How old to ride alone?

[ChiTownZee]

I was just having a discussion with my DD about her riding alone...she thinks she's old enough to do a height requirement ride that her sister can't get on alone (she'll be 9 next time) and I disagree LOL
I just wanted to post and see what your opinions were. how old do you think is old enough? How old were your kids when you let them go on? TIA!

 

[dejr_8]

My son is seven and we let him go on any ride that he wants to. I think letting him have that independence (sp?) in the safe enviroment of Disney is good learning experience.

 

[cleo]

It depends on the ride and it depends on the kid. I'm probably more strict than most, but I would be comfortable letting my now-13 year old son ride anything he can't really get hurt on alone, but I would hesitate on something like the big coasters at Busch, Seaworld, IoA. I think he's pretty trustworthy and would never do anything 'stupid' on a ride, but, even though he's bigger than I am, he's still a 'kid' in some ways.

In the past I would have said 13 is plenty old. But when the 12-13 year old boy overrode the restraints and stood up on Triple Hurricane last year at Cypress Gardens, and nearly killed himself falling out, I had a slight change of heart and decided another year or two riding with Mom on the biggest coasters might not be a bad idea. It's fear more than anything, but it's where I personally draw the line.

 

[fizz13]

I think every child is different and only you know how responsible they are to come out and meet you at a desiganted spot near exit etc. My DD is 7 and although very wise for her age I think i may wait a couple of years as she is likely to get anxious if she came out and din't see me straight away although I'm sure she would be ok riding alone. I just need to know she won't panic on her own. i think 9 is probably ok, as long as you know they are not so brave as to go it alone further

 

[makinorlando]

My DD9 rides many rides alone.

Goofy's Barnstormer, Indy Cars, Tea Cups, Magic Carpet & Dumbo, and Big Thunder Mountain (5 times in a row on 7/1 and 9 times in a row on 7/3 - she got to be great friends with the CMS!) at MK. She has also done Primevil Whirl & Triceratop Twirl at AK. With a FP I think she would do Test Track alone.

Depending on the wait time, some times I go in line with her other times, I wait near the exit. We are local and spend a great deal of time at the parks, so she is very comfortable in her surroundings and the "process". BTMR is really the only of these rides that if I do not get in line with her that she is out of my sight for most of the wait time. These are rides that I don't care for or that make me feel ill, and this is they only way she gets to ride since she is an only child and I am a single Mom. I feel comfortable with this bit of independence for my DDs maturity level. I know she respects the rules (she is a rule follower by nature) and at this point would not try to do anything that might be dangerous or get her in trouble on the ride!!

She will not do Space Mtn alone - she loves the ride, but does not want to be in the dark without someone she knows, she also likes RNRC and TOT, but has not asked to go on them alone.

BTW I was told at Primevil Whirl that if she was 7 and met the height requirement she could ride alone - she was 8 and met the requirement at the time.

I know this is a decision that each parent needs to make for their child/ren, but it works well for us!

 

[nickeymouse]

Let them go on rides that they won't be scared of. Or to small for. I went on rides when I was up to it.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I would absolutely let a 9 year old ride whatever she wanted by herself.

I agree with her that it just wouldn't be fair to make her stay off because her sister can't ride. (She may not have said it yet, but she will if you don't let her! )

But I stand by your right to make the choice. You're the mom!

Have a good trip!

 

[BlueJeansGirl]

This is a hard one - I have 2 kids, DD11 and DS4 - I would let DD ride alone if she wanted, but personally have not been asked that question yet! If she wanted to, and you know your child is responsible enough, then it would be fine. I agree with other posters - I would wait by the exit, and make sure she was comfortable with her surroundings.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I am dealing with this same issue for our upcoming trip since it will be my first time taking my girls alone (ages 6 and 10). DD10 wants to ride HM, RnR, SpM and Splash by herself (younger DD won't go on these). I am not really concerned about the ride part--just the wait in line. I am concerned about others harassing her. She is very tall for her age and has been "hit on" by teen boys that don't realize how young she really is. She doesn't know yet how to handle herself in that type of situation--or anytime older kids or adults are making her uncomfortable.

Also, I disagree with a previously poster who said that Disney is a "safe environment"--I think you need to be cautious in every environment--and if I were a pedophile Disney would be like a giant candy store. I know that there are no confirmed incidents that have happened--but I don't want to be the first! Anyone could be "groped" while standing in a crowded line, and no one would see it happening. I am not being paranoid--I just believe that it is my responsibility to keep my children safe and I take that responsibility seriously. To me 10 is still pretty young, and she is pretty naive and sensitive--not "street smart" like many kids her age.

My hope is that I can stand in line with her until she gets on the ride and then wait for her at the exit. It all depends on where the "chicken exit" is on each particular ride. I guess I will just ask the CM outside each ride and make the decision on the spot. (I don't think HM has one?) I am not even sure that DD6 is tall enough for RnR--if she isn't then I won't be able to get in line with her so she will have to skip it this trip.

Of course I also worry that if there is a problem with the ride and it gets stuck she could panic. She wouldn't try to get out, but she would be really upset and it could really ruin her trip-- she gets very anxious about things like that. If I am with her she would be okay, but by herself it would be upsetting to her.

I am hoping that it will be so hot that by the time we get to those rides she will be tired and cranky and decide she doesn't want to bother with it!!!!

 

[Mousema]

My DS was 8 when he rode some rides alone. He got on Teacups with 2 older women and made them sick spinning. Now you know why I let him!