kids touring alone?

[tdelano]

I was wondering at what age do you feel comfortable letting your kids tour the theme parks alone.. checking in with you every few hours etc.?

 

[dogg2727]

Hello,
I feel that there is a very nice environment when you enter the theme parks. As long as they are over 40" tall they have access to most of the rides, 54" gurantee's you everything. Personally, I think going with the kids creates a better bond and offers more enjoyment. No one is safe these days in this world, but if they want to get away from momma and papa bear then around 15 should do the trick. The only problem is say they wanted to ride a ride multiple times, the employees there could push them around, kind of like me. They don't understand that we are more than capable of taking care of ourselves. I hope I could help.

 

[Aisling]

I would not let my responsible, level-headed 11 year old son tour alone, or even let him out of my sight. By the time he's around 13, I think I'll be comfortable with letting him go off for a bit without me.

 

[dogg2727]

I agree with you on that one. Personally I thought you go to a theme park to be with the family. I think teenagers just want to taste a little freedom, but to much freedom gives them to much independence and can make the bond between parents and child seperate. THIS IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE. I am just saying it could turn out that way who knows.

 

[Linda/MA]

A couple years ago, we let our almost 15 y/o daughter and her 16 y/o friend go off to MGM on their own. We also let them go to IOA with their younger sisters (11 and almost 12) while we were at Citywalk. We had walkie talkies and were able to be in touch with them at IOA. This past June, we let our 2 girls go to MGM (now they are 17 and 14) while we had dinner at the BW. This year we all had cell phones and that makes it a lot more comfortable.

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

I've gone around themeparks alone at a pretty young age, I guess. But I'm considered mature and responsible for my age. I could go around IOA and US alone at 14 years. However I would sometimes split at Busch Gardens a couple years younger than that.

I have felt safe at IOA and US. I split from my parents quite a bit now, and will be visiting both parks with my cousin who is also 15 years old and we'll be going around alone quite a bit, but I don't mind going with my parents some. But I usually want to see the Ghostbusters Show a bit more often than my parents do (er...I should say my DAD...Mom doesn't mind, but sometimes keeps Dad company) and they don't do coasters. We also each have a cell phone and contact each other every once in a while and we don't bother with the meeting up anymore unless we want to do something together, but we used to do that when I was younger.

If someone is 14 and older, no problem, as long as they are responsible and mature.