Letting teens walk the parks unsupervised

[Magickndm]

I'm another parent who lets her 14 year old go off by herself with a friend. Cell phones are a must though. I would also agree that you should check with the other child's parents too before doing this.
One warning:
The only time you'll see them will be meal times so they don't have to spend their money on food, just yours.

 

[brandip22]

When my Sister and I went the last time as a whole family, we got to go around by ourselves. I think my sis was about 13, which means I would've been about 10. We were also with my sister's best friend, who was like my sister, too. This was before cell phones, but we had meeting times and places every so often: for lunch, late afternoon and then dinner. It was fine and we had a blast! Plus, parents had lots of more fun visiting EPCOT since they could roam. As long as the friend's parents are OK with it as well, I'd say to go for it.

 

[pixiedust23]

I think our parents started letting all us cousins wander around the parks alone when we were 12-14 (various ages in the group)

just warn the girls in advance about predators and how to avoid/handle them.

 

[SheepdogMom]

One warning:
The only time you'll see them will be meal times so they don't have to spend their money on food, just yours.

LOL Magickndm - ain't that the truth! My dd17 would rather starve then spend her money on food!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Let them go around by themselves !
2) Apron strings only last so long and reach only so far.

 

[ralfrick]

When I was that age, it was very common for a bus load of us to leave Birmingham for a day trip to 6 Flags GA from a church or school. Looking around at the local parks near me now, that is still true for many groups. Then, as now, we were basically turned loose in the parks until it was time to meet and go home. On a church trip to Panama City at that age, we were given a wide area around our lodgings in which we could wander freely; at least a 1/2 mile.

Honestly, I can't believe this issue is even raised for someone this age.

Cheers.

 

[TSWJan78]

Not only did I exploredisney on my own at 13 my mom also let me go to the taping of Family matters alone till midnight.... Looking back there were always nice adults around if I needed help or anything and it was fun.. gave me chance to explore on my own... Your girls will be fine!!!

 

[SqueakyMouse]

After a couple of days into our May trip, we just made sure our almost 13 yo ds had his cell phone (and had it charged) and checked in with us every so often. He's very independent and likes to do things on his own. Most of his Disney time was spent at DQ.

I grew up in Orlando, so I made lots and lots of trips to WDW as a child. I can't remember when I was first set free with friends (parents in the same park) but I know I was by the time I was 12. We never got into any trouble.

 

[miste76]

I wanted to share a story that happened to us while we were in Epcot last November. I'm sure this is a very isolated incident but it is something to think about when letting children in groups go on their own... it doesn't have to be your kids that start trouble, it might be someone else's.

My 14 yo sister and her best friend (same age) were walking about 30-50 feet in front of my mother and I (I'm quite a few years older than my sister.) We didn't see the girls do anything out of the ordinary, they were just walking along, talking, and laughing occasionally... Then there was a group of kids (co-ed group of the same age group) that were walking towards us and one of the girls was getting all excited and talking about how she needs to go back and beat up those two girls. (You couldn't tell that we were with my sister and friend because we were so far behind.) I didn't hear what this larger group of kids were saying, but my mother sure did. My mother let those kids know that those two girls were her kids and that there would be no trouble started there.
Whatever fight/trouble that those kids had thought about starting was averted, but you have to wonder... what might have happened if we weren't there?

 

[freakylick]

In the interest of keeping these boards pleasant and avoiding any flaming…I will just say this. I do not like when parents let their children have free reign over a park. It usually makes my trip less enjoyable.

 

[Magickndm]

In the interest of keeping these boards pleasant and avoiding any flaming…I will just say this. I do not like when parents let their children have free reign over a park. It usually makes my trip less enjoyable.

As much as I want to make your trip more enjoyable, I can assure you that my 14 year old could never be as annoying as the 2 year old, forced to go on Universe of Energy who screamed the entire ride, was.

 

[BeckWhy]

Honostly, it's your choice. You have to make the choice if your daughter and her friend are mature enough. I've walked they Disney parks by myself for as long as I can remember. And I know one year (the last time we were there) my parents let my little brother go by himself (he was 11 at the time). He was fine on his own. He had no problems what-so-ever. (And those were all day things, we would only meet for dinner.)


