Kids in club level lounge?

[bdklein]

Sure thing - here you go

Realizing that you probably meant that you were also at the pool and they were allowed to walk to and from the CL lounge to where you were at the pool, but nevertheless, that is quite a hike from a pool to a CL lounge for young children to make on their own.

Oh and btw, I noticed that you've pointed out that you have stayed at SL several times in your posts - it really is irrelevant which hotel - the risks are identical - I'm fairly certain that bad people are in every economic status.

Meaning the SL is a stand alone building near the Courtyard pool so hence my statement about the pool. And since it doesn't get the traffic of the Main Building at the GF there fewer "strangers" in it. That is my point. Nothing to do with economic status. Right now our family is staying in a Hyatt Place hotel and I will not let them go get breakfast by themselves since here the guests are not as easily identified as at a WDW resort and the breakfast area is near the main entrance and parking lot where there is a much greater chance of a preventable problem with strangers.

 

[tinkbyday]

So at what age do you think is ok for 2 children to go to the CL in the Sugarloaf building at the GF? And what do you think are better opportunities to give your children a little independence? Any of the ones I think of involve the greater possibility of interaction with strangers.

Well, I can't speak for SL at the GF specifically since I do not choose to stay there, but speaking in more general terms for any resort, it really is dependent on the maturity of the children - in my personal scenario, since we will be making our last trip to WDW this year and my DD is 14, it is a non-issue since she would not be doing this on this trip nor would she be doing this on any trip alone. We will be staying a portion of our trip at the Ritz Carlton CL and even there, I wouldn't have her go to the lounge on her own

Better opportunities for independence - well, let's see, I'll play along and give you a couple of examples. My DD is going to NYC on a school field trip this year, I won't be there, but it is mostly chaperoned - the girls stay in rooms with other girls of same age - 4 to a room. Great experience without adults looking over at all times. They are, however, taped in the rooms in the evenings (in case you are unfamiliar, it is a common practice where the chaperones tape the outside of the door - if one of the kids tries to leave, the tape breaks). They are clustered in groups of 10 with 1 chaperone to site see and go on excursions.

I also have no issue leaving my DD at home on her own while I am at work or when I run out to do errands - there is great responsibility being home on ones own. She also has taken walks around our neighborhood with our dog alone.

I have many other less obvious examples, but I really don't feel the need to spell each one out - at the end of the day, I am confident that I am raising my DD as a well adjusted, morally present, independent woman who will be able to take care of herself when the time comes that she needs to do so.

Thankfully, I am done with this thread - I've provided my opinion as the OP asked and sited factual statistics that support my position on this topic. I feel no further desire or need to continue defending that position.

 

[mefordis]

So, we are returning to AKL club level. I have 2 DD, ages 10 and 12. At AKL, the club level is on 6, but the standard rooms are on 4. Trying to decide if I am comfortable with the girls walking to the lounge together, without me or DH. And if so, is it acceptable, allowed for kids that age to be there unaccompanied?

As long as they know how to get back to the room I think that is fine. 12 years old is responsible enough to go down the hall for snacks, imo.

 

[princessallegra]

Maybe I'm weird, but I don't consider 12 to be a "young child". Also every 12 year old (and 10 year old) is different. Some 12 year olds are not mature or responsible or well behaved enough to go to a club lounge alone. But if your 12 and 10 year old are, awesome! I think it's a great opportunity to teach them some independence in a very safe environment. Maybe my opinion doesn't hold value because my kid is in my belly right now, about the size of a small canteloupe, but I will share it anyway.

 

[AliceIn]

I also have no issue leaving my DD at home on her own while I am at work or when I run out to do errands - there is great responsibility being home on ones own. She also has taken walks around our neighborhood with our dog alone.

Statistically speaking, children who do get abducted are most likely to be grabbed by someone in a car, and it's likely to be 1/4 mile or less from home.

