IT'S A DIFFERENT (wd)WORLD

[chapie1968]

In the early 80's my brother and I always use to take the monorail by ourselves back and forth from the contemporary to the parks. We were 10 and 8. Our parents would meet us a little later. we also liked to leave the parks earlier to play in that arcade. i loved that place as a kid, it seemed bigger than life at the time. I remember feeling so cool and independent now I would of never let my son do that at those ages

Oh man, the memories of the old BIG Contemporary arcade. We used to also take the launch from Fort Wilderness to the Contemporary just to go to the arcade.

 

[chapie1968]

Comparing apples to apples, Magic Kingdom is the same size it was in 1983. You didn't get lost taking the boat between FW and MK 30 years ago, there's no reason to expect your children will either. Once in the park, even if they were to get separated neither would be lost; they'd still be in a single park.

No, I agree, but if there weren't direct transportation to the destination I would be concerned.

I think maybe I'm just playing the role of over-cautious parent and my kids would be more than fine. We were after all.

 

[jfelcie]

Last trip the grand kids were 15 and 17 (2 boys & 2 girls). The first day there they went to all four parks alone!!! We were just getting back from MK at midnight with our 5 year old and they were leaving for EMH at MK. No worries!

 

[shellstar]

When I was growing up (near DL) my mom would let me (10) and my sisters (9) and (6) loose in the parks while she did errands. She would always meet back up with us in 3 - 4 hours, but it was a fantastic way to give us responsibility in a safe environment. I think that giving us those life skills as young children and into young adulthood served us well. We had friends who's parents didn't trust them with ANYTHING until they turned 18 and they had a hard time functioning for awhile.

We were all well behaved children (for the most part) so I'm assuming that had a lot to do with it.

 

[Lolsmum]

I grew up near Disneyland and my friends and I frequently went on our own from about 13. Before that, we would usually be free to hang out on our own for a few hours at a time from about 10. The idea that a 17 year old needs an adult at WDW shocks me.

My kids are 6 and 8 now, but I can see letting them have some freedom someplace like WDW when they are in their teens.

 

[mm1971]

I think back to our second trip to WDW back around 1983 and we stayed on property for the first time at Fort Wilderness. I was 16 years old and I remember taking my younger brother(11) by ourselves and taking the launch over to the Magic Kingdom early while our parents slept in. We would either meet them in the Park or go back for lunch and meet them.


We never had any problems, different world(inside and out), but one of those fond memories I have as a kid. I don't think I would ever let my kids do that in this day and age(17 & 13) but then again doesn't someone in the party have to be 18 to enter the park?

I'm not sure what the age is, but DS and his two friends went the parks and had a blast. They were 13 and had no problems getting in last year. I'm not sure why you are afraid to let your 17 year old take the 13 year old and stay together. Family dynamics play a role. He and his friends spent full days away on their own (on resort property) in the Dominican a few weeks ago. Never worried for a second. I think I would be OK as long as your 17 year old was responsible.

And I agree. When we were kids, my brother an I would jump on the monorail and just head to MK and Epcot whenever we wanted. Great memories.

 

[Gracie09]

Every parent has different comfort levels & parents differently. Those who don't feel comfort letting their children roam free at Disney aren't paranoid or irrational. It's a decision that they feel is right. And for the ones who are pointing out that 17 is only a year from 18; it doesn't matter what age your child is, they will always be your baby. My oldest is 22yrs old and I worry about him just as much now as when he was 17. The years make no difference, I will continue to worry about him for the rest of my life. I probably worry more now, because I have no way of protecting him now that he's considered an adult. As for my 11yr old, there's no way I would let her roam free, at home or at Disney. But for those who do allow their children go it alone, that's fine too.

I'm sure my mother still worries about me at a ripe old age of 37, but a 22 year old is not considered an adult but is an adult and has been for several years. I'm sure my mother was worried sick when at 23 I moved to New Orleans but she also knew that she had taught me well. She had me making my own decisions about school ( with her input) my freshman year of high school. I had rules and a curfew but I also knew I could make the right decisions and handle myself in an emergency (and this was precellphone).
Yes it is crazy to me to think a 17 year old canot be trusted enough to go off on his own a Disney world. It is a no brainer in my world that they would be doing their own thing.