The whole thing comes down to maturity. If you feel your child is not mature enough to be on their own (ie be loud, spend all their food money, etc) then don't let them go. Disney is very safe though.

A local school takes their cheerleaders there every other year and those girls are allowed on their own, and have no problems (well I don't know about being obnoxious).

 

[dizprincess717]

Last summer my parents left my sister and I do whatever we wanted to do in WDW. I was 17 and my sister was 11. Since the summer hours were in effect we'd leave our motorhome around 7am and wouldn't come back 'til after midnight.

I asked my parents if they would have left me go to the parks alone when I was younger, and they said that if it wasn't Christmas when we went (I was 13) that they would have left me go to different areas of the park and then meet up with them.

It's Disney World. I feel just as safe there as I do in my house!

 

[Laurajean1014]

I sounds like a good idea. Try MGM as your first park. It's the smallest of the two, and the thrill rides are close to each other. That way you can "come to their rescue" if needed.

I think it is a good idea. Your child, although she may not tell you, will appreciate the freedom that she will have, even if it's only at 2-3 hour clips.

A suggestion: Tell her that you can go anywhere in the park that she wants but that all family members eat together. Then you will have a natural reason to meet up with her every few hours.

I hope this helps.

Let us know how it worked out.

 

[Troy08]

Ten years ago I would have said No way, but in this age of instance communication, I say let them do it. Set boundaries for them! No getting into an hour long line when they are supposed to meet you in 20 minutes., Keep in touch via cell or text messaging. Give them some freedom, but explain the consequences of what will happen if they abuse your trust in them. Above all, no park hopping!!!And make sure they have there ticket, or resort I.D. and medical insurance cards on them at all times.

 

[Ron G]

I think I'd ask the girl's parents what they think about this, just to have all bases covered.

We have done this , we went to dinner with the other parents & discussed our plans. I also gave them a copy of our itinerary for the week. We have known each other since our kids started kindergarten (our dds will be high school freshman this fall). They said that they trust our judgement & are comfortable letting their dd go. I'm sure they will or have already had a lengthy discussion with their child about how to act, etc. As for me, I've already had a talk with my dd & plan to talk to both of them together during our 10 hr. drive (captive audience )

Ron

 

[freakylick]

Let me add this to the discussion:
My two favorite memories from my childhood involve riding rides with my dad. It's so easy for families to be apart these days (both parents work, cell phones, video games, etc...) that families should use a time like a trip to Disney for quality family bonding. Your kids may not want to spend time with you now, but 20 or so years from now, they will be glad that they did.

(NOTE: Not saying that anyone here doesn't spend enough time w/their kids..it's just a general observation)

 

[ScottieDog]

I've yet to have a gripe with teens in the parks....my gripe is at the hotel pools.

Parents, PLEASE don't let your kids hog the hot tubs, it's doubtfull that they work the 50+ hrs each week that my partner and I do and as such couldn't possibly need those bubbles like I did.

Still, each night we'd go to use the hot tub only to find it packed with children (10-19)


Thanks~

 

[seashoreCM]

(I didn't read all the replies so this may have been said already)

... Then you will be worrying about whether he may get bullied or robbed or mugged or kidnapped.

... Does he have the responsibility and maturity to return punctually to a designated place? After waiting in a line that turns out to be much longer than expected and not getting to ride yet? Allowing enough time for Disney buses to get him back to the park you are in and he hopped from? Try out a short period (say two hours) away from you and see how he does.

Caution, many poles and benches look alike. Be sure you have a good unmistakable rendezvous point.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Linda T.]

My daughters - ages 17 and 15 - go to the parks with me and their grandmother. It is a family vacation so we all stay together, shop together, eat together, ride rides together, etc. They have never asked to go off by themselves at the parks and I'm glad they don't. At the resort, they go off and swim, eat or go the the arcade and that is fine with me. To me, if we are on a family vacation then I want to do things as a family. Just my opinion.

Good luck on your decision.