow them to do, when they needed to be back, etc. I've felt like, if there's any place that I'd feel comfortable going off on their own, DL would be the place.
When we were there with friends last summer, we let them take Zoe, too. In that instance, we were at Cafe Orleans, and there were four older kids, ages 11-14. They went to Pirate's Lair and then over to Buzz, and called us when they went from one place to another.

 

[pixleyyy]

Does Disney have an age for letting kids ride without parents? I'm wondering about this because on occasion DH and I won't want to go on a ride (Mulholland Madness ) and I'd be willing to let them go on it alone. I do have a 12yo very responsible DS that I would let have a little freedom in the parks and to watch over the other 2 on that ride, but I wondered what the "policy" is about riding without parents. Anyone know?