 

[shelemm]

Washington, DC does not provide transportation to public school students. Elementary school students can usually walk to school, but many middle schoolers attend a charter school not in their neighborhood. At rush hour, I see tons of them on the metro rail or buses (they get free or greatly reduced metro cards), from age 11 and up. No chaperone.

 

[lugnut33]

My girls were about 12 & 9 when I let them go off to certain rides alone and meet up with them later. Keep in mind we were in the park also and they were very familiar with the parks. They were 14 and 11 when we let them go to the parks alone, but we took them to the front gate. Now I have no problem letting them go to the parks by themselves using Disney transportation.

Maybe we were terrible parents, but now that our oldest is 16 she's jacked about going to Sweden for a year long exchange program. I think I did right.

 

[bocaj1431]

Although nobody usually considers these things rationally your children are more likely to be struck by lightning on their way to the park than to be abducted.

I'd be more worried that if they're too young they'll end up doing something like getting lost.

According to the US Justice Dept, Every 40 seconds in the US a child becomes missing or is abducted.

Personally, I find minimizing someones worry over such concerns by inferring they are more likely to be hit by lightening a bit unsettling. I am sure those people whose children were abducted just yards away from them thought the very same thing you are suggesting, that an occurrence like that is rare. Try telling that to the thousands of families, who have lost their children!

In fact just last year there was a thread about the girl who was fondled in a elevator on one of the Disney cruise ships. I can't remember the exact details other than the allegations that Disney may have tried to hide this from the public.

Just today on the news in CT, twice in the same week, a child was approached by a stranger attempting to entice the child into his car.

While I personally take the issue of child abductions or abuse by a stranger seriously, and I am conscience of that when I make decisions about my child's freedom, I do not become obsessive about it. We do have to let our children grow up.

I think the OP has a valid concern, that what she did as a child may not be something she would feel okay with her children doing. We are more aware of the world we live in today due to our instant access to global news. And that news can be very unsettling.

Ultimately though, I think each parent knows their child best. Some children are more mature than others their age and can handle more independence.

 

[kelsma03]

We just returned from a week at WDW and my husband and I let our 11 and 10 year old have some free time at HS, while we stuck with our 6 year old. They loved it. My 11yo has a cell phone and would text us with yet location periodically. They rid RaRC single rider then star tours and muppet vision. We gave them money for a popcorn too. I trust them completely, my 11yo does act more like an 80year old man and wouldn't let his brother out of his sight. I think it all depends on your kids, and only a parent can be the judge of what's right for your family.

 

[Gracie09]

According to the US Justice Dept, Every 40 seconds in the US a child becomes missing or is abducted.

Personally, I find minimizing someones worry over such concerns by inferring they are more likely to be hit by lightening a bit unsettling. I am sure those people whose children were abducted just yards away from them thought the very same thing you are suggesting, that an occurrence like that is rare. Try telling that to the thousands of families, who have lost their children!

In fact just last year there was a thread about the girl who was fondled in a elevator on one of the Disney cruise ships. I can't remember the exact details other than the allegations that Disney may have tried to hide this from the public.

Just today on the news in CT, twice in the same week, a child was approached by a stranger attempting to entice the child into his car.

While I personally take the issue of child abductions or abuse by a stranger seriously, and I am conscience of that when I make decisions about my child's freedom, I do not become obsessive about it. We do have to let our children grow up.

I think the OP has a valid concern, that what she did as a child may not be something she would feel okay with her children doing. We are more aware of the world we live in today due to our instant access to global news. And that news can be very unsettling.

Ultimately though, I think each parent knows their child best. Some children are more mature than others their age and can handle more independence.

If you take child abduction and abuse so seriously you would know that out of the hundreds of thousands of kids reported missing each year 125 are stranger abductions. So the others are all parental or family kidnapping, runaways, I thought I was suppose to meet you here not there cases, and abduction by a friend. And over 90 percent of all abuse is by family members or friends or coaches, teachers, clergy etc. The center for missing and exploited children doesn't even teach stranger danger anymore because it's counter productive (usually if a kid is in trouble it's a stranger who will help them) and a waste of resources.
We are not talking about a ten year old but a 17 year old. A "child" who in less than a year will be a legal adult allowed to vote, make contracts, and even fight and die for our country but it's too difficult for him to travel around wdw one of the safest,easiest to travel areas in the world.

