"mom, I know the parks & resorts - I can find my way around"

[newholidayx2]

and I know he most likely could
but Im not sure about the "strangers"
think if he takes off I can feel safe? or not?

 

[herprettiness]

How old is your son? Has he been on his own where you live?

 

[all4fun]

Will he be alone or have a friend along?

 

[tjmw2727]

How old is he, has he been to WDW? Does he spend time alone at home, at the mall, after school etc?

TJ

 

[newholidayx2]

he'll be turning 13 before we go
he was at WDW when he was 4, 9, 10 and 12
he hasnt been alone out in "public"
its just he and I going on this vacation

 

[tjmw2727]

Sounds like you are reluctant and with a mom/son trip you may not have much reason to split up. Maybe if you would like to take in a movie or show say at the WS in Epcot that he isn't interested in he can ride TT or see a show he likes and then meet again at a designated time and place. If this works well for an hour or two of separation within the same park you could decide if more freedom was deserved. Try cellphones - or walkies just in either of you is delayed to the meeting place.

TJ

 

[billysarmywife]

we went when I was 13 and my parents let me go off alone for short amounts of time 1 or 2 hrs in the same park or when my parents would take a nap and i would go to the pool things like that. we also had walkie talkies though so that they could pretty much still reach me at any time and we had meet up places. They also made it very clear if I was not back in time or they found out I was going somewhere different than what I said I was then I would be by their side the rest of the trip. Needless to say I followed the rules!

Kristi

 

[Marseeya]

and I know he most likely could
but Im not sure about the "strangers"
think if he takes off I can feel safe? or not?

My son is 14 and I'll more than likely let him go off on his own, but probably not for an entire day. That said, I'm fairly comfortable doing it because he's gone through puberty and is pretty good sized and his voice has changed. He's also an extremely cautious kid and pretty suspicious of people. If someone wanted to hassle him, they'd have to make a fuss doing it! (I wrote about him in the reluctant 14 yr old thread)

I'd probably feel differently if he were smaller and not as well developed, or if he weren't so cautious.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

I also made this comment in another active thread. If he was with a friend I would be ok with it but not a young 13 year old alone. Stick together and enjoy each other. I see nothing wrong with letting him run to the food court and right back or leaving him in the room while you run down to get food for the room. We told my now 12 year old he could have time away from us in the park at 13 but only with his same age cousin or a trusted friend.
I really don't see being alone as much fun for a 13 year old/

Jordans' mom

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

I would let him go with a cellphone so he could reach you. Also contact data for both of you on id holders.

Sent my DS 12 off last June in Magic Kingdom and he came back in a couple of hours ready to rejoin us for the day. I wouldn't want him leaving the park without me though.

 

[newholidayx2]

thanks for the feedback - I think we'll start w/time in the same park and go from there - maybe in the spring/summer we can start at home and see how it goes
we were just talking now in the car at the bus stop and he agrees we're both looking so much more forward to this vacation (than last couple) since it will be just the 2 of us

 

[MinnieGirl33]

I know I'll be dealing with this topic soon enough too!

Cell phones and/or walkie talkies.

Know your child.

Trust your gut.

 

[Lindamary123]

When we are going in June and my 14 yr old son asked me if he could go off by himself. I said no, but he can go around with his older brother and sister who are 18 and 21. I think the kids will have more fun together anyway. But all of them will have cell phones at all times. Plus they haven't been there for 9 years and I'm sure don't remember where everything is located.

Good luck!

Linda

 

[dis-happy]

Guess I'm in the minority, but I would let him. In small bits, of course. In general, WDW is a pretty safe and controlled environment, so by letting him off for an hour or two he will be learning and growing, but there is still a safety net. As a parent (mom of 3, ages 4-16), I believe that children learn maturity by actually doing. Give him freedom in small doses now, so when he is 18 and on his own at college (or 16 with a driver's license) he has already learned what he needs to take care of himself. If he messes up at WDW (say he loses his wallet with all his money, or neglects to show up at the appointed time, or spends on souvenirs vs. having lunch, or gets lost and has to ask directions) at least here it won't be the end of the world, just a learning experience. You could also make it conditional--give him a chance to meet you at a specific place on time, or lose the opportunity to go off again later. JMHO