Letting kids wait while parents ride something?

[DisFam95]

Our boys are turning 13 and 10 this summer, we go in Aug. The 10 yr old wears a mens 9.5 shoes and very tall for his age (about and inch shorter than older bro). They however do not enjoy some of the wilder coasters. Actually I think it's only 2-3 they won't ride at Disney but a few more at Universal.

I'm not a hovering parent at all but I just feel like asking is this ok? It's just weird letting them go into the "world" like that . They like to wait in the lines so basically we'd find out where the chicken exits are and where it lets out before hand. See the gift shop etc. My oldest is super responsible and a bit of a paranoid rule follower and the youngest is no problem too. It's weird I let them wander the local water park alone but Disney just feels different for some reason.

So - how many people do this? I need reassurance

 

[maxiesmom]

I think you know your kids and what they can handle best. I would just take into consideration what they would do if you get stuck on a ride for a long period of time. Will they be ok then? Does one of them have a cell phone so you could stay in touch. Maybe make sure they have a little cash on them for food, just in case. And make sure they will stay calm if you do get stuck someplace.

 

[mjkacmom]

I can't see a problem! I'd let them wonder a bit without the adults, maybe hit up some different rides instead of waiting.

 

[bear_mom]

We've done it about those ages. Older dd didn't want to ride TOT so she waited in the gift shop for us.

 

[LaurenT]

If one of them has a phone and they're responsible, let them do something else nearby while you ride.

 

[mom2rtk]

I was babysitting at age 12. They are definitely old enough, unless you have some specific concerns outside what is typical for their ages.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Just remember that although Disney is safe, don't park your common sense at the door. You know if your kids are ready to be by themselves, and accept the responsibility that comes with leaving them to their own. Me personally, I think 14 is the age in which I would let them wonder around somewhere that's not their neighborhood.

But again just be aware the same dangers that exist in any area happen here, you know your kids if you trust em let em go!

 

[mom2rtk]

Just remember that although Disney is safe, don't park your common sense at the door. You know if your kids are ready to be by themselves, and accept the responsibility that comes with leaving them to their own. Me personally, I think 14 is the age in which I would let them wonder around somewhere that's not their neighborhood.

But again just be aware the same dangers that exist in any area happen here, you know your kids if you trust em let em go!

Having put a kid in a car at 16 and let him drive away and then left him away at college at 18, I find 14 as a general rule to be a little late in the game. When it came time to push them out of the nest on those big occasions, I found myself wishing I had given them more occasions to practice spreading their wings at the earlier ages.

That said, each child is different.

 

[mistysue]

I would just be sure they stay together. The 10 year old is at that age where if he is alone some crazy who figures out he's 10 is going to tell on you for leaving him alone. I know Disney has a minimum age children can be unattended... it has to be right around there but I've never paid attention because DD is more afraid of being alone than we are of leaving her.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Having put a kid in a car at 16 and let him drive away and then left him away at college at 18, I find 14 as a general rule to be a little late in the game. When it came time to push them out of the nest on those big occasions, I found myself wishing I had given them more occasions to practice spreading their wings at the earlier ages.

That said, each child is different.

As a police officer I just see the dangers first hand so I tend to be a bit more concerned about safety - but as a mom you always have the upper hand.

 

[mom2rtk]

As a police officer I just see the dangers first hand so I tend to be a bit more concerned about safety - but as a mom you always have the upper hand.

I'll go one step further. As the daughter of a retired police officer, I know you all tend to be overly cautious. For very good reason though.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I'll go one step further. As the daughter of a retired police officer, I know you all tend to be overly cautious. For very good reason though.

You pretty much won this thread - everyone listen to @mom2rtk!

 

[mom2rtk]

You pretty much won this thread - everyone listen to @mom2rtk!

I'm really surprised he ever let me to away to school myself.

 

[tzolkin]

We let our middle DD wait for us in the gift shop at Everest while we rode with FPs when she was 10. My mother was horrified when one of the kids mentioned it after the trip.

We are planning to let the kids have a little freedom to explore the parks on their own during our upcoming trip (my oldest will be a HS senior and the other two are be 11 and 9). I will be a bit nervous, but they are so excited and I think it's good to give them opportunities to be independent.

 

[party-of-five]

I'm glad you asked this. our oldest son doesn't care for some of the "crazier" rides and our youngest is still to short for some of them. I tend to be a "hovering" parent, but they need to grow up some day!

 

[Figment_Faerie]

I used to wait a lot as a kid. I still do when it comes to TOT and RnRC at Disney. Lol. I've become used to being a bag mule and sunglasses holder over the years. RnRC I may try this year but it's a no-go on TOT. Roller coaster parks I end up not doing much but I don't mind because I'm a people watcher... lol.. I think that's why I like WDW so much as its not all thrill rides. I typically wait in line with my group and head to the nearest bench outside the exit or a designated meeting spot, like gift shop or restaurant.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

For the last couple of years, we've let our oldest (now almost 13, but at ages 11 and 12) use the "chicken exit" on RNRC and wait for us in the gift shop. Our youngest likes it, so he rides with us but the oldest doesn't mind browsing in the gift shop while we ride. It really doesn't last that long.

 

[lillyshula]

When I went to both Disneyland and Disney World with my family between the ages of 12 and 16, my parents let my sister (1 year younger) and I roam the parks by ourselves for hours. We had a cell phone and would have times to call and check in and also places to meet up for meals and whatever else was planed. We had a blast park hopping and doing what we wanted to do, and my parents were able to take it easy when they wanted. As long as you feel comfortable letting them out of your sight, I don't see a problem with it. By those ages they know not to go off with a stranger.

 

[lizard1]

They are definitely old enough! Disney will let a child use the chicken exit alone as long as they are 7, which is the same age they will let them ride alone.

 

[DisFam95]

They are very responsible and the oldest has a cell phone. It's just so weird my niece and nephew are the same ages as mine and I would never think they could be left alone at Disney but she's a little (or sometimes a lot) phobic and they've evaluated him for Apergers or something so I know they have their issues and it's not comparing apples to apples. It's just hard because I forget they have 'issues' because they're my family and just who they are. My kids will be fine. I have to think when I was in 7th/8th grade we were dropped off at Six Flags all day - and no cell phones!!

I think if my 3rd grader (turning 10 and into 4th grade) was a tiny little thing I'd be more reluctant but he's as big as the 6th graders!