 

[bocaj1431]

If you take child abduction and abuse so seriously you would know that out of the hundreds of thousands of kids reported missing each year 125 are stranger abductions. So the others are all parental or family kidnapping, runaways, I thought I was suppose to meet you here not there cases, and abduction by a friend. And over 90 percent of all abuse is by family members or friends or coaches, teachers, clergy etc. The center for missing and exploited children doesn't even teach stranger danger anymore because it's counter productive (usually if a kid is in trouble it's a stranger who will help them) and a waste of resources.

We are not talking about a ten year old but a 17 year old. A "child" who in less than a year will be a legal adult allowed to vote, make contracts, and even fight and die for our country but it's too difficult for him to travel around wdw one of the safest,easiest to travel areas in the world.

First of all your facts are not even close to being accurate. Secondly, below you will see just a small sampling of occurrences that took place at Disney world which negates your statement that DW is the safest travel area in the world. It also highlights that little children are not the only ones at risk. It clearly states the ages and they were all teenagers. Also, the discussed ages in this thread have varied from 10 - 16. Lastly I clearly stated that each child has different levels of maturity and that the parent knows best what their child can and can not handle. My original post was aimed at a comment I was surprised by but I clearly saw both points of view concerning this topic.

On July 3, 2009, a 51-year-old man from Farmington, New York was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation after allegedly attempting to remove swimsuits from five teenage girls while all were in the wave pool. Disney security was notified and they called for Orange County deputies.[84]
On July 10, 2009, a 51-year-old Connecticut man was charged with lewd and lascivious exhibition after he allegedly fondled himself in front of a teenage girl near the park's wave pool. One eyewitness, a visitor who worked with paroled sex-offenders in Missouri, confronted the man who then fled the scene. As he attempted to leave the parking lot, he ran into a stop sign and was stopped by an Orange County deputy and detained on charges of driving with a suspended license. The man denied the lewd conduct charges, claiming his European-style swimsuit was too small. The charges were dropped in August 2009 after prosecutors determined there was insufficient evidence in the case.[86]
On July 16, 2009, a 29-year-old man from Washington was arrested and charged with one count of lewd and lascivious molestation of a 13-year old boy.[87] He was sentenced to 24 months in state prison.[88]

I still love Disney! I still believe it is a great place to bring my children. I agree that some children can handle some independence while at DW. However, no matter where you are, you must be aware of the realities of our world and educate your children accordingly. I hope this better explains that I in know way was criticizing either side of this discussion. Sorry if it seemed that way.

 

[Gracie09]

First of all your facts are not even close to being accurate. Secondly, below you will see just a small sampling of occurrences that took place at Disney world which negates your statement that DW is the safest travel area in the world. It also highlights that little children are not the only ones at risk. It clearly states the ages and they were all teenagers. Also, the discussed ages in this thread have varied from 10 - 16. Lastly I clearly stated that each child has different levels of maturity and that the parent knows best what their child can and can not handle. My original post was aimed at a comment I was surprised by but I clearly saw both points of view concerning this topic.

On July 3, 2009, a 51-year-old man from Farmington, New York was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation after allegedly attempting to remove swimsuits from five teenage girls while all were in the wave pool. Disney security was notified and they called for Orange County deputies.[84]
On July 10, 2009, a 51-year-old Connecticut man was charged with lewd and lascivious exhibition after he allegedly fondled himself in front of a teenage girl near the park's wave pool. One eyewitness, a visitor who worked with paroled sex-offenders in Missouri, confronted the man who then fled the scene. As he attempted to leave the parking lot, he ran into a stop sign and was stopped by an Orange County deputy and detained on charges of driving with a suspended license. The man denied the lewd conduct charges, claiming his European-style swimsuit was too small. The charges were dropped in August 2009 after prosecutors determined there was insufficient evidence in the case.[86]
On July 16, 2009, a 29-year-old man from Washington was arrested and charged with one count of lewd and lascivious molestation of a 13-year old boy.[87] He was sentenced to 24 months in state prison.[88]

I still love Disney! I still believe it is a great place to bring my children. I agree that some children can handle some independence while at DW. However, no matter where you are, you must be aware of the realities of our world and educate your children accordingly. I hope this better explains that I in know way was criticizing either side of this discussion. Sorry if it seemed that way.

