Kids getting older, want independence next trip.... would you?

[vicb]

Next trip my kids will be 10 and 13. We think we will be staying at YC. My oldest will be too old for kid's club. They want some independence and we (DH and I) would still like our one adult dinner. Sooooo...... we are thinking about giving them one of the 2 way radios and letting them hang out around the resort (pool, Beaches and Cream, game room, tv in room etc...) while we eat at Yahtsman's Steakhouse.

Would you do this?

Anyone done something like this or been in a similar situation with children growing older?

Both my kids are good swimmers. And we have been to WDW 3 times so they are comfortable there.

Advice???

Thanks.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Yes, we did this 2 years ago and are doing it again. Our 3 ds are now 16,14 and 12. We gave oldest ds the room charge to buy the dinner at beaches and cream while dh and I were at cape may cafe. When they were done they went into the arcade. It was fine except he gave the server too much of a tip we calculated. Of course the server didnt correct him. I think it was like a 25% tip. I could have made an issue, but they said they loved the food etc. Last year we were staying at swan so we gave them cash. Didnt give them enough, boy they must have ate, so oldest ds just came over to cape may and asked us for more $. Just have very clear rules, dont know what time of year you are going. If in summer have a "storm plan". We had the ds go into the arcade until their table was ready.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

There is a age limit on how young children can be left at the pool with out an adult. I am thinking that it is 14???. So the pool might not be an option. This is a very personal decision, but IMHO only, I think they are too young for very much freedom while you are gone. If the 13 year old is used to sitting for the 10 year old, and you can trust them to not fight and follow instrustions, I might leave them in the room long enough for you to have dinner. I just don't think I would be ready to let them wonder too much around the resort. My DS is almost 12 and an only child so I am sure this is going to be an issue on our next trip when he is 13 and allowed to bring a friend. Follow your heart and do what feels right for you. Are you giving them any freedom in the parks? That is what my DS is already asking for. He wanted it this year when we vacationed with his cousion but we said not yet!!!

Good luck,

Jordan's mom

 

[Magic2000]

A couple of years ago when we were staying at the Contemporary, we allowed my two teenage DDs to have dinner at the GF at the Villians Dinner. They had my "room charging" card and rode the monorail to the GF and had dinner, did some souvenir shopping, and then went back to the room. My DH and I, along with my youngest DD had gone to Wilderness Lodge for dinner. It worked out perfect for us. The girls had a great time, and they were excited to be "on their own" for dinner. Another time, DH, youngest DD and I went to Concourse Steakhouse for dinner and the older girls went to the game room and got snacks from the place right by the arcade.

We often split up in the parks with the older girls going off on their own (in that park) and we meet back up for lunch or dinner. That way, they can ride Space Mountain or Splash Mountain ten times in a row without us having to ride over and over too!!

I don't know if I would feel comfortable with them out by the pool, but I felt fine with them having their own dinner!!

Good luck!!

 

[vicb]

They have not mentioned being alone in the parks and I don't think I'd let them do that. I'm not sure how comfortable I will be with this, that's why I am interested to hear others experiences/opinions. DD has taken the Red Cross babysitting class and does sit with DS and dog at home. I had not thought about the age limit at the pool. I will check into that. Maybe dinner, arcade and TV in room would be better.

Thanks.

 

[tcfdick]

Another option is Disney Quest. Last year, I let my then 10 yr. old DS go to DQ for about 2 hrs. by himself with a two-way radio (I had the other one). We shopped while he played. I did end up having to go into DQ to find him because he turned the radio off. He said there was too much noise coming from it . If you have ever been inside DQ, you would know that there is so much noise, he probably wouldn't have heard it turned on anyway! He had a great time and so did we. Could you eat at one of the restaurants at DTD instead and let them go to DQ?

 

[HaleyB]

My oldest is 17 so we ran into this years ago. We have never had any problem letting him go off on his own (or more often with his same age cousin). Make sure your younger child understands the older one IS in charge. I actually always felt more comfortable letting him go off in the parks (which we were also in) than at the hotel/resort. Seems like less trouble to get into, how much trouble can you get in standing in a line? As long as they are good with a map, that is.