letting kids go to park alone

[Rneighh]

My kids will be 16 and 12 on our upcoming first. They are both experienced WDWers. Both know there way around the parks and how to use the bus system.

Hubby mentioned going to Pleasure Island would be fun. I'm not sure how I feel about letting my kids go alone to a park while we are at Pleasure Island. I was thinking DQ would be an option.

Has anyone ever let their kids go to the parks unattended?

Renee

 

[zurgswife]

My 13 yr old and her 13 yr old friend were allowed to be in the same park with cell phone and radios....for a few days....once I was confident that they were staying together and checking in ...I let them go to DTD by themselves for 3 hrs....

Seeing that your oldest is 16 ...as long as you are comfortable with his maturity level...I'd say they should be fine...

 

[crisi]

When I was eighteen I took a trip to Disneyworld without my parents. Doesn't seem like the distance between sixteen and a few hours and eighteen and a week should be a huge gap.

But you know your kids.

 

[flyingenie]

I'd be fine with it as long as they are together at all times. I'd been going to amusement parks since age 12 or 13 in a group of same aged friends (not parents). Especially since they know the parks well, it should be fine.

The only problem I could see is if it was a really busy, crowded day and they got separated- make sure you plan ahead for that if it were to happen- meeting spots, numbers to call, etc.

But as crisi said... you know your kids!

 

[dzneelvr]

Everyone can go to Pleasure Island now, just not into some of the clubs.
My DD and DS have been allowed to split away from DH and I since they were 12 and 14 respectively. but only for a set time period in the same park, and NEVER a seperation that involved transportation--that can get confusing.
And as they get older, you'd be surprised how few times they really ask to go independent.

Both are black belts in karate, so we never worried. Under 12 I think you are pushing it. Why not ask the reason they'd like to go it alone. You could tag along as far as the nearest "watering hole" or front porch, sit a spell, and let them explore that general vicinity.

 

[campingcorgi]

If your 16-year old is the reliable type then I think they'd be fine. Have a couple of cell phones and have fun. Your 16 year old is going to be out driving alone, and that scares me a lot more!!!

 

[Kallison]

I might let those ages wander around on their own in the same park I'm in, but I would never send them off to a park while I was at Pleasure Island. I just could not relax, but that is me.

 

[alicenwonder99]

I think that would be fine. Just let your 12 year old know that the 16 year old is in charge. Have a specific meeting place/time and tell them they HAVE to be there at that time. If they are late, then they won't be able to go off on their own again.

You know your children. You know how responsible they are. I'm letting our 17 and 13 go off alone for part of each day we're at WDW. In fact, I'm having them "babysit" our 6 and 4 year olds at the parks while me and dh have two hours of alone time at the parks on a couple of days. We know our kids and we know how responsible they are. My children also know the first time they are late at a meeting place, they will won't be able to go off on their own again.

Mary

 

[sha_lyn]

IMHO It would all depend on how well they can get along together. Will the 12yr listen to the 16yr and will they not get carried away either horsing around, playing pranks etc.

If it were we I would probably let them go to DQ for a few hrs while you are at PI. After that "trial" run I would decided about letting then go to a park alone.