how old to wonder around disney alone

[Tashinwdw]

I will start off by saying that my kids are 15, 14,13 and 10. They have asked if the can go off on their own (well together, and probably just the older three) while they are at MK. My dh does not like the idea, he is not trusting at all, I feel it should be ok, if they have a phone we can contact them with and they stick together and then we have a designated meet up time. I would think it wont be the first day we spend at MK but probably days after that, Do you think it will be ok?

 

[wilkeliza]

I will start off by saying that my kids are 15, 14,13 and 10. They have asked if the can go off on their own (well together, and probably just the older three) while they are at MK. My dh does not like the idea, he is not trusting at all, I feel it should be ok, if they have a phone we can contact them with and they stick together and then we have a designated meet up time. I would think it wont be the first day we spend at MK but probably days after that, Do you think it will be ok?

You have to be 14 to enter the park alone but only 7 to be inside the park alone. As long as they know not to split up from each other and that they are to check in with you and have a time and spot mapped out before you should be fine.

Also give each of them written copies of your plans and your cell phone number. Tell them if at any point and time they feel they need to find you and their cell is dead or whatever to go straight to guest relations or baby care/ first aid and call you. I feel like giving kids straight directions helps in their first time out on their own.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Personally, I see no issue with kids that age going off together at WDW. Kids that age do many things independently, from walking home alone from school to babysitting other people's kids (here in NZ you can babysit from 14).

As for the 10 year old, I'm more on the fence. It would depend on the maturity of the older two to watch him/her and only you know the dynamics of your kids.

I know your DH doesn't like having too many ADRs planned, but what about having a lunch reservation for a day you plan on letting the kids be independent? He might feel more at ease knowing there is a point in the day when you are all coming back together and can sit down and discuss how things have been going.

 

[ssour]

I don't have kids that age yet but if my LO was that old and had company I'd let him wander on his own. Last time I was in Magic Kingdom there were school tours of kids that age that had let them break off into small groups and tour on their own. Maybe knowing that teachers allow it will help DH feel more comfortable?

 

[PrincessInOz]

You and your DH know your kids best. If the older 3 are fairly sensible and know to keep together and out of trouble, then it will come down to whether you would like to give them some personal freedom to make their way around the "world".

Whilst there are dangers everywhere, at least there are plenty of CM around at WDW that the kids can go seek help from in case of an emergency.


But for the record. I'm with you. Your oldest will be old enough to apply for a Learner's permit to drive in a year. You and your DH will be facing letting the 15 y.o. loose in a car soon if the 15 chooses to want that sort of freedom.

Your only issue could be with the 10 yo wanting to tag along. What are you going to say to that child?

(And I was provided with an incredible amount of independence as a child by the time I was 9. My parents used to let us loose on the bikes with some money. The only caveat was to come home for dinner. You do learn to be street smart very quick.)

 

[zanzibar138]

I don't have kids, so not sure what my opinion is worth here

However, I feel that MK is probably about the safest place in the world to start giving kids some independence. If things go wrong (eg they can't find you again etc) there are plenty of CMs around to help. If they know to stick together, and the older ones are responsible enough to look after the younger ones, I can't see a problem with it.

On the other hand, if you're not comfortable letting your 10 year old go off with the other kids, you may be setting yourself up for trouble!

I tend to agree with PIO. I used to take my pony out for hours with my friends from about 10, and on my own from about 12. And there's a heck of a lot more that can go wrong with that scenario

 

[Tashinwdw]

Thanks for the feedback.

It will not be a problem with the 10 year old he wont want to go with them. Last time we went to WDW when we were at the water parks they all went off to do their own thing and it worked out ok, I think because if feels like a smaller area and therefore feels safer (probably no logic there at all)

I am all for them going off and exploring MK themselves as I am hoping that by the time they get on the cruise then they will be willing to go and join in on the different age group clubs. As you have said, when we were that young we were babysitting children, out on the streets playing till dark most nights, and by 14 we were hanging at the mall each week at late night shopping time. We ended up building a cabin at the coast because of that reason that kids dont seem to go outside and hang like we did. There they do that, from morning till night they are outside enjoying the sunshine, they love to play spotlight each night.

Its good to get your opinions and it will help me be stronger in my determination to encourage DH to allow this to happen. I will make sure that I put in place the safety guides you have all suggested. I was going to get DH and I phones once we arrived but I think I will also get 2 more for the kids to share when we do split up.

 

[ky71]

Each child is different and even though some can be trusted at 10 yrs some cannot be alone at 15 yrs! You know what your child is capable of - let that be your guide.
Having said that, I know I won't be popular for the following...

In MK when my eldest DS was almost 12yrs we let him go to EMH in the morning alone (whilst we did the KTTK tour) and the rest of the family slept in. He was fine and by the end of our tour he seemed to be "shadowing" where we went-lol. He did not need to eat or leave the park but he had money, his KTTW card, a US cell phone with all of our numbers both programmed on the phone and written on a card in his pocket. He was fine.

When that same DS was 10yrs at Epcot we left him to look after his baby brother who was sleeping in a stroller and he waited patiently whilst my DD and I rode Test Track. Both the baby and him had been fed, were sitting in the shade and had water and a cell phone...no problems then either!

In Tokyo Disney when my DD was 10yrs she did not want to do Disney Sea park again so she went to DL solo! She had her wallet, ticket, waterbottle and sunscreen in a small backpack and a guide map and phone in her pocket. She managed to have a great time for several hours, including buying lunch and getting stuck on Haunted Mansion for 30 mins before being walked off the ride (from the graveyard scene). She knew if she needed something to go to either a CM or a mum with a stroller and kids-lol. She loved her freedom and was eager to go solo again the next Disney trip...

In 2012 we travelled to WDW with a group of 16px. There were 8 kids from 3yrs to almost 16yrs. We had no problem allowing the 2 x 16yr olds, 2 x 14yr olds and the 10 and 7 yr olds tour MK or Epcot as a group. We always stayed in the same park as them and only the oldest 4 were permitted to go back to the hotel as a group. No pool play until there was an adult parent present!

Times have certainly changed since my youth...be gone all day and come home for dinner when the street lights come on! I know need to know who, what and where my kids are etc every minute of the day. But at Disney I am very much more relaxed. NOT carefree but less edgy than if they wanted to hang at the local beach solo. Give your kids an hour freedom and see what they get up to.