You're right. I was wrong. According to the Center for Missing and Exploited Children 115 not 125 typical stranger abduction happened. From their website -

The most recent, comprehensive national study for the number of missing children estimated in 1999: [1]
Approximately 800,000 children younger than 18 were reported missing.
More than 200,000 children were abducted by family members.
More than 58,000 children were abducted by nonfamily members. (eta these are the friends, teachers coaches etc)
An estimated 115 children were the victims of “stereotypical” kidnapping. These “stereotypical” kidnappings involved someone the child did not know or was an acquaintance. The child was held overnight, transported 50 miles or more, killed, ransomed or held with the intent to keep the child permanently.
http://www.missingkids.com/KeyFacts

As for sexual abuse, this is from victims of crime. org.

Only 14% of children who suffered sexual abuse were violated by an unknown perpetrator (page 172).
60% of children are sexually abused by someone in their social circle. Hence, the phrase “Stranger Danger” is misleading (page 172).


As for your cases of stranger abuse - The first two never went anywhere. There wasn't enough evidence that a crime occurred and charges were dismissed.

WDW is still pretty much the safest place on earth. Please show me an area that has as many visitors and is as populated as WDW with a rate of violent crime (discounting for squirrel theft) as low.

Back to the original issue, a 17 year old boy is more than capable of navigating the wilds of disney world. The younger child should be capable of navigating as well. If your children hit their teen years and don't know how to handle an emergency or getting lost I would have serious concerns about them as adults. My four year olds know what to do in case they get lost. My job as a parent is to teach them how to be independent and mature adults.

 

[bocaj1431]

You're right. I was wrong. According to the Center for Missing and Exploited Children 115 not 125 typical stranger abduction happened. From their website -

The most recent, comprehensive national study for the number of missing children estimated in 1999: [1]
Approximately 800,000 children younger than 18 were reported missing.
More than 200,000 children were abducted by family members.
More than 58,000 children were abducted by nonfamily members. (eta these are the friends, teachers coaches etc)
An estimated 115 children were the victims of “stereotypical” kidnapping. These “stereotypical” kidnappings involved someone the child did not know or was an acquaintance. The child was held overnight, transported 50 miles or more, killed, ransomed or held with the intent to keep the child permanently.
http://www.missingkids.com/KeyFacts

As for sexual abuse, this is from victims of crime. org.

Only 14% of children who suffered sexual abuse were violated

by an unknown perpetrator (page 172).
60% of children are sexually abused by someone in their social circle. Hence, the phrase “Stranger Danger” is misleading (page 172).


As for your cases of stranger abuse - The first two never went anywhere. There wasn't enough evidence that a crime occurred and charges were dismissed.

WDW is still pretty much the safest place on earth. Please show me an area that has as many visitors and is as populated as WDW with a rate of violent crime (discounting for squirrel theft) as low.

Back to the original issue, a 17 year old boy is more than capable of navigating the wilds of disney world. The younger child should be capable of navigating as well. If your children hit their teen years and don't know how to handle an emergency or getting lost I would have serious concerns about them as adults. My four year olds know what to do in case they get lost. My job as a parent is to teach them how to be independent and mature adults.

You are living in denial, if you think that disney world does not have safety issues just like everywhere else in the world. I just gave you a sampling of incidents, if I wanted to I could find more. (But that would be pointless and take this discussion way off topic.) As a side note, the most serious of the crimes I listed did go to court and the perpetrator was jailed. As for those that were not prosecuted, it does not necessarily follow that the incident did not occur. There are many factors that play into someone being convicted of a crime. Ultimately though, you have ignored my statement which was that I would never not take my child to disney over fears of safety issues. I agreed that you have to teach your child to be independent. And Disney does a great job at attempting to keep there parks as safe as possible. My point was just that I understood the OP's concerns and worries.

You have taken my comments and completely ignored their intent, which was that I agree with both sides of the issue and that each parent knows their child best and the level of maturity the child has whether they are 11 or 17.

Lastly, just because your child at 17 is independent and capable of handling emergencies do not be so narrow minded as to assume all others should be. My child is 13 and most likely will not be able to manage the situations discussed here because, he has HFA. But that is my own personal issue. As others have stated their children some as young as 11 are perfectly capable of handling some independence at Disney and I never had any disagreements over that.

That is the last I have to say about this. I am sure it is becoming annoying to many of the readers. (sorry) I just wanted to clarify the intent of my original post.