How young is too young to be in the parks alone?

[__disneygirl]

Hi everyone! Hope you are having a wonderful day..

I have a question. My aunt, uncle, and their daughter; my cousin, Natalie are going to WDW for 2 weeks next month. Natalie is more into going to the parks every single day and such, while her parents want to relax more on the vacation. So Natalie suggested some days they drop her off at a park and let her do what she wants while they go to the beach or spend their day in more of a relaxing way. Her parents only want to go to the parks 3 days out of their whole two week vacation! I think Natalie would be fine - she's a very mature girl only 2 months shy of her 16th birthday. Her mother is okay with it but they are having trouble convincing her father. I thought I could get some opinions on this?

Me, I think she'll be absolutely, 100% fine. Even if something bad were to happen, there are cast members everywhere. I read a story about a girl who went on the Carousel of Progress, and there was a man sitting by her who kept touching her thigh and saying inappropriate things to her. She said other guys who were on the ride started to yell at him and tell him to leave her alone, and as soon as the ride ended she told a CM what had happened and the man was immediately escorted out of the park, no questions asked.

I think WDW is one of the safest places on earth! Your opinions please.

 

[Bill From PA]

My son was either 12 or 13 when we cut him loose. We'd been there a few times already, he knew the parks and the transportation system and we always stay on site so there was no concerns of getting lost. Certainly anyone nearly old enough to drive would be OK. As for safety, this life offers no guarantees, but WDW is about as safe a place for children as I can imagine.

Bill From PA

 

[DisneyWisher]

She will be fine but probably lonely. If there any way she can bring a friend? I started letting my daughters go to the parks by themselves when they were 13 & 11. We jokingly call Disney our weekend home because we go so often and they know Disney better then they do Ft Lauderdale. But they always went as pairs never alone. I'm sure she will be safe but when you see all the other families around I just think she might feel alone. I would suggest that she take a cellphone or the hotels will rent you a beeper (at least they used to) its a minimum of 3 days. Maybe she will meet another family at their resort that has a daughter her age. Best of Luck.

 

[LindaBabe]

My son was alone in the parks from about age 12 on (went with grandpa, who couldn't hang, lol)

I think it depends on the kid and how responsible they are. How much freedom does she have at home? IF she gets herself to a part time job or music lessons or something on the city bus and then home that rates higher than if she's never allowed out without adult supervision.

I think you could start out the first day in the same park letting the girl go on her own with set meeting times / places, and se how well she adheres to the rules, how well she likes it, and what she does with her time.

I'd feel more comfortable if she was with another child her own age who was also responsible. Will everyone have cell phones? I also see a big difference between the folks at the pool at a nearby resort on property and the folks gone to Cocoa Beach an hour or more away.

 

[mommyoeo]

Buddy System!

 

[pooh2001]

I agree - buddy system.

But if the teen has a drivers license - and is responsible - and you let them drive your car - then they should be OK at WDW

 

[happygirl]

I think problary 16 is fine, anything under that is to young JMO afterall CM aren't babysitters

 

[amburger]

Yeah, I think she'd be fine. I agree though about the feeling lonely, too. I think I would feel a little bit out of place and such. But I suppose it doesn't hurt too try. She might really enjoy the freedom of just being alone and doing what she wants. I think it would probably be a good idea though if she had a cell phone or was able to check in via payphone or something every now and then since she'll be alone. Other than that, I'm sure she'll be fine. Plus, yay for single rider lines. She'll be able to get through things really fast if she so chooses.

 

[2Xited4Disney]

I am not sure what the Law is in your state but pretty soon she'll have her license... If her father can't deal with her being alone at one of the safest places in the world. Then there are going to be some serious problems once she got her license.

My parents first let me off when I was 14.5 but I was with my friend so clearly it is a little different.

 

[Hannathy]

I think she is old enough and will be fine. One good thing is she is asking to do it she isn't getting dumped there so she knows she will be alone. Thinking about it I think it would be pretty exciting at that age to be on an "adventure" in the park and imagining being grown up.
I would be more worried about her going to the mall alone!

 

[Poohgirl]

15 is old enough. If it were my daughter I may feel a bit better if she had a cell phone. Have you ever noticed the signs at the park and WDW transportation entrances that say "children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult" Like an 8 yo is ok... It would be a cold day in Hates before my 8yo went to WDW alone.

 

[Peter Pirate]

35.

 

[dyna]

Call me an old mother hen if ya want but my rule is DD doesn't have to stay with me every minute but we all do go to the same park. DD is gonna be 15 almost 16 when we go in June. And we are gonna attempt to use cell phones to keep in contact but have a back up place to meet in case the phones don't work.

I will add tho that DD was very ill for a couple years and while she has been to disney many times she has a memory problem now and doesn't remember ever goin to disney in the past. Even without the memory problem I'm not sure how comfy I'd be with DD bein in the parks totally on her own.

 

[Mecha Figment]

there are some prety weird people out in the parks... especialy dirty old men. Id be careful letting a child loose who isn't al that use to making good decisions or being to trusting.

 

[LoveWDW]

I agree. I never thought of WDW as being other than perfectly safe until I read the threads about thefts, then I got to thinking that there are bad types there.

 

[dizcrazee]

I would not allow my daughter to go to the parks alone at age 15 under any circumstances. Speaking from my experience of working in the criminal justice system for many years, I know that young girls (especially alone) are extremely vulnerable victims. A girl of 15, no matter how mature she may be for her age, does not have enough experience and wisdom to know how to detect and respond to potential dangers. Allowing a young teen to tour the parks alone is asking for trouble. I advise you to encourage your cousin to listen to her father and don't go alone, I'm sorry to say. Her father is right to be hesitant about this.

 

[graygables]

We let our then 15yo loose on our trip in Dec 2003. She had a cell phone and had to contact us before she park-hopped or when returning to the resort. We did get together for dinner every evening. She made friends as she went and some of the girls she met up with in a line, she still emails. I really think it depends on the teenager, but "Grandma was *married* at 16", so if the parents have been gradually letting go of the apron strings, she should be fine.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

our daughter is 12. with a cell phone and a friend, she's free to wander any park .

 

[PA DISNEYLOVER]

My son is 12 and my daughter is 15 and they go off together and ride the "cool" rides while hubby and I do the "boring rides with our 3 year old. They have cell phones and we have a spot where we meet up at certain times to check in.