I think walking a short distance in a hotel would be much safer, especially if the child is on the same floor. I allow my two sons to go out together and ride bikes at home. They are 12 and 9. They've got a cell phone with them, and I've pounded all the safety precautions into their heads since they were little. Don't approach cars. Don't get separated. Don't talk to adults or allow any adult to give you a ride. If anybody touches you, scream loudly and run. And so on. I've been gradually giving them more independence as they get older. My 12 year old is very responsible and takes his big brother duties very seriously. I don't allow my 7 year old to go out with the boys as she's not ready for it yet. I don't let the 9 year old go without the 12 year old. I would allow my 12 year old to walk to the lounge by himself, and I've let him wait in line for rides by himself. He's got a cell phone and he knows what to do in the case of an emergency.

 

[bdklein]

Well, I can't speak for SL at the GF specifically since I do not choose to stay there, but speaking in more general terms for any resort, it really is dependent on the maturity of the children - in my personal scenario, since we will be making our last trip to WDW this year and my DD is 14, it is a non-issue since she would not be doing this on this trip nor would she be doing this on any trip alone. We will be staying a portion of our trip at the Ritz Carlton CL and even there, I wouldn't have her go to the lounge on her own

Better opportunities for independence - well, let's see, I'll play along and give you a couple of examples. My DD is going to NYC on a school field trip this year, I won't be there, but it is mostly chaperoned - the girls stay in rooms with other girls of same age - 4 to a room. Great experience without adults looking over at all times. They are, however, taped in the rooms in the evenings (in case you are unfamiliar, it is a common practice where the chaperones tape the outside of the door - if one of the kids tries to leave, the tape breaks). They are clustered in groups of 10 with 1 chaperone to site see and go on excursions.

I also have no issue leaving my DD at home on her own while I am at work or when I run out to do errands - there is great responsibility being home on ones own. She also has taken walks around our neighborhood with our dog alone.

I have many other less obvious examples, but I really don't feel the need to spell each one out - at the end of the day, I am confident that I am raising my DD as a well adjusted, morally present, independent woman who will be able to take care of herself when the time comes that she needs to do so.

Thankfully, I am done with this thread - I've provided my opinion as the OP asked and sited factual statistics that support my position on this topic. I feel no further desire or need to continue defending that position.

Walking around the neighborhood by yourself is less dangerous than going to the lounge with another person?

 

[MomofDisneyLoversx3]

Statistically speaking, children who do get abducted are most likely to be grabbed by someone in a car, and it's likely to be 1/4 mile or less from home.

I think walking a short distance in a hotel would be much safer, especially if the child is on the same floor. I allow my two sons to go out together and ride bikes at home. They are 12 and 9. They've got a cell phone with them, and I've pounded all the safety precautions into their heads since they were little. Don't approach cars. Don't get separated. Don't talk to adults or allow any adult to give you a ride. If anybody touches you, scream loudly and run. And so on. I've been gradually giving them more independence as they get older. My 12 year old is very responsible and takes his big brother duties very seriously. I don't allow my 7 year old to go out with the boys as she's not ready for it yet. I don't let the 9 year old go without the 12 year old. I would allow my 12 year old to walk to the lounge by himself, and I've let him wait in line for rides by himself. He's got a cell phone and he knows what to do in the case of an emergency.

This!!!! Thank you so much. I was trying to day exactly this and couldn't find the words.
We stay at AKL CL. I never had a problem with my girls walking up to the lounge together. They would even sometimes bring me back a cookie. They were never alone-- they were together. That drops the odds of 'bad things' dramatically. I even let them 'gasp' walk to the lobby together once. They walked down, charged a pair of shoes they were looking at, and came back. And yes I have taught them what to do with strangers, I tell them 'no' often, God is in our house. I just feel that keeping them leashed to my side will NOT help them in any way. I see the end result of parenting like that every day at work.

 

[bdklein]

Maybe I'm weird, but I don't consider 12 to be a "young child". Also every 12 year old (and 10 year old) is different. Some 12 year olds are not mature or responsible or well behaved enough to go to a club lounge alone. But if your 12 and 10 year old are, awesome! I think it's a great opportunity to teach them some independence in a very safe environment. Maybe my opinion doesn't hold value because my kid is in my belly right now, about the size of a small canteloupe, but I will share it anyway.

Sounds like I r on the right road. And it will interesting how will respond 10 years from now.